Getting started with SVCD2DVD v2.0

Creating and burning a DVD, with a menu, from 2 separate movies.

MS Word Version

This task is bread and butter for SVCD2DVD. The same procedure applies for any mpeg files (e.g. SVCD, VCD or full DVD resolution mpegs), or AVIs (Xvid/DivX). You can even mix and match different source types!

Let's assume you have extracted your mpeg files and are ready to start a new project.

Procedure

1. Start SVCD2DVD

2. Locate assets

Find your mpeg/avi files in Windows Explorer

3. Add assets to SVCD2DVD 

Drag your asset files from Windows Explorer to the SVCD2DVD Assets Window:

And drop:

(if your assets are in different folders repeat 2 and 3 until done)

4. Create the TitleSets.

Because we have 2 separate movies we need to have two separate TitleSets. It is always wise to separate different content this way. Also we want a menu for this DVD so each TitleSet corresponds to a separate menu button.

SVCD2DVD always starts with one TitleSet, so we need to add one more. Right Click on the Movies Panel and choose Add VTS:

Now we can add a friendly name for the TitleSet (to make it easy to distinguish) and add the text that will become the menu button on the DVD menu:

Now we can add the assets which make up the first TitleSet. In this example it is movie one CD1.mpg and movie one CD2.mpg - which make up Movie One. To add assets to a TitleSet, drag the assets from the Asset Window and drop them on the TitleSet Layout panel:

Once there, if they are in the wrong order you can drag and drop them around:

Once an asset is added to the TitleSet it becomes a Title. You can click on a Title in the TitleSet Layout to see a preview of it and to get more details about the streams:


Click on the second TitleSet in the Movies Panel and do the same:

5. Create a DVD menu.

Now that the TitleSets are setup it is time to do the menu. Click on the Menu Panel:

This changes the SVCD2DVD main window to the menu designer:

First lets add a background image. Click on the Background icon on the Menu panel:

Browse and select a background image:

Note: Backgrounds can be downloaded from the SVCD2DVD website, but you can also create your own with your favorite graphics program. This allows you to add your own custom images (e.g. DVD/Poster covers of the movies) and text.

Now lets add an audio track to be played whilst the menu is being viewed. Click on the Audio icon on the Menu panel:

Browse and select a audio track:

Now choose a font for the menu buttons. Drag the buttons to approximately where you want them. Then select both buttons by dragging a rectangle around them with the mouse. Then click on the Select Font icon on the toolbar:

Select your font. Remember that large clear fonts work best on your TV.

Now use the alignment tools to align your buttons. Change the colours and the drop shadow if required. See On-line Help for details of these steps... or experiment!

You can preview you menu at anytime by clicking the Preview icon in the Menu panel:

It may take a number of seconds (or minutes if you have added audio), but you will get a preview of your menu so that you can see how it will look in the authored DVD.

6. Author and burn DVD

Now we are ready to start the DVD creation process. It is a good idea to check the project settings at this point to make sure that the various settings are as required. Important settings are:

• Chapter point frequency.
• DVD Burning method.
• Audio encoding method.
• PAL to NTSC conversion.
• AVI to MPEG conversion method.

All settings are described in detail in the program.

Once you are ready to Start, click the DVD Author icon on the main toolbar:

You will then be presented with the DVD Creation window which allows you to make some last minute choices:

Once you click OK the process will start. If choose to burn the DVD make sure you have suitable media in your burner!

The duration of the processing depends on what assets you have and your choice of settings.

That's it. Your DVD is ready to play.

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