TMPGEnc DVD Author (Losing Quality ??)

[Naregatsi]

Hello Fellers
I come to ask if there's anybody who can confirm if TMPGEnc DVD Author is a good software to reauthor a DVD ?
I'm using TMPGEnc DVD Author 1.6

cause I've been told that using this software I'll get a loss in the quality
cause it always reencodes the file

is it true? plz let me know

and In case it's true what do you suggest to use as an Authoring Software with great capabilities to make menus ....

Thank you in advance

[pawel]

No problem with 1.6. Strange things may happen in 2.x and 3.x. (http://www.thetradersden.org/forums/showpost.php?p=987069&postcount=12)

[Naregatsi]

Ok Thanks for the info Pawel
but is there any other reauthoring softwares which can help to create a good menu for the DVD ?

Thanks

[Thulani]

DVD Lab Pro
Even TMPGENC DVD Author 3.

[pawel]

You have no big choice as only four programs for PC do not alter the stream: TDA 1.6, dvdauthor, DVD Lab Pro (DLP), and DVD Maestro. The last one is the best imo but you cannot buy it.

DLP has some issues with menu quality as it's not rendered as good as by two other programs. Don't import to DLP vob files, also for combining/joint as the final result can be out of sync. Thus the source video should be demuxed before importing.

You may check freeware dvdauthor (http://www.videohelp.com/tools/GUI_for_dvdauthor). It's quite good.

General rule: if you want good menu, do it it some external graphic program ;-)

[Naregatsi]

Thank you guys for mentionning the softwares

Pawel why I can't buy DVD Maestro ?
it doesn't exist anymore ?

[Thulani]

Developer doesn't update it. Its price was around 5.000.

[pawel]

Spruce which created DVD Maestro was bought by Apple a few years ago. Mac DVD Studio Pro is based on it but it has been developed further.

You cannot buy it, but you may find it ;) Don't try to buy it on eBay - there are illegal copies and hence waste of money.

[xjsb125]

I get really pissed at DLP's horrible menu rendering. I made a few menus that I spent a lot of time working on, motion menus, that were rendered like turd. I love DLP for the functionality of it, and that it doesn't alter the stream. I would hump it if it had a better menu rendering engine.

[Naregatsi]

Oh I see, I'll try to find DVD Maestro

xjsb125
TMPGEnc DVD Author helps to create great menus really !
Classical menus

Thanks guys for your helps

[KoolKat]

No problem with 1.6. Strange things may happen in 2.x and 3.x. (http://www.thetradersden.org/forums/showpost.php?p=987069&postcount=12)

Otherway round AFAIK Pawal.
vers's 2 & 3 use Smart Render.1.6 used to fully render.That was one of the changes.
If you dont set the right format at the start though ....then it will fully re-encode
Upto the user.

Supplied screenie of a PAL mpeg in version 3 that was set to PAL in the start up window.
You will see the SR...for smart render settings

K_K

[pawel]

Otherway round AFAIK Pawal.
vers's 2 & 3 use Smart Render.1.6 used to fully render.
Maybe I'm wrong but 1.6 has no built-in encoder. I tested DVB streams, and they are OK after passing 1.6 but not 3.x. BTW: I use 3.x for chaptering as it's impossible in Maestro ;)

[Thulani]

You can check if TDA is encoding something with GSPOT. Just open the first vob. In the User Data/Metadata field it will be writen something like: 2nd time encoded with TMPGENC....

[Naregatsi]

Thanks Guys for the informations

[pawel]

Follow up: new version of TDA has been announced (http://forum.videohelp.com/topic357519.html). It will have Blu-ray authoring engine. However, I'm sceptic if forced re-encoding is replaced. I expect it will be the same with BD part.

[pantelis79]

Is any of the authoring programs that do not re-encode capable of making a 16:9 menu? Because TMPGEnc DVD Author 3.0 is, and this is helpful since there are many 16:9 videos nowadays, who would in my opinion look ugly with a 4:3 menu.

[pawel]

Read previous comments: DVD-Lab Pro, GUI for dvdauthor (http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=GUI_for_dvdauthor) (freeware), DVD Maestro (not available)