Divx to DVD

[WoB]

Hi folks

Before I ask I haven't done any DVD creation for quite a while so I've checked the forums for about the last day and I can't find anything definitive. In fact I'd say I've ended up more confused than ever due to old (obsolete?) posts from way back cropping up in searches and clouding the issue.

Right, I have a DivX 3.11 AVI (with MP3 audio) which I want to convert to DVD.

Previously I have used a combination of Virtual Dub and Nandub to extract: a Video only AVI (direct stream copy/no audio) in Virtual Dub and a WAV-MP3 in NanDub (direct stream). Now, I think it's best to extract an uncompressed audio file but when I try this (full) in Nandub it just creates a dummy file (doesn't do any processing).

To complicate matters it is a NTSC to PAL conversion. Now, I'm OK processing the video etc. but previously I'd convert the audio with AC3Machine to get an AC3. I suffered from the common low volume 'problem' and decided this time to try MP2. I've converted the WAV-MP3 to MP2 with BeSweet and all authoring I've tried gives me 'illegal MPEG audiostream' problems.

I'm now looking at Goldwave but thought by explaining what I'm doing someone could give me a definitive answer on THE correct way to do this (Divx to DVD - as far as audio goes). I do not want to use TmpgEnc to encode as I prefer CCE.

Best way to extract audio from Divx (which is MP3 audio).
Best format to convert it to? Is MP2 OK or should I try and get AC3 working? Programs to do this?

Like I say, I have just confused myself searching for the correct way to do this. I can do it fine going AC3 but the volume is way too low. SInce I've tried MP2 I'm just getting more and more problems.

HELP!


:(

EDIT >>>>

OK, I've used Goldwave to extract to uncompressed WAV. ANd I'm using Tmpg DVD Author to mux everything together (seems OK with WAV - it will compress to MP3). It's busy doing it's stuff at the moment and I haven't got the previous errors (obviously as I'm not loading in a dodgy MP2 file this time). Is this the way to go?

[WoB]

Well, using Goldwave to convert framerate (by stretching/shrinking) gave me audio sync problems, even though the audio was same length as that created doing it via BeSweet.

So, no luck with MP2 files. No idea why - they appear fine and play OK in media player or whatever. I can author these with the M2V movie OK but when it comes to testing the VOB files created, the movie plays fine but no sound.

Remuxed the M2V with MP2 in TMpgEnc MPEG Tools and the mpeg plays fine (with sound). However, when authored with TMpg DVD author, again no sound in IFO/VOB when playing.

So, back to AC3! Decided to ditch AC3Machine and concentrate on BeSweet GUI due to more options. I finally managed to create an AC3 which had boosted volume. It played brilliant in media player - nice and LOUD... except when authored with the M2V it's back to the low volume again!

So, my conclusion from this. It appears it doesn't matter how loud you make your AC3, the authoring process 'corrects' the volume. I tried authoring in TMpg DVD Author and IfoEdit and identical results - volume drops again.

Well, I give up now I think. I'll just have to crank the volume up on the TV to compensate. So, all this stuff about using different AC3 encoders seems to be a waste of time if the authoring process decreases it again.


One final thing. There is so much information in Doom9 (Guides/Forum etc.) that I think for issues like this it's TOO MUCH info. Things become obsolete and it's very difficult to search and find just what is the correct information to use. In this case, the AVI to DVD-R Guide informs you to use AC3Machine to create the AC3, when in fact to the contrary everyone says it doesn't work correctly (and indeed it's discontinued in latest Be Sweet!). I realise it's a difficult thing to keep on top of but mods and veteran posters/experts be mindful when people ask some questions that they may have looked (ineed I've been searching this and other forums for hours!) and aren't just wanting an easy answer!

[WoB]

An update to this (in case anyone's interested!)...

As I said I created a DVD-R from a converted DivX with MP3 sound. I have been able to do this in the past and following the Doom9 Guide's fine, apart from the low volume AC3.

I managed to get a decent volume AC3 audio file using BeSweet GUI instead of AC3Machine, but when the DVD was authored (with TMpg DVD Author AND IfoEdit) the audio was as slow as when I authored with the low voume AC3 created by AC3Machine. This was both true on the PC and when the DVD was burnt and tested on 2 players.

I had also created an MP2 as seems to be recommended due to AC3 problem and this was at the same volume as the original WAV/MP3 extracted from the Duvx file. I authored this with TMpg DVD Author and as described this appeared to result in no audio at all (on the PC). I burnt it to DVD-RW and this plays fine n both DVD players. Audio is at an acceptable level!

So, conclusions...

Although I can play the MP2 audio file fine on the PC with Windows Media Player 9, when I play the authored DVD with this player it is silent! So, is this a codec problem?

I think I am OK in thinking that as long as it PAL DVD-R I am creating I am OK sticking with MP2 as far as compliance goes?

AC3. Can anyone explain why/how the boosted AC3 file (which played much louder than the original WAV/MP3) appeared to have it's volume reduced by the authoring process?!

I appreciate this topic may have been done to death by you experts out there but as I said earlier, there appears to be much confusion caused by ancient posts coming up in searches and the Guides being out of date.

Thanks very much.

[WoB]

And finally...

The authored DVD (with MP2 audio) plays OK with Media Player Classic. Not sure why Media Player 9 plays it without sound?!

Oddly enough on the PC using Media Player Classic, both the authored DVD with AC3 audio (boosted) and the one with MP2 audio play with a decent sound volume. However the burned DVD with AC3 audio plays at a low volume on 2 DVD players, whereas the MP2 audio DVD plays at a level representing 'normal' on both.

The AC3 encoded DVD also plays quietly on PC using Windows Media Player 9 also.

Very strange. Can anyone enlighten me on these discrepancies?

[WoB]

Thanks for all the help by the way - much appreciated! Quite funny really how the 'experts' dish out their help to novices (read the FAQ's, follow the guides, try searching). And when you've done all that and are still in need of a nudge in the right direction. Well, I got there in the end. Just hope that when you need help with something you're no expert in (maybe on another forum - they do exist) that someone will come along and offer some advice. Techno-snobs! :p