putting XVID/AC3 file onto DVD-R

[Dimsum]

Okay I have an xvid file where the sound is encoded in AC3 (Dolby Digital) - What I want to do is convert this file so that i can put it onto a DVD-R disc and watch.

I will use TMPGenc to convert it to MPEG2 and then their DVD author program to create the files for the DVD.

I have a few issues first -

I understand that going from xvid to mpeg2 is not going to get any better in terms of quality - in fact most likely I will lose quality with re-encoding, this is fine as the movie spans 2 xvid files and all I want is to put it into 1 file so I dont have to change it over.

Since the sound is already in AC3 - this is ideal and therefore I would rather not change this and take this as it is when creating the DVD files.

When I load the XVID files (avi) into TMPGenc, while the video file is okay - when I select the same file for audio it just gives an error stating audio is not found.

What I need to do (this is the part I need help with):

1.How can I separate the audio/video in the xvid file and retain the AC3 sound, whilst converting the video to MPEG2? or is there a way that AC3 sound can be recognised in TMPGenc?

2.How can I then put the video only file and AC3 sound back together in MPEG2 format, if TMPGenc doesn't see the AC3 audio in the first place?

- The authoring/burning side is fine for me - its just try to get XVID/AC3 -> MPEG2....

Thank you for any help - please go into detail if possible. :D

[killingspree]

hi,
first of all, here's the appropriate guide:
http://www.doom9.org/mpg/avi2dvdr.htm

Originally posted by Dimsum

I will use TMPGenc to convert it to MPEG2 and then their DVD author program to create the files for the DVD.

well the guide is using cce... but perhaps you can also use tmgenc

I understand that going from xvid to mpeg2 is not going to get any better in terms of quality - in fact most likely I will lose quality with re-encoding, this is fine as the movie spans 2 xvid files and all I want is to put it into 1 file so I dont have to change it over.

true... you will for sure not gain quality. the loss won't be too big but don't expect full dvd quality!

Since the sound is already in AC3 - this is ideal and therefore I would rather not change this and take this as it is when creating the DVD files.

true...

1.How can I separate the audio/video in the xvid file and retain the AC3 sound, whilst converting the video to MPEG2? or is there a way that AC3 sound can be recognised in TMPGenc?

use vdubmod to demux the audio from the video: guide (http://www.doom9.org/vdubmod-procedures.htm)

if the authoring/burning side is fine for you, just mux the demuxed ac3 file with your newly encoded mpeg2 in your authoring software.

hope this helps
steVe