How do I create a DVD with menus from multiple Xvid AVI files

Hi, I have 4 Xvid encoded AVI files (NTSC) which I am trying to convert to DVD (PAL) with a simple menu.
I used to use Nero VisionExpress all the time on the highest quality settings, which worked fine, but since Nero Vision 4 (with Nero 7 Ultra) the DVD end-product has out-of-sync audio and video (gradually becoming more and more out of sync as the film plays, not the same amount all the way through). I have read many guides, but:
I would like to create a simple menu as well as encoding the files
I have multiple AVI files for the same DVD
The AVI files are NTSC (23.976fps - what is 29fps then?)
I am in the UK so I need a PAL-compliant DVD
The AVI files are slightly different resolutions
The audio is VBR MP3 (Lame)
These criteria mean I can't use some apps in the guides (can't remember exactly which, I've tried so many).
So, does anyone have a solution to the Nero Vision problem, or can anyone recommend a method of acheiving all the above?

Many thanks

 

This program, if you haven't already tried it, will meet your needs.The trial does insert a watermark and is speed limited but has great speed, quality and easy to use:http://www.afterdawn.com/guides/archive/vso_convertxtodvd_guide.cfm As to 23.976 and 29 fps, both are NTSC.

 

Hi, I have actually tried VSO ConvertXtoDVD, but:
1) I can't work out how to change the look of the menu, like different layout, buttons, moving things around etc. Maybe I'm hoping for too much.

2) Anyway, on top of that, even if I create a menu, when I play the DVD (either on my PC, or on a standalone player) it skips straight to the first title instead of starting with the menu. I can go back to the menu using the controls so it IS there - but how do I set it to start with the menu? (This doesn't happen with any other DVDs so it's not my DVD player.)

3) I do not want to burn straight to DVD, I want to use minimum compression in the encoding process, then use DVD Shrink for compression because imho it does the best job. I cannot find an option for an UNLIMITED output DVD size, if I set it to custom and type in anything above 8500MB, it resets back to that. And with 4-5 AVIs at high quality, this would exceed 8500MB (2 AVIs create a 4.4GB DVD)

Any suggestions to these issues?

Thanks

 

Sorry, I can't help. I have only trialled VSO but found it to be a very good program and if I hadn't spent 2 years fine tuning another, would definitely go with VSO. I would'nt expect to much from the menues but, as far as I know, it's the only converter with that capability and pretty neat to have. I'm only guessing here but the 8500 MB max may have something to do with that being the maximum size of a Dual Layer DVD.

 

Hi there,

You are right, the current version of VSO ConvertXtoDVD does create you a menu, but a limited one.

At least we have one now

The reason why it jumped to the menu and not show you the menu, is because you enabled this option

[bold][X] Auto-start playback[/bold]

As for the output, ConvertXtoDVD has a bitrate calculator built in.
If you set your output to DVD5, it will reduce the bitrate so your VIDEO_TS directory will fit on a DVD5 media.

If you set to DVD9, it will give you a higher bitrate (IF NOT ALREADY REACHED) to fit a DVD9.

If you convert a low quality input file, changing DVD5 to DVD9 might not make it bigger, you might already have the MAX Bitrate available.

You can also use CUSTOM, select something like 9999 Mb which will be a little better than a DVD9.

Does this answer your questions ?

 

Thanks for the replies people - I do appreciate people giving up their time to answer a n00b's questions!
OK I will try unticking "Auto-start playback" option - incidentally, what does "Loop playback" do? If you have 1 title does it play that over and over again, skipping the menu each time? What about multiple titles?
As for the max output file size - if I try anything above 8500 (eg 9000, or 9999) and click OK, if I look at the settings again, it has reverted back to 8500, so that's obviously the max for some reason...
Anyway, maybe you gurus can answer some other questions!
Why are there 2 NTSC framerates (23.976 and 29) compared to one for PAL? What's the difference between the 2, what are their uses? What is pull-down?
And finally, is it best to convert AVI to MPEG-2 separately, and then create a DVD, or just AVI to DVD?

Thank you!

 

Hi there,

If you enable this, it will start the DVD at the beginning again, after playing the last movie/episode.

If you have 4 episodes, and you enable [X] Sequential Playback, it will play #1, then #2 then #3 then #4, and start at #1 if you have [X] Loop Playback.

If you disable Loop Playback, it will return to the menu after playing the last movie/episode.

Here is a good explanation of PullDown.

http://www.zerocut.com/tech/pulldown.html

Pulldown is a method used to convert 23fps to 30fps or vice versa.

ConvertXtoDVD wants to make things easy for the users, and expect people to use DVD5 or DVD9 media, so it calculates the bitrate to make the video output fit. I guess this is why they have a MAX limit.

 

I've been using ConvertXtoDVD for quite a while now and it does everything that I need it to do.