Help! Making a simple DVD with chapters

[MYoung]

I have two uncompressed AVIs that I encoded to DVD spec using the latest version of TMpgEnc. Now I want to make a DVD with the two videos - each having its own chapter. Anyone know of any guides to do this? All of the guides seem to assume that you are ripping a DVD. I tried following the guide for creating a DVD with IfoEdit and I can't seem to get it to have 2 chapters - only one. Thanks in advance!

[Craig Tucker]

How to Author

<-----

[johnny quest]

Assuming you converted to mpeg2 with TMpgEnc, you should have two files, if you burn them to dvd you will be able to jump to the second using the skip feature on your remote as there will be two files on the dvd. If however you are wanting a menu with the capability of jumping to the second clip from the menu, you'll have to use Spruce Up or My DVD or another authoring program.

Hope this was helpful.

[Craig Tucker]

You have to use an authoring program no matter what you do. You cant just burn mpeg2 files to a DVD as data and expect it to play in your DVD player.

[MYoung]

Craig,

I know I have to author them. It's just that I can't figure out how to with IfoEdit. WHen you go to "author new dvd" it asks for one video and the audio tracks which it then multiplexes to a vob and creates the proper ifo and bup, but when I burn thay VIDEO_TS directory I get one chapter (obviously). I am wondering how I have multiple VOBs and have each one be it's own chapter.

Do I author each one seperately and move the produced VOBs into a new VIDEO_TS directory and then "create ifo" for those two? I followed the guide on how to "create ifo" for multiple chapters with multple VOBs using IfoEdit and the result is an ifo that when run in PowerDVD only specifies one chapter, not two as I created the ifo in a directory with the proper numbering sequence and IfoEdit appeared to process both VOBs when it supposedly created the ifo. I guess I am wondering how to specify information for making chapters. Do I have to modify the ifo somehow to get it do have multiple chapters with multiple VOBs? This shouldn't be difficult as it's just like making a DVD trailers disc - multiple VOBs, each one a chapter, played in sequence. Thanks.

[DJRumpy]

IFOEdit is pretty primative as far as authoring goes. Try an acutal DVD authoring software package, like SpuceUp, MyDVD, DVDIt, DVD Maestro, etc. Any of these will do this simple task with little effort.

[MYoung]

I was afraid that would be the answer. I like the idea that you can throw together a VCD or SVCD with freeware programs. Too bad it isn't as trivial when whipping up a DVD.

[DJRumpy]

I felt the same way. There was something satisfying about being able to just drag and drop and MPEG onto a CD. Not so with DVD. It has very strict rules regarding file structure, layout, specifications, even the folders and contents need to be upper case.

I would suggest you search Google for SpruceUp. Key generators are available all over the web (again, search Google). The software is no longer for sale, so you can't buy it legally.

I'm suprised you didn't recieve any software with your DVD burner. I'm guessing you opted for a bare bones type purchase? You should also check out alt.binaries multimedia.utilties in the newsgroups. People often post DVD authoring software there.

Last but not least, just try a general search on google for DVD authoring software. There may be new freeware utilities out there.

[MYoung]

Yeah, ha! I remember I went ape when I made my first VCD. But Nero did all the work. SVCDs can be a bit tricky but not much compared to this. Too bad Nero doesn't have drag and drop with DVD. Then again, as good as software as Nero is I bet such a plan is in the mix.

So what authoring software do you prefer and why?

As for why I don't have s software bundle, I have no DVD burner. I was really concidering getting one but I'm going to have to save some cash so I can get the nice Sony. I think that comes with MyDVD or something like that.

Anyway, thanks for the info. Knowing when to give up is a good thing!

[DJRumpy]

I prefer SpruceUp, simply becuase I can work with 5.1 surround sound. Many of the DivX posts now retain the original 5.1 sound from dvd rips. As far as menu's, and buttons, I don't really have much need for those. I do use chapter points, which are simple in Spruce. I use the 'Tile Set' option in spruce to create the VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folder, and then drag/drop these into nero.

I hope your right. DVD Authoring, at least basic authoring would be very welcome indeed in Nero.