New to dvd burning so be gentle with your responses. Have a movie that was in avi format shrunk the file and converted to mpeg. Am i correct that you cannot burn a mpeg format and have play in stand alone dvd player? Do i need to reauthor this file using tmpgenc reauthor first? I tried to do that but kept receiving stream writing error.WHat can i do to get this mpeg file i have to playon my standalone dvd. This is themost frustrating thing i have ever tried to do. thankyou for your help

I see that you finally offer a plugin for AC-3, very good!

However, some things aint clear to me...
1. The periodical activation... Do i have to pay a new fee every activation?
2. The plugin WILL encode pcm .wav files I hope?
3. Is it 100% DolbyDigital licensed?

I guess the best way to get good AC3 sound would be to choose pcm sound in TMPGenc and then let DVD Author encode the .wav sound to AC3?

Question: 1. The periodical activation... Do i have to pay a new fee every activation?

Answer: I do not think so. From what I am guessing, they had to
go to great lengths to negotiate a license deal with Dolby Labs,
and that included occasional license verification. Personally
I do not know any other product that offers a certified Dolby
encoder for 29 dollars.


Question 2: The plugin WILL encode pcm .wav files I hope?

Answer: While the TMpgEnc folks are not very savy in the
documentation department, they do produce some excellent
products at an excellent price. While the docs seem indicate
that only MPEG audio will be reencoded, I just tried it,
and found that if you click the "reencode the audio using
the output format of the track" in the edit dialog box,
you can then click on the "settings" button in the track
list, and Dolby Digital will be listed in the audio encoding
options, and indeed, the file produced is encoded with the
parameters specified. I will also add that when I asked this
question directly to the TMPGEnc folks, they gave an incorrect
answer that it only used MPEG audio as a source, and that there
where no encoding options for the plugin. In short, yes, you
can use .wav, and yes, there are encoding options for setting
bitrates.


Question 3: Is it 100% DolbyDigital licensed?

Answer: The TMPGEnc folks are neither documentaion experts
nor are they marketing experts. This should be clearly
presented on the website. I have the feeling that they
are waiting for permission to use the Dolby logos on the
website. I asked this same question directly to the
TMPGEnc folks, and they answered that yes, it it is, and
yes, the product has passed Dolby Labs certification.
The plugin does sport the Dolby labs logos.

Hope that helps!

Joe

>I do not know any other product that offers a certified Dolby
>encoder for 29 dollars

The Premium between the 'base' and 'Disc Creator' versions of Ulead DVD MovieFactory 3 appears to be about $50.00 (About $50.00 verses $100.00). Since the difference between the two versions is both AC-3 support, and some other features, the $50.00 difference could probably be split between part for the AC-3 and part for the other features.

So, even though it's still a $50.00 difference it probably wouldn't be too far of a stretch to attribute the AC-3 part of that total to be something close to $30.00...

As far as I can tell from their ads, Ulead 'DVD MovieFactory 3 Disc Creator' doesn't require activation (but I haven't purchased it, so I don't know that for sure).

-Greg Bohn

Joe C. Hecht : Thanks alot for the clear answers, I might get this pugin now :)

I was contemplating ordering the AC-3 Plug-in when I saw that it requires not just one Activation, but apparently repeated activation.

Looking at the Pegasys website it mentions things such as 'When the expiration date is near, if you haven't chosen [Update License automatically from next time], you will need to update the license validation file manually.
A period is set, while you can update your License even after the expiration. -But after that period, you will have to do the verification procedure from the start.'.

So, not only do you have to 'activate' the plug-in at install time, but you have to keep re-activating it on a periodic basis.

I don't enjoy the prospect of having to turn off my firewall periodically to allow the software to 'phone home' and commune with its server (sending who knows what information in addition to your email and Name that they already mention...).

I'm sorry, but this goes too far for me, and I am not planning on buying the AC-3 plugin as a result.

I bought TmpGenc, and DVD Author, but I think this goes too far. I resent the whole activation attitude of:

*) We all must be crooks.

*) You have to do the 'Mother may I' act (repeatedly in this case) to
beg to continue to use the software you've already payed to use.

and last but not least

*) In my experience, something ALWAYS goes wrong eventually that prevents you from using your software (in a 'legal' manner of course). Whether it's dongles (had problems with those), or Activation bugs/'features' (had those), it always makes life hard for the legitimate user, and usually has negligible effect on 'real' pirates... I've got to believe they either already have a crack for this, or are working on one.

I'm certainly not trying to condone software piracy in any way, shape or form, but the rising tide of 'Activation' garbage just rubs me the wrong way.

-Greg Bohn

I have bought the AC3 plugin and I am very annoyed by this continuous verification and need to be on line (or the AC3 plugin is not active).
I have officially complained to support. I have bought TMPGEnc Plus, DVD Author and the AC3 plugin and I feel I got trapped with this AC3 plugin. I have also Ulead DVD Movie Factory 3 with the AC3 plugin and Nero with another AC3 plugin and none of them is bothering me with this relentless on line license check.

Sorry TMPG you are going too far..

Sorin (a Customer)

Import Panasonic DMR-E30 created DVD-Rs (not DVD-RAM) into my PC for reauthoring(primarily creating new menus)?

I'm not familiar with the Panasonic, but yes, DVD Author will let you load a "DVD File" (the VOBs from a DVD) and reauthor. I've done this several times with DVDs created on a standalone recorder.

AC3 plugin presales questions:

1) Is the new AC3 plugin use genuine licensed code from Dolby Labs?

2) What sort of encoding parameters does the plugin support?

3) If I input a pre-encodded Ac3 file for a DVD, will your newsest DVDAuthor re-encode the AC3 file, or simply use it like in previous versions?

Thanks,

Joe

Received an email reply that indeed this is a geniuine
Certified Dolby encoder (the Dolby logos are in fact
used in the install -- they should be on the webpage).

There are no encoding parameters. The bitrate etc are
set when you encode the MPEG.

Finally, if the source is already ac3, no reencoding is done.

Joe

I was curious about the comment suggesting the AC-3 plug-in uses a fixed bitrate, so I sent my own pre-sales question to Pegasys. Below is my original question and their reply.

>> 2) I read on the BBS that the encoding parameters are fixed. What is the
>> bitrate used for encoding the AC-3 audio?
>
>No, it is not correct, with AC3 plug in you can also set you AC3
>bitrate same as MP2.

-- Scott.

Excellent program , easy to use , does exactly what its supposed to without any fuss.

I've been capturing video and audio Separately . After a lot of trial and error , I get good quality results at the end of it.

But because I'm using separate files (not started at the same time) , I have to keep quitting TMPGEnc DVD Author , trim the start of the audio file in a separated audio editor restarting TMPGEnc DVD Author to view the files , until , finally I've got them in sync.What with having to save large files over and over ,it probably costs 15-20mins getting it right this way.

What would be real handy would be the ability to be able to alter the audio sync in the Chapter Cut Edit page. Maybe work with sound files up to 5 seconds longer than the start of the video file.

I know there is a section in TMPEnc plus where you can alter the audio sync but its not really that usable because you dont hear the sound , you see the sound bar so, until youve encoded a file, you still dont know if its in sync or not.

One big audio sync button please...!!

Seconded. It would even better if it allowed to the correction of typical lipsync problems such as start times being wrong through to the drift that sometimes happens through a recording thanks to the sound capture not being 100% acurate on its clock. From comments I've read elsewhere, this happens all too often but I have not been able to find any easy fix or means of correcting without a lot of work.

Ideally, it should allow,you to hear the sound and be able to mark a frame then as you play it tap a key when the sync sound occurs (or the other way around) - and then repeate a few times if needed throughout the recordings. The software then takes it into account when producing the finsihed video to bring it all into sync.

Hi,
I am trying to convert DVD to MPEG1 with Tmpgenc 2.5 Plus for my IPAQ H2210.
I tried several Settings and found that MPEG1 is the best Result for IPAQ.
But still i will be glad if someone can give me few Tipps.

I am Convert my DVD to VOB Files with DVD Decrypter and then create D2V with DVD2AVI which works out very good. Now I use HeadAC3 to convert my AudioFile(AC3) to Wave and Finally i use TMPGenc to craete the MPEG1 File with Project Wizard (because it shows me the Approx. File Size before Encoding) with following Settings:

Expert Setting for Source: Non-Interlace
Field Order: Bottom field first (field B)
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 625 line PAL (DVD is 16:9 Format & PAL)
Stream Type: MPEG-1 Video
Size: 352*288
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 625 Line (PAL)
Frame Rate: 25 fps
Rate Control: Constant bitrate (CBR)
Bitrate: 600
VBR buffer: 40
Motion Search: Highest Quality (very Slow)
Advance Settings
- Video Source Type: Non Interlace (Proggressive)
-Field Order: Bottom Field first (field B)
-Source aspect Ratio: 16:9 625 line (PAL)
Video Arrange Mode: Full Screen (keep aspect Ratio)
GOP Structure:
I Pictures: 1
P Pictures: 3
B Pictures: 2

Audio: 44100 / Joint Stereo / 128 Bitrate
Audio Volume: 350%

With this settings Projecr Wizard shows me 5,30 MB Average / Minute.
The quality is fine (not fantastic)
Only problem is the Final size of MPEG1 becomes fast double as Estimated from Tmpgenc-Wizard.

It will be great if i get some Ideas regarding my settings or Tipps for Size-Problem.

Bye

what stream-format did you choose?
make sure "MPEG1-System (automatic)" is selected after going through the wizard.

Hi,
I am trying to convert a DVD to MPEG1 Format. I fixed all the settings with Tmpgenc and saved it as "Template". Now i start my project and Load my Template with Project Wizard which show me in the last window that Estimated file Size will be 575,86 MB and after 5 Hours Work the File becomes 1,2GB Big. Movie is 108Minuts, Video Resolution 352x288, Constant Bitrate = 600, Audio 128/ 44100Hz. Joint Stereo.

I tried the same File with one of my friends Computer with same Fim Size, same Tmpgenc Version (Plus)with same settings as i did before, now encoding file is correct and MPEG1 Size is perfect as Estimated.

The problem is at my computer same File becomes fast double.
Can anyone give me a tip....??

Hey, you are into the worng forum!

OK, you are producing Non-Standard VCD, so you can't multiplex it as VCD because it will fill in the missing Bitrate. Multiplex it as MPEG1 Video-CD (non standard) and all is OK.

How can i use or make new background pictures, to use in the menu's, with TMPGEnc DVD Author? It uses the extension .tme but i don't know the program to use to make new background pictures. Is it possible to use a jpeg picture, if so, how do i do that? Thx in advange.

Wow... Just klick on the Background and load your own Picture... :rolleyes:

Man, that's SO easy!

>Wow... Just klick on the Background and load your own Picture... :rolleyes:
>
>Man, that's SO easy!

Maybe he has the same problem I am trying to address; He could be trying
to use his "own Picture" that is not the same aspect as the preview window.
I am trying to use a 273x73 24bit bmp file, but it gets gets squashed into
100x73. What is odd is if I make the same bmp the frame image, the little
part I can see looks perfect.

Any idea how to get it to work? I am willing to HexEdit the tme file.

Luck;
Ken

Hi

Would appreciate some advise on this:

So far TMPG DVD Auth has been v easy to use and effective. However I have something that I cant seem to do. Most authoring programmes use the filename of the mpeg as the defaul chapter name, but in TMPG the titles are Chapter 1, Chapter 2 etc (as far as I can remember) and I have to rename each track. How do i just get it to use the filenames? After all, the filenames are already in the Chapter window.

i don't think there is another way than copy-paste at this time...

I've been trying to purchase the $99 bundle. Each time I try, when I click on Next, the web server responds with a single line "set your transaction id"

Perhaps the server needs to be reconfigured or restarted?

Few things are more frustrating than trying to spend money and being blocked from doing so. :)

I had the exact same problem when I tried to purchase the bundle with Internet Explorer 5.5. But it worked fine when I tried with Mozilla Firebird, although the page warned that it may not work with other browsers than Internet Explorer! So something is definitely wrong with the order page. Maybe it was only tested with Internet Explorer 6.0?

I am trying to Convert D2V+MP3 to MPEG1. Working with Wizard which shows me at the end that File Size Expected 585MB but after 5-6 Hours Job MPEG1 File becomes 1,2GB. The Same project i tried with another PC and it worked out Correct i.e MPEG1 is the right size which was expected (Tmpgenc-Wizard) The problem is on my PC at home the same configuration and the same File size becomes almost double. Can someone give me a tip ?

Thanks