question for SpruceUp users...

[nad]

Is it possible and functional to encode a movie with CCE following the advanced CCE guide here and then create DVD with SpruceUP doing the following...

import a single AC3 track as well as the m2v file...

Then set chapter positions..

And then export the movie and go back to IFO edit and change the old IFO Cells to the Spruce Up IFO Cell settings? (to keep chapter positions..


I ask because the IFOedit and CCE guide suggest the use of Scenarist, but I do not have multiple audio or subtitles..

Will the chapters and exporting work the same way with Spruce Up???

Also, is there a way to EXPORT the movie with out creating some kinda of a menu.. I noticed that it doesn't let me??? and does this have any effect if I delete all the SpruceUp menus and IFOS, and just use all the original DVD menus, including the original VIDEO_TS.vob, ifo, and bup files????

[ByronE]

The easiest way to redo a movie in SpruceUp, is yes, just import and m2v and and ac3 or mpa or whatever, and then author a new menu. To set the chapter points the same as the original movie, Use chapterExtractor to find there original settings. I've used CCE to re-encode and squish 2 movies on one dvdr and reauthored the menus in SpruceUp. I have really never made a movie in Spruce without the menus, but I think it's possible. Scenarist is only really neccessary if you want more than one audio track for one movie, or if you want to try and use the original menu subs still. Kepp in mind that SpruceUp's only issue is that it cant export a 16x9 aspect ratio movie at 16x9. It will write it's ifos to play it at 4:3, so after you compile, you have to open up ifo edit, and re-adjust the movies aspect ration (unless it already was a 4:3 movie). I've done it quite a few times, and its definately much easier for reauthoring rencoded movies, but not near as proffessional looking or as fun to interact with as a major authoring proggy would be.

[jdobbs]

Yes you can definitely do this. I've done it many times with SpruceUp. When you copy the newly created VOBs to the original directory just copy VTS_01_1.VOB through VTS_01_X.VOB -- don't copy the "0" file.

The SpruceUp method can run into problems with movies that have multiple PGCs that miz extras with the movie in the same VTS. Check the original IFO with IFOEdit first to make sure you're not wasting your time. You can still make it work, but it gets complicated.

To make a movie without menus in SpruceUp just drag and drop the movie asset after it's imported into the first window at the bottom of the screen...

The SpruceUp 16:9 problem doesn't apply to this method. SpruceUp doesn't modify the movie it only imports it and it stays 16:9. The 4:3 aspect ratio is set in the IFO file SpruceUp creates. In the IFOEdit/CCE method you're using the IFOs (modified) from the original DVD -- and they are set correctly.

[nad]

What method do I use with multiple PGC..

Would using the Scenarist guide work??

[jdobbs]

Yes. The Scenarist method will work for anything. The only reason to use SpruceUp is because you don't have Scenarist or it's just too hard (Scenarist is anything but easy to master).