confusing jargon ??how many steps are needed to convert to playable dvds

[pursuant]

I want to transfer my digital camcorder foortage to a dvd that can be played on my home dvd player. I can get a avi file on my pc but that needs to be converted to right . I have TMPGEnc but I am unable to understand the jargon and formatting process. HELP! I just need a simple program to do this or help in figuring it out .

Thanks

[ormonde]

Do the following :

1. Convert the AVI file to a DVD compliant mpeg-2 file using "TMPGEnc" or "TMPGEnc Plus". Use the “Project Wizard” for DVD (NTSC or PAL) to help you accomplish the task.

2. Then use "TMPGEnc DVD Author" (different than "TMPGEnc") to author the newly created mpeg-2 into a DVD-related file structure. (.IFO, .BUP, .VOB). As an alternative, you can use "DVDLab" to author as well.

3. If the combined filesize of the project exceeds 4.37 Gig, use "DVD Shrink" or similar transcoding program to compress.

4. Use "Nero" or similar burning program to burn onto a DVD (r, rw) disk.

[pursuant]

ok ..I go the avi part down but I still can't figure out the mpeg -2 conversion on the program. When I did the convert I chose the dvd format, video and audio but there are NTSC then cd video then then super video, then dvd format and each of these has a subcategory of NTSc or Pal. Which is the right format ? My dvd player will play dvd+R and dvd-r vidoes. And then after this I have to use another program to convert this file into another formatt ifo bup vob? how do I know which of these I use.
I really appreciate your reply but is it really this complcated just to put a digital camcorder film on a dvd??

Thanks again
Still bafflfed

[ormonde]

"Which is the right format ?"

I take it from your location you are in San Francisco. If your Standalone player is multi-region, you could do either NTSC or PAL. To be on the safe side, I'd go with NTSC since you are in the U.S.

"And then after this I have to use another program to convert this file into another formatt ifo bup vob? how do I know which of these I use."

Once the AVI is successfully encoded into a DVD-compliant mpeg-2 File, it should be easily accepted by either "DVD Author" or "DVDLab". Both of these "Authoring" programs are shareware for 30 days. I would suggest that you go with "TMPGEnc DVD Author" as it is user-friendlier than DVDLab. Refer to the help files for basic program functionality.

"is it really this complcated just to put a digital camcorder film on a dvd??"

The original video has to be made into a "DVD-compliant" mpeg-2 before you can proceed with burning it to a DVD (r, rw) disk. The method that I outlined in my initial post is the most straightforward one that there is in my opinion.

[pursuant]

Thanks again for your help !
I am geting the gist of it . I need to make the avi into a mpeg-2 file. Looking at the project wizard in TMPGEnc there are 3 choices Video CD, Super video cd, and then dvd. I assume I want the last one dvd right? The first option is NTSC which states"consists from MPEG-2 file 720x480/352x480. 29.97tps can be played with various hardware software dvd player".Is this the right choice? This should give me a mpeg-2 file when completed not a mpeg fifle but an mpeg-2 file right?

Then I need another program that will turn this into a file that can be burn to a dvd that can be played on a stand alone dvd player..right?

And yes I am in the bay area.
Again thanks for the great assistance!

[ormonde]

"NTSC which states"consists from MPEG-2 file 720x480/352x480. 29.97tps can be played with various hardware software dvd player".Is this the right choice?"

Yes

"Again thanks for the great assistance!"

Glad to be of help

[pursuant]

I got the file made but one question. Why does it make a separate wav file ? When I use the dvd authoring program does this combine the two file?

Thanks for your help..its been great..

[ormonde]

"Why does it make a separate wav file ?"

You probably had the "Stream Type" setting in TMPGEnc to "ES" (Video+Audio). That setting will output two separate files (.m2v-silent video, and an audio stream-WAV in your case).

"When I use the dvd authoring program does this combine the two file?"

Yes it will. If you use "DVD Author", you would do the following:

1. Create New Project
2. Add File
3. Under "Video Settings", add your separate mpeg-2 file
4. Under "Audio Settings", add your separate Wav file
5. Click OK and proceed on to make a menu and chapter points if you wish

"Thanks for your help..its been great.."

Again, always glad to help.

[pursuant]

The final result is a vob. file correct? and that is what I burn onto a dvd and that will play on my home dvd player???
It looks good so far right?.....

Thanks

[setarip]

"The final result is a vob. file correct?"

No - the final result will be a SET of files (.IFOs, .BUPs, .VOBs).

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...

[pursuant]

I want to thank you for your help....Success! Amazing ! And while I was able to complete the task, I'd like to find one program that integrates both of these conversion. I can see my learning curve was a long one on this project. I am just not cut out for the "non user friendly " version of software.

Again thanks for your time and effort

[ormonde]

"Again thanks for your time and effort"

Glad (We) could be of help

[mustangfanatic]

I'm trying to follow the format that ormonde layed out. BTW you guys are great. Right now I'm encoding an avi and I followed the wizard in TMPGenc like you guys said. Only it says that the output will be MPEG-1 352x240. Is this a bad thing? I saw you guys mentioned MPEG-2. Also it seems like that screen resolution is pretty small. Because right now the avi is full screen with perfect dvd quality. Any settings that I need to change before encoding? Thanks guys!

[ormonde]

"Any settings that I need to change before encoding?"

If it is your purpose to encode the AVI to mpeg-2 for the sake of authoring to a DVD-related file structure, then you should choose the "DVD" (NTSC or PAL) template in "TMPGEnc" form the "Project Wizard" page. ("File" > "Project Wizard")

[disc-crazy]

Error message on TmpegEnc???

Just wondering if anyone could help me with an error mesage I am getting, when I am try to encode my avi file to mpeg2, I get this message -

Can't load "P3 package.dll" ,

and then when I try again another box says you need to install DVD software on you system in order to playback an mpeg2 file, which I can't understand as I have Power DVD installed??

Also only yesterday I got it to encode an avi file fine, with no problems.

I would be very grateful for anyone's advice, to help me solve this problem, as I am very baffled and frustrated right now.

cheers!