Multiplex WAV & M2V?

[rustic]

I think I put this in the wrong forum before, so I'll try again here...

Since TMPGENC can't seem to do it, does anyone know of a freeware/shareware program that would let me multiplex a PCM audio file (.wav) with a .m2v file to make a .mpg? This is for a DVD.

I am trying out DVD Workshop, and it doesn't seem to like the .mpg I made with ac3 audio, and I want to avoid mpeg audio, as I've heard it is less compatible than the other 2 formats.

I have seen reference to a program called bbmpeg. Can this do what I am asking?

Thanks!

[SaSi]

What you want to do is "illegal"!!!

Since you want to generate a DVD file, you must create an MPG file that conforms to standards. This means that the MPG file must be a multiplexed program of a video (MPEG-2) and an audio (MPEG-2 or AC3) stream. You can't do it with uncompressed WAV files.

To be totaly precice, a DVD can contain uncompressed audio streams (only 1), however an MPG file can't.

However, not all is lost. What you need to do is convert the WAV file to MPEG-2 (you can use Tmpgenc for that) and you can multiplex them with Tmpgenc later.

Better still, if you use Tmpgenc to create the m2v in the first place, select the souce (AVI ?) file for video, select the WAV file for audio, select to output a Program Stream (Video+Audio) and in the settings select the compression you want (MPEG-2 Layer II at 128KBPS is fine and small). This way you will save the multiplexing step.

Hope this is what you want to do.

[rustic]

If I convert to MPEG audio, then it is not a standard format for NTSC DVD.

If I use AC3, my authoring program re-encodes it.

[SaSi]

If I convert to MPEG audio, then it is not a standard format for NTSC DVD.
If I use AC3, my authoring program re-encodes it.

Aha! The tricky NTSC issue.

I have had the same problem with a Region 1 DVD (X-Files movie). It was a pain in the ass to convert to PAL and aborted the try. I had the same problem as you. I made an MPEG-2 audio stream and did not play.

On second view, I realize now that Tmpgenc allows you to do this. Not multiplex them after encoding but while the encoding is performed.

Whether you have the audio as a separate file or part of the AVI to encode, go to the settings-->Audio and in encoding select the third option, Linear PCM. This is not exactly WAV and the authoring program should accept it. This way you can have a program stream with both contents multiplexed.

Hope this will do.

[DJRumpy]

You can multiplex PCM audio using TMPGenc (FILE | MPEG TOOLS), or bbMPEG (START ENCODING | SETTINGS). I've had more luck with TMPGenc. You mileage may vary. Try them both to see which one you like. Both support this as a seperate function/toolset from encoding, so you won't have to re-encode anything.

PCM is a valid audio format. A lot of the early DVD's used PCM audio.

If I convert to MPEG audio, then it is not a standard format for NTSC DVD.

If I use AC3, my authoring program re-encodes it.

This isn't accurate. MPEG Audio is allowed for NTSC DVD. You can use PCM audio. MPEG-1 Layer 2(mp2), or AC3 audio.

Using PCM is a waste of space. Most authoring programs support MP2 audio. Since yours re-encodes AC3, either find an authoring program that supports AC3, or convert your audio to MP2. If it won't accept MP2 audio, try renaming the file to .MPA. Optionally, try multiplexing your AC3 audio in with your M2V, and import the resulting MPG into your authoring program.

[rustic]

MPEG audio is allowed, but it's not standard. According to the standards, any NTSC DVD has to have either a PCM or AC3 audio stream. MPEG audio is optional, and not every NTSC DVD player will play it.

[DJRumpy]

rustic, I don't know where your getting your information, but it's somewhat lacking in accuracy.

Try here:
https://www.videohelp.com/dvd
or here:
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/officialfaq.html#3.6.2
or here:
http://www.mpeg.org/MPEG/DVD/Book_B/Audio.html

Don't confuse MPEG-1 audio with MP3. MPEG-1 Layer 2 audio is fully DVD compliant. It will play on all players, assuming it's within specifications.

[rustic]

You know where I got my information? Look at the third link you listed. Note the parts that say:

"Dolby AC-3 used mandatory for 525/60 (NTSC) players and MPEG-2 is mandatory for 625/50 (PAL) players, but optional on discs themselves. "

Therefore, MPEG-2 is not mandatory on NTSC players, only on PAL players.

"A 525/60 disc must contain either Dolby AC-3 or LPCM."

Therefore, if I make an NTSC disc without LPCM or AC-3, it is not compliant.

[BUGANNA]

what the hell were all those replies ?!

TMPGE will NOT multiplex a WAV and M2V file together.

if u try to it says " cannot support PCM uncompressed file "

the problem is that when u use smartripper or similar, the output audio file is PCM WAV.

what u need is either ;

a: RIPPER that outputs to compressed WAV.

or

b: multiplexer that can handle a PCM WAV.

IM SORRY I dont know of any software that can do the above.

please let us know if u find a way around it !!!


cheers


Boogs.

[DJRumpy]

Support for Dolby AC-3 is mandatory for DVD players for the NTSC format (widely used in North America), whereas support for MPEG-2 audio is mandatory for the PAL DVD players commonly used in Europe. Linear PCM support is mandatory for all DVD players. Originally, an NTSC disc had to contain either AC-3 or LPCM, and a PAL disc had to contain either MPEG-2 audio or LPCM, but AC-3 or MPEG-2 audio is usually used because it makes more efficient use of bandwidth. Since 1998, the specification for PAL discs was revised to allow use of only AC-3 audio tracks.

Your absolutely right, if you made a disc, with only MP2 audio, it would not meet book specs (but it would still probably play in every player out there). If you had one with (AC3 or PCM) and MP2, it would be FULLY compliant. If you wanted to be completely within the DVD specs, you would be required to have at least one track of AC3, or PCM for an NTSC dics. I stand by what I said. The specification supports MPEG-1 Layer 2 audio. That said, an MPEG, with 1 video stream, and two audio streams (one PCM or AC3, and the other MP2/MPA), would play on ANY player, as they all support MPEG audio.

Spruce just adds a quick clip, with what I'm assuming is an empty ac3, or pcm track at the very beginning of the first VOB, meeting specs, but making my disk appear to be pure mp2. I can only assume that all of the rest of the authoring programs perform a simular trick when using pure mp2. If I were you, I would let your authoring program handle the details. Stick with MP2, and you'll be fine.