DVD WORKSHOP TIPS & TRICKS

[Lula1]

Hi romanoj and everybody,

I was trying your solution for the Hollywood style button showing beside the text on the menus of DVD Workshop.

I did find it working for a gif with transparent background. I will also try
with PNG and TGA (targa). Which one is the preferred format , in your
opinion ?

But I was NOT satisfied with the results. Maybe I am missing something ...

When I set the buttons DISPLAY transparency to 99% it turns invisible. That is OK. Then , on it's ATTRIBUTES, I have to set the BUTTON STATE COLORS for FOCUSED and SELECTED.

Problem is that those colors are simply killing any fancy design I have
applied to my button, like for instance an outline with a different color or
a 3D effect. Is this what happens to you ?

Can you grab the image of your original button ( be it an arrow or a fancy
X ) , and how it looks like when FOCUSED or SELECTED in DVDWS ?

[Lula1]

To all DVDWS users :

I would like to repost my first question on the very first post of this topic, hoping that now that the topic attracted some attention , you guys could come in with some solution . So here it is :

"QUESTION 1 : Why do we have to use 768 x 576 images for backgrounds (menus ) ? That is what Ulead recommends on their web site. If I want to play a short NTSC 720x480 video (5 seconds) as a transition between menus, I can not use it´s last frame for my next still menu, since a 720x480 static image will give me black borders on top and bottom of the screen . Any ideas ? "

[EricB]

No idea why ULEAD uses the frame size they spec.

Has anyone figured out how to unlock the templates? I want to make xVCD with bit rates other than 1150. The current template manager really limits your creativity!

[icevideo]

As per Lula1 I will repost one of my thread.

Thanks for any input.

" I would like to transfer and authoring my digital home video to my DVD-R Pioneer A05 in Ulead Workshop 1.3

Which is the best settings ( I mean video bit rate, audio, and so on ...) to check in Project Settings to get the best quality on DVD ? I know I can go with the High Quality , but maybe there are more settings that I can check.

Which is the maximum lenght of the movie (in time) from my digital Sony camcorder to be able to capture in my Pentium 2.4 Ghz computer to fit later on in 4.7 Gb DVD-R ?

Thank you very much "

[snarfo]

Erikb,

You can make a new template in Tools/disc template manager.

Icevideo, to get teh best quality you should make your video files with CCE or TMPGENC--- the encoder in DVDWS isn't the best.

[russwcj]

I'm using version 1.3 (but I had the same problem on version 1.2 as well)


Original question:

I've asked this on various newsgroups but never had a response. How do you tell DWS which object is hilighted by default. For example, I'll lay out thumbnails for chapter selection, and annoyingly I can't guarantee chapter 1 is highlighted. it seems to be random (by random, I don't mean different every time, but different for each DVD i author. If I have 5 options on my 1st menu, I can't guarantee that the top option is selected as default, it is just as likely to have the 3rd option highlighted. I've even tried making sure that chapter 1, or the top option, is the last thing selected on the menu design screen before authoring, but still doesn't work. I'm puzzled

[icevideo]

Icevideo, to get teh best quality you should make your video files with CCE or TMPGENC--- the encoder in DVDWS isn't the best.

This is what I just did last night. Before to encode with TMPGEnc I extrat wav from movie with virtuadube , I hope this help right ? And I save under different name *.wav . After conversion TMPGEnc made another wave file.

So for authoring I belive I shoud take the wav create by TMPGEnc, am I correct ?

The movie is about 1 hour and 22 minutes. How long usually take to authoring with Workshop this new file create by TMPGEnc (I guess the extension is *.m2v)


Thanks a lot to everybody

[TDog2112]

Hi guys,

Just to update my situation, thanks again to Lula for sending the synch patch, but it didn't help.

It seems the files that are giving me problems are AVIs that have VBR audio. I went through the prossess of extracting the audio to a WAV with Vdub and then running it through headac3he before encoding with tmpgenc. Like I said before, the MPeg2s that result play perfectly in WMP. I've had the same issue with other files that, if I can get SpruceUp to author will work fine. The ones I'm having problems with now cause SpruceUp to crash however.

And to Snarfo,

Thanks for the tip, I guess I should try loading XP on a spare machine and see if v1.3 works there.

[snarfo]

icevideo,

Uh... it sounds like you're saying TMPGENC converts the wav into another wav file??? You should have some kind of MPEG when you're finished. If you use one of the templates in TMPGENC, and you have the 1.3 patch for DVDWS (which allows you to NOT have DVDWS re-encode your videos) you should be set. If you make nonstandard dvd, vcd, or svcd files, you can create a custom template in DVDWS to match what you have output from TMPGENC so DVDWS won't re-encode everything.

I hope that helps, or maybe I misunderstood what you mean?

[icevideo]

Well snarfo you understand me perfectly.

In the same directory where I got the wav file from virtaudub I told TMPGEnc to save the encoding video file from original DIVX.
During the encoding I check the directory over there and I sow beside my audio wav file (form virtuadube) was a new video file from TMPGEnc, which is corect, and another wav file with the same name as video file but eventualy with wav extension.

I haven't check in the end if that second wav file is still there or was some temporary one. I choose to shut down the computer, and in the morning I haven't start again. I will check later today when I go home.

[sunmiztres]

i am having the hardest time with dvdws. i have read alot of info on it but i can't get past the saving part without it reencoding, i save the with a higher bitrate like i read so that it doesn't reencode but it still reencodes. i have used 1.0 and 1.2 and they both do it. I am saving it with the template 120 minutes. the encoded video was made with a cbr at 4000 so it should not reencode since i am saving it with a bitrate of 6000. can someone please let me know if i am doing it right or if i am not doing it right. i really wish there was a guide in this proggie friom someone other then unlead itself. i think it's help section is very blah.

[snarfo]

I never let dvdws re-encode my files. To get around it, all you should have to do is be sure your video clips are encoded in the same bitrate you're outputting in dvdws. When you get to the burn a disc step, be SURE the 'do not convert compliant file' checkbox is checked, and burn your disc.

I'm using 1.3, so you may want to upgrade to it as well.

[Robert Simandl]

If you trim the beginning or end of the file in DVDWS, it will reencode no matter what you check or what bitrate you set. Edit your file BEFORE importing into DVDWS.

[sunmiztres]

thanks for responding but i am not wanting to reencode in dvdws. i do make sure the "do not convert" is checked in version 1.2 but it still rencodes. i usually encode all my video in cce with a vbr at 4 passes. does this have something to do with it? usually the vbr is between 2000 to 8000.
thanks for helping

ps. i am having better luck with vs 1.2 about not reencoding but i can't get my audio to show up on 1.2 but i have no problem in 1.0 with the audio. i tried what someone posted about finding the dvdws.ini file and changing the audioac3 from 0 to 1 but after setting it to show all files i can't find the dvdws.ini file anywhere. any ifo that might help me? thanks

[jugernaut]

Have a little question, if i have a MPG1 DVD compatible video, how i make WorkShop avoid the reencoding?....

(Read about MPG2 files)

[icevideo]

Now my problem became a realy strange one.

Like I said in my previous post, from TMPENgc I got two files after encoding: one in m2v extension, and another one in wav extension, both with the same name.

If I would like to play m2v is very jerky. I will try again in this night and I will post my experience.

Thanks to everybody who's coming with any idea

[snarfo]

sunmiztres, if you're running Windows XP, the dvdws.ini file is in Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Ulead Systems\Ulead DVD Workshop\1.0

If you have mpeg-1 files, they are not dvd files since dvd files are mpeg-2...

[jugernaut]

DVD Standard support Mpeg 1 in 352 x240 res up to 1.8 megs (Seen either on the DVD faq on the net or on the SpruceUp docs...)

[sunmiztres]

sunmiztres, if you're running Windows XP, the dvdws.ini file is in Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Ulead Systems\Ulead DVD Workshop\1.0

If you have mpeg-1 files, they are not dvd files since dvd files are mpeg-2...

thanks snarfo for letting me know where the ini file is. weird that i did a search on it and it wasn't found. The thing is i have no problm with audio in vs. 1.0, the audio doesn't show up in 1.2. in version `1.0 i can't get it to stop reencoding and in version 1.2 it doesn't reencode but i get no audio. i am thinking it has to be something with dvdws. i mean i take the same file, mpeg2 with ac3 audio and put it in both vs. and one wants to reencode, one doesn't. one gives me audio, one doesn't. any other clues on what might be my problem?
thanks for listening

[snarfo]

Sounds like it may just be an issue introduced with the 1.2 patch? I don't mess with ac3 streams and I'm running dvdws 1.3, so I couldn't say for sure.

As to mpeg-1 files working with dvds--- my bad. Note to self: don't try to be helpful 5 minutes after waking up in the morning It's especially funny since I have made a few dvds with mpeg-1 video. hehehe.

[labrat99]

Can you set chapter points without having to re-encode your source?

The programs I've tried so far only allow chapter points to be set if you use their program to capture. I want to capture, edit , and then output either to TmpGenc or MainConcept. Then drag the finished mpeg2 file into an authoring program and create menus.

Is this doable? TIA.

[Lula1]

Hi guys,

I spent some hours without checking the topic and many questions came in. I will try to answer as many as I can .

labrat99 : YES, you can set chapter points without having to re-encode your source. I use TMPGEnc and NOT DVDWS to encode.

*******

DVD specs can be found on www.vcdhelp.com . MPEG1 352x240 is a VCD spec. Usually these (VCD) are burned on CD-R , but if you want to burn it on DVD-R ... If you have a DVD burner go with MPEG2 . The quality is much better than MPEG1 - VCD

********

The parameter to be set on DVDWS.INI is PLAYAC3=1 . This enbales you to listen to audio when your MPEG2 file has AC3 audio, from inside DVDWS.

*********

To avoid re-encoding :

1 - Never trim (edit beginning or end of file ) inside DVDWS . Do all your editing OUTSIDE DVDWS, BEFORE importing your video file into DVDWS .

2 - Version 1.0 does not have the "Do not convert ..." option. So, when you go into MAKE DISC option, choose CUSTOMIZE and set the bitrate to something HIGHER than what you have used for encoding with TMPGEnc , CCE or whatever software you used. Set it to 9000 , for example. DVDWS will NOT re-encode your video .

*****************

icevideo : If you are NOT going to use AC3 audio, there is no reason for telling TMPGEnc to generate separate streams, i.e., M2V which is a video stream and WAV which is the audio stream. Instead, on TMPGEnc , choose to generate a video+audio stream, which will be your MPEG2 file, ready to be imported into DVDWS .

****************

If I forgot anyone's question, please let me know.

[jon_w]

Lula,

I downgraded to 1.0, applied the audio sync fix, I never edited the video in DWS and created a custom disc template with a rate of 9000. It's still re-encoding my 8000 kbps mpegs!

[sunmiztres]

Lula,

I downgraded to 1.0, applied the audio sync fix, I never edited the video in DWS and created a custom disc template with a rate of 9000. It's still re-encoding my 8000 kbps mpegs!

this happens to me also. no matter what i do it still wants to reencode. for practice i made a mpeg2 file with ac3 audio. i didn't do any triming and i encoded it at 2500 cbr. i then save the image as a 9000 cbr and it wants to reencode it.i don't get it. if it works for some people but not us then what are we missing. are we missing some kind of codec, driver?
I know this is going to be hard to solve because we are doing what people are doing but it's not working for us.

[wzabawa]

Hi guys,
This is got to be the place to get my question answered, I've had no luck with my post so, maybe you all can help me here. PLEASE check out my post here and if possible let me know of any solutions.
Thanks in advance.

http://www.vcdhelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=132612

[Lula1]

Hi again,

jon_w and sunmiztres : send me a short part of your video file, like 2 or 3 Mb to luizcp@centroin.com.br , or post a link where I can download it from ( I got broadband connection, so no problem ) . I will try to look into your MPEG2 and see if I find any source of error.

wzabawa : I read your post. Never did usch long slideshow on DVDWS. And when I did a short one, I burned on DVD-R . Some standalone DVD players have issues reading CD-R ( have a look at DVD players compatibility at the left of your screen on this web site ). If you decide to try with MPEG1 VCD, make sure you stick to the VCD specs , which can also be found on this web site.

[jon_w]

Hi Lula,

I re-encoded my mpeg file to a constant 8000 and selected the 8000 dvd template and it *did not* re-encode my file! It seems like I can't just select a bit rate that is higher than the mpeg file, it has to be an exact match...?

ThankøÈ@1r the help.

[Lula1]

Hi jon_w ,

Glad it worked for you . Maybe the prob has to do with VBR. When you used CBR it did not re-encode. I always set the bitrate Higher on DVDWS, as told you before.

I would like to see some input to my first question :

"QUESTION 1 : Why do we have to use 768 x 576 images for backgrounds (menus ) ? That is what Ulead recommends on their web site. If I want to play a short NTSC 720x480 video (5 seconds) as a transition between menus, I can not use it´s last frame for my next still menu, since a 720x480 static image will give me black borders on top and bottom of the screen . Any ideas ? "

[solarfox]

Lula1 -- Not to put too fine a point on it, but... maybe the reason none of us can answer your question is that none of us works for ULead or has access to the source code for DVDWS, so we can't really tell you why you have to use those dimensions other than "because that's the way it works"?

I assume you've tried saving that final frame of your animation to a JPG/PNG/whatever, then resizing it to the recommended 768*576 dimensions?

russwcj -- I can't say I've ever had this problem with DVDWS menus, so take this idea for what its worth, but... Are you [i]sure[i] that the button you want highlighted first when the menu comes up is always the first item you create on the blank menu?

[Karrask50]

Hello!
First of all, wanna say I'm spanish, so my English's not very good...
Sorry if you can't understand me, but I'll try to explain my trouble.

Ok. I've found this supposed amazing software yesterday, I've installed and it's very easy to use. No problem. But the finish step, doesn't work with a VCD with VBR (variable bitrate). The product features at the official web say DVDWS works with VBR VCD's. I wanna make VCD with variable bitrate and pretty menus, but it seems impossible. I've tried "Ulead DVD Moviefactory" too. I don't understand why at DVDWS web you can see that works with VBR.

There is a supposed Disk Template Manager to define personal video configurations. You can select to create configs for DVD, SVCD or VCD. Well, is you try to create a new VCD config, you won't be able to change nothing. The options are locked.

¿?¿?¿?¿?
Maybe I'm not able to do it. Anyone can help me? Does anyone know how to burn VBR VCD's with DVDWS???