Not sure of your needs from reading your post. Your use of the words "channels" and "tracks" makes it harder to understand.

What is your need to import multiple mpeg-2 and ac3 files into DVD Architect?
A normal workflow for a menu-based project is to render one mpeg-2 and one ac3 file containing the entire project. Rendering separate Titles for your DVD is not usual, unless there is a specific need.

Please explain what you are trying to accomplish, and others will be able to give you more direction.

It is a compilation video from many sources (parents' video, coaches' tape, etc.): HD wide screen digital camcorders, standard def 4:3 tape camcorders, stills shot by a professional photog, music tracks added over audio tracks from camcorders, etc., with text overlay descriptions. So I have multiple video channels and multiple audio channels in my project. To have uniform/fluid final dvd product, crop/sized all video to fit 4:3, 720X480, 29.97fps standard template, NTSC/DV intended for final product dvd burn.
Since I have both multiple video channels and multiple audio channels in my project, I just want to make sure that all video channels are rendered together simultaneously as Mpeg-2, and all audio channels are rendered (separately from video) simultaneously as AC-3, to then import into DVDA (drag video and audio will follow).
Video is approx. 50 minutes long. My understanding is that for NTSV/DV dvd final produnt of that length, a bit rate of about 6 using Mpeg-2 for video and AC-3 for audio should produce the best overall quality dvd for viewing on the widest variety of dvd players.
If I am wrong about that, please advise, but I am requesting info for simultaneously rendering those multiple video channels to Mpeg-2, and then rendering all audio channels to AC-3.
As I said in the initial post, I don't have access to the online help menu from the computer that the project is being produced on, so this forum is my best info source. Thanks for the help!
Steve

Those multiple video (and audio) tracks are arranged HOW in your Vegas project? If they are sequential (one after another) on the timeline then you just need to render your entire project twice .. once for the video and a second time for the audio. (VMS can often render both files with a single command .. the Pro version requires two renders)

If those tracks are not sequential, but layered on top of each other .. you need to make them sequential.

When I watch the entire project in the preview window, it is all timed perfect:ly: text overlays, stills, and audio come in right as they should (if that's what you mean by "sequential").
But there are 4 separate video channels in the timeline that are playing as the cursor progresses to make it view like that, and there are 3 audio channels (audio grouped with video track, music track, sound effects).
Right now I'm at the stage of only viewing the project in the preview window, or "Tools: Preview in Player", which looks and sounds GREAT on the computer rendered to avi.
But I don't want my burned dvd's in avi; I want them as Mpeg-2 video and AC-3 audio. Thanks!
Steve

OK, your project is arranged to play from beginning to end. Render one mpeg-2 file and one ac3 file using DVD Architect templates. Import them to the menu pane (not the menu timeline) in DVD Architect and you should be ready to go.

We try to be kind of specific about terminology here. That way we know we're all talking about the same thing. A "track" is one horizontal highway on the Vegas timeline. An "event" is a specific audio or video clip that is placed on the timeline. A "channel" is one side (left or right) of an audio signal contained within a stereo event. A "media" is that actual file in the project that can be used in an event.

Hope this helps.

Sorry about the muddy terminology. I'm (obviously) a newbie, but thrilled about the final first product. using VMS.

From reading other threads, I was under the impression that it was better/necessary to render in VMS first before taking the project to DVDA, but your instructions to render using a DVDA template (I haven't even been to DVDA yet) that specify Mpeg-2 rendering for video and AC-3 rendering for audio in a project sound simple enough. Sure do appreciate the help!
Steve