Creating menus: DVD Styler re-encoding question.......

[bahjan]

Hi, I want to create custom menus without re-encode; I couldn't get Titlewriter or Rapid Menu Writer to work. I like DVD Styler, especially as the information implies that it can create DVD's from VOB and Mpegs without re-encoding. However, every time I use it, it takes hours - it took 6 hours yesterday to finish a 2 hour dvd. 2 titles with 2 simple menus. Is this normal? If not, what settings do I need for it to create without re encode? I assume this is what it was doing for 6 hours. It creates the menu files very quickly, but multiplexes the vob files takes a long time. I can't seem to see anything in the documentation that says anything about creating without re-encode...

[Hoser Rob]

I haven't used DVD Styler recently ... frankly, AVStoDVD is far, far superior and I'll never use DVD Styler again ... but I seem to remember there is such an option. I believe they used the word transcode instead.

[bahjan]

I contacted 'FallenAngel' the creator of Titlewriter direct, apparently the programme only works with Shrink reauthoured files which have to be rock solid to work. I thought I'd post his reply:

Well first -You can't "load" 3 titles in TW. You load a compiliation containing 3 titles -- DvDShrink Reauthor mode (even with no compression) does this. Most likely your current compilation is created a bit - well, wonky. TW needs a rock solid compilation to start with. DvDShrink Reauthor mode provides this. Odds are it will only take a few minutes. If Option 'Make Menu' is greyed that means TW has already detected a Menu (Or menu navigation ) in the compiliatiion. TW also has a "remove all menus option" Create a full Undo point before using (vs DvDShrink re-author step)

I'm still playing with it, I'll consider writing a short 'how to' later, but it's not hard.....

I think FAngel is to be found here, but there is this link too: http://forum.digital-digest.com/f14/titlewriter-4-72-***-update-31-july-2008-***-81885.html

[chowmein]

Make sure that "do not remultiplex/reencode" is checked, and that you select "Copy" in video & audio properties.

(DVDStyler, that is)

[should be defaults anyway I think?]