Completely flummoxed, and getting annoyed

[thirdeyeopen]

I've been trying to do this for nearly a week now, and have wasted 2 DVD-Rs already.

I'm using TMPGEnc to convert an AVI file. The file is just over 700 mb, and the film itself is just over two hours.

More often than not, the output of TMPGEnc is an mpg file slightly larger than 4GB.

I'm using Nero to burn the discs, but whenever I try to add the mpg file, it tells me that it needs to be under 2 Gb to be an ISO file.

I tried doing a UDF disc, but I received some message about multi-session recording. I carried on, and for some reason only the first 20 minutes or so actually played.

Are there fool-proof steps to recording an AVI movie onto DVD for watching on a standard DVD player?

[setarip]

One set of procedures (other posters may/probably will suggest alternative methods) would be:

1) Use "TMPGEnc" (or "TMPGEncPlus") to convert the .AVI (DivX-compressed or otherwise) to compliant MPEG2-for-DVD format - Use "TMPGEnc's" DVD wizard/template to accomplish this

2) Use "TMPGEnc DVD Author" (a different program than "TMPGEnc") to easily create the required additional DVD files and structure (and chapters and a menu, if you wish)


**If the combined filesize of the DVD "package" written to your hard drive is greater than 4.37Gb, use DVD Shrink (or similar) to compress


If your O/S is either Win2000 or WinXP, TMPGEnc DVD Author can also burn your DVD. Otherwise, use NERO to burn in "DVD-Video" mode
(As an alternative to "TMPGEnc DVD Author", you could use "DVDLab")


Let us know of your success ;>}

[thirdeyeopen]

so far...no success...

no audio files seemed to get created by TMPGEnc Author...

dunno what to do

[setarip]

"no audio files seemed to get created by TMPGEnc Author..."

You are aware, aren't you, that a DVD "package" does NOT have separate audio files?

The video and audio are combined in the ".VOB" files.

In addition to the "VIDEO_TS" folder (that contains ALL of the DVD files - .IFOs, .BUPs, and .VOBs), "TMPGEnc DVD Author" creates a folder named "AUDIO_TS", which will ALWAYS be empty for video DVDs...


If you have more questions, always feel free to ask them...

[thirdeyeopen]

I'm confused then...if the audio folder is empty...how do I get audio?

when i put the DVD into my player, the picture was there, but no sound.

[nwg]

Originally posted by thirdeyeopen
I'm confused then...if the audio folder is empty...how do I get audio?

when i put the DVD into my player, the picture was there, but no sound.

As Setarip said. The audio is in the VOB's. The audio folder is always empty with DVD Video.

What format is the audio in the AVI? Perhaps, DVD Author didn't recognise the audio.

[thirdeyeopen]

well...i went back and tried to play the mpg that was created by TMPGEnc, and there was no sound on that...

I downloaded a couple things that another post suggested, and am re-trying the encoding (as seperate video and audio streams)...

will re-post tomorrow evening when i've had a chance to try again

[setarip]

1) Load the original .AVI video file into VirtualDub (or one of its many variants) or NanDub

2) From the "File" dropdown menu, select "File Information"

3) Post (here) EVERYTHING you see (BOTH video and audio information), or post a screen capture .jpg of the information box

If you have more questions, always feel free to ask them...

[thirdeyeopen]

this is from GSpot 2.21

Stream Type and A/V Interleave
Type: OpenDML AVI
IMRR: 1.00
I/L 1 vid frame (42 ms), p=504 Split: No


Video Codec
4CC: xvid Name: XviD
Runtime 2:04:45 x:y=19:8
Bitrate: 648 kb/s FPS: 23.976 QF: 0.174

Audio Stream 1
Codec
Name: 0x0055(mp3) ID's as MPEG-1 layer 3
bitrate: 128 kb/s (64/ch stereo VBR L) Fs: 48000 HZ

[setarip]

"Name: 0x0055(mp3) ID's as MPEG-1 layer 3
bitrate: 128 kb/s (64/ch stereo VBR L) Fs: 48000 HZ"

Your .AVI contains a Variable Bitrate .MP3 audiostream. "VBR" .MP3 audio cannot be processed proeprly by "TMPGEnc" (and many other similar programs).

Converting .AVIs with VBR-MP3 Audio for use with TMPGEnc

Using VirtualDubMOD to Convert "VBR" .MP3 to Uncompressed .WAV

1) Load the .AVI file into VirtualDubMOD (a different program than the standard VirtualDub)

2) From the "Video" dropdown menu, select "Direct Stream Copy"

3) From the "Streams" dropdown menu, select "Stream List" - and rightclick on the audio stream, then select "Full Processing Mode" - then click on "OK". Rightclick on the audiostream again, then select "Compression" and make certain it is set to "No compression (PCM)"

4) From the "File" dropdown menu, save .AVI with a new filename

[thirdeyeopen]

for future reference, will I have to do this with all AVI files?

(sidenote: what's a good avi-merger program?)

[setarip]

"for future reference, will I have to do this with all AVI files?"

No - Only for those that contain a "VBR" (Variable Bitrate) .MP3 audiostream. "CBR" (Constant Bitrate) .MP3 and .WAV (Uncompressed PCM) audiostreams do not require any conversion.

You may also run into .AC3 audiostreams, which will also require either conversion or demultiplexing. But one thing at a time ;>}


If you have more questions, always feel free to ask them...

[thirdeyeopen]

1 hour away from finding out whether or not this works...

[setarip]

The suspense is killing me ;>}

[thirdeyeopen]

well, my initial test (on the DVD player) worked a treat.

however, it was late, and I tried it on my laptop, and i'm not so sure that worked (sound wise), but I'm content.

As for my other query, any idea of a good AVI merger program, and the right settings to use?