Just started using dvdsanta for converting all my video files into dvd files, but since there's no built in menu creator I'm wondering what's a good, simple, easy to use menu creator program? I've tried using tmpgenc dvd author, but it always seems to resize the vob files, making them smaller for some reason. Like right now I have a vob1 file created with dvdsanta that's 864mb, but after loading it into the tmpg dvd author program and creating a menu the output file size for vob1 is 761mb. Any idea why it's outputting smaller files? Also, are there any other progrqams out there that are as simple and basic as dvdsanta that include a menu creater? Tried using tmpgenc xpress and tmpgenc dvd source creator, but they always give me errors and never finish the video conversions. DVDsanta hasn't given me any errors as yet. Just learning all this stuff so any info is really appreciated.
hi different apps make sizes different, not a prob though aslong as quilty is good! i use tmpgenc for basic menus and find it just the job and works everytime nero visionexpress will do menus tell me are you putting 2 films on 1 dvd then? and are your files avi to start with? and my persinal opinion on dvd santa is quilty output is bad compared to other apps i use! like film machine and avi2dvd, and divxtodvd, have used nero on 2 passes but found the other 3 apps better quilty dvd santa is under those apps but not as low as cucusoft avi encoder that sucks real bad
Thanks for the reply, I'll try giving more specific answers... What I'm doing is putting multiple avi files onto one dvd, that's why I'd prefer having a menu. Most everything is in avi format to start with. What I'm wondering in using tmpgenc dvd creator is is it hurting the quality of the files by reducing them, by about 100mb in size? I don't see why it should reduce them when it's supposedly just adding in a menu. I have tried several programs before, but I want simple and easy to use, and it needs to have to be able to do multiple files. avi2dvd was a horrible program to try using for a newbie. Too many settings, only does one file at a time, settings never adjust right when following guides, etc. Deleted that proggie off the HD long ago...lol. I did try divx2dvd but that looks to only have one file at a time too. Might be good for one long movie file, but I need something like dvdsanta that is extremely simple and can queue multiple files at one time. I also tried using the film machine, but when queuing up several files it always gave errors and quit on me. Telling me the avi files had problems. Got rid of that one a while ago too. So I guess basically I'll have to stick with dvdsanta for now since it's the Only program I've tried so far that I can throw any video file at and it hasn't given me any errors. Other than that I guess I just need to know if tmpgenc dvd creator is hurting the video quality of the vob files by reducing them in size. It just seems weird that the files go in one size and come out 100mb smaller.
hi from reading your last post i would say use nero visionexpress then! but avi2dvd does do batch encoding! and you think its hard to use? it has the same type wizard as tmpgenc dvd author, not used (tmpgenc dvd creator?) and can load mutiple avi in one go to make 1 film, no menus. (ignore circle drawn round pal / ntsc) divxtodvd also loads multiple avi or mpeg in one go, and jions them as 1 film...
I got the program names mixed up. They all sound the same...lol. DVD2SVCD is the one that I can't stand cuz it's too complicated. AVI2DVD is simple, but gives me error messages on the avi files. Another problem is I don't want all the files joined, like I've got anime & tv shows that I want in single episodes. I'll give visionexpress a try though, see how it works out. Thanks!
hi kool - it is interesting this thread as the professional apps gives errors and the cheapo apps dont, makes one think??????? try running the avis in DIVFIX on strip and rebuild (for testing) to a good avi first....
Does that take long, stripping and fixing? Because there's like literally hundreds of anime files in avi format that I eventually want to put to dvd.
Hi megatron2 and Rotary I'm curious about avi2dvd, after reading its frequent praises', yesterday I decided to try it out. Before I downloaded it I checked out some of it's revues, most were full of praise, but in a couple one guy said it took 9hrs to convert an AVI movie. Another said it was so slow he was in the second day of converting a movie, both said VSO was a far better and quicker converter. Low spec PCs' I mused? Undaunted; I downloaded the program, dug up an old AVI movie, 'Kill Bill' Vol 2 excellent quality BTW. To give avi2dvd a fair chance, I turned off all other programs, AV, Firewall, BB etc. Loaded 'Kill Bill', and started off, up came a DOS screen for a few seconds, next came the main program screen, stating approx 3.5+hrs for conversion. OK I was watching an allday sports program on TV About 3.5hrs later I turn back to my PC and see phase one has completed, and we are now in phase two, another 3.5+hrs not being a glutton for punishment, I cancelled and removed avi2dvd from my PC. My curiosity begs this question. Is there a phase 3? gringle
