Blu-ray Disc Authoring WITHOUT Using DVD Architect ?

Musicvid wrote on 2/11/2022, 9:38 PM

TMPGENC

Google it.

DVD movies are always MPEG-2, so that is the preferred source in a format that won't be recompressed.

BluRays are usually MPEG-2 or AVCHD.

Dexcon wrote on 2/11/2022, 9:46 PM

Wikipedia has a couple of pages listing and comparing DVD/BD authoring software - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_optical_disc_authoring_software and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_disc_authoring_software - so these provide a basis for you to research into what best meets your needs and budget.

It's interesting that TMPGENC isn't listed - it used to be a couple of years ago.

EDIT: Aaah! TMPGENC is listed on the Wikipedia page covering DVD authoring software:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_DVD_authoring_software

TheRhino wrote on 2/12/2022, 8:28 AM

...By letting Styler use uncompressed video from Vegas Pro 17, the encoding seems to actually be faster than allowing Vegas Pro to encode using MPEG 2...

When I need BOTH uncompressed & MPEG-2 (MP4, ProRes, DNxHR/HD, etc.) I open multiple instances of Vegas and have each render-out the same project at once. Therefore, in this case, one instance saves to uncompressed for archival purposes and the other instance saves to MPEG-2 so DVDA does not need to re-encode the video... This is faster than waiting for uncompressed to finish first and then having Vegas or a 3rd party App encode to MPEG-2... (DVDA does not need to reencode the MPEG-2 created by Vegas...)

What I like about creating the MPEG-2 file in Vegas & using DVDA is that DVDA sees all of my Chapter Markers and does not need to reencode the video. In cases where I forgot to make the MPEG-2 at the same time, I just drop the uncompressed video onto the top of the timeline and since Vegas only has to encode now, it renders the MPEG-2 in no time, complete with chapter markers ready for DVDA...

Once I create my Scene Selection Menu in DVDA and create a playable Blu-ray ISO, I make a copy of the DVDA file, change it to DVD specifications, and drop in my 480i MPG file in place of all of the 1080p. (I have to do this for each item in the Scene Selection Menus, but it is still relatively easy...) Then DVDA is able to create a playable DVD ISO version without re-encoding the video.

While this is happening, I use a 3rd party App like ImgBurn to transfer the ISOs to playable discs. I have multiple systems and multiple BR burners on each so can burn multiple BR copies at once when needed. For DVDs I still have a DVD duplicator that can make about 7 copies at once... Once the discs are completed, I print color labels directly the surface and laminate them.

I've been doing it this way for about 20 years. First only DVDs, then Blu-rays & DVDs in the same case, and now whatever the client asks for... Amazingly, I still have clients requesting playable discs in addition to the 4K MP4 and intermediate files, so I keep making them.

crown2020 wrote on 2/22/2022, 11:21 AM

@TheRhino, "Once the discs are completed, I print color labels directly the surface and laminate them."

I have been wanting to come up with a system for this process. Obviously, you are using discs that come with a white ready to print on label? Are you using Jewel Cases? Regular paper sleeves? What kind of printing machine are you using? What kind of software to generate the disc label? What is the process for lamination?

Thanks in advance for your previous post. I will consider your work flow. I look forward to your reply, regarding my above questions, should you choose to share.

TheRhino wrote on 2/22/2022, 6:17 PM

@crown2020 Using the software that came with my Epson printers, I use a template to create my disc artwork and have the Epsons print it directly to the surface of the white, hub-printable discs. Then I use a Primera Accent II Disc Laminator to heat-apply the thin, clear protective laminate which protects the printed label from fingerprints & smearing. I use MS Publisher to print my DVD jacket inserts with matching artwork and titles. For most I just use the standard size 2-disc DVD cases so that one side holds the playable DVD version and the other side the playable Blu-ray version. I use tried & true templates so that the whole process goes pretty quick.

For instance, I have a client that has a bunch of old TV/DVD combo players in their outdated breakrooms. So, rather than bother updating them with small, affordable SmartTVs that play MP4s, they pay me to create DVD copies of their training videos that remains in each breakroom, etc. However, they also get a 4K version to play in the boardroom and 1080p versions to post on their website, etc. Ironically, when they update their technology and lose track of their MP4s, or their internal network crashes, etc. they just run to a breakroom, grab the DVD, and show that one in the boardroom, LOL. I don't care what format they want as long as I get paid extra to create all of the various media types...