Star Wars Conversions-Hit me with your best shot...

[Mythos2002]

Hello Spiderman.

Gary,

I'm glad the subtitles will help. Here is the guide that I followed for how to add them using Virtual Dub and Sub Station Alpha which are both free programs: https://www.videohelp.com/forum/userguides/170420.php

I hope you have a lot of hard drive space. My AVI file saved with subtitles in Virtual Dub was going to be over 100 Gb and I didn't have that much room to spare. That's just 1/2 of the movie. The reason why the file was that big instead of the usual 12 to 13 Gb is because you have to save the AVI using Virtual Dub's full proccessing setting instead of the direct stream copy if you want your subtitles to appear. What I did instead was to framserve from Virtual Dub into TMPEng. By doing that, I didn't have to create an intermediate AVI file. I do recommend editing your captures together, saving the WAV file for the audio and saving the edited together AVI file without audio before adding the subs if you are using Virtual Dub. That is how I did it.

Of course there are other ways to add subtitles. Robster used Video Vegas, but I don't have that software myself.

In Sub Station Alpha, I changed the font size to around 28 and changed the color to a pale yellow. I also moved the subtitles vertical position to 130. The results are very nice and look better than the white subtitles that are in the black bars on the LD's. I'll be around to help when you need it. I did ESB first because it was the easiest since there are no subtitles to fool with.

As far as audio, you may try BeSweet. I can't use it because my Pioneer DVD player doesn't like 2.0 AC-3 files made with BeSweet. I used uncompressed PCM on mine since each movie is spread across 2 discs. I figure that I can always go back and make each film onto one disc if I get one of those dual layer burners and dual layer media in the future.

Mythos

[Gary Lightfoot]

Hi Mythos,

I've got 160gig in my current pc, but have ordered a new ide card and another 120gig drive for this project.

I'd put some spare drives in another pc, and networked them together, but having the possobility of 8 drives easily at hand in one pc looked like a better option, so hopefully I'll have that al up and running next week sometime.

I'm playing with BeSweet now, and I'm trying to find a program that will mux the AC3 file to my TMPG video file. Any suggestions for a proggy that will do that without affecting the sync? TMPG doesn't seem to like the audio files after I've messed with them, though other programs play them ok.

Recommend any good audio software with hiss removal tools built in?

Cheers.

Gary.

[Perro Grande]

I started this project after solving the AC3 5.1 sound problem...

Recently, my efforts have been focused on the video side of things.

With my Canopus, I can get reasonably good video. I recently made a DVD with a bunch of short clips with various settings so I could see what the results are when displayed on an NTSC TV.

The results varied -- too soft, grainy, etc. Some were extremely good, too. However, every single one of them had the same problem. The top and bottom scanline are jumping and shaky. The rest of the field looks okay. None of this shows up when viewed on a software DVD player, so I suspect it is somehow an issue related to interlacing/IVTC. I tried swapping the field order and that made the entire picture jumpy and ugly -- so I'm certain of the field order.

I've captured the video using WinDV, and use TMPG to do Inverse 3:2 Pulldown (set the source to mixed Video/Film), Clip Frame, Noise Reduction, etc.

Any thoughts on what could be causing this?

I can't afford to burn 1 DVD every time I need to test a 5 minute clip, and none of my set-top players seem to like DVD-RWs. Is there an alternate method to test output on a TV?

[vhelp]

hay guys.. TGIF - finally :P

I'm slowly learning new things about DVD burners, and one of the things I
learned is that it's not just the drive itself that causes any failure in the DVD's
final play (dvd player) but rather, it's the DVD player (model/brand) that is
the cause of "play failure".
.
.
On my Apex AD-1500, my +RWs' will not play in them, but my:
Durabrand SSS w/DVD Player STS75E it plays them fine (so far)
.
.
It's also a matter of WHICH dvd authoring app you use to. Cause, some
may play, and others may play, but choke. So, you have to resort to some
final "fine-tuning" before you resort to a final +RW or -RW disk. You would
probably do better to benefit a 2nd DVD player (I have 4) but that will at
least play one of your DVD disk brands (ie, +RW or -RW) It's important to
use RW's under these strong forces (I mean) encoding projects. I
would consider it a "best shot.." tip for Star Wars.. :P

As far as "jumpy" or whatever. I would probably blaim it on IVTC parameters
you used, or else the Field Order (in TMPG's encoding) or combo of the two.
.
.
DV is always:
* TMPG: Advanced/Field order: [ Bottom field first (field B) ]
.
.
Your next area of search (for "jumpy") is the IVTC process/method you are
using.
.
.
Followed by what resolution/cropping you have set to. Incorrect cropping
size or resolution stretching can lead to slight "jumpyness" too 8)

These are my thought regarding your above issues.

I know what you mean about costs. I've burnt so many (waistful disks) but
because I'm knew at this, I have to obtain some new "scars" along the way :P

-vhelp

[Gary Lightfoot]

I've also found that some players don't like some writable DVDs - I now use only Ritek dye G04 disks, and I don't have any issues with them. I used Mirror disks, but they would cause the players to skip and jump, or display error messages. They played fine in the htpc though. I think the pc has better error correction.

Perro - what did you do for the sound finaly? That's the part I,m at now, so I'm curious.

Cheers,

Gary.

[vhelp]

I'm not too crazy about sound quality, but of course I'd like to keep it as
close to the orginal. And, since I'm :P now :P working w/ DVD media's, I'd
like to maintain as close to source as possible, but w/out being to anal about it.

One thing, I mention above, and I ment it, is he DVD (I would just say, MPEG) authoring app. If I use myDVD, I get a really loud clicking sound.
very painful to when playing the dvd in my STS75E player, but not on my pc
SW player. When I use another DVD authroing app, I do not get any of
these LOUD clicking soundings. I don't even know why it does this after I
author DVD (myDVD) though.

But, I'd be interested in the best way poss. to work w/ the Audio part, and
have good detail
Yes, thanks for any tips.
-vhelp

[Perro Grande]

Yep -- again, the awesome dvdrhelp.com forum comes through! It was the IVTC method I was using.

Apparently, the Mixed Film/Video setting (which flags TMPG to do Inverse 3:2 Pulldown) is handled differently by different set-top players.

My Pioneer DVL-700 (DVD + LaserDisc) plays the Inv3:2 clips perfectly, but the other three players (all much newer) don't. So I finally gave in and made another DVD sample disk. This time, I added some clips using true IVTC (I did both Motion and Flicker priority in TMPG). I added a few of the other clips for comparison and to eliminate a bad DVDR disk.

Sure enough, the true IVTC ones played perfectly and the "Inverse 3:2 Pulldown" ones had jumpy top and bottom scan lines. Live and learn, I guess.

Thanks for the help

[Perro Grande]

Gary,

I finally solved the ddwav problem.

M-Audio released updated drivers for the delta series cards on 12/26 (merry christmas to me!!). These drivers apparently made all the difference...

I can capture a 48KHz stereo WAV file from the AC3 5.1 output. It will be the nasty DD buzzing, as expected. Unlike previously, though, after the driver update BeSplit was able to transcode a perfect AC3 5.1 file for me.

I can then break these apart into 6 WAV files to normalize, time correct, etc. BeSweet can put 'em all back together. Then TMPG Author can handle authoring with 5.1 AC3 files.

I've worked up some tricks for getting the audio in sync. Essentially, I capture the 5.1 on a separate computer, but still capture analog audio using my canopus ADVC box. I use this captured audio as a reference to get the duration and start points of the 5.1 file perfect. It is a bit cumbersome, but it seems to work...

[Gary Lightfoot]

Wow, that sounds tricky!

I'm currently just messing with a stereo source from the original trilogy disks, and that seems problematic enough at the moment..

Gary.

[Gary Lightfoot]

I think I've fixed the hiss problem in the Audio - I tried Goldwave 5.06 after doing a search on this wonderful forum, and it seems to have removed all hiss from the parts where it's most obvious - like the beginning where the 20th Centurt Fox fanfare finishes, and the Star Wars intro begins - lots of hiss which, although it drops down considerably during the silent pause, is noticable if you have the volume up.

GW seems to have removed it without affecting the other frequencies. Sound Forge had a hiss filter, but it was a blanket removal of certain frequencies which dulled the top end. GW does a better job, and with no noticable detriment, as far as I can tell..

Gary.

[Mythos2002]

I'm glad you got it worked out Gary. I'm not too familiar with all of the sound programs and sound editing. I guess I'll have to become more familiar with it soon though.

Well, I am now finished with all 3 films. I had to encode the 2nd 1/2 of Jedi twice because I didn't add any black space at the beginning. If I don't do that, the film skips a little while the player is speeding up the disc. At least that is fixed now.

I'm quite pleased with the whole project. Jedi looks pretty good, but I noticed it has the worst image quality of the three. My VHS and LD's are the same compared to ANH and ESB. I think it is because of all of the fog and smoke in Jabba's Palace and the Ewok Village. The other scenes look fine though. I also remember reading several bootleg reviews and they said Jedi looked the worst of the 3.

I have to figure out how I am going to do the extras. I'm trying to figure out if I should make 3 main menus (one for each film) and put the supplements for each under its own section. I could also put all of the trailers together in one section. I just haven't decided. Unfortunately, most of the extras are 4:3 full screen and are of bad quality, especially the trailers. Does anyone want to chime in who has finished the extras?

Thanks

Mythos

[Gary Lightfoot]

Thanks Mythos.

I'll have to look into the black space thing myself, just in case it's an issue with me too.

I've left out the THX Laserdisc intro, but might add that back in - it can't be cropped like the movie as it'a different aspect ratio, so I'll experiment with it to se what works best. That could solve the problem if I have it with mine..

I'm hoping to be able to mux the new audio with the movie so that there isn't any lip sync issues. My Ulead program doesn't allow me to add a sound file as a movie sound file, and won't render them together with the sound as a sound track or voice track. WinDVD creator takes ages, so I'll have to see what it looks like when done. TMPG doesn't like many of the processed audio files, so I might be a bit stuck with regards to remuxing them..

As for extras, I'm thinking of just putting each films relevant extras onto a second disk. This should work even if the film is split over two disks, as they're not too large.

I was going to add in the comentary tracks as an alternative sound track, but I don't think the programs I have allow me to do that. It would be nice to be able to watch the film with just the commentary like you can with some directors commentary. Maybe even with the sound track running in the background.

I've been looking at the Pirate copies of the trilogy, and the picture quality of ESB looks pretty good. It has lip sync issues though. I'll try to get some pics of some scenes from both my conversion and the pirate one so we can see the differences.

Gary.

[vhelp]

on my VHS version of ANH, the intros seem to be on in Telecine mode :P
Good for me, cause the cuts between scenes (those shots they mix from
other areas in the film) are not "de-sync'ed", but are rathr smooth and play
in smooth fluid motion ( another :P )

In my project goal, I want to maintain the Tapes "originality". And, that
means, to properly maintain the Tapes "scope" (ie, all intros, and specias,
and of course, the movie itself)


Sound..
@ gary,

I don't seen to have any "hissing" problems that I am aware of, at least not
in my vhs tape version of ANH.
.
.
* Which movie does this happen in, or all movies ??
* Where in the movie(s) does the his come in at ??
* And, are you using an SSS audio system (ie, DTS w/ different mixture of
...SS options (ie, Matrix, By-pass, Music, Cinema etc, during play)
* Authoring app you are using. **

** It's my experince (and personal opinion) that the authoring app is responsible
.....for most of the issues you encounter (not counting the disk media and the
.....dvd player) This explains (partly) why my +RW disks play in one of my
.....dvd player and not other (ie, my AD-1500 doesn't play them)


Audio..

I'm using 192k for my DVD audio. I'd like to incorporate it as an AC3 instead,
but I don't know if there is a difference w/ ( .mpa or .mp2 ) vs. ( .ac3 ) in
sound quality, if both are using 192k AND are from the same source (ie, DV,
from my advc device)
So, I don't get the "difference" issues as yet - care to explaine advantage
anyone ??

Thanks all,
-vhelp

[Mythos2002]

Hello Vhelp,

I'm glad to see that your project is coming along.

Gary,

I wouldn't add the THX Logo back in. I didn't have a problem with each of the first discs in my two disc versions because there is black space I left in between the THX Logo and the 20th Century Fox opening. I cut out just enough where I don't hear any of the THX Logo sound. I only had to add some black space at the beginning of each of my 2nd discs.

I don't notice too much hissing except in the quiet areas of black space like at the beginning of the 2nd discs. I'll admit the 20th Century Fox Opening doesn't sound good, but the sound greatly improves once the Star Wars titles begin. I think they used an old 20th Century Fox Opening without restoring it first when they created the LD's. I don't hear any hiss in the movies themselves.

I have not watched the extras yet and was wondering how long they are in total.

That's great that you are including the audio commentary track Gary. I didn't feel like worrying with it since it doesn't run the length of the films. I believe DVD-Lab will let you add a second audio source. Just have to check over the help file. It is a great program and has a free 30 day trial.

Mythos

[Gary Lightfoot]

Hi vhelp,

the hiss isn't on the laserdiscs, but once captured, a little amount seems to be added. I can hear it particularly in the opening of ANH that I mentioned earlier. I can hear both on my pc, or either of my av systems. The Pro Logic results (I and II) are pretty good though.

I'm now having trouble getting it muxed back together without sync issues. I think that's what's also happened with the pirate copies. I need to use another program, as WDVD creator loses the w/s switching flag, and also softens the picture quite a bit - and this is in 'smart render' mode.

I'm not sure if the de-hissing has added some issues, or if it's the muxing process. I'll have to have a look at the lengths of the before and after files, and see if the syncing is consistent or variable..

Audio differences - after using BeSweet to convert the wav to AC3 or MP2, both file sizes were identical. I think I have cloth ears, because I can't hear a diffeence either.

Mythos,

I downloaded DVD lab, but the 30 days has expired, so I don't know what it's like with respect to audio comentaries. I'll have to see if there are any other options.

Gary.

[vhelp]

@ gary,

I'll tell you what. I'l U/L a sample clip of the opening 20th Centry Fox part,
and you tell me if you hear any "hiss" K ??
.
.
EDIT 1: - - also, it's in Progressive mode (not interlateced) perhaps you
guys need to take a closer look at each "extras" to be sure what Type it is
before you encode them. I think you need to do this extra step first. This
may be all your IVTC issues, because you're starting off w/ a scene that
may have either a Progressive frames, and/or mixed Interlace/IVTC
.
.
EDIT 2: - - also, the FOX scene is Interlaced.
.
.
On that note, I think you can better encode each of these elements separately,
then later, when you author (via your DVD app) "merge" them all together
as ONE vob file (pending your project goals of course :P )

I just came back from C.USA and it was pack w/ customers AND lines
I'm exhausted just from THAT experience. Anyways, I got a bunch of diff.
brand -RW; +RW; -R; and +R no-name brand disks
I'll save the -R/+R 's for my later final authors :P Anyways..

-vhelp

[Perro Grande]

Gary, everyone,

I hear ya on the audio sync problems. Fortunately, I'm fairly experienced with audio, so I can make that work in just about every instance. Personally, I have not used GoldWave very much, as I have invested in some relatively decent audio software for my other hobby - electronic music. What I've seen of it, though, looks good.

My AC3 5.1 process is not as tricky as it might sound. Generally, all I have to do is align up the center channel from the 5.1 mix with the reference track. This is done by adding padding at the beginning of the 6 AC3 waves. I use the center channel to discover how much to add, then add it to the remaining 5 and re-create the AC3 file. If the reference file is in good sync, the results are all but guaranteed to be fine.

[vhelp]

ok, you can D/L the "20th Centry Fox" sample clip for your test ears :P
Had a bit of a problem w/ the filename - - doesn't like "{}()[]" chars.

It should be in the 2:35.1 ratio. pdvd plays it that way. wdvd does not.
I hope that your DVD player can play this (though very short) in the correct
2:35.1 ratio, ..otherwise, I'm in big trouble hehe..

But, let me know how sound is too



** pic, was taken from vdubMOD (running sample MPEG-2 clip through it)
.....and Ctrl+1 to clipboard, pasted into PSP, resized down to 512x218 while
.....maintaining the same 2:35.1 aspect ratio. (for size purposes here)


You can find the file for D/L at my VHELP's Samples.. thread.

-vhelp

[duhmez]

Didnt read all of the thread, but if this hazsnt been covered before, if the video is 2.35 to 1, then you MUST add borders on it. To find out how much black border simply analyze another 2.35:1 movie you have and simmply count them. (it will still be anam morphic, it will be less bars than if you did 4:3 letterbox)

[Gary Lightfoot]

OK guys,

just to let you know of a few things I've discovered that are probably pretty elementary to you, but took me hours to sort out!

The audio problem - I didn't realise that TMPG wouldn't take none compliant audio files, and the best way for me to get a hiss free sound and still in sync, was to take the mp2 file, de-hiss it in GoldWave, then save as a .wav. No problems so far.

In order to get TMPG to take it, I had to use ffmpeg to convert the .wav to compliant AC3, and then I used BBavi2mpg2 to remux them, though I could have used TMPG now, as it will take the ffmpg converted wav. Using BeSweet to convert to AC3 or MP2 was producing non compliant files that neither TMP or BBavi2mpg2 would accept.

So now I have a completed mpg2 file with synced AC3 hissless audio, correct 16:9 switching/2.35:1 ratio, ready for converting to DVD...

Not quite!!

I've just discovered that in order to get black looking blacks, you have to tick the 'output YUV data as Basic YCbCr not CCIR601'. Otherwise you get dark grey blacks instead of black blacks.

I've just tried it, and there's definately a difference in black level... So, back to the 7 hour encoding to mpg2.....

vhelp,

I downloaded your 7meg file, but I couldn't open it - it causes my winace to crash.

What .rar program should I use to uncompress it?

Gary.

[vhelp]

@ Gary,

I'm using WinRAR 2.90 Beta 2 to compress, because it makes files
smaller than Winzip.

FYI, In my advc vhs capture of "ANH", and after my merging a few test .avi
files together (via vdub) and performing quicky test encodes of various parts, I found that there would be areas that had too bad a "glitch" or hick-up,
that caused the Field Order to miss-behave. I knew this would happen because
of the age and ware'n-tare of the tape, but I had to be sure and try a few
test encodes :P I'm glad I did, rather than having encoded the complete
segments. This is what I was on about, when I said that you have to check
these areas out, w/ respect to your faulted up IVTC (or studder or whatever
you were all refereing to it as) in my previous arguments/comments above.

In my honest opinion, I think we would all benefit if we perform a thorough
analysis of the source (ie, in vdub's timeline) where we view the video source
for any possible out-of-alignment IVTC. You can spot them when you run
the .avi source through vdub and observe for any broken 3:2 pattern. If
you see any Interlace, you can bet your IVTC is broken, and you'll suffer
the results later on, when you view it and see hesitation/studder or jumpyness.

About audio..
I was playing around, and made an .WAV to .AC3 app, but i can't seem to
find where I left it. When last I worked on it, I was implenting a drag-n-drop
feature to it - thugh not complete w/ that feature yet :P
I just wanted something quick'n easy, like dragging a file and tadaa.. you're done.

Question, did you first convert your audio, from .wav then to .ac3 ??
or, did you convert from .wav to .mp2 then to .wav, then to .ac3 ??
I'm confused what steps you used in your process. - - just curious.

-vhelp

[Perro Grande]

Vhelp:

I'm not sure who's process you were asking about...

Based on the little emoticon, I assume that you're probably talking to me...

Anyway -- in short, my process for 5.1 goes like this:

• SPDIF captured as DDWAV.
  DDWAV to 5.1 AC3
  5.1 AC3 to 6 WAV files
  ** edit wav files as necessary to fix length, etc *
  6 wav files back to 5.1 AC3

I then author with the m2v file and my AC3 file.

The fundamental issue is that I don't have editing software that can work natively with AC3 files. I have several apps that can do multitrack work, though, so fixing and aligning multiple tracks is no big deal.

[vhelp]

sorry Perro..

I was refering to Gary

yeah, I'm having my own set of troubles.. thought not from SW conversion.
Rather from my DVD authoring process. For the life of me, I just don't get
it. In one instance, I author a small clip, and its perfect 2:35.1 on my
TV set (matching my VCR's tape version of "ANH") and I do another encode
and author another day, and it's now showing 1:85.1 I'm stumped !! And,
I'm exhausted in the Aspect Ratio business (or shall I say, nonsense)
Either I got, or I DON'T !! I don't understand why its working on one disk,
and not the other. I don't like nor appreciate stupidity in my process
I know it worked before, and I followed the same process. Only I used another
DVD authoring software. Sometimes, though I use the same one, and it
works or don't works. It drives me mad. I just don't know what "loose screw"
is loose in my process that keeps breaking my so called ferfect aspect ratio
process. I'm plumb mad. And, I need to take a break and figure out whats
going on. So, I need to learn more about this DVD stuff before it drives me
insane
To top it all, I have limited hd space and that's taking me longer to author
to a disk, and then finally be able to enjoy it. It's ben a long haul for me.
But, I need to learn a few more things before I continue any futher
..until I get this gaDamn aspect ratio thing worked out, and working in every
attemp/project I make, and to the letter, and every time !! period!!

Well, sorry to rain on you guys, but i'm plumb exhausted in AR nonsense.
.
.
That last MPGE-2 sample I posted, is a perfect 2:35.1 aspect ratio encode.
I know it is. yesterday, I authored it to DVD+RW, and it was a perfect 2:35.1,
matching my VHS top/bottom crop. Today, I go and do it again, it's not now
an 1:85.1 crop. WTF. I don't get it. Time to take a break :P


@ Gary,

I tell you, that sample is 2:35.1 (please author it the way you do) and burn
to DVD and play in your dvd player. Please tell me I'm not crazy, and watch
it on your WS tv. Tell me if it looks like either of the following;

* 1.78 - fullscreen on ws tv
* 1.85 - slightly less then 1.78 above
* 2.35 - more bars (or small center video)

I know the source is tiny. But it will make me happy. IF too small, let me
know, and I'll encode a larger sample for you.
.
.
Thanks,

-vhelp

[Gary Lightfoot]

Hi vhelp,

I'll get winrar2.9 so I can see how your work looks. I hope it's not much better than mine cos I'll get very depressed.

I use tmpg to produce a seperate m2v and mp2 file from the source avi. I then use Goldwave to modify (remove the hiss) from the mp2. GW can only save as .wav (I guess it neds a codec or something), so I then have to modify the .wav to either mp2 or AC3. That's where I used BeSweet, and that's where the problem seems to lie. Using ffmpg to convert the .wav to AC3 resolved the problem.

I was just thinking - I'm using the motherboeards on-board audio, and although when playing the laserdisc through it, it sound sfine, I'm wondering if it's the board itself that's introducing the hiss. I've got an old Aureal SQ1500 with spdiff out, so I was wondering if that would be better for capturing the audio. If not, what sound card would you think would be a good choice?

Cheers.

Gary.

[vhelp]

@ Gary,

I've got an old Aureal SQ1500 ...

haha.. that's what I said too, when I had audio trouble, using my mobo's
built-in audio too
.
.
Then, I rememebered my Aureal SQ1500 card collecting dust. I installed it a
year ago I think (in my ECS K7S5A) 2nd pc, Turtle Beach/SantaCruz on my
1st pc.
And, I have no audio sound issues. Seems like we are in slight sync w/ each
other :P

I think Baldrick has a guide on the ffMPEG wav to ac3 process. I
might have a re-visit again to it.

What dvd authoring app are you using. I'm under window 98 gold, so I'm
quite limited. MyDVD; DVD author GUI; ifoEDIT seems to be the only ones
that will make an VOB (video_ts) for me to author to dvd successfully.
The only problem is that these apps seem to have an effect on the Aspect Ratio
of my encodes. I need something that is clean anc clearcut for me.
TDA (tmpg's version) only support w2k and xp OS's.
..just curious.

-vhelp

[Gary Lightfoot]

Additional - I think we posted at the sam time(ish):

I had a similar problem with my AR - if I use WinDVD creator, it will soften the image slightly and increase the colour saturation (both of which I actualy like!), but unfortunately, it doesn't keep the 16:9 switching, so everybody looks tall and skinny and the ratio is then 16:9. Using the force 16:9 squeeze mode works and all is well. Even so, I prefer the option of keeping it automatic.

So - have you changed your authoring package, or a setting within it? It's wild guess, but that's why I have to use a multiplexor - WinDVD will accept almost any audio file, but as well as the audio going out of sync, it has those other issues. I'm hoping that I can author with Ulead and not lose anything. Otherwise I'll be looking for another program to author with.

Gary.

[Gary Lightfoot]

LOL!

We did it again.

Well, it looks like I'll be installing the SQ1500 this week then, and see how my captures go from there. I may be capturing everything from scratch.. One minor drawback, is that XP doesn't support the card for digital out, but I won't be using that on the pc, so it's not amjor problem. It should be fine for sound captures though. I'll also be installing it into an ECS K7S5A (pro) mobo. 8)

I'm using WinXP, so I gues that helps - especialy with the 4gig limit. I have Ulead Video Studio 6 SE which came with the Belkin capture device, and it seems OK. Not sure how it will fair with this project though. A friend has MyDVD, and it sounds good, but that also loses the aspect setting by the sounds of it... That's why I have to use TMPG or BBavi2mpg2 to multiplex and keep the setting.

Gary.

[Mythos2002]

I highly recommend using DVD-Lab for authoring. I know it is steep at $99, but I paid it and it has been invaluable.

I have a question concerning VHelp's earlier comment about the timeline in Virtual Dub. How do you use this? I have a bunch of versions of the program including the Mod and am curious.

I'm still working on the extras. I think I have figured out a layout. I'm using DVD-Lab Pro, so it will let you have multiple VTS's. Here is my plan:

VMG Title Menu with three buttons which will say A New Hope Extras, ESB Extras, etc. I will have three VTS menus. One for each of the film's extras. Each VTS will have 3 buttons as well. One will be for the trailers, one for the interviews, and one for the galleries.

Now here is where it may be tricky. I captured the art gallery stills from the LD Player. You have to hit the step forward button to move from one still to another. I counted to 10 on each picture and hit step forward to the next. I was going to encode that, but I think I'm going to do slideshows in DVD-Lab instead. One reason is that there is a little interference on some of the stills along the bottom 4 lines. They need to be cropped. The other reason is that DVD-Lab allows you to create slideshows. You can set the duration for each picture and even add background music. You can also set the duration of the slide presentation to be the same as the audio duration. I was thinking of doing that and having some of the soundtrack playing in the background. I would rather do that than have something where you would have to hit the Next Button on the DVD Player remote to go to the next slide.

So in summary, I break the extras into 3 large sections, one for each of the films. I will then break them down into 3 smaller sections (trailers, interviews, and galleries with possible background music).

Does that sound like a good way to do it? I was only going to do the movies themselves, but I wanted to justify the purchase of The Definitive Collection LD's since I could have gotten the THX Faces versions for cheaper.

Mythos

[vhelp]

@ all.

First, let me give you the short..

few days ago, I found my dvd player unpluged - must have kicked the wire.
I then repluged. Nuff'said. These past few days, I've had nothing but AR
trouble'd blues. But, something acked me to check my dvd player's setup.
And, in short, my acke/hunch was correct. My AR had reset back to the..
dahh, 4:3 pan&scan mode

I changed it, put back my +RW disk, and vualla, ALL left/right of my
source was playing properly (accept for the 2:35.1 thing. Still play as a 1:85.1)
I'm looking into this now.
It kills me because I remembered indicating this to other IOW, I was pointing
out to others about this step - byting me in the backside w/ my own words

And now back to the AR issue.. though I'm getting closer :P
I'm telling you now.. the force is with me..

-vhelp

[vhelp]

ok.. here's an update to my AR process and progress..

First, I have two routines I want to try out. The first one was to reduce the
AR to resize ratio. The short is.. I got it to look closer to the last time I had
a working 2:35.1 AR. It's a tad bit short (narror'er) but I'm aiming to fix
that. But, just wanted to mention the short encode I did "20th Centry Fox"
came out really welll. The video pixel ratio was very nice and smooth looking.
I was happy
However, I'd still like to be consistant and continue maintaining the proper
AR. After all.., some day, I'll get a ws tv and I want my so called 2:35.1 to
be pricese. Lets continue.
.
.
As I was saying, I even lowered my CQ bitrate setting from 9400x6400
down to 9400x3400 and as I said above, quality was very good.., not to
mention the reduced filesize (3mb savings on that clip)

Here's what I did thus far..

* I encoded as ES[V&A] files
* I used DVD author GUI v0.4.7b to author as VOB (video_ts)
* dragged them all into Nero's folder, and burned.. yes, all 10 seconds worth

So far, so good.
Now, I need to some longer footage and re-author/burn again.. and next step
to move onward, w/ maybe .ac3 - - I think dvd author gui accepts .ac3 files :P

Things are def.'ly looking up.
-vhelp