Help using MainConcept 1.5 Encoder

[Superstar]

For a video that I'm not going to restore the audio on, what settings do I use in MainConcept?

Would it be this -

Output Format-
Stream Type - Elementary Video & Audio?
Audio Mode - Layer 2 OR LPCM?

Advanced MPEG Settings -
Audio Settings - PCM? or something different..

Are all these that I listed here right, or should I use different ones? Remember, this is for a 3 hr. video that I'm NOT going to restore the audio on.

Thanks

[admin]

You can go ahead and just encode directly to MPEG Layer II (MP2) at 256kbps. There's no need to go to WAV if no restoration is involved.

[Superstar]

Ok...
So...here's the settings..
Output Format-
MPEG Type - MPEG 2
Strem Type - This is where I'm confused..Is it Elementary Video and Audio? Elementary Video or Program Video & Audio? There's many options..

Audio Mode- Here are the choices - Layer 1, Layer 2, LPCM, Wave.....Which 1?

In the Advanced Mpeg Settings for Audio Settings, is where I assume you're telling me to to Mpeg Layer II at 256 kbps?

[admin]

Well, think through the options.
Program is AUDIO+VIDEO together in a single MPEG file.
Elementary is audio and video in separate files.
The one you pick here is more preference or workflow than anything else. There's no right answer. If you want an answer from me, for the last question you had, then PROGRAM would be my choice.

Layer II is compressed audio, you don't want PCM for non-restored audio, for DVDs. PCM takes up too much space on single-layer discs, especially given your desire to compress and optimize usage of space (352x480, multi hours per DVD, etc).

Yes, MPEG Layer II 256k -- just like you said. See image below.

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[Superstar]

Ok..I'm still trying to learn the meanings of compressed audio..and how they apply to me and what I'm doing etc..

"Layer II is compressed audio, you don't want PCM for non-restored audio, for DVDs. PCM takes up too much space on single-layer discs, especially given your desire to compress and optimize usage of space (352x480, multi hours per DVD, etc). "

In what you wrote here, are you suggesting that I do use Layer II in the Audio Mode? I'll take your advice and use Program Video & Audio in the stream type.

[Superstar]

Ok..I'm still trying to learn the meanings of compressed audio..and how they apply to me and what I'm doing etc..

"Layer II is compressed audio, you don't want PCM for non-restored audio, for DVDs. PCM takes up too much space on single-layer discs, especially given your desire to compress and optimize usage of space (352x480, multi hours per DVD, etc). "

In what you wrote here, are you suggesting that I do use Layer II in the Audio Mode? I'll take your advice and use Program Video & Audio in the stream type.

[admin]

Yes. Correct.

[Superstar]

I have all the programs and everything for editing the audio. I have a q about MC though..
For videos that I WILL be editing audio, should I use Elementary Video, or Elementary Video & Audio? From what I've learned here, I'm guessing I should use Elementary Video, since I'm splitting the video & the audio to restore the audio
...am I right?
I also assume it's elementary and not program, because I use program video & audio when I'm not editing audio...is that also right?

[admin]

Elementary splits. But I would not use re-encoded audio from MainConcept, I would used the audio that is demuxed from the source recordings output by Womble. That's where you use TMPGEnc to demux, before you go to MainConcept.

It's best to not needlessly re-encode audio, if it can be avoided.

[Superstar]

Ok...so..are you saying that I should use Elementary video only in MC for videos that I will be editing audio on? Or would I use Program video since the audio will already be split from TMPEG?

And..here's my new workflow..what do you think of it?
Capture
Edit in Womble
Seperate audio from video in TMPEG (for videos IAM editing audio, I skip this step if I'm not going to edit audio)
Encode in MC (elementary video for videos IAM editing audio?)
Convert audio MP2 to WAV in FFMPEG
Restore WAV in Soundforge
Convert restored WAV to AC3 in TMPEG AC3
Author
Burn

[admin]

Yep, that will work.

[Superstar]

Oh..I'm having probs with the post in MC for some reason...so I'll just ask here.. Elem. video or Program video, for video that I'll be editing audio on? (keep in mind, the audio is already split in tmpge before I get to MC)

[admin]

If it's just video (no audio), it's always elementary.

[Superstar]

Ok..thanks
Just for learning purposes..what's the different between elementary video, and program video in MC?

[admin]

Program is audio+video in a single file (MPG).
Elementary is audio and video in separate files (MPA+MPV or M2V+MP2).

[Superstar]

When I get to Main Concept in my workflow, for a video that is 2 hrs I use CBR of 5000 when I encode, however, for a video that is about 1:33, what CBR should I use? 6,000? 7,000?

Thanks

[admin]

Sure, 6000kbps would be fine. That will compress a little less, maybe give a bit higher quality. Using your "free space" in this manner is always a good idea.