Problem with DVD2DVD-R and MainConcept encoder use.

[LordSirOb]

I do not understand how to use the MainConcept encoder with DVD2DVDR (V1.4.9). If MainConcept (V1.3.1) is specified in the encoder tab, the AVS-Script area was absent. With all other tabs set up, DVD2DVD-R started up fine, decrypted fine, DVD2AVI fine, but the MainConcept encoder never came up when the logfile said that the encoder was started (Task Manager showed no active threads either).

If I specify CCE as the encoder, DVD2DVD-R shows the AVS-Script area in the encoder tab, and when DVD2DVD-R gets to the encoding portion, CCE starts and you can follow the progress along.

Has anyone used MainConcept as the encoder for DVD2DVDR? If so, what has to be done in order to use MainConcept with DVD2DVDR?

[LordSirOb]

Just an update... I have finally had success using MC 1.4! 1.4 is a major update that allows 2 pass VBR encoding. Although this is not quite a "one click" solution, it is a cheaper alternative to CCE (if you have Premiere, there is a $50 special for MC 1.4 - $100 off the normal price), and the results are very good (IMO it equaled that of a 4-pass CCE encode). They have a watermarked demo if you want to try it. I am an NTSC user, so I haven't tried PAL, and your mileage may vary (YMMV).

I based my method on Mr. Bass's excellent guide using DVDLab to author the DVD. Basically, use DVD2DVD-R, but uncheck the start encoding on the settings tab. When DVD2DVD-R finishes, start MC 1.4 and load the *.m2v file in your DVD2DVD-R output directory. MC 1.4 recognizes the input file as a 23.976 FPS video file. Chose output format as DVD, Video mode as NTSC, and stream type as elementary video. With MC 1.4, there is no need to manually run pulldown!. Click the details button, and ensure that the Frame rate is set to 23.976, Field encoding is set to Progressive Frame, and Deinterlacing is set to None. Check 2-pass encoding, and then click the Advanced button. On the video settings tab, Frame rate is set to 23.976 fps - NTSC film rate, and then make sure your aspect ratio is correct. If you look at the Pulldown list box, Pulldown is automatically set! Set your Max, Ave, and Min bitrates, hit Ok, OK, and then convert.

When MC 1.4 is finished, use DVDLabs to open the *mpv and Checked Audio file per Mr. Bass and author the DVD. Anyway, I thought I'd let folks know how it finally turned out.

[mrbass]

don't worry...it just took awhile to find a host to host it that's all. I retired it..(just meant I didn't want to update it anymore..that's all)
http://dvd.coldpie.com/
is where my dvd2dvd-r guide can be found.