possible to build dvd from avi files?

[waltzin]

Hi.

I have some tv episodes(avi files) about 175 meg as a result of using autogk. What i was going to do was just put these as data onto a dvd-rw so i could then just read it with xbmc on my xbox.

But i was wondering if there are any programs out there that can help you build a dvd from scratch with avi files. ie build the menu from scratch too? Is there anything like this around.. or anything similar?

xbmc can read iso format, and i was thinking i could use dvdshrink, but what i really want to achieve is to put more tv episodes(avi files) onto a single dvd, and as far as i know dvdshrink do this. Am i correct?.

thanks

[chromium]

You will first need to re-encode your video in DVD compliant mpeg files. Then you can author a DVD that includes these files.

There are plenty of ways to do it, and if you want, it can all be done with freeware as well, although that will not be the most newbie friendly solution, although not too harsh neither if you have acquired some basic feeling of the technical aspects.

With avisynt installed, a simple script can allow you to feed a properly sized movie to the open source encoder QuEnc. The minimal form of such a script is

avisource("###.avi")
LanczosResize(720,576)

for a PAL DVD.

In practice, encoding from an AVI, you will many times need to letterbox the image

LanczosResize(720,422)
AddBorders(0,77,0,77)

(we keep ending up with a PAL DVD sized image)

If all goes well, you end up with a high quality mpg file at the end. To author this to DVD, you need an authoring application. Ifoedit, an otherwise complex (and powerfull) program features an easy to use simple authoring function. I use DVDAuthorGui, which is even easier to use. Both of these apps output to a VIDEO_TS folder, that can be converted to an ISO using ImgTool classic, but also DVDSchrink may be used for this.

This just gives an idea. It all requires some learning and enthousiasm.

[edit]I forgot to mention DVDStyler, which allows you to author a DVD with basic menu's. I have no experience with it, though.

[MrTroy]

In practice, encoding from an AVI, you will many times need to letterbox the image
Letterboxing?? Please no. Just set PAR in the encoder (4:3 or 16:9).

But does he really need encoding? I thought xbmc can play avi's.

[waltzin]

thanks for the replys,

xbmc does play avis, im just thinking that when putting in a disc into my xbox, it would be easier to have a dvd menu come up for the tv episodes rather than having to explore the cd and play every episode individually.

thanks for the advice chronium, i have no experience with scripts however, so i haven't acquired much technical aspects lol.

you're saying i need to re-encode and then author. Is there a program that does both these steps? i dont mind paying for shareware for the easiest, most noob friendly programs...

i do own the tv series discs, so would it be easier working from the original dvd and not the avis?

again thanks for your help

(i'll have a look at dvdstyler)

[BigDid]

... Is there a program that does both these steps? i dont mind paying for shareware for the easiest, most noob friendly programs...
I'm thinking of divxtodvd: freeware version should be 0.50 or 0.52, google for it; or the new shareware version convertxtodvd: http://www.vso-software.fr/products/convert_x_to_dvd/

...i do own the tv series discs, so would it be easier working from the original dvd and not the avis?...
The answer is yes, with certainly better quality, search for DVD Shrink, related or similar, tons of guides here at doom9 :)

Did

[Sonnet79]

Just thought i'd add my personal choice on this topic.

I use Canopus Procoder 2 to encode the avi files to DVD (VOB). Then I use TMPGEnc DVD Author to author my DVD, finishing of with burning with Nero.

By no means am I suggesting this is the best way, though using these apps seems to be pretty straightforward. I would be most interested in hearing from others on what they think of this process.

Also, it's worth mentioning that none of the apps I've mentioned above are free, though they've all done a good job for me.

[MrTroy]

BigDid, Sonnet79: he doesn't want VOB/MPEG, he wants .avi with menus.

The big question is: does XBMC support .avi menus? 'Cause the only way to get a menu in an .avi is through hacks, and I'm not sure they're supported by XBMC.

[chromium]

Letterboxing?? Please no. Just set PAR in the encoder (4:3 or 16:9).


Yes, if your AVI is exactly 4:3 or 16:9. Mostly, however, you will need to letterbox (be it a little bit) to fit the image in 4:3 or 16:9, otherwise you'll distort the aspect ratio.