Overview

This guide explains in detail how to convert any AVI file (either DivX, XviD, etc) into a standard MPEG-2 DVD-Video disc with optional subtitle streams.

If your source AVI file has a multichannel AC3 audio stream, even better: this guide explains how to create the DVD with the original AC3 sound included, since most DVD players support AC3 audio already.

We recommend you to take a look at the different DVD formats and MPEG standards before starting the DVD authoring process.

  Required Software

 name and description

website

VirtualDubMod -- for AC3 audio only

Video edition and conversion utility

TMPEG Encoder Plus

MPEG encoding application

DVD-lab Pro

DVD authoring application

Nero Burning Rom

DVD burning tool

  Step 1: Audio Extraction

Open your source video file with GSpot to find out the audio format used. Also take note of the FPS value indicated in the Video section.

• If it's not an AC3 audio stream, extract the audio from the AVI as explained here. You will obtain a large, uncompressed WAV audio file.

• If it's an AC3 audio stream, extract it this way:

Open your source AVI in VirtualDubMod, then go to Streams > Stream List. Select the audio stream you wish to extract and click Demux to save it as an AC3 file. This can take a few minutes accordingly to the movie length.

  Step 2: AVI to MPEG2 Conversion

Open TMPEG Encoder and if the Project Wizard doesn't appear go to File > Project Wizard.

If your source video has 25 FPS, select DVD - PAL, otherwise select DVD - NTSC and click Next.

In the next step, click Browse to select the Video file only and click Next.

• If your source video aspect ratio is not fullscreen: Enable the Clip frame option. In the popup window click Arrange setting  and from the drop-down list chose Fullscreen (Keep aspect ratio) option to ensure video will have a proper aspect ratio and size.

Now click the Other Settings button which will show this dialog:

Here you should select the Higest quality mode for Motion search precision, which takes longer to compress but improves quality noticeably. To increase quality even more, use the 2-pass VBR option for Rate control mode. Click OK and then Next.

Now you should be at the Bitrate settings step.

In this last step you'll see additional conversion options. Video resolution should be 720x480 for NTSC video or 720x576 for PAL video. Once ready, click Next and then start encoding the file.

Note: TMPEG Encoder will generate a video file with MPG or M2V extension. Also, a WAV file may be generated as well. This WAV file is useless and can be deleted instantly.

Please notice that TMPEG Encoder may take several hours to finish the conversion, therefore it is recommended to do this process at night or whenever the computer is not in use.

  Step 3: DVD Authoring

Open DVD-lab Pro and in th Default Project dialog select the target format NTSC or PAL accordingly to the setting used previously in TMPEG Encoder. Also select the Simple (Movie Only) option, since our DVD-Video won't have special menus nor additional features.

Click OK to proceed.

To add the created MPEG-2 video and the extracted AC3 or WAV audio files, right click on the Assets zone and select Import. If you followed this guide perfectly, both audio and video files will be immediately added without problems.

After importing the files, drag and drop them from the Assets window to the Movie 1 area.

The audio stream is added as English by default. To change the stream language, click the Audio 1 button and select the proper language in the popup dialog.

ADDING SUBTITLES [Optional]

To add a subtitle stream from a SUB, SRT, SSA or SON subtitle file, click the Sub 1 button. In the Subtitle window click Import and open yout subtitle file. To ensure the subtitle file is error-free, we recommend you to open it with DivXLand Media Subtitler to adjust or correct it.

Make sure to chose a clear font and size. Here we are using 'Trebuchet MS' size 24. Click Generate Subtitle Stream and the subtitle stream will be generated and added automatically. You can add additional subtitle streams by clicking the Sub button and repeating the process.

To generate the DVD chapters, go to Movie > Auto Chapters.

Enter the amount of chapters to add and click OK.

Finally, go to the Project menu and select Compile DVD.

Select the output folder for the compiled DVD and click Start to begin. Notice this operation can take several GB of free space to complete.

  Step 5: DVD Burning

We'll use Nero Burning ROM to burn the DVD. In the New Compilation dialog, select the DVD-Video type of disc and click New.

The DVD-Video structural folders will be automatically created. Simply add the files generated by DVD-lab Pro into the VIDEO_TS folder. Now your compilation should look similar to this:

At this point you can burn the DVD as usual. We recommend to use a low speed such as 4X to ensure the disc will be burned successfully without buffer problems.

To test the created DVD, open Media Player Classic and go to File > Open DVD. The video playback should begin immediately.

Now that you've made your DVD video, check out the newest DVD players and LCD TVs.  The LCD picture quality will be great and you can't beat the prices when it comes to online shopping.

  Questions? Comments?

If you have any questions or need support regarding this guide or article, don't hesitate to ask at the DivXLand.org forum personally.

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