Template for Best Quality DVD ?

[Lula1]

Hi,

I have tried to use the search function but it is not working ( at least for me ). So I apologize if this has already been answered. Did not know if I should post here or on TMPGEnc forum. BTW, I discovered this site and forum through the vcdhelp forum and all discussions that took place there.

I use TMPGEnc to encode my AVI files (captured from DV camcorder) to MPEG2. In my case, videos are usually pretty short . So I am not worried about file size.
What I want is the best quality possible (maybe CBR up to 8500 or 9000 ?), but maintaining compatibility with most standalone DVD players (and PC DVD drives).
What would be the correct settings to use on TMPGEnc ?

I have read that Mpeg audio is not so compatible. Should I extract audio stream from my AVI file, before encoding video to Mpeg2 ? Using VirtualDub ? Would I then multiplex with my DVD authoring software ?
I use DVD Workshop to author (menus, etc. ) and burn.

I have also read that DVD labels should not be used, because they can cause playback problems due to long term damage on DVD media . Is that really true ?

Using "Bit Rate Viewer", I compared the characteristics of my DVD's VOB file with those made by another person (using other hardware/(software?) for capturing and encoding):
Pic. structure : Frame ( his )
Pic. structure : Field ( mine )
Num. of picture read : in his case twice as much as for my vob file.

Playing my DVD and his DVD on standalone DVD players, there's no significant difference in quality.
But when playing on a DVD drive on a PC, my DVD is "bumping" whereas his DVD plays smoothly.
Why does that happen ?

Thank's for any help.

[Lula1]

I mistyped . Sorry. Correcting :

".....
Using "Bit Rate Viewer", I compared the characteristics of my DVD's VOB file with those made by another person (using other hardware/(software?) for capturing and encoding):
Pic. structure : Field ( his )
Pic. structure : Frame ( mine )
Num. of picture read : in his case twice as much as for my vob file.
...."

[The Alvinator]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lula1

I use TMPGEnc to encode my AVI files (captured from DV camcorder) to MPEG2. In my case, videos are usually pretty short . So I am not worried about file size.
What I want is the best quality possible (maybe CBR up to 8500 or 9000 ?), but maintaining compatibility with most standalone DVD players (and PC DVD drives).
What would be the correct settings to use on TMPGEnc ?

Boy, does this sound familiar.

[Lula1]

Sounds familiar ? What does that mean ? Am I asking for the obvious or did I post on the wrong forum ? I would appreciate any help. I came to this web site and forum, after reading many messages and discussions on the vcdhelp forum, and hoping here I would get advice. Hope I was not mistaken on my judgement.

[kwag]

Hi Lula1:

Here's the link:
http://www.kvcd.net/forum/viewtopic....ight=alvinator

-kwag

[The Alvinator]

Hey Lula, sorry about that.

I re-read my post, and I know exactly what you must have felt when reading it.

I didn't mean for it to be like that.

The reason I posted that was because I posted almost the exact same question a few weeks ago.

Kwag should've gave you this link:

http://www.kvcd.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=650

[Lula1]

Hi,
Kwag : thank's for the link. Pretty technical stuff, but I already had some questions regarding that. So, I will first try your template and the higher bitrate as you suggested to Alvinator on the other link, and then come back to you with results and questions ( hope not to bother you with too many ).

Alvinator : hey, no problem man. I just didn't understand you at first. But looks like we just had a communication breakdown, and I am sure you are here to help others and to learn as well. So, we are all on the same side. Hey, like Kwag said, I think I will also be asking you about AVISynth, but first I gotta get some concepts clear on my head. I'm not an expert like you guys. Thank's. Maybe I should post my ...

MAIN GOAL :
To capture from sources like DV or Mini-DV camcorders ( eventually VHS tapes, using a DV camcorder as a "pass through" from the VCR to the computer's capture card ).
My capture card is a Pinnacle Studio DV ( firewire ).
I am capturing with Studio Version 7 software, also from Pinnacle, at 720 x 480 , full quality ( saves as AVI ).
Then I use TMPGEnc to encode to MPEG2 .
Ulead's DVD Workshop for DVD authoring ( menus, buttons ) and burning.
DURATION of video is most of the time pretty short, so file size is not a concern.
The MAIN CONCERN is for the BEST quality possible and Standalone DVD player compatibility ( playing smoothly on as most DVD players as possible ).

I will be posting back again after some tests. If you guys, after reading the above, have any suggestions, please reply.

Again, thank's to both of you.