if i extract the 5.1 ac3 audio track from an xvid avi with virtuadub, encode the xvid to mpeg2 video with xpress, can i load the original 5.1 audio track into author when im making the dvd, or will it not recognize it, or will it encode it wrong?
I never used that authoring tool, but all authoring tools can load: - a M2V video; - one (or more) audio (AC3 or MP2 sampled 48 kHz) - (optional) some subtitles - (optionsl) chapter position. Therefore, since AVI with AC3 are usually built to run in a DVD/DivX player (and so they have 48 kHz audio), all authoring application is able to compile a DVD using the M2V video + the AC3 sound. You just hacve to check that the A/V delay has been correctly put to zero (usualy it is). Just to be sure, open the avi with YAAI (Yet Another AVI Info) and look iff, on the main screen the 'Audio delay' value is zero. If not, you have the possibility to add a delay value, associated to tha stream (toghether with the audio stream name: Englisy, Frensh, Spanish and so on....).
the xvid is in two files, should i join the avi and then extract the audio, or should i extract the two audios then join them, does the tool im joining thwem with have to be able to recognize acs 5.1?
When it comes to Xvid AVI's it's hard to beat the ease, speed and quality of ConvertXtoDVD. Choose the High quality/slow setting. It will handle the 5.1 audio You could merge the AVIs in VirtualDubMod mp3, make sure to select 'Direct Stream Copy' under Video. A free trial is available.
are you saying convertxtodvd gives better results in terms of video quality than xpress? anyway i answered my own question about compatability after 5 hours of encoding; yes dvdauthor 1.6 can handel 5.1 ac3 files, pretty sweet. 3.0 xpress cant (it does recognize it though) but it does do a very fine transfer of 5.1 ac3 to 2 channel ac3 if you have the optional ac3 plugin. nice to know but doing the doing the joining and extracting in VirtualDubMod is so easy its wroth doing the extra three clicks. i got virtualdubmod v1.5.10.2 b2542 i got was free and is not a trial. this seemed like it did ac3 joining and extracting perfectly, if it shouldnt someone tell me. now im restarting and then compiling the dvd folder, i pray the video and audio stay in synch.
You should try it on the same untouched, original AVI and compare it to the long, complicated, processed result you have now and see if it suits your needs. Advantages: - Just load the AVI (actually most vid files), no prep work needed - Specifically made for Xvid/Dvix AVIs - No problems with various audio sources, including VBR mp3 or AC3 - Fast conversion, usually about an hour. - No audio sync problems (maybe, but it's it a very rare occurrence) - Handles subs. Disadvantages: - Will not merge, use Vdub mp3, will create separate Titles - Twitchy burning engine (for me), use Nero Try the watermarked free trial.
1 hour encode times would be mighty sweet, xpress can do every last thing you just listed aside from handeling 5.1 ac3, handeling subs, and the one hour encode time. the quality of xpress is damn nice, you dont loose a ounce of quality from the xvids, xvid movies that come in two disks looks flawless when converted even on my 52" screen. does convertxtodvd have all the same tweaking and filter fetures as xpress?
I don't see how any Xvid conversion can look 'flawless' or 'you dont loose a ounce of quality' to be possible, especially if the source contains many dark scenes and/or action. Filtering may mask/blur certain things but it can't put back detail that has been lost by the conversion to Xvid/Divx. ConvertXtoDVD has no filters. I use it for it's speed, no hassles, no sync issues, subtitle support and more than acceptable quality. If true quality is what I'm after I always start with an original DVD. Much easier and quicker than fiddling with xpress and it can be done with all freeware. http://www.ripit4me.org/guide.html But you should stick with what makes you happy. I just offered a possible solution to the many hassles of Xvid conversions.
I mean to say the output m2v file is exactly the same as the xvid. But if convertxtodvd does that then ill defiantly consider switching. I just need to know if convertxtodvd will let me tweak the image size, I like to adjust mine for my own tvs overscan.
