[The Captain]

I've been wanting to take some of my video files from my hard drive and make DVD's from them, but I don't know what software to use. I need a program that can do these things:

-convert any type of video file playable by Windows Media Player into DVD format
-create menu screens with static pictures or videos in the background
-create chapters and scene selection menues
-output the project to .iso or similar if the program itself isn't capable of burning the DVD
-be able to keep the sound format of my video files (some are encoded in AC3 5.1 surround sound)

Thanks.

 

[MaZa]

TMPGEnc (or TMPGEnd PLUS) for converting videos to DVD format (there are tutorials in the net, and/or you can search posts of other users from www.digital-digest.com forums)

TMPGEnc DVD Author for creating DVD's from converted files. (different program from same company as above, obviously )

Also DVD Shrink is also usefull if your product doesnt fit to one dvd.

 

[Kane]

I personaly use NeroVision Express. It's not particularly fast, but it gets the job done and is simple to use.

 

[Kazuya]

Does NeroVision Express or TMPGEnc reencode the sound to DD? Will i have to put up with Pcm?

 

[MaZa]

You can select in TMPGEnc convert to MP2 or PCM if you'll like, both VBR (which is quite useless in sounds when it comes to movies... IMHO) and CBR. AFAIK PCM supports DD surround, or atleast Prologic surround, so yes.

 

[Kane]

NeroVision leaves the sound in its original format IIRC.

 

[The Captain]

Thanks for the replies. I tried using TMPGEnc, but for some reason it doubles the length of my video file. For example, the resulting .mpg file from a 30 minute video has 30 minutes of the video and then an extra 30 minutes of just black.

Anyway, it looks like I'm going to try NeroVision express once I can get my hands on some DVD+R's. Thanks guys.

 

[MaZa]

Wierd. oO Never had a problem like that.

 

[Viper_Viper]

I also was looking for a program to do all of your stated tasks, but what about dual audio sources. I have a few .ogm video files that have mulitiple audio streams (eng/jap) and would like to burn dvd's containing both. Also, preveous dvds that were burnt by me were slow and choppy when placed in a dvd player, is that the encoding of the video or burning dvds at x8, not x2 which i heard was better.

 

[Kane]

NeroVision maysupport dual audio. It seems to have the options for it, but whether or not it actualy works (subtitles don't as yet work on it).....

 

[dpence]

Just for converting AVI/Divx, etc to Mpeg 2, Try Mainconcept Mpeg encoder. It is quite faste and gives excellent quality. CCE is also exceptional for converting to Mpeg 2, BUT it is not user frindly...you'll have to learn AVIsynth scripting. Tmpgenc, Is by far the most widely used, but it is quite slow...Although I strictly use Tmpg DVD author for authoring, It can't be beaten. I think it even supports multiple audio tracks.
You can also try Ulead dvd movie factory...it does conversion and editing/chapter creation as well as authoring...

I also was looking for a program to do all of your stated tasks, but what about dual audio sources. I have a few .ogm video files that have mulitiple audio streams (eng/jap) and would like to burn dvd's containing both. Also, preveous dvds that were burnt by me were slow and choppy when placed in a dvd player, is that the encoding of the video or burning dvds at x8, not x2 which i heard was better.

Choppy depends on different things... When you reencoded did you make sure you did so for the correct format (NTSC 29.97Fps or PAL 25Fps) Frame rate is everything...encoding a incorrectly will wreak havok. You also need to make sure that if the source is interlaced, that you use the correct field order... top of bottom first. Using the incorrect one will result in a jumpy picture, and sometimes, depending on the player, serious scanline interference issues.
Most divx files that are found out there are 23.96 Fps (Basically Film rate), it is a dvd spec, but you have to make sure when re encoding that you set things correctly...usually it is easier to go ahead and do a 2:3 (ntsc) or 2:2(Pal) pull down and get it correct and never worry over it. 2:3 will make sure the frame rate is 29.97 and 2:2 will make it 25 adding the needed frames to raise the level.

 

[Coolsvilleman]

If you want a fast easy way to make DVD's from scratch I suggest Uleads DVD maker 2. Supports subtitles multiple channel audio, menu and converts every file i through at it easily. Great for making home dvds or anime dvds. Otherwise try DVD shrink if you already got the files converted.