Hello,

Just wondering if it is possible with your DVD Authoring software to use an image's EXIF or IPTC data to automatically add subtitles to each picture while generating a slideshow?

Or if you can't use the EXIF data, is there any way to manually add subtitles to each image in a slideshow? This would be a pain for what I am trying to do (add image author info for each image to the slideshow, info which is currently stored in the EXIF data), but it would be workable, I suppose.

Thanks,
cc

Hello all.


I have created a track containing two avi clips both with subs. I have had a look at the simulation and no probs. But...as soon as i go into track settings and "link clips" i get an error when trying to run the simulation
"clip GOP too long for a DVD-video". This puzzles me as nothing has changed except linking the clips.

Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I need to drop MKV files to TDA3 and convert them to a DVD as AVI do but it's not support this type of file, so I think I need plug-in for MKV in TDA3!!!

- Is it got plug-in pack for File input plug-in of TDA3?
- If not, how can I use MKV file in TDA3 as any type of files?

Thanks anyone who answers me!!

Ken

Hi,
I think its possible to import .mkv files into Author 3 but you would need a codec or codecs for such process, since Author 3 does not support this files as
normall statement.
You may need to look for them on internet by google or some other portal.
good luck

Thanks Spiral but now I got new problem with import 4 AVI files to Author 3 and convert to DVD with Menu but after complete, it's lagging with sound but menu sound hasn't got any problem....How to fix this huge problem...thanks

Hello again all. I'm in the process of burning off a DVD and am having just a little trouble understanding the issue of aspect ratios (I confess I'm a total noob when it comes to those kind of things).

The AVIs I'm putting on the DVD include subtitles which are part of the actual files themselves (meaning they can't be turned on or off; they're automatically incorporated within the movie clip).

I'm not 100% certain but I think these AVIs are in a widescreen (16.9 ?) format, but all the TVs in our house are the old-fashioned non-widescreen (4.3 ? ) sets.

I've burned off one disc as a test and while all the important parts of the picture are there, I've noticed that subtitle lines which are either longer or justified over to one side tend to get cut off at the ends (obviously because they begin to edge into the widescreen portions of the image that a non-widescreen TV wouldn't display). There's also a little cut-off at the top and bottom of the screen, although this isn't as noticable.

I know it's probably hard to give an effective answer to this question without being able to see the source files for yourselves, but is there any way to change the aspect ratio of the files within DVD Author so the whole image is visible on a non-widescreen TV without any cut-off? I've been looking through the help docs with the program but unfortunately am having a little trouble deciphering the more technical information regarding aspect ratio settings and the like.

Basically I'm an utter n00b, and if any non-n00bs out there have had experience with making these kinds of adjustments before, any input you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. :-)

Usually, your DVD player will detect that your footage is 16:9 and automatically add black bars to the top and bottom of the video when displayed on a 4:3 monitor.

The fact that your video is going off the screen at the sides leads me to believe that the source file's pixel aspect ratio is wrong. What is your Aspect ratio in the Clip Properties window?

Here's what you may have to do:
When you add your video clips in the Source Stage and the Clip Properties window appears, change the Aspect ratio option to "Pixel 40:33 (NTSC 16:9)" (or "Pixel 16:11 (PAL 16:9)" if you're in Europe). Then output your file as normal (default settings should work).

If the aspect ratio is already set to one of those options, let me know.

I've been thinking about this problem here and there and now that I've given it more thought, it might not be the pixel aspect ratio.

Take a look at your track settings and tell me what it says for "Wide mode settings" down towards the bottom of the window. I'm guessing it's on Pan and Scan. If so, select one of the other options ("Letterbox" or "Letterbox/Pan and Scan").

If that isn't it, let me know.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, tkrave.

Okay then: aspect ratio in the clip properties window is saying "Pixel 1:1 (Square pixel)". On the video tab under track settings, it says it's "Image Ratio: 4:3"

The Wide Mode setting is saying "Letterbox", although it's grayed out and therefore cannot be changed.

At the same time I posted here, I also sent a message to the person who supplied me with the original AVIs. He tells me that the content WAS made in 4:3, however (and I quote):

"...due to encoding methods of old some display in 16:9 format even though the files are in 4:3 format (640x480). What you may need to do is re-encode the files using vdub to compensate for the AR feck up, or you might be able to process them in TMPEG into usable DVD compliant MPEG files (I haven't tried that method for a while so I'm not sure how well that works)"

He suggests to re-encode the files to 4:3 format. He mentions VirtualDub but that program and I have never gotten along so I'm hoping it can be done via DVD Author.

I don't know if that gives you any more insight to work with, tkrave, but if you think it should just be as simple as me changing the aspect ratio to 4:3 and retrying or if you can suggest something else, please let me know. Thanks. :-)

The fact that the source file is 640x480 and it has a pixel aspect ratio of 1:1 leads me to believe it's meant to be 4:3. The TDA3 settings you've described should make it show up correctly, but you can try changing the pixel aspect ratio to NTSC 4:3 in the Clip Properties window to see if that fixes things.

So maybe it's something else...
How close do the subtitles get to the edge of the screen if you view the video on your computer? It's possible that they are going outside of the "tv safe" area into the overscan area which is why they get cut off when viewed on your older analog tv. It's actually normal for the edges of the video to get cut off on analog tv's so that may be what you're seeing.

Hmm, it could be an overscan thing, I guess. Usually it's probably not something I'd notice, but the subtitles really make it stand out. I know I have to take that into consideration when making the menus as I have to make sure everything's slightly in from the "useable TV area" guide frame that DVD Author puts up.

I would say the subtitles do get fairly close to the edge of the computer screen. Wasn't sure how else to calculate it so I set Windows Media Player to full screen and then got out the trusty old ruler - I would say they're anything between 7mm and 10mm from the edge of the screen (depending on the letter). When I burned off the first test disc, on the TV there was probably 1-2 letters getting cut off at the sides. Top and bottom didn't seem to be too bad in the middle of the screen, but depending on how far out the subtitles stretched out I could get as much as the entire bottom half of the line being cut off.

Tried two different 4:3 settings via DVD Author late last night and burned off Test Disc #2:

"Pixel 10:11 (NTSC 4:3)" fixed the problem on the sides of the TV screen, but not the top and bottom.

"Pixel 12:11 (PAL 4:3)" fixed the problem on the top and bottom of the TV, but not the sides.

I can't seem to find a setting that fixes both at the same time though. LOL.

If I absolutely HAVE to make a sacrifice on one or the other, then I suppose I'd rather put up with a couple of letters missing off the sides than having half the line missing at the bottom. In which case my only worry would then be what the overall picture would look like if and when I finally did get a widescreen TV - I might get the sides back but will the top and bottom then look squashed in?

If you get a HD tv it will most likely have display options to adjust the image.
For instance, my tv can show the whole image (overscan area and all), a normal image (with the overscan area cropped), 16:9 (forces everything to be widescreen, even 4:3 video), 4:3 (forces everything to be 4:3), and various levels of zoom.

The display options will probably vary from model to model though.

In my experience viewing DVDs made at 4:3 on a 42" Panasonic plasma HDTV, the image is not stretched or scrunched in any way and you see the video centered on the screen with black bars on each side (none on top). But you also then have the option of changing the display various ways so that it fits the entire screen, which depending on which option you use, will result in either the video being stretched to some degree or zoomed so that it's not stretched but not all of the original content is displayed.

I actually had the opportunity to try both of the test discs through a widescreen TV the other day, and it actually didn't make a difference. Still looked just like it did on my set, with subtitles getting cut off in the same places. As you guys said, maybe adjusting some settings on the TV might have helped (I didn't have a chance to try this though), and obviously because my test discs were set to 4:3 I don't know what it might have come out like if I had tried the 16:9 setting.

Oh well, I guess I'll settle for the "Pixel 12:11 (PAL 4:3)" option and just cope with the side cut-off for the time being. Seems to be the best way to go at this point.

Again, a massive thanks to you tkrave (and you too Bob) for putting up with my annoying little problems over the last few days. Your kindness is greatly appreciated. :-)

Just a quick update to report: PROBLEM SOLVED!!!

Once again my heartfelt thanks to both tkrave and Bob for their assistance and - more importantly - their patience! Treat yourselves to something special. ;-)

My problem
I have a two hour concert that I added chapter breaks to in between songs

I want a title page that says "play all" and "song selection"

if you click "song selection" it takes you to the next page and shows the list of songs(chapters) and you can click whatever song(chapter) you want to watch.

I keep getting a page for each chapter instead of just one page listing all the chapters. I don't need thumbnails either, just the name of the song

thanks

See my response in this thread below:

http://bbs.tmpg-inc.com/bbs.php?board=en_tda3#topic307

That's bizarre...he just copied and pasted that from Jon's post!

>That's bizarre...he just copied and pasted that from Jon's post!

Interesting...I thought it was very familiar but did not bother to re-read Jon's post before linking to my reply.

I use tmpgenc dvd author 3 to do my family movies. Those movies are built from 60 to 120 seconds little AVI files. Each AVI file is named from the date/time it was recorded. I would like to get the chapter name (file name) displayed when I listen to my dvd movie. the subtitle is the best way to do this. But, I have to manually add a subtitle for every little AVI I include, and name it the name of the file.

Is it possible to automatically add a subtitle writing the name of the new chapter to the screen everytime ti changes?

My movies are build with 5-10 tracks, each containing 10-20 little avi files (chapters).

Thank you.

As far as I know, there is no way to automatically create subtitles from your filename. Sorry, but I think you'll have to do it manually.

On a related note, is there any way to force subtitles to show even though the playback device has them turned off? One of the shortcomings of this program is that you cannot add your own text/credits to the output unless you use subtitles, but then the DVD playback device has to have subtitles turned on in order to see them.

I don't think there's a way to have subtitles on by default. What you could do for credits is make some simple images with text and create a slideshow that appears after your video clips.

>I don't think there's a way to have subtitles on by default. What you could do for credits is make some simple images with text and create a slideshow that appears after your video clips.

Yea, I thought of that, but it's not very professional looking compared to text overlaid on the video content. I'm really surprised that TDA does not have this feature...even an older copy of Nero I have has it.

I instal tmpgenc dvd author 3 to my pc, but tmpgenc doesnt recognaise my dvd recorder, only shows cdrw (i have 1 dvdrw and 1 cdrw).help please!

created my 1st dvd

have main menu then track menu

when i choose main menu layout each option seems to have 3 function buttons but whatever i do the only one i end up with is PLAY ALL whereas what i want is something like NEXT PAGE/TRACK MENU so i can go to track menu and then either select a track or PLAY ALL

anyone please??

I'm not sure how you can just have a Play All button and nothing else. You should have a Play All button and at least a Track thumbnail or text button to access your tracks.

If you can explain exactly what you are doing in more detail, maybe I can help you more.

Is there a way of changing so the output is not the 2 folders: audio_ts and video_ts? So it's .iso instead for example?

No, but you can use the Writing Tool to convert the video_ts folder into an .iso file.

Although I am a registered user of TMPGEnc DVD Author v.3.1.2.176, when I come to start the program and it seeks to validate my registration number, it will not accept it. My registration # is correct, and so is everything else and still it refuses to validate. I have no such problems with TMPGEnc Authoring Works 4.0.2.14 and TMPGEnc DVD Author, v.3.1.2 (176), all of which I have a valid registration numbers for.

This validation is bogus. I fear that 'Pegasys' is getting as paranoid as Microsoft. If one has a valid registration number one should not have to leap through all of this stuff just to get your software to run.

I'm getting quite fed up with this and I'm looking for alternative software. Any help is appreciated + any suggestions.

Thanks
Bryan

Well I got my answer from tech support.

It seems that when one upgrades from TMPGEnc DVD Author v.3.1.2.176 to v.4 the serial # for v.3 no longer works. I can understand that. It's unfortunate however, as I wanted to continue to use v.3 as I got used to the new version.

Hope this may help others.

Bryan

>Well I got my answer from tech support.
>
>It seems that when one upgrades from TMPGEnc DVD Author v.3.1.2.176 to v.4 the serial # for v.3 no longer works. I can understand that. It's unfortunate however, as I wanted to continue to use v.3 as I got used to the new version.
>
>Hope this may help others.
>
>Bryan

This should not happen since you purchase this product. The purchasers should be given a full operational package from the download site since this is discontinued. Some users like myself like to use both unitil they get use to the newer package and might want to use both .

I use TMPGEnc DVD Author 3 (3.1.2.176) and then when I work as convert 4 avi to DVD, my CPU usages 100% always and when it's working for a little, my computer restart or hang or crash (something like this) so......

1. Can TMPGEnc DVD Author 3 settings to use low CPU usage?
2. If no.1 can't, TMPGEnc Authoring Works 4 can do?
3. How to set it up to use lower 100% CPU usage?
==========================
Intel Pentium D 2.8 GHz
DDR-II 1 GB
ASUS DVD-RAM (RW/Multi-Recorder)
WinXP SP2
NVIDIA GeFORCE 6200 LE (Memory 256 MB)
==========================
I've ever use this software without problem but all I said happen since Dec 4, 2008 without any warnings........help me please coz I have to use for my job

While it's running, access the Window Task Manager (ctrl+alt+del), go to Processes > right-click TMPGEncDVDAuthor3.exe > set Priority > whatever you want.

Maybe that will help?

Hi. I have a series of mpeg 2 files with ac3 soundtracks.The resolutions are all 720/480 and the frame rates are all NTSC compliant.

In the older TMPG authoring software,these files are outputed without being re-encoded.

The new software seems to re-encode everything again.File sizes change and the process is very long.

How do I prevent the files from being re-encoded?

Thanks BK

It shouldn't re-encode if the file is already DVD-compliant.
Does the Smart Rendering icon show up in the Source stage next to the clip thumbnail? (It looks like a blue "SR") If there is a red "FR" then it will be fully re-encoded.

Some things to check:
Is the project type NTSC DVD? If it's PAL it will be fully re-encoded if your source is NTSC.
Did you change any settings in the Track settings?
Did you change the pixel aspect ratio in the clip properties?

Any of these could trigger full rendering.

MPEG2 streams recorded using Sony PlayTV on the PS3 are in a M2TS format. When I try to import these into DVD Author 3 or TMPGEnc 4 XPress, both applications will freeze. Would adding support for this format be added in future? Right now, I have to use an extra tool to convert the file to an MPEG2 file that can be used.

Thanks,

Richard