Just a heads up, maybe it's been covered...

But MF5 will convert *.m2t (ts file) to HD-DVD without the intermediate step of using Womble (or other utilities) to create a program stream file.

Just rename the filename extension of the m2t to *.mpg

When you click on the video file, the "INFO" button will become grayed out. The program will appear to freeze up but the hard drive activity led on your pc will churn for a couple of minutes or so as it scans the file headers. There's no progress indicator, but as soon as the "INFO" button returns from it's grayed out status, choose "OPEN."

MF5 will display a message that the file is not editable. "Do you want to create an editable file?" Choose yes, and MF5 will perform pre-processing to create an editable file. It takes a few minutes but no re-encoding is involved. You can thereafter go about creating your chapters, make edits and create HD-DVD folder ready for burning.

This procedure saved the day for me with an HDV file that wouldn't process the PCM audio correctly with Womble. MF5 processed the audio correctly when allowed to handle the conversion.

I would assume this works with MF6, but I have not yet upgraded to confirm.

lots of new covers made by Brajesh:

http://www.wifi-spy.org/coverart

For those of you that have been experiencing stuttering problems with your X-Box 360 player you may want to try using the latest version of PowerDVD. Version 7.3 seems to have fixed the stuttering problem that many people have been experiencing and have probably been attributing to the DVD authoring and burning process rather than the codec used to play them back on your PC or HTPC.

I don't have but one or two commercial HD-DVDs so when I finally got my HTPC setup with HDCP compliant components throughout the signal path I was ready to give it a try. I have been experimenting with Any HD DVD that allows you to copy HD-DVD files from the player to your hard drive while stripping out the AACS encryption. This allows you to play the files directly from your hard drive instead of having to play the HD-DVD directly, thus saving wear and tear on your precious HD-DVD discs. Check out the Decrypting threads at forum.doom9.org for more details.

Anyway, after copying the files from the World Trade Center HD-DVD to my drive I tried playing them back using PowerDVD 7.2. The video stuttered and was extremely choppy all throughout the entire movie. I then tried playing back the original disc on my X-Box 360 add-on player with the exact same results. I had seen some info on PowerDVD 7.3 posted over at doom9 so I thought I'd give it a shot. Both the copied files and the original HD-DVD play back through my HTPC without a single stutter. If you've been having stuttering issues then I highly recommend you give PowerDVD 7.3 a try.

let me see if I read this thread right, skipped a few post now an then this is a LONG.................THREAD, if you followed the step in the beginning of this thread you would be able to rip and copy a HD-DVD movie that you own to a blank dvd? :eek:

let me see if I read this thread right, skipped a few post now an then this is a LONG.................THREAD, if you followed the step in the beginning of this thread you would be able to rip and copy a HD-DVD movie that you own to a blank dvd? :eek:
Nope. I think you missed something along the way.

What the heck have I missed or misread? :(

What the heck have I missed or misread? :(

This thread is for people to archive HD recordings (usually from HD Camcorders) to regular DVD+R's and DVD-R's. They are playable on HDDVD Players.

The methods outlined in this thread also work perfectly for archiving HDTV shows recorded off the air or via satellite or cable.

What the heck have I missed or misread? :(

- This thread started long before it was even possible to rip HD-DVDs

- Most commercial HD-DVDs are encoded in VC-1 (some in AVC, only a handful in MPEG2). The methods in this thread only work for MPEG2 encoded material.

- If you did rip an MPEG2 HD-DVD, it would probably take 3 dual layer DVD's to back it up. Not very practical.

- As other have mentioned, these methods are generally for creating HD-DVDs of HDV camcorder footage or MPEG2 HD streams captured via OTA, cable or sat (capture card, firewire, hacked TIVO or R5000).

- This thread started long before it was even possible to rip HD-DVDs

- Most commercial HD-DVDs are encoded in VC-1 (some in AVC, only a handful in MPEG2). The methods in this thread only work for MPEG2 encoded material.

- If you did rip an MPEG2 HD-DVD, it would probably take 3 dual layer DVD's to back it up. Not very practical.

- As other have mentioned, these methods are generally for creating HD-DVDs of HDV camcorder footage or MPEG2 HD streams captured via OTA, cable or sat (capture card, firewire, hacked TIVO or R5000).

Gotcha, thanks for the quick explanation, to the point.

Does anyone know of a program which can convert an .EVO file back to an MPEG?

~Josh

No. There are demuxers that can split it into audio and video files, but it's a complicated mess because of VC1, DD+, IME, etc. Check the Doom9 forums.

Chronos is under 8gb so I would like to try to make a one to one copy if something is coming out for evos.

FYI - the new Nero HD-DVD plug-in seems to work just fine with the XBOX 360 drive. In fact, I didn't have to do anything to my PC to make the combo work. Updated Nero, plugged in the 360 drive for the first time, popped in an HD-DVD and was able to watch with Nero Showtime. I'm not a big fan of Nero and the 4000 apps that come with it, but I was willing to spend the $25 (rather than $100 for PowerDVD) just to satisfy my curiosity. I also tested a home brew HD-DVD burned on a DVD-5 and it played flawlessly. I'll be using this combo to do some testing going forward - I think all of the pieces are in place to create home-brew VC-1 discs; just need to do some reverse engineering. I'll keep you all posted. Oh, and if anyone can help out with the format of the HD-DVD IFO files, that would save me a lot of time.

texmex

I have a quick question i am using MF-6 to make HD DVDs from my HDV footage , my captures are about 60min and about 11gigs my question is there a way to get MF-6 to burn across 2 or more DVDs or do i have to edit down my footage to fit on a DL dvd, i want to keep the original 25mbs thanks

Use VideoReDo to reduce the size of the files by splitting them into two or more mpegs that will fit on either a single or dual-layer DVD.

I've got some HD files in 1920x1080 that are taking forever to open in DVDMF6. I've seen some mention of this same issue with DVDMF5 but I'm not sure if I ever found a cause or a workaround to correct it. I edited the files in VideoReDo and have the bitrate set to 30Mbps. Should I be using a different bitrate or is there something else I can do to get around this issue?

i bought my HD-DVD drive about 2 weeks ago.All my DVD's areamazing, But the Dukes of Hazzard keeps bringing up a Status Code : C667000A

I have phoned xbox (and after waiting 15 minutes) was told there was an update on their web site. I couldn't find it. So I phoned back and after waiting another 15 minutes was told there was no update and to send the DVD back.

Has anyone either had this problem and fixed it, got the download? or can you help me. I don't want to keep buying HD DVD's and find they don't play.


any ideas??:

i bought my HD-DVD drive about 2 weeks ago.All my DVD's areamazing, But the Dukes of Hazzard keeps bringing up a Status Code : C667000A

I have phoned xbox (and after waiting 15 minutes) was told there was an update on their web site. I couldn't find it. So I phoned back and after waiting another 15 minutes was told there was no update and to send the DVD back.

Has anyone either had this problem and fixed it, got the download? or can you help me. I don't want to keep buying HD DVD's and find they don't play.


any ideas??:

Wrong Thread!

Can I use the trial version of Redo and MF6 to make sure this is going to work for me or do I need to buy both of them first?

Also, is there a good utility to edit out commercials of TV shows before burning without killing the time stamps?

Sorry if these have been covered already - it's a lllloooooonnngg thread. :)

Thanks,
Chris

Can I use the trial version of Redo and MF6 to make sure this is going to work for me or do I need to buy both of them first?

Also, is there a good utility to edit out commercials of TV shows before burning without killing the time stamps?

Sorry if these have been covered already - it's a lllloooooonnngg thread. :)

Thanks,
Chris
The trial versions should work fine. And VideoRedo should be all you need to edit out commercials.

Wow - so far this has been really easy. I'm on the Nero burning stage. I have Nero Express ver 6.6. It's not setup the same as on the instructions - can anyone tell me how to get it into DVD-ROM (UDF) mode?

Thanks for helping out an idiot!
Chris

can anyone tell me how to get it into DVD-ROM (UDF) mode?
Run Nero in the full (not Smart Start or Express) mode.
It's part of the "new compilation" wizard that runs when Nero starts up. It asks if you want to burn a CD or DVD, choose DVD- then which type of DVD under the "DVD" selection box.

720P content has not been problematic, try burning some 1080i content- check for stuttering on playback during the first few minutes of the disc.

Thanks for that - I downloaded Nero7 and I just followed the instructions. I'll see if I can get it to work off 6 later.

I recorded a couple minutes of the news just as a test using my Fusion III QAM card. It's 1080i content and I followed the instructions. It started playing on my HD-A2 but there is a lot of stuttering. I didn't edit out any clips or anything like that. I tried to use the mpeg2repair and here's what I got:

"MPEG2Repair: C:\Program Files\DVICO\FusionHDTV\Down\2007-03-29(Thu)PM1200-CHD1071.tp


Sequence Frame 3565(11-P) / Time 0:01:59 :
VideoError: Invalid motion vector code. MBA=5061(336,672)
Additional error(s) detected. Increase VerboseLogLevel in INI file for details.
FileInfo: Last video errors span 16 bytes at file offset 207159440

Sequence Frame 3566(11-P) / Time 0:01:59 :
Info: End of MPEG2 sequence

Sequence Summary:

File Size Processed: 197.56 MB, Play Time: 00h:01m:59s
1920 x 1080, 29.97 fps, 38.81 Mbps (13.06 Mbps Average).
Average Video Quality: 53.23 KB/Frame, 0.21 Bits/Pixel.
AC3 Audio: 2/0 Channels (L, R), 48.0 kHz, 384 kbps.
Dialog Normalization: -31.0 dB
1 of 3566 video frames found with errors.
0 of 3721 audio frames found with errors.
16 corrupted video bytes in file.
0.000000 seconds of video timestamp gaps.
0.000000 seconds of audio timestamp gaps.

End of Log"

I'm not sure what any of that means, but when I tried to use VideoRedo's quickstream fix, the thing takes 2 seconds and then says it's complete, but the first it creates is only 4kb. When I watch the clip on my fusion or inside of redo (without any repairs), I don't see any stuttering...

Any suggestions? Thanks again for all the help! I really want to get this working!

Chris

I recorded a couple minutes of the news just as a test using my Fusion III QAM card. It's 1080i content and I followed the instructions. It started playing on my HD-A2 but there is a lot of stuttering. I didn't edit out any clips or anything like that.
Chris
I use a Fusion 5 Gold card and have it working great with my HD-A1. By stuttering, do you mean audio, video or both?

I seem to recall that someone needed to use HDPatch to lower the bit rate to get rid of video stuttering on the HD-A2. You may want to search the thread and see what they said.

If it is just audio stuttering, then your receiver cannot deal with the audio encoding. Switch your digital output to PCM. I use the analog output for audio because I used to get bad stuttering from a digital bitstream.

Finally, it could be your disk or your dvd writer. Cheap disks do cause problems (read errors). One way to get around this problem is to try burning as slowly as possible. The best way is to use better disks and/or a better DVD writer. My HD-A1 is really sensitive to anything slightly resembling a bad spot on the disk. I ended up using Verbatim disks and the problem went away.

This is great fun. I hope you get it working.

I use a Fusion 5 Gold card and have it working great with my HD-A1. By stuttering, do you mean audio, video or both?

I seem to recall that someone needed to use HDPatch to lower the bit rate to get rid of video stuttering on the HD-A2. You may want to search the thread and see what they said.

If it is just audio stuttering, then your receiver cannot deal with the audio encoding. Switch your digital output to PCM. I use the analog output for audio because I used to get bad stuttering from a digital bitstream.

Finally, it could be your disk or your dvd writer. Cheap disks do cause problems (read errors). One way to get around this problem is to try burning as slowly as possible. The best way is to use better disks and/or a better DVD writer. My HD-A1 is really sensitive to anything slightly resembling a bad spot on the disk. I ended up using Verbatim disks and the problem went away.

This is great fun. I hope you get it working.

Thanks for the reply. I think it's just the A2 unfortunately. I used HDpatch to put the bitrate to 20,000,000 but that didn't help either. I tried the USF2.5 trick, but that didn't work for me either - in fact, my A2 said it wasn't a valid DVD format. The stutters are both video and audio. I've tried two different discs and the issue happens in the exact same place so I doubt it's a bad burn.

Oh well - this is disappointing.
Chris

Thanks for the reply. I think it's just the A2 unfortunately. I used HDpatch to put the bitrate to 20,000,000 but that didn't help either. I tried the USF2.5 trick, but that didn't work for me either - in fact, my A2 said it wasn't a valid DVD format. The stutters are both video and audio. I've tried two different discs and the issue happens in the exact same place so I doubt it's a bad burn.

Oh well - this is disappointing.
Chris

what media are you using? +R ? -R ? burned @ what speed?

what media are you using? +R ? -R ? burned @ what speed?

I'm using DVD+R 16x Sony media burned at 8x speed. It's supposedly very good. I guess I could try some DVD-R media.

Chris

Won't help. It's the A2. I tried just about everything before giving up. Sold my A2 & kept my XA1, which plays all homebrews perfectly. Getting ready to try m2ts for the PS3 as it appears 5.1 works fine w/that (see my sig).

Won't help. It's the A2. I tried just about everything before giving up.
Same here, I tested many disc's and found that DVD-R's are the best and work great w/720p content on the A2.
I haven't found anything thing that works with 1080i content without stuttering on my A2 either. For the time being, I just save the edited TS HD files to any DVD-/+r and am waiting till true HD-DVD burning on 15/30GB disc's is possible.

I'm using DVD+R 16x Sony media burned at 8x speed. It's supposedly very good. I guess I could try some DVD-R media.

Chris
Before you give up...try burning at 1x or 2x. I've used +R, +RW, and -R they all work on my HD-A1.

As others have noted, the HD-A2 uses a different drive and it may never work with your 1080i stuff. Try recording a few minutes from a Fox HD broadcast and see if you can get 720P to work.

Thanks for all the replies and help. I wonder why 1080i content doesn't work. I can't imagine it's some sort of bandwidth limitation as it's just an OTA show. Is there a way to convert 1080i -> 720 while I'm waiting to be able to the full 1080i?

Thanks again!
Chris

Adobe Premiere CS3 soon (http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/):
No support for HD DVD, only Blu-Ray!!!
Hum, really frustrating! I guess Sony's Vegas next version will do the same.

Only choice for a prosumer application is... Apple's Final Cut Studio!!! Quite surprising when we know that Apple did choose to support officially BluRay! If we want to encode a 2 hours HD movie on a red laser DVD-DL in H264 with nice results = Go Apple!!!

By the way, found in Apple's DVD Studio Pro manual: officially, the only red-laser dvd-rom able to run HD DVD on all players is a special 3x DVD-Rom that send instructions to the player to make it turning at a precise speed. All others DVD-ROM can work but on some players only...

Cheers.

Adobe Premiere CS3 soon (http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/):
No support for HD DVD, only Blu-Ray!!!
Hum, really frustrating! I guess Sony's Vegas next version will do the same.

Only choice for a prosumer application is... Apple's Final Cut Studio!!! Quite surprising when we know that Apple did choose to support officially BluRay! If we want to encode a 2 hours HD movie on a red laser DVD-DL in H264 with nice results = Go Apple!!!

By the way, found in Apple's DVD Studio Pro manual: officially, the only red-laser dvd-rom able to run HD DVD on all players is a special 3x DVD-Rom that send instructions to the player to make it turning at a precise speed. All others DVD-ROM can work but on some players only...

Cheers.

3x DVD-ROM is only needed for Replicated ROM discs, not for HD DVD content on DVD+-R.

3x DVD-ROM is only needed for Replicated ROM discs, not for HD DVD content on DVD+-R.

Thanks for this precision. But is this turning speed thing can explain why some red laser dvd's wont play in some players?

That's the thing I don't understand. Do people think if we burned these streams onto HD-R media they would play without stuttering or are the authoring tools not doing something right?

Chris

I bet they'd work fine on the A2 if authored onto HD DVD-R/RW.

I've got some HD files I recorded via Verizon FIOS from various HD channels. The mpegs import fine into DVDMF5 but DVDMF6 basically chokes on them. They're 1920x1080i with AC3 audio. I also tried reauthoring some movies I had recorded from DirecTV using my HDTivo. They authored fine in DVDMF5 and also DVDMF6, but the DVDMF6 HD-DVDs refused to play back in my A2 as being incompatible. The DVDMF5 DVDs played with no problems whatsoever. I'm wondering if it's because the A2 expects to see something other than AC-3 audio on an HD-DVD disc, even though it was recorded on a DVD-R. Has anyone else run into a similar issue between DVDMF 5 & 6?

I bet they'd work fine on the A2 if authored onto HD DVD-R/RW.
I'd take this bet as well!
The A2 doesn't like the purple dye used in today's DVD+r's.. maybe it's the reflectivity index, or maybe the A2's laser isn't optimized for lightwave frequency of that particular color. Whatever the case, the A2 certainly likes the silver color dye used in DVD-r's much better.
I'm guessing here, but I imagine HD-DVD-r's will be silver on the writing surface, not purple like the current DVD+r's. We're just pushing the old technology a bit too hard here, just wait it out a bit longer and we'll all be happy when the new HD burners/disc's come out.

Did that Toshiba HD-DVD burner ever get released? It was supposed to ship in January and I've never seen it anywhere.

Chris

Last we heard it was only available in laptops and desktops -- not as a separate purchase.

Did that Toshiba HD-DVD burner ever get released? It was supposed to ship in January and I've never seen it anywhere.Chris
IIRC, it was discovered that it could be made into a HD-DVD -RW, not just a HD-DVD -r (write once only) drive as originally intended.
Supposed to be released this fall with the added re-write feaure included :D

Anyone have any tips to slightly compress an mpg? I have one that I used to create an iso but its 8.4gb.

I already removed the credits, but it wont fit on a DL disc. Any advice is appreciated.

There was a link earlier in this thread to a Japanese mpg compression app. I think it was a $149 download, so I didn't try it. I've been chopping with VRD and spanning discs myself.

There was a link earlier in this thread to a Japanese mpg compression app. I think it was a $149 download, so I didn't try it. I've been chopping with VRD and spanning discs myself.

Yeah, it sooo close though I dont really wanna span another disc. Ill see what I can find.

Anyone have any tips to slightly compress an mpg? I have one that I used to create an iso but its 8.4gb.

I already removed the credits, but it wont fit on a DL disc. Any advice is appreciated.

Here is the tool I use - it costs $35 but has a 15 day (or so) demo mode.

http://www.intercom.co.jp/english/transcoder/index.html

Here is the tool I use - it costs $35 but has a 15 day (or so) demo mode.

http://www.intercom.co.jp/english/transcoder/index.html


does this program work with HD mpeg2 files? Does it give you the option of adjusting bitrate without the other parameters?

Here is the tool I use - it costs $35 but has a 15 day (or so) demo mode.

http://www.intercom.co.jp/english/transcoder/index.html
Me too. I agree this is the tool you need!

This utility has been a godsend for mastering captured source to HD DVD red laser discs. There have been numerous times that the source has been just a little too big for the media, and often I only need to compless to 97% or 98% to make it fit, with absolutely no discernable loss in picture quality.

As a rule of thumb, I always ensure that I do not compress to less than 80%, to retain picture quality.

How bad are the re-encode waits?

How bad are the re-encode waits?

Its about as fast as DVDshrink (maybe a bit slower due to larger file) and it only works with mpeg2 files. :cool:

Me too. I agree this is the tool you need!

This utility has been a godsend for mastering captured source to HD DVD red laser discs. There have been numerous times that the source has been just a little too big for the media, and often I only need to compless to 97% or 98% to make it fit, with absolutely no discernable loss in picture quality.

As a rule of thumb, I always ensure that I do not compress to less than 80%, to retain picture quality.

Awesome...ill try it out this weekend!

Thanks RaymondBlue and KoolKiwi

Do people get 720p clips to work OK on the a2? I tried one and it stuttered like the rest. It's rather strange actually - the first 10 seconds are fine and then it starts stuttering. If I stop the disc and start playing it again, it works for 10 seconds and then starts stuttering again.

what is needed is an app that can author h264 caps. Some of these are nice quality and will fit on DL media.

Has anyone tried using Pinnacle Studio 10 Plus to author an HD-DVD with HDV footage and played it on the HD-A2? I would like to know if the Dolby 5.1 application works with the encodes as well. I have been using Pinnacle 10 Plus (it was free with the purchase of my HV10) and it is working great so far! It is a resource hog and is very slow. I just purchased the Dolby 5.1 add on for $6.00 and it is pretty cool. I don't want to spend the extre $50.00 for the HD-DVD to DVD-+R option unless I know it works on the HD-A2. Some of my family and friends have bought the HD-A2 and I have been making movies for them with my HV-10. I need a solution for the HD-A2 so I can burn disks and movies for them to review at home.
Please let me know if anyone has tried it!
Thanks.

I'm still having nothing but success using MF5 and the A2. I don't know why my burns work so well and others' do not, but even my Pioneer burners are working now. With some original versions of the software here, I couldn't get good burns with the Pioneer DVD drives.

Do people get 720p clips to work OK on the a2?
Yes, for 720p content- burn to Verbatim DVD-r discs.
I've had no stuttering problems with 720p on Verbatim DVD-r with my A2, same clip authored to Verbatim DVD+r stutters on the A2.
1080i content stutters with all home burned media on my A2.
I edit w/VideoRedo and author with DVDMF6.

Yes, for 720p content- burn to Verbatim DVD-r discs.
I've had no stuttering problems with 720p on Verbatim DVD-r with my A2, same clip authored to Verbatim DVD+r stutters on the A2.
1080i content stutters with all home burned media on my A2.
I edit w/VideoRedo and author with DVDMF6.

Hmm... maybe I'll pick up some DVD-r on the way home and see if it works....


Thanks,
Chris

Okay. I bought the Pinnacle Studio 10 HD-DVD add on and it will only allow me to burn 4 minutes worth of footage to a 4.7 gig disk. It says that 19 gig are already used!
Any one have this problem?

Hmm... maybe I'll pick up some DVD-r on the way home and see if it works....


Thanks,
Chris

Well, I played 4 minutes of 720p on a SOny DVD-R and it worked perfect! I have to believe the 1080i issue is some kind of bug... the bitrates aren't that different so why would one work and not the other?

Chris

I'm able to burn consistently using Video Redo/ MF6+ on DVD -R but I get consistent studdering using Verbatim DL +R disks.

I think someone mentioned before that the purple dye used in DL disks is possibly the issue.

Update:

I just tried a 3 minute clip of the Office from last week (1080i) and it played stutter free! I'm going to try to do the entire episode and another to see if I can get two to work.

This is going Fusion III QAM capture -> VideoReDo -> MF6 -> Nero ROM w/ Xbox setting on Sony DVD-R media.

Chris

Anyone have any tips to slightly compress an mpg? I have one that I used to create an iso but its 8.4gb.

I already removed the credits, but it wont fit on a DL disc. Any advice is appreciated.

Rock, Pinnacle studio 10 plus has the ability to compress mpg.

Is there a way to get VideoReDo to export files that will fit on a DVD-R? Do I have to use something like HDTVtoMpeg to do that once I have the file from ReDo?

Thanks,
Chris

Well I gave up on Pinnacle Studio 10 Plus. Its a bloated mess and rerenders everything. I just downloaded the Ulead MF6 Plus and OMG! Its what the doctor ordered. I just uploaded a 4 gig HDV sample from my Canon HV-10 that I was storing on my external HDD. When I loaded the file, MF6 asks me if I wanted to do a pre smart-render on the file? I clicked no, added the Create menu, hit change MPEG Settings, clicked customize, compression and changed the MPEG1/2 Audio to Dolby Digital 5.1 3.2. I clicked next twice, then hit HD Folders, told it where to put them then I clicked burn.
It took less than 5 minutes to do the hole thing. It muxed the audio/video and added the Dolby sound which I had to use two programs to do in the past. Pinnacle is being removed from my system as soon as I can get a refund for the HD-DVD add on! $49.99.

Anyone have any slight problem with lip synch after creating an mpg in Video Redo (TS source)?

Any easy way around it? Its not off by much.

I'm able to burn consistently using Video Redo/ MF6+ on DVD -R but I get consistent studdering using Verbatim DL +R disks.

I think someone mentioned before that the purple dye used in DL disks is possibly the issue.


what player?

Anyone have any slight problem with lip synch after creating an mpg in Video Redo (TS source)?

Any easy way around it? Its not off by much.

I haven't noticed this issue, although I've only watched about 6 minutes of clips at a time (just testing 1080i on my A2).

Chris

Anyone have any slight problem with lip synch after creating an mpg in Video Redo (TS source)?

Any easy way around it? Its not off by much.

VideoRedo can fix that. Open the file and look under tools, adjust audio. Select a closeup shot where it's easy to see the actor's lip movement and use the sliders to match up the sound track.

I'm able to burn consistently using Video Redo/ MF6+ on DVD -R but I get consistent studdering using Verbatim DL +R disks.

I think someone mentioned before that the purple dye used in DL disks is possibly the issue.

Too many variables to point the finger, but using Memorex DL+R I get no noticeable stutter on my Xbox 360 using MF5 with UDF 2.50 custom setting burned at 2.4X.

VideoRedo can fix that. Open the file and look under tools, adjust audio. Select a closeup shot where it's easy to see the actor's lip movement and use the sliders to match up the sound track.

Egggggcellent....ill give it a try tonite. It looks like its about the same through the whole disc, so that should fix it or at least make it more tolerable.

I ran the same TS through MPEG2VCR last night to see if it has the same prob. I havent watched it yet though.

Well I gave up on Pinnacle Studio 10 Plus. Its a bloated mess and rerenders everything.... Pinnacle is being removed from my system as soon as I can get a refund for the HD-DVD add on! $49.99.
I did the same thing, in my email to them I specifically mentioned how slow the program was in comparison to DVDMF5 and the rerendering issue. They don't seem to care- their support is horrid. I was successful in getting a refund from buy.com for the program, and after many emails to Pinnacle- they finally refunded the $49.99 HD burning plug-in too.

Do yourselves a favor and stay away from Pinnacle Studio 10 Plus.
DVDMF5 and DVDMF6 are both light years ahead of Pinnacle in all respects.

I did the same thing, in my email to them I specifically mentioned how slow the program was in comparison to DVDMF5 and the rerendering issue. They don't seem to care- their support is horrid. I was successful in getting a refund from buy.com for the program, and after many emails to Pinnacle- they finally refunded the $49.99 HD burning plug-in too.

Do yourselves a favor and stay away from Pinnacle Studio 10 Plus.
DVDMF5 and DVDMF6 are both light years ahead of Pinnacle in all respects.

Thanks Replaybob!
I am getting hasled by them right now!

I like the ability to burn isos too....wasnt that taken out of 10?

Thanks Replaybob!
I am getting hasled by them right now!
Just be sure to CC yourself every email you send to them, and request a delivery and read confirmation. I had to resend several emails before getting any response out of Pinnacle. They are impossible to deal with- all my "support" was offshore (India) and I was deluged with "thank you very much" every other sentence with no actual help provided. About a month after my eventual refund- I got an email asking me to rate their support... I'm sure they regretted sending it to me :D :D

I like the ability to burn isos too....wasnt that taken out of 10?

Hey Rock. You can still burn ISOs but it will rerender them. It takes forever. On an Intel Core 2 Duo with E6700 processor, to do a 4 gig file is about 6 hours and it does lose a slight bit of quality!
You do have the ability to save the Dolby 5.1 and or convert an HDV Mpeg2 audio stream to a Dolby 5.1 or 2.1 mix which is kind of nice.

I have to say though if they can get the bugs worked out at some point, it could be a good product. The editing features are on par with Adobe Premier.

For everyone who's been authoring discs with MF5 since day one like myself:

Do these discs work just as well in the XA2 as the do in the good ol' A1?

I'm thinking of upgrading my player , but I'm afraid my collection of homemade discs won't work.

Has anyone stepped up and had any problems?

Marc.

Lot's of people seem to have had trouble moving from the A1 to the A2. It's been reported on frequently. I'm not among the ones with a problem. The day before I sold my A1, I checked some 40+ discs and found maybe 2 or 3 that had any problem at all on the A2. I continue to have good burns with the A2, even with Pioneer burners I could not get to work with older versions of the software/hardware that I was using. I also use almost exclusively DVD+R, which some have not been able to get to work - Sony, Verbatim, Memorex, etc., the brand hasn't made a difference. I haven't upgraded to MF6 yet.

Sorry I've been MIA lately, everyone. I've been sick and am just beginning to catch up. I haven't felt much like doing anything for some time.

I'm hoping NAB will bring us more choices when it comes to HD DVD authoring.....

Bring on VC-1, AVC and HDi menus!

I've had good results with DVDMF5 and my A2. For the best results always use good quality recordable media. Stay away from the no-name brands sold at retail outlets and through online vendors. Most of them are substandfard quality. I use Taiyo Yuden media exclusively, which is the best available IMHO. The next best would be Verbatim.

I've always used -R recordables, mainly because every DVD player I've ever owned never liked the +R discs. I understand that Nero and some other burning software can use +R discs and make them appear to be -R media when played back. I think this was discussed earlier in this thread IIRC so you may want to backtrack a bit to see what was said about it.

I'm hoping NAB will bring us more choices when it comes to HD DVD authoring.....

Bring on VC-1, AVC and HDi menus!

:eek: I wouldn't count your chickens just yet. I have been doing this encoding for awhile and I just tried doing some AVC encoding and it sucks.

It took an hour to encode 15 minutes worth of HDV footage on my Core 2 Duo xTreme machine with 4 gig of RAM. VC-1 averages about 25 minutes for 5 minutes worth of footage. On my cousins server it takes about half that! XVID so far is the fastest and it takes forever as well. I am really hoping that someone will come out with a better Algorithm for video encoding. As it is, Intel has come a long way and it looks AMD is going to add some new code to their pipe to help with these applications. As of right now it still sucks. I am now using my daughters PC to encode some footage at night while she is asleep to take some of the load off my PC. It being a P4 2.6 with 3 gig of RAM, it takes about 30% longer than my PC! I think I will just bite the bullet and buy a server next time.

Encoding MPEG is frustrating enough! :confused:

On an average how many minutes of 1080i .ts footage can be burn on a DL disc? I would love to convert some of these HiDef shows that I have obtained and back them up in HD-DVD format to use with my Xbox 360 but from what I have read they all appear to be to long to fit on a DL disc.

On an average how many minutes of 1080i .ts footage can be burn on a DL disc?
When I record Las Vegas (1080i NBC) from cable, 60 min = about 6.5- 7GB.
60 min of BSG from UHD = about 5.5 GB, 1080i too.

60 min of BSG from UHD = about 5.5 GB, 1080i too.

That must be with commercials. I'm only seeing about 3.5 gig without commercials.

I tried this twice -- once with dual layer and once with single layer media -- and achieved the exact same results. The HD-DVD drive on the Xbox recognizes the media, and the movie starts playing, but freezes right away and the Xbox becomes unresponsive.

Based on the OP, I tried using mpeg2repair, but that only works on transport stream files (according to the readme). My files are all .ty files from the HR10-250 which I then convert to .mpg -- so when I try to use mpeg2repair on the .mpg file, I get an error message.

Is there another tool I can use to see what the problem is? Any other ideas? Again, I tried two completely different media types Verbatim DVD-R and Ridata DL DVD-R.

I can post additional information if it would be helpful.

On recording time, I get almost exactly 41 minutes of 1080i on a single-sided DVD+R. Trimming commercials and intros that repeat enables me to get a full episode of most one-hour shows on a disk. So far the biggest file I've done was a two-hour-plus movie that took a single and a double.

For GadgetMonkey, I've found that HDPatch solves a lot of problems. Make sure the framerate reads 29.7 and the bitrate is under 20. If you just patch the first header it only takes a second. Doing that before you run MF5 not only ensures the file doesn't require lengthy rendering, it will also help compatibility on the player end.

Another trick to try is using the custom UDF 2.50 setting instead of Xbox compatibility in MF5. Though different posters here report different results, it pretty much stopped stuttering problems I was having on my Xbox.

Finally, heed captain_video's advice on using good media. That doesn't have to mean the high-priced stuff. I've gotten excellent results from Memorex DVD+R DL and Ritex +R frosted-top singles that I buy cheap in spindles of 100. (The burner matters, too. I have a LiteOn 811S that does great with SD but craps out on HD. My NEC 3520A is 'da bomb with both.

Taiyo Yuden media can be found for about $0.35 or less apiece online in spindles of 100. I get the ones with inkjet printable surfaces at that price so regular recordables will run you even less.

On another note, I had been reporting problems with getting certain files to work with either DVDMF5 or 6. They would either take forever to import or would simply cause either program to crash. If I tried to create chapter stops it would either cause the program to lock up or crash altogether and shut down. The most problematic files seem to be ones recorded from HBO-HD on my FIOS network. I had been using VideoReDo to edit the files and save them as mpegs.

I discovered that if I ran them through the MPEG GOP Fixer in Womble's MPEG Video Wizard the files would import quickly and allow me to set chapter stops. The creation of the HD-DVD fileset goes much quicker as well.

hi,

I asked Joseph for his permission and I amallowed to post the tutorial here
http://www.hdtvtotal.com/module-pagesetter-viewpub-tid-1-pid-982.html

and I also asked for pictures according to his text, but he has no or just little time for it, so I asked you, if you would be so nice to snap some screen shoots. because it is easiert to understand, when you can read AND see the axplanation ;).
would be really nice.

and before I forget it, if there are a missing credit, please let me know where you had been involved in the tutorial and I willalso add you name/nick where it belongs!

I will soon start to translate it in German, so it would be nice to get some pics before I will start, because it would be easier for me ;).

And I hope, that it will be possible to add vc-1 and mpeg4/h.264 support to it mini hd-dvds soon ;)

greets,


Andreas

http://www.hdtvtotal.com/modules/gallery/albums/userpics/10225/thumb_mini_hddvd_logo_black_100x210.jpg

For GadgetMonkey, I've found that HDPatch solves a lot of problems. Make sure the framerate reads 29.7 and the bitrate is under 20. If you just patch the first header it only takes a second. Doing that before you run MF5 not only ensures the file doesn't require lengthy rendering, it will also help compatibility on the player end.

HD Patch is showing that the bitrate is 96 Mbit/second. My question is if I have HD Patch "fix" it, do I need to do the whole file or just the first header?

Another trick to try is using the custom UDF 2.50 setting instead of Xbox compatibility in MF5. Though different posters here report different results, it pretty much stopped stuttering problems I was having on my Xbox.

Where do I find this setting? The only Xbox compatibility setting I use is in Nero, not Movie Factory (I am using MF6, by the way).

HD Patch is showing that the bitrate is 96 Mbit/second. My question is if I have HD Patch "fix" it, do I need to do the whole file or just the first header?



Where do I find this setting? The only Xbox compatibility setting I use is in Nero, not Movie Factory (I am using MF6, by the way).

Patch just the header. And you're right on UDF, that setting is in Nero. That's what I get for relying on my shaky memory. Thanks for the clarification.

60 min of BSG from UHD = about 5.5 GB, 1080i too.
That must be with commercials. I'm only seeing about 3.5 gig without commercials.
Yes, 60 min of BSG from UHD is about 5.5GB.
Once commercials are edited out; 41 min = 3.5-3.7GB

I asked Joseph for his permission and I amallowed to post the tutorial here
http://www.hdtvtotal.com/module-pag...-1-pid-982.html
I couldn't help but notice that the tutorial has references to Womble's MPEG2VCR. That program is pretty ancient by today's standards (about 5-6 years old or more). FYI - Womble has a newer version called MPEG Video Wizard DVD that is more up to date. The GOP Fixer utility works great for getting my problematic HD recordings to work with DVDMF 5 & 6.

I couldn't help but notice that the tutorial has references to Womble's MPEG2VCR. That program is pretty ancient by today's standards (about 5-6 years old or more). FYI - Womble has a newer version called MPEG Video Wizard DVD that is more up to date. The GOP Fixer utility works great for getting my problematic HD recordings to work with DVDMF 5 & 6.

hi captain video and thx for the notice,
but I tried to transfer that tutorial as unchanged as possible (some minor changes and layout tweaks), like it is on the first page of this thread, so I can't tell, ifI shouldlink to the newer or older version. I am not th eauthor! ;)
but its good to know!

greets,

Andreas

On an average how many minutes of 1080i .ts footage can be burn on a DL disc? I would love to convert some of these HiDef shows that I have obtained and back them up in HD-DVD format to use with my Xbox 360 but from what I have read they all appear to be to long to fit on a DL disc.

As bitrates and unfortunately resolution of broadcast, cable and DBS HD content vary, you really can't specify a how many minutes of a 1080i .ts file will fit on a DL-DVD. The correct answer is that you have about ~8.2GB of space so if you recording is this size or smaller it should work. In general, this means essentially all 1 hour shows some 2hr shows with commericials removed.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9917492&&#post9917492

Patch just the header. And you're right on UDF, that setting is in Nero. That's what I get for relying on my shaky memory. Thanks for the clarification.

Actually, I had to patch the whole stream in order for this to work. I tried once just patching the header and the result was worse than before -- instead of seeing the very first part of the video and then freezing up the Xbox, it immediately went to black screen and froze the Xbox.

If I patch the whole stream, it works like a charm without changing any settings in MF6 or Nero. I've done 3 single layer discs and 1 double layer all with complete success. So it looks like my workflow is set and although it is a pain (6 steps in all), it is worth it to have HD content without taking up valuable hard drive space.

Is there any way to "reverse" this process (i.e., to put the disc back in the PC and get the MPEG file back, as you can do with regular DVDs)? The reason being that I hate to go without backups of these files in case the media goes bad, and I would also like to be ready for the future when we might see XBMC for the Xbox 360 (or have some other similar means of streaming HD over a home network)...

Is there any way to "reverse" this process (i.e., to put the disc back in the PC and get the MPEG file back,

This may work (EVOdemux):
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=979929#post979929

I've not tried it yet, but it looks like it should do the trick. If it doesn't check out more of what Doom9 offers. It is a pretty good source.

Lot's of people seem to have had trouble moving from the A1 to the A2. It's been reported on frequently. I'm not among the ones with a problem. The day before I sold my A1, I checked some 40+ discs and found maybe 2 or 3 that had any problem at all on the A2. I continue to have good burns with the A2, even with Pioneer burners I could not get to work with older versions of the software/hardware that I was using. I also use almost exclusively DVD+R, which some have not been able to get to work - Sony, Verbatim, Memorex, etc., the brand hasn't made a difference. I haven't upgraded to MF6 yet.

Sorry I've been MIA lately, everyone. I've been sick and am just beginning to catch up. I haven't felt much like doing anything for some time.

Thanks Joe,

For just homemade HD-DVDs, was the player upgrade really worth it? Any difference in picture quality? I'm wondering if I should just keep my A1.

Marc.

I like the A2 better because the speed is improved dramatically for just about everything. It's also much better at playing CD's. Haven't noticed any improvement in picture quality.

I like the A2 better because the speed is improved dramatically for just about everything. It's also much better at playing CD's. Haven't noticed any improvement in picture quality.

I tried an A2 last night and many of my discs that play back perfectly on the A1, stutter and pause on the A2, with the sound cutting in and out. I saw another post somewhere saying something about the laser in the A2 not liking the dye in certain discs. Is this the same with the XA2?

Marc.

Several people have reported problems with the A2's playback on some of their discs that played well on the A1. I did a test of my discs (not all, but about 40 I think), and I had no significant playback issues on the A2. I guess I'm lucky when it comes to my combination of media and burners. I don't have any experience with the XA2.

As noted previously, don't skimp on your recordable media. I don't have an A1 but I've always used quality blanks for playback in my A2 and I've never experienced the vast majority of problems that seem to fill the pages of this thread.

I think the A2 is slower than dirt so I can't imagine what A1 owners must have to suffer through. I'm used to having a DVD player that's ready to go seconds after pressing the power button. There has got to be a better way of getting these things up and running without getting a 5-o'clock shadow between the time you turn it on and the time it actually becomes ready to accept a disc.

As noted previously, don't skimp on your recordable media. I don't have an A1 but I've always used quality blanks for playback in my A2 and I've never experienced the vast majority of problems that seem to fill the pages of this thread.

I think the A2 is slower than dirt so I can't imagine what A1 owners must have to suffer through. I'm used to having a DVD player that's ready to go seconds after pressing the power button. There has got to be a better way of getting these things up and running without getting a 5-o'clock shadow between the time you turn it on and the time it actually becomes ready to accept a disc.

Yes, I always use quality discs, and have never had a problem with any of them in my A1. It plays them all flawlessly. The A2 hiccups on 2/3rds of the discs I've tried. Maybe quality control issues with them, seeing as they now being massed produced from god knows where. I'm gonna keep my A1, and buy another one for a backup. Anyone got an A1 they want to sell off?? :)

Marc.

There are tons of them on ebay.

I think the A2 is slower than dirt so I can't imagine what A1 owners must have to suffer through. ... There has got to be a better way of getting these things up and running...
I've not heard how slow the XBox add on is. Can anyone tell me? Also, how 'quick' is the HD DVD / Blu-Ray combo machine?

I've not heard how slow the XBox add on is. Can anyone tell me? Also, how 'quick' is the HD DVD / Blu-Ray combo machine?

Hyrax, the 360 HDDVD add on is quick!

If you already have the disc in the addon, and select HDDVD, its about 8 seconds until the FBI screen shows up on screen.

If you put the disc in the HDDVD drive, it takes about 25 seconds to display the FBI warning screen.

This test was done using the Constantine HDDVD.

Excellent! I may need to get me one of them.

I just got my A2 yesterday and while I've only made 4 homebrewed HD-DVDs from .ts files, all playback fine without skipping.

Like I mentioned earlier (in the other thread probably), you can force VS10+ into encoding 24p by tweaking the Project settings and feeding it non-compliant source. I tested it, it works, resulting files are 24p, but A1 played the resulting disc with some freezed frames. It possible the freezes were in the VS10+ encoded content, and not caused by the player.

How do I tweak either VideoStudio 10+ or DVD Movie Factory 5+ or DVD Movie Factory 6+ into creating a 1080p 24fps HD-DVD in folders.

I would like to burn on a standard DVD a short video clip in 1920x1080 24 fps.

I have tried HDPatch , by patching the input file to 25fps and created HD-DVD (PAL HD-DVD) folders from DVD movie factory 6+, but when a use HDPatch on the evo file , when it plays back on the HD-A1 it is a zoomed image of the top left corner of the video.

Thanks
Wayne

Is it possible to add an option in HDPatch to allow you to change the fps on the evo files without it causing the video to look zoomed in (when played on the HD-A1 it only displays the top left corner in magnified state).

ie 1920x1080 24fps to hdpatch 1920x1080 25fps to DVD movie factory 6+ to hdpatch 1920x1080 24fps to nero 7.

Creating HD-DVD 1920x1080 24fps.

What would happen if I choice the 1088 option in HDPatch on the evo file, currently it is austomatically set to 720 fix.

Thanks
Wayne

Is it possible to add an option in HDPatch to allow you to change the fps on the evo files without it causing the video to look zoomed in (when played on the HD-A1 it only displays the top left corner in magnified state).

ie 1920x1080 24fps to hdpatch 1920x1080 25fps to DVD movie factory 6+ to hdpatch 1920x1080 24fps to nero 7.

Creating HD-DVD 1920x1080 24fps.

What would happen if I choice the 1088 option in HDPatch on the evo file, currently it is austomatically set to 720 fix.

Thanks
Wayne
Well, it's certainly possible, but I don't think it's going to solve your problem. 24fps is not a supported frame-rate in the HD-DVD spec (see below). If anyone can definitively state that a 1080i/24fps clip will play in an HD-DVD player, I'll take the time to update HDPatch. The real solution to your problem is to run your clip through some utility that can add the pulldown flags to create a 29.97 fps clip. I'm not familiar with any utilities for that job, but maybe others here are.

Table 5.2.1.1
1920 1080 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9
1440 1080 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9
1280 1080 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9
960 1080 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9
1280 720 59.94 (*Note 2) 16:9
720 480 59.94 (*Note 2) 16:9
704 480 59.94 (*Note 2) 16:9
720 480 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
704 480 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
544 480 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
480 480 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
352 480 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
352 240 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
*Note 1: 59.94i, 29.97p, and 23.976p with 3:2 pull-down
*Note 2: 59.94p and 23.976p with 3:2 pull-down

Well, it's certainly possible, but I don't think it's going to solve your problem. 24fps is not a supported frame-rate in the HD-DVD spec (see below). If anyone can definitively state that a 1080i/24fps clip will play in an HD-DVD player, I'll take the time to update HDPatch. The real solution to your problem is to run your clip through some utility that can add the pulldown flags to create a 29.97 fps clip. I'm not familiar with any utilities for that job, but maybe others here are.

Table 5.2.1.1
1920 1080 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9
1440 1080 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9
1280 1080 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9
960 1080 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9
1280 720 59.94 (*Note 2) 16:9
720 480 59.94 (*Note 2) 16:9
704 480 59.94 (*Note 2) 16:9
720 480 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
704 480 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
544 480 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
480 480 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
352 480 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
352 240 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
*Note 1: 59.94i, 29.97p, and 23.976p with 3:2 pull-down
*Note 2: 59.94p and 23.976p with 3:2 pull-down

What format are commercial (Serenity, Batman Begins etc) HD-DVD's, I thought but maybe wrong, that they are 1920x1080 24fps, I thought that is 1080p.

There is also no mention of Pal HD-DVD in your list 1920x1080 25fps and 1440x1080 25fps. These can be burnt in DVD Movie Factory 6+ and Video Studio 10+. I have done this before and the HD-A1 does play them with a little stutter.

My source file is 1920x1080 23.976 fps, and I changed it to 24fps using Video Studio 10+.


Thanks
Wayne

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't understand why you're patching the .evo instead of the source file.

I have simply used HDPatch to change the first frame of the source .ts or .mpg from 1929x1080 25fps to 29.97fps. MF5 handles them without problem and my Xbox plays them with no stutter.

I've never seen the zoom you describe.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't understand why you're patching the .evo instead of the source file.

I have simply used HDPatch to change the first frame of the source .ts or .mpg from 1929x1080 25fps to 29.97fps. MF5 handles them without problem and my Xbox plays them with no stutter.

I've never seen the zoom you describe.

I was not sure how HDPatch worked.

I HDPatch the source file from 24 to 25 fps and then feed the patched file into DVD Movie Factory 6+ and then I thought I had to patch the output evo file to correct it back to 24 fps. If I burn the unpatched evo file it seems to work but has occasional freezes. If I burn the patched evo it displays a zoomed image.

Have you tried setting up DVD Movie Factory or VideoStudio 10 into PAL mode and just burn the HD-DVD folders in 1920x1080 25fps, no patching required. I have a few of these and they have a little speed up type stutter every now and then on my HD-A1 player, I don't have an XBOX 360. They appear to play fine in Power DVD Ultra.

I will have a go patching to 29.97 fps.

Thanks
Wayne

There is also no mention of Pal HD-DVD in your list 1920x1080 25fps and 1440x1080 25fps.
Here are the specs:

4) Source picture resolutions, frame rates, and aspect ratios for 60 Hz Regions:

Horizontal Vertical Encoded Frame
Rate
Aspect
Ratio
1920 1080 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9
1440 1080 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9
1280 1080 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9
960 1080 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9
1280 720 59.94 (*Note 2) 16:9
720 480 59.94 (*Note 2) 16:9
704 480 59.94 (*Note 2) 16:9
720 480 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
704 480 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
544 480 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
480 480 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
352 480 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
352 240 29.97 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
*Note 1: 59.94i, 29.97p, and 23.976p with 3:2 pull-down
*Note 2: 59/94p and 23.976p with 3:2 pull-down

5) Source picture resolutions, frame rates, and aspect ratios for 50 Hz Regions:
Horizontal Vertical Encoded Frame
Rate
Aspect
Ratio
1920 1080 25 (*Note 1) 16:9
1440 1080 25 (*Note 1) 16:9
1280 1080 25 (*Note 1) 16:9
960 1080 25 (*Note 1) 16:9
1280 720 50 (*Note 2) 16:9
720 576 50 (*Note 2) 16:9
704 576 50 (*Note 2) 16:9
720 576 25 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
704 576 25 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
544 576 25 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
480 576 25 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
352 576 25 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
352 288 25 (*Note 1) 16:9/4:3
*Note 1: 50i and 25p
*Note 2: 50p and 25p with 2:2 pull-down

Source (page 33): http://www.dvdforum.org/images/Requirements%20Specification%20for%20HD%20DVD%20Video%20Appl ication-July2005.pdf

What format are commercial (Serenity, Batman Begins etc) HD-DVD's, I thought but maybe wrong, that they are 1920x1080 24fps, I thought that is 1080p.
"HD DVD encodes audio and video in Program Streams and uses field syntax with 30 frame per second timing to represent both 30 fps interlace and 24 fps progressive content. “Missing fields” for 24P content are replaced by “repeat field flags”, the same as DVD-Video. Decoders can ignore the “flags” to output P24 or use them to output 30i."

Source (Extra Geeky Info): http://blogs.msdn.com/ptorr/archive/2006/03/15/HDFacts.aspx

"HD DVD encodes audio and video in Program Streams and uses field syntax with 30 frame per second timing to represent both 30 fps interlace and 24 fps progressive content. “Missing fields” for 24P content are replaced by “repeat field flags”, the same as DVD-Video. Decoders can ignore the “flags” to output P24 or use them to output 30i."

Source (Extra Geeky Info): http://blogs.msdn.com/ptorr/archive/2006/03/15/HDFacts.aspx

Thanks for the link it explains a lot.
Wayne

Hi guys:

I have just purchased an XA2 and have been authoring a couple of HD DVD slide shows that I made from Photodex Producer 3.0. This software can produce HD Video files (.mpg). I then make the HD DVD folders using MF 6+, after which I can burn to the DVD-R using MF6+ as well.

The shows come out well, but the color is more intense than when making regular DVDs. When I make the video files from Producer, I can choose an ICC profile to use. I was using Adobe 1998, since that is what I use with Photoshop. However, there are other choices. One is NTSC1953 and another SMPTE C. I was thinking maybe it is better use one of these instead. I would suspect that HD uses the NTSC color profiles.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Also I found that my player will not play the DVD+R media without stuttering. Only the minus media is listed as supported in the manual.

Thanks, Jeff

1. VideoRedo (version 2.2.1.491).
VideoRedo
2. Ulead Movie Factory 5.
Ulead Movie Factory 5
3. Nero Burning ROM (versions 6 and 7 work, although some people report problems creating discs with version 6).
Nero Burning ROM 7

I apologize in advance if this has been asked before, but has anyone out there been able to use this exact sequence of software on a Vista based PC? About to tackle this this weekend but curious about others experiences.

Hi guys:

I have just purchased an XA2 and have been authoring a couple of HD DVD slide shows that I made from Photodex Producer 3.0. This software can produce HD Video files (.mpg). I then make the HD DVD folders using MF 6+, after which I can burn to the DVD-R using MF6+ as well.

The shows come out well, but the color is more intense than when making regular DVDs. When I make the video files from Producer, I can choose an ICC profile to use. I was using Adobe 1998, since that is what I use with Photoshop. However, there are other choices. One is NTSC1953 and another SMPTE C. I was thinking maybe it is better use one of these instead. I would suspect that HD uses the NTSC color profiles.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Also I found that my player will not play the DVD+R media without stuttering. Only the minus media is listed as supported in the manual.

Thanks, Jeff

I get the studdering also on my XA2 using +R authored DVD's It's always at the beginning and end of DVD's (clears up after the first 3 minutes of play) -R's work fine.
Maybe there are -R DL DVD's out there we could try.

Actually, I had to patch the whole stream in order for this to work. I tried once just patching the header and the result was worse than before -- instead of seeing the very first part of the video and then freezing up the Xbox, it immediately went to black screen and froze the Xbox.

If I patch the whole stream, it works like a charm without changing any settings in MF6 or Nero. I've done 3 single layer discs and 1 double layer all with complete success. So it looks like my workflow is set and although it is a pain (6 steps in all), it is worth it to have HD content without taking up valuable hard drive space.



CAn you quickly list your steps and software used?

I am having the same trouble, my HD-DVD freezes on my XBOX after first frames if I create the disk with MF5+ and getting even worse, just black screen if I use MF6+.

No sucess so far..

Thanks.

I patch the whole thing if necessary, use MF6+, and have had success with all two HD-DVD's I've tried to make.. I used MF6+ to burn I think too..
I wish the HD-DVD-R drives would hit the stores so I could make HD-DVDs of all my cap'd stuff.. at this rate I might just get a DVHS deck first and DV dump them all :P

There is also no mention of Pal HD-DVD in your list 1920x1080 25fps and 1440x1080 25fps. These can be burnt in DVD Movie Factory 6+ and Video Studio 10+. I have done this before and the HD-A1 does play them with a little stutter.

Hi!

Interesting. At least the HD-E1 (A2) does not play 25fps material on HD-DVD. So its written on the Website of the E1 (Update coming but is not out atm afaik). Thats why Im wondering that the A1 is able to do this.

I tried it with Scenarist and h264 source files. The resulted ISO was playable on XBox and PowerDVD, but not on the E1/A2.

Or is only combination h264 and 25 fps not working atm? Has anybody tried MPEG2 25fps on an A2/E1? Its really important to me, since I want to buy a HDV Camcorder and Im livin in PAL-Land.

Greetings.

For those of you who went from MF5 to MF6+, is there a difference?

I downloaded the trial version of MF6+, and it is different than MF5.

I take it you can't follow the step by step instructions for MF5, and get them to work for MF6+?

Pointers anyone?

For those of you who went from MF5 to MF6+, is there a difference?

I downloaded the trial version of MF6+, and it is different than MF5.

I take it you can't follow the step by step instructions for MF5, and get them to work for MF6+?

Pointers anyone?

1.) New Video Project
2.) Lower left corner, dropdown box, change it from Dvd 4.7gb to HD Std 30g
3.) Lower left corner, change box from 4x3 to 16x9
4.) Make sure box "Do not convert compliant mpeg files" is checked
5.) Pop up screen appears, "Do you want to change the project settings to match the video properties so Ulead MF can perform SmartRender?" <-- Yes
6.) When ready to author folders, uncheck the box for folders and choose "Create to Disk" instead.

Thanks Tom,

I'll give that a try tonight.

I am about to give up on creating a HD-DVD that can play on my XBOX360.

I tried absolutely everything. And no success.

I just want to created a HD-DVD from the videos I create with my Canon HV-20, and play them on my HD-DVD add on to the XBOX360.

Does anyone was even successifuly in doing this?

I tried all options and variations with software, what I have tried so far:
CAPDvhs
HDVSplit
HDPatch
MPEG2Repair
VideoRedo
MF5+
MF6+
Nero 7

I tried all possible variations and configurations, and the result is always the same, the disk freezes a few seconds while the menu is loading, or even worse, I just get a black screen.

If anyone has had any success with this combination HV-20 to Hd-DVD on XBOX please share your magic.

Thanks,
Reco

I just ran across a website yesterday that listed the minimum requirements for using the X-Box 360 drive (a.k.a. Toshiba SD-S802A) to play back HD-DVDs on a PC. I'm guessing your system is not meeting these requirements and is simply getting bogged down as a result. I don't recall all of the requirements but I do remember that the minimum AMD CPU recommended was an Athlon 64 X2 4200+, which is what I'm running. I don't use my X-Box drive for playback, just for ripping the files to my hard drive. I don't have any issues when playing them back in this manner. I use a Toshiba A2 for live disc playback.

Here's a link to the requirements set forth by Cyberlink with PowerDVD 7.3:

http://www.cyberlink.com/multi/products/require_112_ENU.html

I just ran across a website yesterday that listed the minimum requirements for using the X-Box 360 drive (a.k.a. Toshiba SD-S802A) to play back HD-DVDs on a PC. I'm guessing your system is not meeting these requirements and is simply getting bogged down as a result. I don't recall all of the requirements .....



Thanks for the info, but I am using the XBOX360 itself, not trying to play the disk on the PC. Anyway other Hd-DVDs plays just fine.

Regards,
Reco

Does MF6+ work with mkv files? I have alot of these files and would like to convert to hddvd....

I guess what I meant to say was...does MF6+ convert mkv files to hddvd....

hi again,

I asked for some pictures for the tutorial some pages before, so can please somebody make some screenshots ore else for it? would be really really nice!

PS: I finally made the translation for German readers in here http://www.hdtvtotal.com/module-pagesetter-viewpub-tid-1-pid-983.html

greets, Andreas

I have the Hi Def Test Patterns (.ts) on my hard drive. I want to burn them to HD-DVD. I had no trouble with the ISO on the site, but it is missing some of the patterns.
I have the trial of Ulead Moviefactory 6 Plus.
When I attempt to add a file to the project, it says the file is not accessible. I can use the ulead file browser to locate the files, and it will tell me all about the file characteristics.
Error is "-filename- is not accessible"
Is there something simple I'm missing? I thought this would be pretty easy.

Thanks in advance . . .

You need to convert the TS file to a PS (mpg) file. Use Video Redo for that.

Okay. I thought that since it could read the .ts header it would be all set. I'll get videoredo into the chain.
Thanks.

I've been using the directions at the beginning of this thread and have successfully made "mini" Hd-Dvds to playback on my Xbox 360 (although with freezing issues if I don't try to play it right away from the menu).

I was wondering if anyone here has tried Magix Movie Edit Pro 12, which also now has the ability to create HD-DVD media on a standard DVD disk. I have it but have only gotten a black screen when playing back on the 360 add-on.

I've dabbled with this on a couple of occasions, but have recently downloaded a few sample clips which I wanted to keep.

Although it has worked fine in the past I kept getting the problem of the player (HD-A1) recognising as HD DVD, timecode coming up as all zero's and shortly followed by a message saying the disc couldn't be played.

I tried different versions of DVD MF, different versions of Nero 6.x and 7.x, used Womble instead of VideoReDo, tried different writers, different media, different PC's, but still the problem persisted. I spent hours messing about getting very annoyed and frustrated that it had worked before, but now it wouldn't.

After reading through this thread I decided to give Roxia EMC 9 a go, in particular RecordNow Data. After burning with this the disc worked first time. Have tried several others since and these have also worked consistently 1st time every time. I am very happy now :)

Also I notice since installing EMC the disc image option in DVD MF is now available. It was always grayed out before as has been reported many time in this thread.

Now for a question... When creating a disc with multiple clips on, what's the easiest way to navigate from one to the next. I don't want to have a menu, but the fwd/back buttons don't do anything. If I FF to the end of one clip it moves onto the next, so I tried inserting a chapter at the very end of each clip (the theory being it would move straight onto the next clip). Problem is you catch a glimpse of the previous clip. Only other way I've found to navigate is to use T.Search and select the title (clip) that way.

Rob.

Just wanted to thank all contributors of this thread :) Ive read through this entire thread now...it took me about a week :D And im happy to report that having used the guide ive made plenty of mini HD DVD-discs that ALL play beautifully on my Toshiba HD-E1/Pioneer 43" plasma.

Had a little trial and error stuff at the begining, but quickly sorted them out after finding the answers here ;) But one thing that baffles me...is that the HD-E1 shows the "2 channel" logo in the display...while the sound is definately more than 2-channels...and ive checked the discs using powerdvd, and it clearly states the discs are all DD 5.1. Im currently using only the HDMI cables on my set up...perhaps i need to test with an optical cable aswell?

But one thing that baffles me...is that the HD-E1 shows the "2 channel" logo in the display...while the sound is definately more than 2-channels...and ive checked the discs using powerdvd, and it clearly states the discs are all DD 5.1I'm not sure what your HD source is, but I've had this happen with some of my files... I discovered that it's the short clip that says stuff like "The following feature is rated PG"

If there are even a few 2.0 (stereo) frames at the beginning, then my HD-A1 locks to "2 CH" for the entire movie.

But if I snip those few frames off the beginning with videoredo and re-burn, then it'll report 5.1 correctly.

Can someone help me with this please...

When creating a disc with multiple clips on, what's the easiest way to navigate from one to the next.

I don't want to have a menu as this takes up too much space on a single layer disc. I assumed the fwd/back buttons would skip between clips, but they don't do anything.

If I FF to the end of one clip it moves onto the next, so I tried inserting a chapter at the very end of each clip (the theory being it would move straight onto the next clip). Problem is you catch a glimpse of the previous clip. Only other way I've found to navigate is to use T.Search and select the title (clip) that way.

Are there any more elegant solutions?

Did you try putting a chapter at the beginning of each clip? Just a thought - I don't know if it will solve your problem. I put a lot of automatic chapters (every 2 minutes) to help me navigate past bad sections of the recording. These sections, if bad enough, can freeze playback and the only solution (if there are no chapters) sometimes is to shut off the player.

When creating a disc with multiple clips on, what's the easiest way to navigate from one to the next.I ran into the same problem and I also originally tried putting a chapter marker at the end of each clip.

But it actually works better to join all of the clips into one long file, then insert the chapter marks in the merged file.

For discs that are already authored, you'll find that fast scan works better than next chapter. I have a bunch of demo-clip HDDVDs like that. When the 5X-fast-scan reaches the end of of one clip, then it automatically switches to Play when it reaches the next chapter clip.

But it actually works better to join all of the clips into one long file, then insert the chapter marks in the merged file.

Problem is I have a very mixed bag of clips, some 1080i with DD 2.0, some 1080i with DD 5.1 and some 720p with mpeg audio.

Looks like FF or T.Search it is...

Thanks,

Rob.

I don't want to have a menu as this takes up too much space on a single layer disc.
Where did you get that notion? You can create a simple menu that has links to each clip or even each individual chapter stop that takes up minimal space on the disk (a few MB worst case, which is less than a 1-second video clip). Some authoring programs won't even let you have multiple clips without a menu to link to them, although this is not the case with DVDMF 5 or 6. You may not be able to join clips of different resolutions or audio streams into a single mpg file.

Where did you get that notion? You can create a simple menu that has links to each clip or even each individual chapter stop that takes up minimal space on the disk (a few MB worst case, which is less than a 1-second video clip). Some authoring programs won't even let you have multiple clips without a menu to link to them, although this is not the case with DVDMF 5 or 6. You may not be able to join clips of different resolutions or audio streams into a single mpg file.

Well I've tried a few of the menu templates in DVDMF and they all seem to make the size of the project (as indicated along bottom of DVDMF window) grow by about 1 gig! If I'm wrong that's great....

Well I've tried a few of the menu templates in DVDMF and they all seem to make the size of the project (as indicated along bottom of DVDMF window) grow by about 1 gig! If I'm wrong that's great....Turn off the default motion menus and animated transitions between chapters...

Step 2/3:
click the "Edit" tab...
[ ] uncheck "Motion menu"
Background image/video: "No background selected"
Customize... Menu In/Out: No transition

Required menu space: <2 Mb

Hi, I've got VideoStudio 11 and been trying to get it to work with the 360 add-on, but still cannot get past the menu --- even if I burn it with Nero based on the instructions.

Is there anything else I should be doing? I figured the process would be the same for VS 11 as it is with MovieFactory since they have the same workflow for creating the discs and they're both Ulead.

Do I need to turn off motion menus or something else?

Really want to get home-made HD DVD videos and slideshows (on a standard DVD, of course) working on my 360.

Also, does anyone know if the upcoming update for the 360's HD DVD add-on will give better support to these kind of discs? I kind of remember reading on a Pinnacle or Ulead forum that MS was working on a fix for this.

I have successfully created HD-DVDs using this procedure. I'm trying with a different TV show that has Dolby 5.1 sound. I don't get any sound in the final disk.

I used Video Redo to transform the transport stream to a program stream and remove commercials. There was still Dolby Digital 5.1 sound in the .mpg program stream file. I imported the program stream into Ulead Video Studio 10 Plus. It identifies the file as having DD 5.1 sound. It plays the sound when I play the clip. When I go into the HD-DVD authoring, I have the option not to re-encode compliant files checked. I also have Dolby Digital selected. If I view the resulting EVO file with VideoLan, there is no sound. When I burn it to a disk and play it in the Toshiba A1, there is no sound.

I downloaded the trial of Video Studio 11 Plus and gave it a quick try with that. There is still no sound.

I've been searching through the thread and couldn't find this issue discussed.

Does anyone have ideas what I might be able to do to keep the sound?

Thanks!

Joe

Was it from TNT HD?

I always get the exact same issue (no sound on the homebrewed HDDVD even though the original .ts clip and mpeg have 5.1) only with TNT clips.

It was from Discovery HD.

Have you found a work-around?

Thanks.

Joe

HI,

Im having trouble !!!

I have saved a copy of the .zip file containing the .iso file from www.w6rz.net (HD test patterns)

I have a folder on my hard drive with the .zip file extracted into a .iso file - This is a single file in the folder so as I understand is correct.

I have burnt the .iso image onto both a Memorex DVD-R and a Verbatin DVD+R

The spec for my Toshiba XA1 says "-R" and no "+R" specs, but I have read here many using +R so I tried it.........

NONE of my burnt discs play in my XA1.

However I have put the burnt discs into my PC and played the .EVO file with Classic media player using fddshow codec.

I have used CD Burner XP pro 3 and Nero Express 6 version 6.3.1.12 to burn the .iso images


Is there anything obvious im doing wrong ???

I have spent a long time trying this and still no go.

Many thanks for your time,

Andy H.

EDIT :

So I downloaded ImgBurn 2.3.2.0 (ITS FREE!)

I went through the settings and changed the following....

Write speed down to 2x (from 4x)
From Tools, Settings, Write changed "auto" to "DVD"
(Write mode DAO - Disc At Once , not sure if I selected this or it was already selected)

I now have THREE discs that are seen as HD DVDs in the Toshiba XA1 player

Memorex DVD-R single layer
Verbatim DVD+R single layer
Philips DVD +R single layer

Used an LG writer so left auto book type ticked in the settings (My drive is the listed LG drive)

PLEASE NOTE : these discs play in the player - HOWEVER this test player is NOT connected to a display, I need to check this later............

It was from Discovery HD.

Have you found a work-around?No.

I noticed the audio track was a higher bit rate than the other channels' .ts files which burn to HDDVD just fine. So I tried using videoredo to bump the audio down to MPEG 384, but then I only get a file that indicates "Stereo" in MPC or VLC... even worse, I still don't get sound when I burn the disc.

I have Discovery-HD... I'll record a clip and see if it has the same issue as TNT HD.

Has anyone successfully burned TNT HD to HDDVD? (as if anything with non-OAR stretch-o-vision, popups, banners, commercials, censored, time-compression, static corner logo, and overlapping rolling credits on TNT-HD is worth burning to HDDVD :rolleyes: )

Hi

I have tried to playback a DVD+RW (Book Type set to DVD-ROM)
authored exactly as shown on this thread on European PAL
Toshiba HD-DVD HDE1 model which results
in the following error message from the HD-DVD player.

"Unknown disc format"

Has anyone successfully burned TNT HD to HDDVD? (as if anything with non-OAR stretch-o-vision, popups, banners, commercials, censored, time-compression, static corner logo, and overlapping rolling credits on TNT-HD is worth burning to HDDVD )
Yes. I extracted both Kill Bill Volumes 1 and 2 from my HDTivo a while back and burned them both to DVD. They play back fine on my A2 in HD. Their extensive use of overlays and banner ads is extremely annoying. I try and avoid recording movies from TNT-HD whenever possible. Aside from "The Closer" there's not much programming that's worth watching anyway, unless you like to watch a lot of reruns.

Hi

I have tried to playback a DVD+RW (Book Type set to DVD-ROM)
authored exactly as shown on this thread on European PAL
Toshiba HD-DVD HDE1 model which results
in the following error message from the HD-DVD player.

"Unknown disc format"

DVD+RW Book Type set to DVD-ROM works fine for me on Tosh A1 with NTSC. I have noticed compatibility differences between different burners and burning softwares. Movie Factory 6 and Nero 7 are both working with the Plextor PX-716 burner. I think the burner makes the difference but maybe its the player or NTSC versus PAL.

Hi

I have tried to playback a DVD+RW (Book Type set to DVD-ROM)
authored exactly as shown on this thread on European PAL
Toshiba HD-DVD HDE1 model which results
in the following error message from the HD-DVD player.

"Unknown disc format"

Are you in the UK? If so I'd be happy to post you a disc which I know plays fine on my HD-A1 to help prove if it's the E1 or the combination or writer/software you are using which is causing the problem.

Rob.

Hi Rob100

Many thanks for your kind offer.
I am not in the UK but in Denmark.
Below is the procedure I used to burn on a
LITE-ON SHM-165P6S with Nero 6.6.1.15

Technique 2 (works with Nero 6 and 7):

a. Start Notepad or any word processor that allows you to create a .txt file. Leave the document blank (don’t type in anything). Select File>Save and save the blank document as text (.txt format) in a handy place on your hard drive – call it VIDEO_TS.VOB (.txt will be added automatically). Open Windows Explorer and find your new text file. Right click on it and go to rename. Delete the .txt from the end. Ignore the Windows warning and click “Yes.” Your file should now appear as VIDEO_TS.VOB. Special note: if you can't see the .txt extension in Windows Explorer, it probably means you have your computer set to hide file extensions. Open Explorer and select from the menu Tools>Folder Options... . Select the "View" tab. Find the box for "Hide extensions for known file types." and deselect it. Click "OK." You should now be able to see the .txt extension.
b. Start Nero Burning ROM and select the Nero Burning ROM application.
c. In the left column, select DVD Video and click “New.”
d. In the right column, select the drive where the new VIDEO_TS.VOB file is located. Drag that file onto (on top of, not above it) the VIDEO_TS folder in the leftmost column. (Make sure it’s in the VIDEO_TS folder, not in the root directory.)
e. Go back to the rightmost column and find the HD DVD folder you created in Ulead Movie Factory 5. Drag that folder into the leftmost column. Make sure NOT to put it into the VIDEO_TS folder. This folder must reside in the root directory.
f. Load in a recordable DVD (single or double layer, depending on the size of your project). Make sure your DVD burner is selected in Nero (click the “Choose a recorder” button).
g. Click the Disc/Lit Match icon to burn the current compilation. Ignore any warning messages the system displays by clicking “OK.”

Try your new HD DVD in your HD DVD player.

Hi Rob100

Many thanks for your kind offer.
I am not in the UK but in Denmark.
Below is the procedure I used to burn on a
LITE-ON SHM-165P6S with Nero 6.6.1.15

Technique 2 (works with Nero 6 and 7):

a. Start Notepad or any word processor that allows you to create a .txt file. Leave the document blank (don’t type in anything). Select File>Save and save the blank document as text (.txt format) in a handy place on your hard drive – call it VIDEO_TS.VOB (.txt will be added automatically). Open Windows Explorer and find your new text file. Right click on it and go to rename. Delete the .txt from the end. Ignore the Windows warning and click “Yes.” Your file should now appear as VIDEO_TS.VOB. Special note: if you can't see the .txt extension in Windows Explorer, it probably means you have your computer set to hide file extensions. Open Explorer and select from the menu Tools>Folder Options... . Select the "View" tab. Find the box for "Hide extensions for known file types." and deselect it. Click "OK." You should now be able to see the .txt extension.
b. Start Nero Burning ROM and select the Nero Burning ROM application.
c. In the left column, select DVD Video and click “New.”
d. In the right column, select the drive where the new VIDEO_TS.VOB file is located. Drag that file onto (on top of, not above it) the VIDEO_TS folder in the leftmost column. (Make sure it’s in the VIDEO_TS folder, not in the root directory.)
e. Go back to the rightmost column and find the HD DVD folder you created in Ulead Movie Factory 5. Drag that folder into the leftmost column. Make sure NOT to put it into the VIDEO_TS folder. This folder must reside in the root directory.
f. Load in a recordable DVD (single or double layer, depending on the size of your project). Make sure your DVD burner is selected in Nero (click the “Choose a recorder” button).
g. Click the Disc/Lit Match icon to burn the current compilation. Ignore any warning messages the system displays by clicking “OK.”

Try your new HD DVD in your HD DVD player.

Nero 6 did not work for me when I used the above method, in spite of the instructions. The problem went away as soon as I used Nero 7. I also found it unnecessary to create the VIDEO_TS folder.

If you use Ulead Movie Factory 6, the need for Nero goes away altogether.

Anyway, I burn on DVD+RW rewritable media all the time with book type bitsetting set to DVD-ROM, and HD-DVDs made this way have played in the A1 and A2 models.

Just wanted to mentioned that there are other alternatives to the software mentioned in this thread. I picked up MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 12 couple of weeks ago at Fry's. It was $40 with a couple of mail-in rebates worth of $30. Anyway, it allows for authoring of DVDs, HD-DVDs, WMVHD, etc. And, it takes HDV transport stream files captured from my Canon HV20 without need for VideoRedo or changing file extension to mpg or such. So far I have burned only one disk, I'm still exploring what features are available in this software...

Hi all,

Apologies if this is old news...

I've had stuttering problems when burning high bitrate material on dual layer disks, just like others have experienced. For single layer disks, I use Verbatim DVD-Rs and have never encountered stuttering.

DVD+R DLs are more common, and with Verbatims burned at 2.4x, I was still getting stuttering.

I just bought some Verbatim DVD-R DLs and burned the exact same disk of Silence of the Lambs that had stuttering when on a DVD+R DL, and I just watched the whole thing...no stuttering at all.

It does seem, for me at least, that +R disks are the culprit. For high bitrate material (Silence of the Lambs was about 15mbps), I will be using DVD-R DLs.

For lower bitrate material (around 10mbps), I don't experience any stuttering even if I use DVD+R DLs.

I have an HD-A2 and a Sony DRU-810A burner using Nero 7.

Chris

I have HD-A2 and wonder if I could use Windows Media Encoder to create a VC-1 compliant file (for instance convert a MPEG-2 file or any other type of video) burn it to a DVD-ROM and play on HD-A2... Have anybody tried? Does the disk have to be in a DVD or HDDVD format? What extension should be the file? (I suspect .wmv would not work)



I am between laptops so do not have a DVD burner at this moment but wonder if anybody tried that approach?

VC-1 offers, AFAIK, the best picture quality of all the HDDVD approved codecs and in the same Windows Media Encoder (with Advance Profile add-in) is free on MS's website...

Fatherom

I have esxperienced the same stuttering problems with Verbatim dual layer DVD+R disks at high bit rates (20K or higher). I would like to use DVD-R DL disks, but these seem to be $4-5 each as opposed to about $2 each for the DVD+R DL disks. I have also found the DVD-R DL diskx hard to find. May I ask where you are buying your DVD-R DL disks? Thanks.

Tom

I have esxperienced the same stuttering problems with Verbatim dual layer DVD+R disks at high bit rates (20K or higher). I would like to use DVD-R DL disks, but these seem to be $4-5 each as opposed to about $2 each for the DVD+R DL disks. I have also found the DVD-R DL diskx hard to find. May I ask where you are buying your DVD-R DL disks? Thanks.


Hi there,

I actually got a 3 pack of Verbatims (#95165) from newegg for $12.99. Not a great deal, I know, but it was more just an experiment to see if they would work.

I have a dozen or so other movies I want to make HD-DVDs out of, so if many of those movies necessitate using DVD-R DL disks, I'll start hunting for a lower price on the Verbatims...I don't trust Ritek media for this.

Chris

Fatherom,

Thanks for pointing me toward newegg. I'll give them a try.

Tom

Fatherom,

Thanks for pointing me toward newegg. I'll give them a try.

Tom

Also check out www.meritline.com .... if you buy more (like 12 at a time), they're slightly cheaper.

Chris

I just got my XA2 in this week and have noticed that my Sony HC-3 HD camcorder generated footage authored to HD DVD DL Verbatim disks stutters (with no audio) on the XA2 but plays fine on the A1.... Has anyone else with a similar setup noticed this?

Are there any programs out there that can use either vc1 or h.264 to enocde? All of the ones I have seen so far use the old mpeg 2 format.

Are there any programs out there that can use either vc1 or h.264 to enocde? All of the ones I have seen so far use the old mpeg 2 format.

I think you could say we are all waiting with bated breath for such a prosumer authoring tool. Or at least HD-DVD-R burners at a minimum ... :)

That's the main reason I've subscribed to this thread, I'm waiting for someone to post that some new wonderful breakthru has occured :)

Just wanted to mentioned that there are other alternatives to the software mentioned in this thread. I picked up MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 12 couple of weeks ago at Fry's. It was $40 with a couple of mail-in rebates worth of $30. Anyway, it allows for authoring of DVDs, HD-DVDs, WMVHD, etc. And, it takes HDV transport stream files captured from my Canon HV20 without need for VideoRedo or changing file extension to mpg or such. So far I have burned only one disk, I'm still exploring what features are available in this software...

speresh,

Thanks for the info.

Have you used Movie Factory 6? And if so, how does it compare to Magix Pro 12 program?

I have not used MF6, so I can't compare to it. But I can compare to MF5 which I did use before though not extensively. Overall, it looks like magix is more pro oriented, with all the powerful tools for NLE, but it lacks in the burning department. I don't see a way to create ISO images with it, though it creates EVO and IFO files. Of course one can burn directly to a disk and so with some ISO tools I was able to see that it burms UDF 1.02 filesystem rather than UDF 2.5. I don't have an HD-DVD player so I tried the disk I burned in the same Fry's store and it did not play it, but I would attribute it to the very low quality LG DVD-R disk I used, as it initially showed the menu and then choked...
It does not do VC1 or AVC HD-DVDs, only Mpeg-2, there are some weird restrictions on using AC3, though Mpeg audio can be used just fine.
The choice of menu templates is greater than in MF5. As with other tools the magix only reencodes the parts that are affected by applied FX. Great UI, very intuitive. Very very good video and audio mixing tools. One can not only do the transitions between two video objects in a sequence, but also mix them from two "parallel" tracks, overlaying them in different ways (including chroma keying). It also has an audio samples generator to add backround music to video... So it is a keeper.

I think you could say we are all waiting with bated breath for such a prosumer authoring tool. Or at least HD-DVD-R burners at a minimum ... :)

That's the main reason I've subscribed to this thread, I'm waiting for someone to post that some new wonderful breakthru has occured :)

I'd love to create a tool to author simple VC1 HD-DVD's, but I would need one (or more) of the following:

An "insider" kind enough to "share" the data/file structure of either:
1) the MAP file and the VTI file
or
2) the IFO file

---AND/OR---

Someone with Scenarist willing to author and share a handful of very short/simple VC1 encoded HD-DVD's for a "reverse engineering" effort...

---OR---

$6000 to purchase the HD-DVD specs...

I'd love to create a tool to author simple VC1 HD-DVD's, but I would need one (or more) of the following:

An "insider" kind enough to "share" the data/file structure of either:
1) the MAP file and the VTI file
or
2) the IFO file

---AND/OR---

Someone with Scenarist willing to author and share a handful of very short/simple VC1 encoded HD-DVD's for a "reverse engineering" effort...

---OR---

$6000 to purchase the HD-DVD specs...

I cannot help with Scenarist but would like to instead provide the $6000 so you can purchase the HD-DVD specs. Kindly post your bank account number, password and pin number so I can make direct deposit :p

I have not used MF6, so I can't compare to it. But I can compare to MF5 which I did use before though not extensively. Overall, it looks like magix is more pro oriented, with all the powerful tools for NLE, but it lacks in the burning department. I don't see a way to create ISO images with it, though it creates EVO and IFO files. Of course one can burn directly to a disk and so with some ISO tools I was able to see that it burms UDF 1.02 filesystem rather than UDF 2.5. I don't have an HD-DVD player so I tried the disk I burned in the same Fry's store and it did not play it, but I would attribute it to the very low quality LG DVD-R disk I used, as it initially showed the menu and then choked...
It does not do VC1 or AVC HD-DVDs, only Mpeg-2, there are some weird restrictions on using AC3, though Mpeg audio can be used just fine.
The choice of menu templates is greater than in MF5. As with other tools the magix only reencodes the parts that are affected by applied FX. Great UI, very intuitive. Very very good video and audio mixing tools. One can not only do the transitions between two video objects in a sequence, but also mix them from two "parallel" tracks, overlaying them in different ways (including chroma keying). It also has an audio samples generator to add backround music to video... So it is a keeper.

I tryed the demo the other day, and it doesn't give an option for 1440X1080 NTSC, but does for PAL? Plus you have to buy the other parts to truly make things work from start to finish.

On your sample disc that did not work at Frys, duration of the disc was? and how long did it take to burn?

I tryed the demo the other day, and it doesn't give an option for 1440X1080 NTSC, but does for PAL?
The full retail version I have does have that option, please see the screenshot.
Plus you have to buy the other parts to truly make things work from start to finish.
Perhaps that could explain the low price and rebates? I don't know, thus far I have not had to buy anything in addition to what I got in the box. I did have to activate the AC-3 passthrough, but that was free. Indeed the software gives options to get additional menu, F/X templates, etc from their website - I did not get into that, so far what's available by default is enough for me to play with.On your sample disc that did not work at Frys, duration of the disc was? and how long did it take to burn? Oh it was very short, about 5 minutes of footage shot by my flight instructor in the local airport to capture the quality of my takeoffs and landings... anyway, I will make another one and will rip it into ISO, I will upload it somewhere, perhaps someone will be willing to look at the structure to see how it compares to the ISOs created using MF?
As for how long it took to burn that first disk - well, did not take long, as I did not apply any effects to my video no reencoding took place at all. It generated menu very quickly, though when I checked the EVO file of it I found that it had only a couple of frames.
In any case don't take it the wrong way, I do not advocate using this software and ditch the other, I had not even heard of the magix before till about three weeks ago. Let the software makers compete - the more choices out there the better it is for us.

Thanks for the follow up speresh.

I think I'll give the full version a try, just to see what I think of it, compared to MF6.

Hi,

I've authored several HD-DVDs using this guide (thanks!) and MF5+.

I'm trying to do Phantom Menace, and I've split the file into 3 MPGs. I can add part 1 and part 3 to MF5+ when I click "add video clip". But when I try to highlight part 2, MF5+ hangs. I can't click open. I've also tried dragging-and-dropping the video clip into MF5+. Again, parts1&3 work fine...it's only part 2 I can't seem to add.

I did a quickstream fix in VRD on part 2, but it didn't help.

VideoRedo reported the following video bitrates for each part as I saved them (not sure if this info is useful)
part 1: 21.21 mbps
part 2: 23.54 mbps
part 3: 22.40 mbps

Has anyone else experience a hang when trying to add a video clip in MF5+? What else can I try?

Thanks,

Chris

I read the "Official AVS Guide to HD DVD Authoring” thread but I'm just not getting it. Videoredo will not recognize .TS files that I have. It says "This transport stream does contain an mpeg2 program. The source is a rip of HD/Blu-Ray material (I won't say what). I guess this means it's an mpeg4? How are you supposed to authorize an .MKV or .TS to standard DVD in HD to playback on a HD DVD player?

I also used ConvertxtoDVD but it encodes for standard DVD only. I would like to keep the HD for playback in an HD DVD player.

Thanks for your help.

Has anyone else experience a hang when trying to add a video clip in MF5+? What else can I try?
I'm guessing you opted not to read through the first 1600+ posts in this thread or else you'd already know the answer to your question. This is a common problem in both MF5 and 6. There could also be any number of reasons why it's not importing right away. You might want to try the GOP fixer in Womble's MPEG DVD Wizard or whatever the heck they call it.

[QUOTE]I read the "Official AVS Guide to HD DVD Authoring” thread but I'm just not getting it. VideoReDo will not recognize .TS files that I have. It says "This transport stream does contain an mpeg2 program. The source is a rip of HD/Blu-Ray material (I won't say what). I guess this means it's an mpeg4? How are you supposed to authorize an .MKV or .TS to standard DVD in HD to playback on a HD DVD player?

I also used ConvertxtoDVD but it encodes for standard DVD only. I would like to keep the HD for playback in an HD DVD player.
QUOTE]
There is currently no method of backing up BD or HD-DVD discs with any available software right now. This thread deals with creating HD-DVDs from HD content recorded with a digital camcorder or other HD recorder and not for making backups of commercial HD discs. VideoReDo won't recognize the files you're pulling off your BD disc because it's not a supported format.

There is currently no method of backing up BD or HD-DVD discs with any available software right now. This thread deals with creating HD-DVDs from HD content recorded with a digital camcorder or other HD recorder and not for making backups of commercial HD discs. VideoReDo won't recognize the files you're pulling off your BD disc because it's not a supported format.

Even though ConvertxtoDVD will recognize both formats that I have (.MKV & .TS) but the only problem is it encodes the output for standard DVD, you're saying there is no way to output to HD with some other program (like a ConvertxtoHDDVD)? The sorce files are only about 8.5GB in size.

Thanks!

Even though ConvertxtoDVD will recognize both formats that I have (.MKV & .TS) but the only problem is it encodes the output for standard DVD, you're saying there is no way to output to HD with some other program (like a ConvertxtoHDDVD)? The sorce files are only about 8.5GB in size.

Thanks!

The problem is that the current tools available to author HD-DVD only accept MPEG2 streams. What you have wrapped in your .MKV & .TS are either VC-1 or AVC/H.264. In order to get your material onto HD-DVD, you would need to convert your highly compressed VC-1 (or AVC) stream into MPEG2. What you would end up with is a file approximately twice the size (~ 17GB in this case). Not to mention the fact that the conversion would probably take a really long time, and you would most likely lose quality, even though the resulting file is bigger.

Bottom line - we're all waiting patiently for a consumer level tool to author VC-1 and/or AVC HD-DVD (on standard DVD).

Bottom line - we're all waiting patiently for a consumer level tool to author VC-1 and/or AVC HD-DVD (on standard DVD).

Thanks for the answer.

Let me ask you this. If I take my highly compressed HD source material and use ConvertxtoDVD and make a standard DVD from it. Does the output quality come out better than what Hollywood would normally release on standard DVD's?

Thanks for the answer.

Let me ask you this. If I take my highly compressed HD source material and use ConvertxtoDVD and make a standard DVD from it. Does the output quality come out better than what Hollywood would normally release on standard DVD's?

No - you will not get better quality than a standard Hollywood DVD. Could you come close to "studio" DVD quality? Maybe. I don't know anything about ConvertxtoDVD, but if you targeted your DVD encode for DVD-9 and maybe used ~9mbps CBR, I imagine you'd get pretty good results. Remember, studios encode DVDs from a higher quality master than your HDDVD/BluRay rips, and they have expensive professional encoders and compressionists to do the job. My best advice - try it and see how it looks.

No - you will not get better quality than a standard Hollywood DVD. Could you come close to "studio" DVD quality? Maybe. I don't know anything about ConvertxtoDVD, but if you targeted your DVD encode for DVD-9 and maybe used ~9mbps CBR, I imagine you'd get pretty good results. Remember, studios encode DVDs from a higher quality master than your HDDVD/BluRay rips, and they have expensive professional encoders and compressionists to do the job. My best advice - try it and see how it looks.

Let me ask another question.
If I already have the source material on my computer and I want to output it to my 50" plasma tv, can I do it with a DVI to HDMI cable?

I have an ATI X1950Pro video card. It has two DVI outputs. I have a Pioneer PDP-5070HD plasma with two HDMI inputs. I'm thinking it's just a matter of hooking up my computer to my plasma via DVI to HDMI cable.

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks for all of your help.

Let me ask another question.
If I already have the source material on my computer and I want to output it to my 50" plasma tv, can I do it with a DVI to HDMI cable?

I have an ATI X1950Pro video card. It has two DVI outputs. I have a Pioneer PDP-5070HD plasma with two HDMI inputs. I'm thinking it's just a matter of hooking up my computer to my plasma via DVI to HDMI cable.

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks for all of your help.

I would think this solution would work just fine. Because you've stripped out any DRM from the source, HDCP shouldn't be an issue. You're now entering HTPC territory (home theater PC). If I'm not mistaken, there's a whole section of AVS dedicated to the topic:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=26

I would think this solution would work just fine. Because you've stripped out any DRM from the source, HDCP shouldn't be an issue. You're now entering HTPC territory (home theater PC). If I'm not mistaken, there's a whole section of AVS dedicated to the topic:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=26

Thank you for your help.

No - you will not get better quality than a standard Hollywood DVD. Could you come close to "studio" DVD quality? Maybe. I don't know anything about ConvertxtoDVD, but if you targeted your DVD encode for DVD-9 and maybe used ~9mbps CBR, I imagine you'd get pretty good results. Remember, studios encode DVDs from a higher quality master than your HDDVD/BluRay rips, and they have expensive professional encoders and compressionists to do the job. My best advice - try it and see how it looks.
My guess is that the end result using either source would be comparable to a commercial DVD, although I have no experience with ConvertxtoDVD either. Standard DVDs are 720x480 and use a much lower bitrate than either HD-DVDs or BD discs as well as the original source material. You're starting with a high quality source file and converting to a lower resolution and bitrate so the end result should be pretty close to a "studio" DVD. In many cases you could probably end up with a better image than some commercial DVDs by using a higher bitrate. I'm sure some studios scrimp on the bitrates to keep the file size to a minimum, thus allowing more room for extras on the DVD.

I got my A2 yesterday, and even before I got it i used this thread to Author an HD-DVD from my HV20 camcorder. Everything worked great when I played the disc. The audio however did not work through my receiver (hooked up via optical) when I had Bitstream selected. When I changed this to PCM, everything worked fine. Anyway to get it to work via Bitstream so i don't have to go to the settings and change back and forth between purchased discs and homebrew ones?

I got my A2 yesterday, and even before I got it i used this thread to Author an HD-DVD from my HV20 camcorder. Everything worked great when I played the disc. The audio however did not work through my receiver (hooked up via optical) when I had Bitstream selected. When I changed this to PCM, everything worked fine. Anyway to get it to work via Bitstream so i don't have to go to the settings and change back and forth between purchased discs and homebrew ones?
The HV20 records MPEG1 Audio Layer II (2 ch). I think you'll need to convert the audio to AC-3 before authoring to solve your problem. This might be a pain for "straight to disc" projects (no editing), but should be part of your workflow for "edited" projects. I would run a test on a short sample clip burned to RW to see if my assumption is correct. Let us know the outcome.

The HV20 records MPEG1 Audio Layer II (2 ch). I think you'll need to convert the audio to AC-3 before authoring to solve your problem. This might be a pain for "straight to disc" projects (no editing), but should be part of your workflow for "edited" projects. I would run a test on a short sample clip burned to RW to see if my assumption is correct. Let us know the outcome.

I'll be taking some footage this weekend, so I'll be sure to try it out...

Below is the procedure I used to burn on a
LITE-ON SHM-165P6S with Nero 6.6.1.15

Technique 2 (works with Nero 6 and 7):

a. Start Notepad or any word processor that allows you to create a .txt file. Leave the document blank (don’t type in anything). Select File>Save and save the blank document as text (.txt format) in a handy place on your hard drive – call it VIDEO_TS.VOB (.txt will be added automatically). Open Windows Explorer and find your new text file. Right click on it and go to rename. Delete the .txt from the end. Ignore the Windows warning and click “Yes.” Your file should now appear as VIDEO_TS.VOB. Special note: if you can't see the .txt extension in Windows Explorer, it probably means you have your computer set to hide file extensions. Open Explorer and select from the menu Tools>Folder Options... . Select the "View" tab. Find the box for "Hide extensions for known file types." and deselect it. Click "OK." You should now be able to see the .txt extension.
b. Start Nero Burning ROM and select the Nero Burning ROM application.
c. In the left column, select DVD Video and click “New.”
d. In the right column, select the drive where the new VIDEO_TS.VOB file is located. Drag that file onto (on top of, not above it) the VIDEO_TS folder in the leftmost column. (Make sure it’s in the VIDEO_TS folder, not in the root directory.)
e. Go back to the rightmost column and find the HD DVD folder you created in Ulead Movie Factory 5. Drag that folder into the leftmost column. Make sure NOT to put it into the VIDEO_TS folder. This folder must reside in the root directory.
f. Load in a recordable DVD (single or double layer, depending on the size of your project). Make sure your DVD burner is selected in Nero (click the “Choose a recorder” button).
g. Click the Disc/Lit Match icon to burn the current compilation. Ignore any warning messages the system displays by clicking “OK.”

Try your new HD DVD in your HD DVD player.

Am I right that the only reason to create the dummy VIDEO_TS_VOB in the VIDEO_TS folder is to trick Nero to burn the disk in DVD video mode? Or is there another reason? Because I made many disks without it and they play perfectly fine on my A1. However, maybe it's necessary for playback on the A2/E1?

On a side note, I can confirm the stuttering of +R DL disks in my A1, something that has been mentioned many times in this thread. I can clearly hear the drive rereading a section of the disk, so it has nothing to do with the bitrate of the content on the disk. Usually when I stop the disk and play the same part again it plays smoothly through the part it first stuttered. Also the stuttering is the worst at the beginning and end of the disk, so at the inner section of the disk.

Maybe this was mentioned somewhere in this monstrous thread.... but my search of "Magix" did not turn up anything directly on point.....

I am a brand new HD-D2 owner (the Costco special) who was referred to the thread when I asked the question about playing my HD media files on this player.

After reading this thread, I decided to take a gamble and buy Magix Movie Edit Pro 12 as the only way authoring HD-DVD's is worth it to me is if it is somewhat "no brainer".

So I have a film I made for my family recently that I used Adobe Premeire Pro 2.0 to put together. The footage was shot on my Sony HC1 HD camera and runs about 5 minutes.

HUGE success on my first try with this program.

I imported the .m2t which I had saved a month or so ago from PP2. I opened a project with 1920x1080i NTSC settings and selected "Import Video" to bring in my movie. Magix popped up a box saying my movie was in 1440x1080 resolution (which it is) and did I want to automatically adjust the project settings to reflect this. I selected Yes.

I then hit the BURN button and selected mini-HD-DVD. I put in a standard DVD-R disk, hit burn, and went to watch an episode of The Office.

Popped the disk when it was done, put it in the HD-D2.... and worked like a charm!

It even started with a default menu that showed the name of my file and a thumbnail from the first frame of video.

Only thing I had to change on the HD-D2 was the SPDIF audio out from Bitstream to PCM in order to get any sound. I assume since this was a movie that only had stereo audio from a music track playing is why I had to do this.

I have some .ts streams on a hard drive that I'm going to try next. I *think* some of them are AC-3 so it will be interesting to see if the sound encodes correctly.

All in all... this rates a 10 for me as it was totally plug-and-play.

I'll report back on the .ts experiment if anyone is interested.

Regards,

Paul

Definitely interested, Paul. Keep us informed.

Paul,

How long did it take to burn your 5 minute clip?

And does it show with a bar graph or something else , that it is burning?

I have uploaded a very small video converted to HD-DVD using Magix:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UBE87BR3
It took me only 4 min to open an HDV transport file, click through all the settings and get it burned.
The disk plays in PowerDVD.
Would be nice to hear from the fine folks here whether it plays in their standalone player.

Just posting the results of some of my quick tests to try and get HD video off a Canon HV20 camcorder onto DVD to play on my Toshiba A2 HD-DVD player.

I downloaded trial version of two different software packages: CyberLink Power Producer v4 and ULead DVD Movie Factor 4+. I was unable to get Power Producer to even get to the point of burning a disk. The software kept crashing. After the third attempt, I gave up. I then moved on to ULead MF6+. I was able to burn HD to some Verbatim DVD+R (8x write speed) disks that I had laying around. The results were not good--my A2 would hiccup and stutter the video and audio. I went went to a local store and purchased some Maxell DVD-R (16x write speed) disks. So far, these disks appear to play perfectly with my A2. All these are single-layer disks. I was not able to find any Verbatim DVD-R's. I also purchased some Memorex DVD-R's, but have not yet tried them. I'll probably try them in the coming days. I have a friend at work that owns the X-box 360 add-on, and I'll bring him some of my disks and report back if he was able to play them or not. (Oh, I was using the standard HD mode in the HV20--I was not using 24P.)

In summary:
Canon HV-20, ULead MF6+, Maxwell DVD-R (16x write), Toshiba A2 = Good Resullts

Just posting the results of some of my quick tests to try and get HD video off a Canon HV20 camcorder onto DVD to play on my Toshiba A2 HD-DVD player.

I downloaded trial version of two different software packages: CyberLink Power Producer v4 and ULead DVD Movie Factor 4+. I was unable to get Power Producer to even get to the point of burning a disk. The software kept crashing. After the third attempt, I gave up. I then moved on to ULead MF6+. I was able to burn HD to some Verbatim DVD+R (8x write speed) disks that I had laying around. The results were not good--my A2 would hiccup and stutter the video and audio. I went went to a local store and purchased some Maxell DVD-R (16x write speed) disks. So far, these disks appear to play perfectly with my A2. All these are single-layer disks. I was not able to find any Verbatim DVD-R's. I also purchased some Memorex DVD-R's, but have not yet tried them. I'll probably try them in the coming days. I have a friend at work that owns the X-box 360 add-on, and I'll bring him some of my disks and report back if he was able to play them or not. (Oh, I was using the standard HD mode in the HV20--I was not using 24P.)

In summary:
Canon HV-20, ULead MF6+, Maxwell DVD-R (16x write), Toshiba A2 = Good Resullts

I'm still plugging along with the Tosh A1 for now, but it plays perfectly everything I throw at it, +R/-R/+RW/dual layer. I think the quality of the burner makes the difference. A good burner makes good disks even with questionable media. To know for sure, you need utility software that reads the disk surface for parity errors, otherwise we're just making guesses. In general, Verbatim is one of the top quality brands. The other is Taiyo Yuden. Memorex can be hit or miss, depending on which 3rd party manufacturer made the batch.

I'm using the Canon XH-A1 and HV10, Ulead MF6+, Tosh A1, all perfect results whether 60i or 24F.

Just posting the results of some of my quick tests to try and get HD video off a Canon HV20 camcorder onto DVD to play on my Toshiba A2 HD-DVD player.

I downloaded trial version of two different software packages: CyberLink Power Producer v4 and ULead DVD Movie Factor 4+. I was unable to get Power Producer to even get to the point of burning a disk. The software kept crashing. After the third attempt, I gave up. I then moved on to ULead MF6+. I was able to burn HD to some Verbatim DVD+R (8x write speed) disks that I had laying around. The results were not good--my A2 would hiccup and stutter the video and audio. I went went to a local store and purchased some Maxell DVD-R (16x write speed) disks. So far, these disks appear to play perfectly with my A2. All these are single-layer disks. I was not able to find any Verbatim DVD-R's. I also purchased some Memorex DVD-R's, but have not yet tried them. I'll probably try them in the coming days. I have a friend at work that owns the X-box 360 add-on, and I'll bring him some of my disks and report back if he was able to play them or not. (Oh, I was using the standard HD mode in the HV20--I was not using 24P.)

In summary:
Canon HV-20, ULead MF6+, Maxwell DVD-R (16x write), Toshiba A2 = Good Resullts

BJGuillot, I own the HV-10 and the HDA1 from Toshiba. I have the opposite problem than you. I can't get my -R disks to play in the HD-A1. I am 99% sure that it is my burner. I am going to purchase a new burner shortly. I use Ulead MF6 for everything except down converting to SD-DVD. It does not do that real well. I use Nero 7 for downconverting the HDV footage into DVD quality.
You are using the fastest system right now for making home made HD-DVD with HDVD camcorders.

I got my A2 yesterday, and even before I got it i used this thread to Author an HD-DVD from my HV20 camcorder. Everything worked great when I played the disc. The audio however did not work through my receiver (hooked up via optical) when I had Bitstream selected. When I changed this to PCM, everything worked fine. Anyway to get it to work via Bitstream so i don't have to go to the settings and change back and forth between purchased discs and homebrew ones?

Browerjs. MF6 used to convert the audio to DD when I first installed and it would play over bitstream. For some reason, it quit working and now it converts the Mp2 audio format in HDV to LPCM. There is a work around but it sucks and adds much more time to the workflow. Now I just reset the audio to PCM to my receiver.

Browerjs. MF6 used to convert the audio to DD when I first installed and it would play over bitstream. For some reason, it quit working and now it converts the Mp2 audio format in HDV to LPCM. There is a work around but it sucks and adds much more time to the workflow. Now I just reset the audio to PCM to my receiver.

I found the option to do the conversion to DD, but for some reason, everytime i did it, when writing the output, i got an unspecified error.

Because I have my A2 hooked up to my plasma via HDMI, and use optical to my receiver, i found the easiest way for me to get sound was to turn on my plasma's speakers (since I normally have them turned off) when playing a homebrew HD-DVD, instead of changing the A2 to PCM.

Womble MPEG Video Wizard DVD has a built-in AC3 5.1 encoder.

1.) Import your HDV camcorder footage
2.) Make your frame accurate edits. Add transitions, titling etc.
3.) Export it with 5.1 audio in one step without re-encoding the video (smart render)
4.) Author it to HD-DVD with Ulead MF6+

Plays back from your HD-DVD player with bitstream audio, 5.1 channel Dolby Digital

This workflow is faster than anything else you've tried. I'll bet your paycheck on it.
You can download a 100% functional 30 day trial from Womble.

I found the option to do the conversion to DD, but for some reason, everytime i did it, when writing the output, i got an unspecified error.

Because I have my A2 hooked up to my plasma via HDMI, and use optical to my receiver, i found the easiest way for me to get sound was to turn on my plasma's speakers (since I normally have them turned off) when playing a homebrew HD-DVD, instead of changing the A2 to PCM.

My HD-A1 is as slow as a turtle on downers. To change the audio just isn't worth so I am doing the same thing on DLP and using the internal audio on the HDTV!

It really sucks that MF6 quit changing the audio to bitstream but I can't figure it out. :(
I even tried reinstalling it!

Anyway, Tom has a new solution I may try. He has been very helpful in the past with this issue.
Thanks for the info Tom. I will give it a try!

This workflow is faster than anything else you've tried. I'll bet your paycheck on it.
You can download a 100% functional 30 day trial from Womble.

You would laugh at my recent paychecks Tom. I'll put it this way, if I had your paycheck, I'd burn mine. :eek: Its that bad right now :(

Thanks again for your invaluable information. I am downloading the trial right now!

Hello all,

I've had great success burning high bitrate content on Verbatim DVD-R DL without any stuttering issues (I have an A2 with 1.6fw, a Sony DRU-810A burner, and am using Nero 7).

The Verbatims are pricey so I thought I'd try less expensive Ritek DVD-R DLs. A few have worked, but I notice nearly every burn fails/hangs at the layer change moment on the A2. Sometimes it can get past it, sometimes not. There are usually 3 to 4 such pauses then the movie resumes. Each pause last about 10 seconds.

Now, I know I'm playing with fire here a bit, because the Riteks are notorious for burner compatibility issues, and my burner is not on the compatibility list.
However, I have been able to do a handful of successful HD-DVDs on Riteks without any pauses/hangs.

In the end, if I have to, I'll stick with the Verbatims ($4 each or so). Just wondering if anyone has any experience/advice/kind words. :)

Chris

I found the option to do the conversion to DD, but for some reason, everytime i did it, when writing the output, i got an unspecified error.

Because I have my A2 hooked up to my plasma via HDMI, and use optical to my receiver, i found the easiest way for me to get sound was to turn on my plasma's speakers (since I normally have them turned off) when playing a homebrew HD-DVD, instead of changing the A2 to PCM.

browerjs, I just tried the Womble MPEG DVD and it works like a dream. It takes about 5 minutes to convert a 4 gig HDV file to AC-3 Audio. I set it to 5.1 and on some Waterfall stuff, I could hear through the rear speakers! Very cool way to convert the audio!
Give it a try!

Thanks again Tom!
:)

browerjs, I just tried the Womble MPEG DVD and it works like a dream. It takes about 5 minutes to convert a 4 gig HDV file to AC-3 Audio. I set it to 5.1 and on some Waterfall stuff, I could hear through the rear speakers! Very cool way to convert the audio!
Give it a try!

Thanks again Tom!
:)

I'm glad you found it helpful. Thanks for posting!

browerjs, I just tried the Womble MPEG DVD and it works like a dream. It takes about 5 minutes to convert a 4 gig HDV file to AC-3 Audio. I set it to 5.1 and on some Waterfall stuff, I could hear through the rear speakers! Very cool way to convert the audio!
Give it a try!

Thanks again Tom!
:)

Hmmm... i tried using Womble and I think I was able to convert to 5.1, but when I tried adding the resulting mpg in MF6, it crashed...

My process in Womble:

1. Added *.m2t files to the project
2. Moved the m2t files to the timeline
3. Exported using MPEG Transport (default) and 5.1 Audio
4. Tried adding resulting mpg to MF6 project, crashed on the add file dialog box.

What process are you using, what are you using to capture (I was using Vegas)

3. Exported using MPEG Transport (default) and 5.1 Audio

Export as mpeg-2 Program, not Transport, and name the file with *.mpg file extension, not m2t.

Ok, this is my first attempt at changing a .ts stream into HD DVD compliancy. I followed the tutorial to a tee in doing the conversion of Star Wars Episode V that was recorded off of HBO Cinemax (looked beautiful, can't wait for lucas to get off his ass and creat a Blu/HD DVD version of the movie).

Anyways, I ran VideoReDo to split the 16.51 gig file into 4.3 gig increments. Ran the .mpg files and they ran fine. However when I ran the files through Ulead 6 and burn them I get severe video stuttering and audio drop outs regularly. Is there something that I'm doing wrong? is Ulead 6 not compatible or something???

EDIT: Well, I figured it out. I had to switch to DVD-R's being that my D2 doesn't like +R's

Hmmm... i tried using Womble and I think I was able to convert to 5.1, but when I tried adding the resulting mpg in MF6, it crashed...

My process in Womble:

1. Added *.m2t files to the project
2. Moved the m2t files to the timeline
3. Exported using MPEG Transport (default) and 5.1 Audio
4. Tried adding resulting mpg to MF6 project, crashed on the add file dialog box.

What process are you using, what are you using to capture (I was using Vegas)

Browerjs, I use the freeware CapDVHS.
You can get it here: http://www.videohelp.com/tools/CapDVHS
I use it to get the video off of my HV-10. Then, I send the file to VideoRedo to get it into a compliant MPEG2 file. (I use the guide at the beggining of this thread).
I now load the file into Womble MPEG Video Wizard DVD by hitting the file button. I then drage the file to the timeline (top timelime) then hit the export button at the top that looks like a cassette tape. Hit the video button in the Export Window. make sure it is set to MPEG2.
I then click the audio tab and select audio to AC-3 in the section that says stream to the left. I then go down to the channels section and select 5.1.
Click on the monitor tab, and hit save.
Once its done its job, I close it, open MF6 and make my disk. I just made a 5.8 gig HD-DVD of our annual memorial day basketball game! In 5.1 all the way!

Browerjs, I use the freeware CapDVHS.
You can get it here: http://www.videohelp.com/tools/CapDVHS
I use it to get the video off of my HV-10. Then, I send the file to VideoRedo to get it into a compliant MPEG2 file. (I use the guide at the beggining of this thread).
I now load the file into Womble MPEG Video Wizard DVD by hitting the file button. I then drage the file to the timeline (top timelime) then hit the export button at the top that looks like a cassette tape. Hit the video button in the Export Window. make sure it is set to MPEG2.
I then click the audio tab and select audio to AC-3 in the section that says stream to the left. I then go down to the channels section and select 5.1.
Click on the monitor tab, and hit save.
Once its done its job, I close it, open MF6 and make my disk. I just made a 5.8 gig HD-DVD of our annual memorial day basketball game! In 5.1 all the way!

Forget the VideoRedo step! Womble gets it into a compliant mpeg2 file better and faster.

1.) CapDVHS
2.) Womble
3.) MF6+

All you need right there.

I am trying to use Womble on a file from the Aiptek Go-HD HDV camcorder.

I am able to import the file, I click on the cassette tape export icon at the top, but the
dialog box that comes up wants to render my file as 320x240, even after I change it to MPEG 2 program.

It also says my output file will be 13MB (from an HDV souce file of 38MB).


Ideas?

I changed the output resolution to 1280x720 to match the source. It's running now - taking a while, looking like it's re-rendering.

I didn't see a "smart render" option.

I am trying to use Womble on a file from the Aiptek Go-HD HDV camcorder.

I am able to import the file, I click on the cassette tape export icon at the top, but the
dialog box that comes up wants to render my file as 320x240, even after I change it to MPEG 2 program.

It also says my output file will be 13MB (from an HDV souce file of 38MB).

Ideas?

Drag it on the timeline, then right-click on it, view properties. Are you sure it's 1440 x 1080?

Another thing...see the red button at the lower right hand corner? Click on that, then click on Detail. If the resolution is anything other than 1440x1080 *and* the video bar is blue (100% stream copy), then it's not HDV resolution. Not saying that's the case, just mentioning the possibility. See what's coming up as the default.

Drag it on the timeline, then right-click on it, view properties. Are you sure it's 1440 x 1080?

Another thing...see the red button at the lower right hand corner? Click on that, then click on Detail. If the resolution is anything other than 1440x1080 *and* the video bar is blue (100% stream copy), then it's not HDV resolution. Not saying that's the case, just mentioning the possibility.

No, it's 1280x720 from the camera.

VideoRedo won't open it - gives an error about elementary streams. This is the version you can download from their main page.

No, it's 1280x720 from the camera.

VideoRedo won't open it - gives an error about elementary streams. This is the version you can download from their main page.

VideoRedo is not necessary for the HD-DVD authoring workflow when Womble is used. The problem is that Ulead MF won't author 720p streams to HD-DVD.

So let's go through the steps, bearing in mind that Womble works best when it's not rendering video. It will do that, but Vegas, TMPGEnc, Canopus, Main Concept, Nero are better at rendering. And that's what needs to happen to get your 720p playable on HD-DVD.

Back in a few minutes.

Tom -

Thanks for all your help. I guess I'm not understanding why re-rendering has to happen to get to HD-DVD. HD-DVD supports 720p, doesn't it?

I have Nero, by the way.

Again, thanks for your help. Sorry, but I have to run. I have an 8-hour test tomorrow (arggh). I'll come back tomorrow night (or possibly at lunch).

Rick

To make your 720p compatible with Ulead's MF authoring tool for HD-DVD, 720p is going to have to be upscaled to 1920x1080. That means it has to be rendered, unfortunately. It's up to you whether you want Womble to do this for you, or you use one of the aforementioned better encoders. Best to render it to 1920x1080 before importing it into Womble. You're call. Womble can do it for you if you want to save time.


Womble steps:

1.) Click on the cassette tape
2.) On file format, choose the dropdown selection for MPEG-2 Program
3.) Click the video tab
4.) Click the expert button
5.) Algorithm - choose Smart Fast. This re-encodes only a frame or two adjacent to the frame accurate edit points, so you preserve quality and speed.
6.) Accept the other defaults. PAR 9/16 is another way of stating the pixel aspect ratio, 16x9. HDV 1080i is actually 1440x1080, not 1920x1080, so it's necessary to select 9/16 PAR. But for 1280x720, you would choose 1.000 square sample. Those are probably the defaults anyway.
7.) Click the Audio tab, choose your AC-3 5.1 audio there.
8.) Click the Monitor tab, choose Detail to view the parameters. If all good, click Start.

Tom -

Thanks for all your help. I guess I'm not understanding why re-rendering has to happen to get to HD-DVD. HD-DVD supports 720p, doesn't it?

I have Nero, by the way.

Again, thanks for your help. Sorry, but I have to run. I have an 8-hour test tomorrow (arggh). I'll come back tomorrow night (or possibly at lunch).

Rick

HD-DVD supports 720p output yes, but not 720p input.
Ulead MF needs your Mpeg-2 Program file to be one of the following:

- 1920 x 1080i/p
- 1440 x 1080i/p

No, it's 1280x720 from the camera.

VideoRedo won't open it - gives an error about elementary streams. This is the version you can download from their main page.

Aiptek Go-HD based on Ambarella H264 codec and record to *.mov container.
Womble don't support H264 - only mpeg2 editing.

Possible you can author HD-DVD 1280x720p30 use DVD Studio Pro (Mac)
w/o recompression original stream.

Aiptek Go-HD based on Ambarella H264 codec and record to *.mov container.
Womble don't support H264 - only mpeg2 editing.

Possible you can author HD-DVD 1280x720p30 use DVD Studio Pro (Mac)
w/o recompression original stream.

Good catch. And that explains his problem with 320x240. Womble clip properties correctly displays the file as 1280x720, but edits it as mpeg1 320x240...not good.

So the only thing Womble can offer is to encode the AC3 5.1 audio after he's first used something else to get the file into mpeg2.

But if Ulead Movie Factory is the end game, still got to get it to 1440 or 1920 x1080 because no HD-DVD input support for 720p.

But if Ulead Movie Factory is the end game, still got to get it to 1440 or 1920 x1080 because no HD-DVD input support for 720p.
Uh, we've been using Ulead to author 720p for a while now. You just have to "trick" it into thinking it's a 1080i file (using HDPatch). Read the first post in this thread...

Uh, we've been using Ulead to author 720p for a while now. You just have to "trick" it into thinking it's a 1080i file (using HDPatch). Read the first post in this thread...

Okay!

HD-DVD supports 720p output yes, but not 720p input.
Ulead MF needs your Mpeg-2 Program file to be one of the following:

- 1920 x 1080i/p
- 1440 x 1080i/p

Ulead will also process a 1280x1080i MPEG2 file without re-encoding (as mentioned in the guide at the beginning of the thread).

Tom Roper
I'm sorry, Tom, my mistake... I've download latest update for womble DVD wizard(04-30-07) and able import *mov sample recorded by Aiptek Go-HD.
Property (clip information)
Video-----------
Format:H.264
Size: 1280x720
Frame rate: 30 frames/sec
Audio----------
Format: AAC
Channel: Stereo
Bit Rate: 0 Kbps
Sample rate: 48.0 KHz

Possible edit on timeline and export to *mov but i can not find option how to make editing without reencoding in same way as mpeg2.

Tom Roper
I'm sorry, Tom, my mistake... I've download latest update for womble DVD wizard(04-30-07) and able import *mov sample recorded by Aiptek Go-HD.
Property (clip information)
Video-----------
Format:H.264
Size: 1280x720
Frame rate: 30 frames/sec
Audio----------
Format: AAC
Channel: Stereo
Bit Rate: 0 Kbps
Sample rate: 48.0 KHz

Possible edit on timeline and export to *mov but i can not find option how to make editing without reencoding in same way as mpeg2.
Edit again: sorry vsv - looks like you were only commenting on the fact that womble doesnt "smart-render" h.264. The response below is more relevent to the rickforrest discussion above...

I'm not sure I understand exactly what you mean in that last sentence, but you do understand that H.264 and mpeg2 are different codecs right (edit: sorry, of course you do - you pointed it out in the first place)? Now, technically HD-DVD supports H.264**, but there currently is not a consumer level tool to author H.264 HD-DVDs. The only way to get your video into Ulead right now is to transcode your stream from H.264 to mpeg2. This process will result in a larger file size and you will likely lose some video quality - and it might take a long time. You will also need to make sure that the audio is transcoded to ac3. Once you've transcoded from H.264/aac to mpeg2/ac3, you should be able to use Ulead to author an HD-DVD. You may need to use the HDPatch trick (see the guide in the first post of this thread) if you keep the resolution at 1280x720p (which I would recommend).

** Even when an H.264 authoring tool is available, we can't be sure that streams like yours will be HD-DVD compliant (and therefore not require a re-encode). Hopefully the camcorder engineers were kind enough to use an H.264 profile that is HD-DVD compliant, but we won't know until the tools arrive.

Edit again: sorry vsv - looks like you were only commenting on the fact that womble doesnt "smart-render" h.264. The response below is more relevent to the rickforrest discussion above...

I'm not sure I understand exactly what you mean in that last sentence, but you do understand that H.264 and mpeg2 are different codecs right (edit: sorry, of course you do - you pointed it out in the first place)? Now, technically HD-DVD supports H.264**, but there currently is not a consumer level tool to author H.264 HD-DVDs. The only way to get your video into Ulead right now is to transcode your stream from H.264 to mpeg2. This process will result in a larger file size and you will likely lose some video quality - and it might take a long time. You will also need to make sure that the audio is transcoded to ac3. Once you've transcoded from H.264/aac to mpeg2/ac3, you should be able to use Ulead to author an HD-DVD. You may need to use the HDPatch trick (see the guide in the first post of this thread) if you keep the resolution at 1280x720p (which I would recommend).

** Even when an H.264 authoring tool is available, we can't be sure that streams like yours will be HD-DVD compliant (and therefore not require a re-encode). Hopefully the camcorder engineers were kind enough to use an H.264 profile that is HD-DVD compliant, but we won't know until the tools arrive.

Ditto what he said

Using the methods here to make a red laser HD-DVD, what happens if this disk is placed into a Blueray player? Will it play at all? Without the menus, etc?

Using the methods here to make a red laser HD-DVD, what happens if this disk is placed into a Blueray player? Will it play at all? Without the menus, etc?

HD-DVD, among other things, is a way of laying out files and the associated menus, and which video files are associated with "chapters". Microsoft and the dvd-hd assoc. have put a lot of time into detailing this structure and what/how things are done. It's almost a scripting/programming language/std onto itself.

So if you burn a red-laser HD-DVD, the files can be read on blu ray players, but they won't understand the structure any of these files and you won't get any video.

Sorry.

This is also what I thought since the file layout of Blueray BD9 and 3X HD-DVD are very different. Is it true that the red laser DVDs produced by AVCHD camcorders can only be viewed in Blueray players and not, for example, in the Toshiba HD-A2?

In the world of computers, Macintosh/Windows/Unix, it is possible to create a DVD in such a way that each type of computer sees a different directory structure with some files in common and others which are different. I thought there might be a similar way to merge Blueray BD9 with 3X HD-DVD layouts to create a high definition red laser DVD that plays on both Blueray and HD-DVD players with a playback control and menus.

Am I right that if you forego the need for a playback control, then both Blueray and HD-DVD players will play AVC, VC1 and mpeg2 program streams that appear as normal files in an ISO9660 filesystem?

Is it true that the red laser DVDs produced by AVCHD camcorders can only be viewed in Blueray players...



In fact these red laser AVCHD disks can NOT even be viewed by standalone BD players. (yes, I tested it myself a year ago) Only a PC like device such as PS3 can read the disk as data files without any BD authoring done. Since vast majority of BD players out there are PS3s people are not even aware of the fact that Sony's own HD video out of these AVCHD cams won't even play in BD players(except PS3 which doesn't require authoring of any video data).

I am really hoping Toshiba or someone releases some HD-DVD PC recorder drives fast. I am tired of making Dual layer DVD coasters and could use a disk with 15 or 30 gigs (if the 30 gig dual layer will burn consistantly). BR is just to advanced in terms of authoring and AVCHD is a bad joke IMO in terms of picture quality. I don't understand why Sony does what every Matsushita wants and caved. HDV is fine.

I am really hoping Toshiba or someone releases some HD-DVD PC recorder drives fast. I am tired of making Dual layer DVD coasters and could use a disk with 15 or 30 gigs (if the 30 gig dual layer will burn consistantly). BR is just to advanced in terms of authoring and AVCHD is a bad joke IMO in terms of picture quality. I don't understand why Sony does what every Matsushita wants and caved. HDV is fine.

I hope so too. It seems they are coming quite slowly. Toshibia has fired up the PR engine for the soon-to-arrive laptop(s) that should have hd-dvd writers. Hopefully we will be able to purchase the drives separate from laptops soon

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/04/toshiba-unveils-hd-dvd-rw-writer-for-laptops/

Even if PC HD-DVD burners become available they'll still be quite expensive for a good while. Recordable media is outrageously expensive and will stay that way until the PC burners saturate enough of the market to drive the costs down. I've been burning HD movies to DVD-R discs for a while now and most movies only require 2-3 discs. If someone were to introduce a HD-DVD changer then we'd be in business. I'd rather be able to do it all on one disc, but for now I'll make do with what's available.

Even if PC HD-DVD burners become available they'll still be quite expensive for a good while. Recordable media is outrageously expensive and will stay that way until the PC burners saturate enough of the market to drive the costs down. I've been burning HD movies to DVD-R discs for a while now and most movies only require 2-3 discs. If someone were to introduce a HD-DVD changer then we'd be in business. I'd rather be able to do it all on one disc, but for now I'll make do with what's available.

I agree. The problem is I am not taking recorded TV content and making copies of them. I doing home HDV movie authoring with my Canon HV-10 camcorder. The files are really big. If I add effects, menu systems or music, it adds even more to the files and they are even bigger. Most of my stuff is under 4 gig but I just got back from a camping trip and I have 20 gigs worth of footage. The HD-DVD would be very handy.

Please hurry Toshiba!

I have been trying to convert some of my D-VHS tapes to DVDs, with mixed results.

I have been using CapDVHS to get my files from tape to the PC. I have tried the demo of VideoRedo, HDTV2MPG2, and ProjectX for converting and editing the .TS files to MPG2. For authoring I have been using the Ulead Movie Factory 6 demo, to make .ISO files. To burn the .ISO files to disks I have been using ImgBurn.

My problem seems to be in converting the .TS files to .MPG2. So far I have only gotten VideoRedo to work on two short clips (of Bob Seger) from the Tonight Show and The Late Show, where I have been able to take its file and use it in Ulead and burn a good disk. Every larger file I have worked on VideoRedo stops converting the file, and I only get part of the program. I don't get a error message or anything. I have tried to take some of these files into Ulead and gotten errors when Ulead trys to make a .ISO image. I have been able to convert two different half hour long PBS programs that are in 720p using HDTV2MPG2, and they turned out great! I also have a hour long PBS program that I think I converted with ProjectX (maybe HDTV2MPG2, I don't remember for sure) and it worked fine.

My files from my local NBC and CBS stations show the data stream as being 1920 x 1088i, and when I try and watch or edit these files in VideoRedo the display screen is green and white with side by side images in the display (like double vision). These same .TS files look fine, in color in both VLC and in HDTV2MPG2. My 720p files display fine in VideoRedo.

Anybody have any ideas?

When you do larger files in VRD you need to make sure the entire file is of the same video property. If your DHVS recorded shows off different channels then they may carry different resolutions and etc. VRD will choke if stream switches its properties in middle of its loading or converson.

All the files I have tried in VRD are single recordings where all of the file is from one station, recorded at the same time, so the video properties should be the same for the whole file.

You need to make sure you have the bitrate set high enough in VRD to handle the HD files. The default setting is well below the optimal value. The maximum bitrate for broadcast programming is about 19.4 Mbps so you should make sure the bitrate is set to 20 Mbps or higher. I believe it's part of the Options menu under the transport stream output settings. You should be getting an error message if VRD stops processing due to an insufficient bitrate setting (buffer underflow error?)

Thanks for the tips.

I did some more with VRD last night and found out that the files I was getting are 10 minutes long. So I split my video into 10 minutes or less .MPG files. Ulead didn't like them as 1088i files, so I ran the "patch" on them, and Ulead was re-encoding them when I left this morning. I hope to see tonight how it works out.

Has anyone used the Movie Magix Pro 12 solution for authoring 720p (and preferably 24p) projects? I have an HD short film project edited in Avid Xpress Pro HD (1280x720), and then converted to mpeg2 with TMPGEnc.

I've used the MF6+ demo in attempts to create an HD-DVD. It looks pretty good on my TV (on Toshiba A2), but haven't had any luck getting the sound to play. That combined with the clumsiness of the workflow for 720p projects with MF6 has me looking for an alternative. Might Movie Magix be that solution?

- Most commercial HD-DVDs are encoded in VC-1 (some in AVC, only a handful in MPEG2). The methods in this thread only work for MPEG2 encoded material.


Will any HD-DVD players play AVCHD files burned onto DVDs? For example, if you shoot AVCHD home movies or little league or something, can you burn that onto a DVD (as much as will fit) and play that disc on HD-DVD?

MPEG2 just takes up too much space..

Until now I was reencoding the orignal .ts (demuxed to elementary w/ videoredo) with TMPGEnc Xpress 4. This process took a while (4+ hours) but usually just let it run over night. That solved the problems w/ the stutter in playback.

When I played the .ts in PowerDVD every movement (characters objects etc) you could see the interlace lines. This would always cause problems if I didn't reencode with a progressive setting (TMPGEnc). The final result was a MPEG2 file with no interlace so no lines in PowerDVD and flawless playback on Xbox 360 HDDVD.

After reading Ron's post I sent the same video that stuttered on my Xbox 360 through restream and the result (played on PowerDVD) still showed the interlace lines w/ the movement but I burned it anyway.

The end result was a perfect playback on Xbox 360 HDDVD so I orignally thought that the Xbox 360 could not handle the deinterlacing (so i reencoded every video... argh) but it seems that it does not like the Hybrid Video. I'll keep testing but thanks for the info! hope this helps!

Rob, do you run it through TMPG BEFORE you run it thru VideoRedo or after? Or not at all? I tried using TMPG 4 once and skipping Vidredo and it worked. I tried it again a few days later and got a non-compliant coaster. I wasn't keeping very good notes on my early experiments. :)

Hey all,

I posted this on another thread but was pointed in this direction to hopefully find someone to help,...I have read through the entire thread (ok, I confess I skipped a couple of pages here and there) and I didnt find anything that would help me in my task I want to complete.

I have a Canon HV20 and I would like to burn my 1080 clips to a DVD-R but maintain its full quality. I realize I would be constrained to a smaller amount of time to show whatever I put on the DVD-R since it would in fact be higher quality (hence less video time). I am completely fine with that. I know there is a way for it to be done on the PC, (as I have read through this huge thread) but I have been searching everywhere and can't find anything that mentions how to do it for a mac.

So basically,...
how can I burn my HD movie clips to a DVD-R using my mac that, when played on a HD-DVD player will be shown at its true 1080i quality?

If you can chime in on this, I will be *very* grateful and would appricate it very much!

extra info:
I have a powerbook G4, latest OS X, iMovie, iDVD, and access to Final Cut Pro on my friends powerbook G4 (same setup).
If in fact this is possble, the HD-DVD player I am aiming to play the disc through would be an Xbox 360 HD-DVD player, if that makes any difference.
Thanks in advance....

Looking around to picking up some video editing software. I have past experience with Pinnacle software that totally bogged my computer down and crashed multiple times.

I was at their site today and noticed they have the new Studio Plus 11 on sale. It has several features that directly indicate support for HD-DVD on standard DVD's.

One small problem....

....also the Microsoft Xbox HD-DVD player does not yet playback these burned DVDs.

I just got rid of my RCA 5000 to get an xbox drive. Does the xbox drive support these HD-DVD's on standard DVD's? Is it just Pinnacle software that xbox doesn't support, or is Ulead out to??

I am between Ulead Visual Studio 11 and Pinnacle Studio Plus 11. There is a $30 MIR on the Pinnacle Plus software currently. They don't have a download option though :(.

Ulead MF6's output has worked for me on 360, burning HD-DVD on DVD. (HD-5 / HD-9 or 3X HD-DVD or w/e you want to call it)

Ulead MF6's output has worked for me on 360, burning HD-DVD on DVD. (HD-5 / HD-9 or 3X HD-DVD or w/e you want to call it)

Thanks for the reply. So has anyone gotten Pinnacle Studio to work in the Xbox drive? I would like to get to work on my editing skills before the baby arrives! TIA

Thanks for the reply. So has anyone gotten Pinnacle Studio to work in the Xbox drive? I would like to get to work on my editing skills before the baby arrives! TIA

Greg,
Ive heard good things about Ulead Video Studio 11 Plus, but not such good things about Pinnacle. I purchased Pinnacle 10 a few months ago to work on family and related home movies, and Im sorry I did. It's bloated, sluggish and more complicated than Ulead. I think Ulead software in general is smoother, easier to understand and run. I have Ulead DVD Movie Factory 6-Plus, and it's a fascinating feature-rich program. Got it on amazon.com. Didnt cost that much. I also believe it has the ability (potential or otherwise) to author BluRay discs thru its BD DiscRecorder 2.7. I dont have a BluRay player, but I have a new Toshiba HD-A20. After at least a dozen coasters in various experiments, it now makes very good HD-DVD discs 90 percent of the time. Still get an occasional coaster for inexplicable reasons.
Ive also found that you can improve the quality of a video file by running it through TMPGEnc (I have 4.0Xpress). Tho I bought it awhile ago, Ive only begun mastering its features past few weeks. It increases the file size somewhat, but my experience is that the VRD/DVDMF process had a way of shrinking the file and creating something somewhere between standard and HD DVD.
Now, if only I could figure out how to get some of my dozens of high-def DVHS tapes into the computer for DVD conversion. Anybody have any specifics on this? Charter Cable in my area has open firewire port and content providers havent (yet) invoked image restraint token (or whatever it's called).
Good luck to all (and best wishes to Greg in fatherhood, especially if this is his first) in their endeavours. This particular forum and AVSForum in general are great!

Greg,
Ive heard good things about Ulead Video Studio 11 Plus, but not such good things about Pinnacle. I purchased Pinnacle 10 a few months ago to work on family and related home movies, and Im sorry I did. It's bloated, sluggish and more complicated than Ulead. I think Ulead software in general is smoother, easier to understand and run. I have Ulead DVD Movie Factory 6-Plus, and it's a fascinating feature-rich program. Got it on amazon.com. Didnt cost that much. I also believe it has the ability (potential or otherwise) to author BluRay discs thru its BD DiscRecorder 2.7. I dont have a BluRay player, but I have a new Toshiba HD-A20. After at least a dozen coasters in various experiments, it now makes very good HD-DVD discs 90 percent of the time. Still get an occasional coaster for inexplicable reasons.
Ive also found that you can improve the quality of a video file by running it through TMPGEnc (I have 4.0Xpress). Tho I bought it awhile ago, Ive only begun mastering its features past few weeks. It increases the file size somewhat, but my experience is that the VRD/DVDMF process had a way of shrinking the file and creating something somewhere between standard and HD DVD.
Now, if only I could figure out how to get some of my dozens of high-def DVHS tapes into the computer for DVD conversion. Anybody have any specifics on this? Charter Cable in my area has open firewire port and content providers havent (yet) invoked image restraint token (or whatever it's called).
Good luck to all (and best wishes to Greg in fatherhood, especially if this is his first) in their endeavours. This particular forum and AVSForum in general are great!

Thanks for those words. That helps a lot. I have downloaded the trial version of Video Studio plus and I must say it is miles above what Pinnacle 8 was! The features are nice and the GUI is friendly. Just need to purchase Nero 7 and I think I am underway. Thanks for the help.

UPDATE: Just purchased Ulead Video Studio 11 PLUS through Amazon and there is a $30 MIR on this too! Perfect!

Anyone know how to mux a dts stream into either mpeg2 or h.264 to burn on hddvd dvd5 or dvd9 ?

Anyone know how to mux a dts stream into either mpeg2 or h.264 to burn on hddvd dvd5 or dvd9 ?

you can with Apple's DVD Studio Pro 4.

Somebody please help me! lol

Is there a better program for fixing video timestamp gaps? Because mpeg2repair ain't cuttin' it! Also, does anyone have any experience adding a subtitle file to a HD .ts recording?

What I'm trying to do is add an english subtitle track to a Korean HD broadcast of an anime movie called "Wonderful Days". What I've done so far is:

1 "Fix" the .ts file with mpeg2repair (still left with ~95444 seconds of timestamp gaps! and ~1.2 secs of audio stamp gaps.)

2 Convert "Fixed" .ts file to .mpeg using Womble, so I can open the file in virtualdubmod.

3 In virtualdubmod, I load the "textsub" filter and open the srt subtitle file, then open the .mpeg video. In virtualdubmod I select frameserve, following the guide here:
http://www.videohelp.com/virtualdubframeserve#problems

4 The reason for frameserving is so that you can encode the file with an HD encoder, which in my case is TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress. Using TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress, I open the dummy .avi file creating for the purposes of frameserving, but am unable to figure out how to encode using TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress without doing a bunch of crazy processing.

That is where I am, stumped, as I have been for a long long time, when it comes to subbing this HD file. Surely I can't be the first person that wanted to sub a HD .ts file? Please, if anybody can help me I'd greatly appreciate it. I was all exciting thinking TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress would be the answer, but now I'm really bummed to be back to sqaure one. :(

I think I remember someone asking this before, but I cannot find the answer. Is there an easy way to convert my HD DVD .EVO files back to MPEG? I tried concatinating the .EVO files into one MPEG file, but I get no sound.

Thanks,
Tim

It's called EVO demux (http://www.digital-digest.com/software/EVO_demux.html)