How to author with menu and chapters without re-encoding ?

[donpedro]

I have mpg file encoded with TMPGEnc and I would like to make DVD (-R) with my Sony DRU-500A with chapters (requiered) and menu (optional).

For DVD Authoring I have MyDVD and Pinnacle Studio 8. With MyDVD I can't (don't know how) create chapters and it will also re-encode mpg file when I try to use it. Studio 8 doesn't allow me to create (create disc...) disc contetnt that is bigger that it things that should fit into one DVD-R (also possible issue with re-encoding).

Is there software that will allow me to author DVD with menu and chapters without re-encoding ? I found that SpruceUp was able to do that, but it is not available anymore. Also I feel like my process has too many steps and maybe some that are not required if I'll do it differently. Any ideas here too ?

OK. Here is hwat I did.

I have 2 DivX AVI files. I want make DVD-R

Frame size: 576x272 Aspect ratio (2.11)
fps: 29.970

Source

(A) DiVX (AVI) to (S)VCD using DVD2SVCD - By: LeeBear - ver. 1.0

(B) How to convert to DVD with TMPGEnc

(C) How to put SVCD MPEG2 video on a DVD-R,DVD-RW,DVD+RW

(D) How to author & burn a DVD using only freeware tools

(E) How to burn DVD-Video with Nero

1. Based on (A) 1.d I resaved files with fiexed audio in VirtualDub.
2. Based on (A) 1.a I opened both new files in VirtualDub.
3. Based on (A) 1.c I scaned video stream for errors in VirtualDub.
4. Based on (A) 1.d Set all required (sampling rate 48000Hz).
5. Based on (A) 1.e I resaved avi as one big file (I skipped spliting).
6. Based on (B) I encoded to one big (3.91GB) mpg file. Here are settings that I used (if missing, settings from (B) were used):
-DVD:NTSC template
-I used same avi file for video and audio source.
-Full screen (keep aspect ratio) (Result is that I have whole picture on TV with black stripes. That is what I want.)
-Average video bitrate : 3150 kbits/sec (estimeted to about 4000MB)
7. Based on (C) Step 1 I split (demultiplex) mpg file to video (m2v) and audio (mp2)
8. Based on (D) Step 2 I created VIDEO_TS folder with vob files.
9. Based on (E) I burned DVD ( just +RW for now )

OTHER QUESTIONS :

I. If I use DVD2SVCD, what should I set as aspect ratio ? DivX file have it 2.11 and I will watch it on 4:3 TV and I don't want to loose any part of picture.

Thank you for your advice.....

[DigiToast]

I think you're missing a pretty key step that needs to be done. I may be wrong on this, but you probably need to use IfoEdit to open up your IFOs and change the attributes of the video. IE: Open up VTS_01_0.IFO, double click on Video under Title Set, set the resolution, aspect ratio, and the static options.

Edit: Argh sorry, posted into the wrong message. I thought that you were trying to make a DVD that wasn't 720s480 as I came to this post off of here:
http://www.vcdhelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=124605

[donpedro]

DigiToast,

Do you by any chance know how to author mpeg (created by TMPGEnc) to DVD with chapters and menu without beeing re-encoded by authoring software ?

Thanks.

[Nolonemo]

DVD Workshop does this if your mpg is compliant. Version 1.3 has a check box for the option. Does motion backgrounds and/or buttons if you're into that.

[DigiToast]

donpedro, IfoEdit 0.95 has a new feature that lets you add in chapters. I have no clue, however, about how you would go about adding in menus with the software that you're using.

[donpedro]

donpedro, IfoEdit 0.95 has a new feature that lets you add in chapters. I have no clue, however, about how you would go about adding in menus with the software that you're using.

Chapters would be great. Do you have any link to guide how to do it ? Or could you share your steps ?

DVD Workshop does this if your mpg is compliant. Version 1.3 has a check box for the option. Does motion backgrounds and/or buttons if you're into that.

Thanks. Where can I find what is "compliant" for DVD Workshop ? Can I have 3150 bitrate or does it have to be some specific number ? Any other requirements ? I see that on Ulead web site I can dowload Trial version of 1.2. Does this version have this option too ?

[DigiToast]

donpedro, try looking for guides on doom9.org or looking in the forums over there. IfoEdit's official discussion board is hosted by doom9.

[donpedro]

DigiToast, Thanks.... I'll do that.

As far as DVD Workshop goes.... What about this
"Please HELP!! Stop the insanity!!" re-encoding issue ?

[donpedro]

donpedro, try looking for guides on doom9.org or looking in the forums over there. IfoEdit's official discussion board is hosted by doom9.

I believe this is what I need.....

http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/mpg/ifoedit-dvdauthor.htm

[donpedro]

OK. I just tested Trial version of SpruceUP. It looks like it is exactly what I need. Does anybody know if it is possible to purchase SpruceUP ? It looks like their web site doesn't allow it.

[donpedro]

If anybody is interested.... here is my final solution.

Source

(F) SpruceUp Guide

I replaced step 8 with this.

8.1 I changed extension of my audio file to mpa
8.2 Based on (F) I authored with SpruceUp. Only 2 menus. First with Play and Scenes buttons and second by pressing auto create button (to create thumbnails from chapters)
8.3 Based on (F) 6 I exported files to Title Set

Works great and I am more then happy....