Looking for free DVD authoring software that doesn't re-encode and supp

[DaDude]

I just got a DVD recorder. I like the way it records, but it's very sloppy when adding chapter stops and putting together a dvd menu. So, I would like to edit it with a computer software since I have a DVD burner on my computer. Currently, I have Ulead Video Studio 10 and it can easily extract the Mpeg 2 videos from the recorded DVD. However, the problem is, this software doesn't support Dolby AC3 audio, which is audio codec that the DVD recorder uses to record the videos. It only supports PCM or Mpeg 2 audio, which is ridiculous IMHO since Dolby is the standard audio codec that is used in 99% of DVDs. So, the software will not author a DVD from Mpeg videos with a Dolby AC3 audio.

I tried a few free DVD authoring softwares out there, but all of them re-encode the videos, which is crazy because the videos don't need to be re-encoded since they're already encoded in the proper format. It just needs to be formatted into a DVD file with menus and chapters added. Ulead VideoStudio is able to do that without a problem, but like I said, it will not accept these videos recorded from the player since it won't support Dolby AC3.

So, are there any free DVD authoring softwares that doesn't re-encode and supports Dolby AC3 audio? I'm not looking for anything fancy. I'm just looking for a simple software that will take a bunch of Mpeg 2 videos (with AC3 audio), create a simple DVD menu, add some chapter stops, and format it into a DVD file?? Does one exists?

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[remixedcat]

No free ones that I know of but try the likes of AVS4You or get Sony DVD Arcitect

with AVS you pay 40 and get all thier software including a very easy to use video editor as well.... I love it.

[Snake89]

I like using ConvertXtoDvD.

http://www.vso-software.fr/products/convert_x_to_dvd/

[Gary2MBz]

+1 for ConvertXtoDVD here!

[DaDude]

So, there's nothing free?

All the free ones I googled and tried are terrible. They all re-encode when they shouldn't. I guess this is a good example where you get what you pay for.

[+BudMan MVC]

Not sure why anyone would be into creating DVDs any more these days - the trend is to just play the files directly. But I would think this does what you want for FREE. I recall using it back in the day when creating dvds was in fashion - 5 years ago or so ;)

http://www.dvdstyler.org/en/

About

DVDStyler is a cross-platform free DVD authoring application for the creation of professional-looking DVDs. It allows not only burning of video files on DVD that can be played practically on any standalone DVD player, but also creation of individually designed DVD menus. It is Open Source Software and is completely free.

Features

create and burn DVD video with interactive menus

• design your own DVD menu or select one from the list of ready to use menu templates ^v1.8.0
  
• create photo slideshow
  
• add multiple subtitle and audio tracks
  
• support of AVI, MOV, MP4, MPEG, OGG, WMV and other file formats
  
• support of MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, Xvid, MP2, MP3, AC-3 and other audio and video formats
  
• support of multi-core processor
  
• use MPEG and VOB files without reencoding, see FAQ
  
• put files with different audio/video format on one DVD (support of titleset)
  
• user-friendly interface with support of drag & drop
  
• flexible menu creation on the basis of scalable vector graphic
  
• import of image file for background
  
• place buttons, text, images and other graphic objects anywhere on the menu screen
  
• change the font/color and other parameters of buttons and graphic objects
  
• scale any button or graphic object
  
• copy any menu object or whole menu
  
• customize navigation using DVD scripting
  

See Documents for more information

[OilersFan]

I've always like DVDFab for ripping my dvds/blurays. If you just need to do it as a one time thing they have a 30 day trial,

http://www.dvdfab.com/dvd-creator.htm

[DaDude]

Not sure why anyone would be into creating DVDs any more these days - the trend is to just play the files directly. But I would think this does what you want for FREE. I recall using it back in the day when creating dvds was in fashion - 5 years ago or so ;)

http://www.dvdstyler.org/en/

About

DVDStyler is a cross-platform free DVD authoring application for the creation of professional-looking DVDs. It allows not only burning of video files on DVD that can be played practically on any standalone DVD player, but also creation of individually designed DVD menus. It is Open Source Software and is completely free.

Features

create and burn DVD video with interactive menus

• design your own DVD menu or select one from the list of ready to use menu templates ^v1.8.0
  
• create photo slideshow
  
• add multiple subtitle and audio tracks
  
• support of AVI, MOV, MP4, MPEG, OGG, WMV and other file formats
  
• support of MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, Xvid, MP2, MP3, AC-3 and other audio and video formats
  
• support of multi-core processor
  
• use MPEG and VOB files without reencoding, see FAQ
  
• put files with different audio/video format on one DVD (support of titleset)
  
• user-friendly interface with support of drag & drop
  
• flexible menu creation on the basis of scalable vector graphic
  
• import of image file for background
  
• place buttons, text, images and other graphic objects anywhere on the menu screen
  
• change the font/color and other parameters of buttons and graphic objects
  
• scale any button or graphic object
  
• copy any menu object or whole menu
  
• customize navigation using DVD scripting
  

See Documents for more information

I tried that. It keeps coming up with some error when formatting the DVD files. Not sure why.

And why wouldn't anyone still create DVDs? It's great to convert those old VHS tapes to DVD before the tape wears and tears. And is there a DVD player out there that would play Mpeg 2 videos without it being formatted into a DVD file??

[+BudMan MVC]

Yeah I could see ripping old home VHS movies sure - but no reason to burn them to dvd. And no reason to store them in mpeg2 - not space effective.

There are lots of players that play all kinds of formats, mine play pretty much anything you could throw at it

Supported Media File Formats Video containers: MPEG1/2/4 Elementary (M1V, M2V, M4V),MPEG1/2 PS (M2P, MPG, DAT, VOB),MPEG2 Transport Stream (TS, TP, TRP, M2T, M2TS, MTS),AVI, ASF, WMV, Matroska (MKV),MOV (H.264), MP4, RMP4, 3D BD ISO Video Decoders: XVID SD/HD,MPEG-1, MPEG-2 MP@HL, MPEG-4.2 ASP@L5, 720p, 1-point GMC, MPEG-4.10 (H.264) : BP@L3, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected],WMV9 : MP@HL,SMPTE 421M (VC-1) : MP@HL, AP@L3 Audio Containers: AAC, M4A,MPEG audio (MP1, MP2, MP3, MPA),WAV, WMA, FLAC, OGG Audio Decoders: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS,WMA, WMA Pro,MPEG-1 Layer 1, 2, 3, MPEG-4 AAC-LC, MPEG-4 HE-AAC, MPEG-4 BSAC ,LPCM, FLAC, Vorbis, TrueAudio, APE Audio Audio Pass-Through: DTS, DTS-HD HR, DTS-HD MA, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD Other Formats: ISO, IFO navigation, Simple BD navigation Photo Formats: JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF Subtitle Formats: Open-subtitle support, SRT, MicroDVD SUB, SSA, SUB/IDX

Its a waste of time to burn it to dvd and be limited to that specific format - just store the digital copy and play it on your TV with any of the 100's of different players out there. Or just connect your computer to your TV with a video card that has hdmi out, etc. etc..

MY player is much smaller than any DVD player - and it just pulls my video library off my network.

But that software does exactly what you want - as to whatever error your seeing. How about looking into what it is.

[DaDude]

But that software does exactly what you want - as to whatever error your seeing. How about looking into what it is.

You're right. The problem was I was extracting a video under the DVD-VR format. Even though it's also encoded using Mpeg-2, DVD Styler is rejecting the file. So, I recorded something else using a different format (DVD+VR) and it worked. Very odd, but at least I got it to work.

Thanks!

[+BudMan MVC]

No problem have loads of fun burning an outdated format to an outdated media ;) heheh

I have a dvd recorder myself, I have used it in the past to burn stuff for my 85 year old mother-in-law to watch stuff ;) And I have used it to pull a digital copy of something I recorded on my dvrs, etc.

But if I pull something off the dvr's - I always just change the format to something current h.264 most likely, then either mkv or mp4 as the container.

[DaDude]

Better that I use a DVD than keep the old VHS copy. At least with DVDs, it will last forever provided I back up the data. With VHS, once the tape wears away, your precious home movies are gone for good!!!

And this DVD recorder is great for recording stuff from TV. I can time record and keep digital copies of my favorite TV shows. And best of all, no monthly fees unlike DVRs. :)

[+BudMan MVC]

I hear you - I can understand the recording use of the dvd recorder. Be it off TV or from VHS tape.. This makes perfect sense to me.. Its a device to record to mpeg2 no matter what the source, etc.

What I don't get is burning it back to a different DVD with some menu. Just pull the digital file off the dvd you recorded to, convert it to a more modern format an container and then store it on some disks somewhere. Access your media library whenever you want.. No need to put in some dvd into something and go through some menu to play a file.

Sure keep the dvd you burned with your recorder as a backup - this is a great use. But why have to browse through a bunch of dvd disks when you want to watch something when you can juts search through a menu or browse the menu on the TV, etc. Have you never heard of any of the media players? Something like xmbc or something?

Where you can browse not only your video library but your music and photos as well.. Putting something on DVD is 90's way of doing things ;)

[DaDude]

I don't think DVDs are as obsolete as you're making it out to be. They still sell plenty of DVDs and DVD players. And all Blu-ray players also play DVDs and upconvert them to your HDTV. Not to mention that all computers today come with a DVD drive. So, how can DVDs be a 90s thing?

[+BudMan MVC]

"Not to mention that all computers today come with a DVD drive"

No not really - many laptops don't come with an optical drive at all.

Those same BR/DVD players you mention many will also play just the digital content off the media - no need for the dvd menu ;) Just burn the more efficient format and container to the media and let the player play the digital file -- you can store much more video on the disk that way!

The media itself still has use as a storage/transport medium for files - I burn all my home video's to DVD for backup and DR. But they are just files on the disk, there is no need to waste the space and time converting them to play in a standalone player these days.

DVD was a common format for many many years - there is still a market for the standalone players, as the old ones break and billy joe bob still has his collection of dvds he wants to watch. Just because they still sell dvd players does not mean they are not outdated.

I might of exaggerated a bit -- but creating DVD menu's is a dying methodology. I don't think your doing yourself any favors by clinging to it, at some point they will stop producing content on dvd. It's just waiting to die is all, do you see floppy disks any more?

Even if has 20 years life left - what is the point when there is a much better way. You also mention upconvert to hdtv, unless you are buying the cheapest of the cheapest tv these days they all have usb ports where you can just plug in a usb drive/stick and play the digital files that way. Even my 85 year old mother in laws TV can play files off usb. When we want to show her videos of her great grand daughter than I shot in 1080P, do I really want to covert them down to the limit of dvd quality, so a player can upconvert to hd or do I just put them on a usb stick and plug it into the side of her TV

[DaDude]

Even if has 20 years life left - what is the point when there is a much better way.

Because within the next few years, there will be a much better way than that much better way. ;)

Technology moves too fast and I just can't keep up with it anymore. And I don't think many HDTVs play files off of a USB. If they do, then this is definitely something new. Me and my family bought our HDTVs a few years ago and they didn't come with any option to play videos from a USB. And I will not trash a perfectly working LCD to keep up with the times. I'm not that kind of person.

BTW- With digital files, how do you guys skip chapters like on DVDs? What was great about DVDs was the ability to skip chapters in a video.

[+BudMan MVC]

And you will still be burning your stuff to DVD wont you ;)

[DaDude]

So what digital file do you suggest I convert these recorded DVDs to? There are a ton of different video codecs out there....

I'm still trying to wrap my head around how DVDs could possibly be obsolete. Even new released Blu-rays come with a DVD, which in all honesty, annoys me. It's adds an extra disc and it jacks up the price of the product when I really don't need it. I buy the Blu-ray verson because I want the Blu-ray verson. Not sure why studios insist on including it.

And even if DVDs do become obsolte, unlike VHS, it will take a loooong time before there comes a time where you will be stuck and can't play your DVDs. Heck, there are still ways to play audio CDs even though I stopped buying CDs ten years ago. As long as the digital era stays, there will always be a way to play DVDs.

And it's actually more time consuing to take an Mpeg 2 video and convert it to a different format than to author the file to DVD. That is why I was looking for a software that does not re-encode. If the software doesn't re-encode, it takes less than 10 minutes to create the file.

[DaDude]

So what digital file do you suggest I convert these recorded DVDs to? There are a ton of different video codecs out there....

Still waiting for an answer on this, Mr. BudMan. What codec is best? Divx? FLV? Please advise.

Thanks.

[clearlynotjoe]

How about this program: http://cdburnerxp.se/ - free, got lots of options

Had used it for years, works well enough, but just don't use optical media anymore...

[DaDude]

First of all, I think that's a burner software, not a DVD authoring software which formats Mpg2 videos to the DVD format.

Secondly, if I shouldn't use optical media anymore, then what's the point of using CDBurnerXP?

I can see why you guys want be to play through video files. It's more futureproof; I get it now. So, now this brings me to my other question which remains unanswered... what video codec should I convert my videos to?

[hckngrtfakt]

First of all, I think that's a burner software, not a DVD authoring software which formats Mpg2 videos to the DVD format.

Secondly, if I shouldn't use optical media anymore, then what's the point of using CDBurnerXP?

I can see why you guys want be to play through video files. It's more futureproof; I get it now. So, now this brings me to my other question which remains unanswered... what video codec should I convert my videos to?

mp4/mkv

[Brandon H Supervisor]

mp4/mkv

i second this

though for your use mp4 would be better as most devices should be able to read that format

mkv is better than mp4 in that it can store multiple audio languages and subtitle languages (though not as many devices read it as of yet)

[Copernic Reporter]

GUI for dvdauthor 1.07

http://download.videohelp.com/gfd/

[DaDude]

mp4/mkv

Thank you. :)

[DaDude]

Ok, just one more question. If DVD is a dying format, where you people suggest I store all those mp4 digital videos that I encode? Even a 32 GB USB flash drive is not enough to store all those videos I want to keep and even then, DVD discs have a longer lifespan than USB because USB flash drives are known to fail after excessive use. Ok, so I can buy a 1 TB hard drive. But still, what if the hard drive crashes? I lose all my videos?? There's a reason I'm clinging onto DVDs. They provide the best security that my videos will last for many years to come. Is there a better way to store all those GBs of videos that I plan to create??