Authoring without Re-encoding

[Capt_Diode]

I am trying to backup my M*A*S*H tv episodes. I used Ifoedit to strip each episode individualy. I have tryed DVDit, Spruceup, Ulead, and DVD complete with no luck. Each program wants to re-encode the audio. All of the episodes are perfect so I don't need to re-encode. Is there any program or instructions on authoring that would allow me to keep the episodes intact as they were on the original DVD? My goal is to backup each episode (4 per DVD), create my own menus and keep each episode intact as it was on the original.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Captain Diode

[vnpn]

Try Instant Copy work great with TV Episodes DVD.

[Capt_Diode]

VNPN,

Thank you for your advice. I gave Instant Copy a try and it did perform well. This will solve another problem I have. I still would like to keep the original quality of the episodes I extracted using Ifoedit. Is there such a thing as a program that would just allow the creation of menus and DVD structure without the need for re-encoding of the TV episodes?

Thanks,
Captain Diode

[dhluke]

DVD Maestro would be a nice choose.

It will do what you want... It is a little work breaking down the vobs so maestro would take them... and a little more work if you want the subtitles to work...

Here is a run down on how to go about it: (General idea)

Demux VOB files into m2v and ac3
Import to Maestro
Make and Import Menu
Edit the commands (How the DVD should work)
Add Playlist if you want
Compile

Now if you want subs... In order for them to be sync you need a m2v with drop frame flags in it... I'm sure there lots of guides out there that cover this issue.

After compiling you'll have a DVD with a menu or menus... with the original episodes...

If you are a fast and know what you are doing... You can do all this in under 1 hour... so about 2 hours of work and you'll have a DVD that meets your expectations... Hope that helps...

dhluke

[Capt_Diode]

dhluke,

Thank You very much for your informative post. Looks like a weekend project. Do you have any recomendations on a program for the demux since my VOBs have all the audiostreams? Once I have made some progress I will post my results here.

Many Thanks,
Captain Diode

[Vejita-sama]

You can demux with smartripper (or most other rippers). For smartripper choose the title of interest, then click on stream processes, then click on the 'enable stream process' button.

Then click/choose each stream you want and demux for it. NOTE - you MUST CHOOSE DEMUX FOR EACH STREAM. That is choose the video steam - hit demux, choose an audio stream - hit demux, etc. etc. There's not a 'demux all' button as it were. Luck.

nb - for smartripper you can load VOBs from DVD drive or after they have been ripped to the HD.