Progressive DVD Encoding/Authoring Software

Hi all, I am looking for a DVD authoring program that does it it all. I want it to be able to encode and author progressive DVD video and Dolby Digital 2.0 AC3 audio, all at different bit rates and both aspect ratios. Also it needs to be able to NOT transcode video and audio if both are already DVD compliant upon import. Currently I have several programs I have to use to achieve this. Having to use only one would be preferable and would save a lot of time.

As some you know, most commercial movie DVDs are actually encoded at 23.976 frames per second, not 29.97 frames per second and have certain "flags" set on certain fields of certain frames to emulate true 29.97 fps 2:3 telecined video (for compatibility with the majority of televisions). This is to cut down on bandwith and disk (DVD) space. There is more information stored in the video stream (usually the header) that states whether or not it can be played back progressively when the correct hardware or software is present and enabled.

Again, I have several software programs that allow me to achieve this type of DVD file, most of it freeware and all of it old and outdated but I'm tired of having to jump through a lot of hoops to get the job done. Do any of you know if there are any DVD authoring programs that do all of this or will I need a seperate MPEG encoder? If I have to use 2 programs, that's fine. I would prefer one, but 2 is acceptable. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,

Evil H. Henchman Esquire.

 

Anyone?

 

Well do you have a Mac or a PC?

 

I'm pretty sure Adobe Encore DVD can do all you need. Download the trial to see for yourself.

 

Doh! Sorry about that. I have a PC.

 

Ok, So I tried the trial version of Adobe Encore 2.0. Unfortunately it has a very basic MPEG2 decoder. While I'm sure it's fine for true 29.97 fps video such as standard DV camcorder video (whether interlaced or progressive), it is not fine for 23.976 fps video.

When I try to import an AVI encoded at 23.976 fps, a message appears stating that the frame rate is 23.976 and that the file must be encoded now. I then made a Menu and a DVD folder and played back the file. It unfortunately tweaked the file and made it look interlaced-ish, regardless of whether I choose an interlaced or pregressive option to encode with upon import.

However if the video file is already 29.97 (or at least if the header states it is 29.97 fps even if that is really not the frame rate the file uses on playback) and the rez is 720x480, it will import the file without transcoding AND you can choose an option to not trancode the video when building the DVD folder.

In other words, it will work for DVD authoring just fine but I will need a sperate program to encode 23.976 fps pregressive video to the proper progressive DVD format.



For those of you who are scratching you heads regarding my statements about the framerate of a commercial DVD movie... I invite you to use 2 programs to verify that the actual framerate of the MPEG2 encoded VOB really is 23.976 fps ***NON-INTERLACED*** and that the header for the file states that the frame rate is 29.97. Those programs are VirtualDubMod and ReStream, both of which are free.

Rip a .VOB file from a movie using the ripping software of your choice. Make sure the .VOB you rip is actually part of the movie and not the special features or menus. Any of the Star Wars prequels should work fine.

Open the file in VirtualDubMod. You can then check the framerate by clicking on "File" and then "File Information". You will see that it is 23.976. Play the file in VirtualDubMod. it will play fine and look normal (no, VirtualDubMod does not automatically do a 3:2 pulldown removal when opening any type of .VOB file nor can you make it do that upon opening the file).

Run ReStream and open the same .VOB file. it will show the file as having a framerate of 29.97. That alone will not make the movie play back properly on an interlaced TV. There are flags embedded on certain frames/fields of the video to allow your DVD player to convert the progrssive 23.976 fps video to 29.97 interlaced during playback. Neat eh? Those same flags are part (only part) of what is needed to allow the movie to playback progressively, using the proper equipment suce as an HDTV or DVD viewing software on a computer (Note: Currently I am using GUIPulldown.exe or the command line based version "Pulldown.exe" to add these flags). If those flags aren't present but the header states that the frame rate is 29.97, the movie will play back faster than normal/the video will appear to be sped up.


*reads above info* Um, sorry to go off topic and ramble, anywho I need an MPEG2 encoder (preferably built into DVD authoring software) that can do all these neat things. I know TMPGEnc MPEG Editor 2.0 can do this but I don't know if their DVD authoring software can. Also those products have a stupid periodic validation check that requires Internet access and could prevent me from installing the program on more than 1 of my computers (I have 3). Are there any more programs any of you think I should try?

 

If you had a Mac, DVD SP 4 would have done exactly what you need.

Encore 2.0 is a very very good program. However you are right. You can not set options for framerate etc...

Thats why it must all be done in Premiere, encode it to MPEG2 from there, import the .m2v and audio into Encore. Because it's already encoded into .m2v, Enocre will not encode anymore, it'll just burn.

 

Compressor and DVD Studio Pro have all those capabilities and I've done a few...but alas, you're on a PC. Maybe bring your project to a friend who has the Final Cut Studio setup on their Mac?

 

I believe this is what you're looking for.

 

Im still runing Encore 1.0 and let me tell you it is horrible sometimes. Everytime I try to build a DVD one message pops up, Error Seting Up Transcoder. I tryed all sorts of transcodes, but nothing. I hope Encore 2.0 is a lot better.