The following article first appeared at https://www.custcenter.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/84/~/avoiding-recompression-in-dvd-architect but is no longer available there.
Published 01/23/2003 12:00 AM | Updated 01/08/2009 04:35 PM
I don't want my MPEG-2, AC-3, and PCM files to be recompressed by DVD Architect. How can I assure they will not be recompressed?
You can import MPEG-2 video, and PCM or AC-3 audio files (from SF apps or from other apps) into DVD Architect. If the files were encoded with the proper parameters, the files will not be recompressed by DVD Architect. This type of file is broadly defined as a "no-recompress file for DVD Architect"
Note: Both the Sony Creative Software MPEG-2 encoder and the Sony Media Software AC-3 encoder have "DVD Architect friendly" render templates- use those templates without any custom settings modifications and you will have a "no-recompress file for DVD Architect" (unless it is too big to fit on a DVD).
Here are the precise settings needed (meaning if the file varies from these requirements, it will be recompressed by DVD Architect, the prepare phase will take longer, and the quality may degrade):
Compliant AC-3 audio:
- Must be stereo or surround 5.1
- Data rate must be in the range of 64 kbps to 448 kbps inclusive
- Must be 48 khz
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Compliant PCM audio:
- Must be 16 bit, 48 kHz, stereo uncompressed .wav file
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Compliant NTSC MPEG video:
- 720x480
- Display aspect ratio 4:3 or 16:9
- Frame rate 29.97... fps
- File cannot have low delay set
- 36 or less fields in every GOP (group of pictures)
- data rate less than 9.8 Mbps
- Compliant PAL MPEG video:
- 720x576
- Display aspect ratio 4:3 or 16:9
- Frame rate 25 fps
- File cannot have low delay set
- 30 or less fields in every GOP (group of pictures)
- data rate less than 9.8 Mbps
* Please note that elementary MPEG streams are not supported as a source format and will not load. Even if you plan on replacing the audio with PCM or AC-3, you will need to import muxed MPEG files.
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Also, the project format has to match the source type (the audio and video project format are set in the Optimize DVD dialog.) For instance, if you bring a 4:3 MPEG-2 file into a 16:9 DVDA project, this file will be re-encoded because the source and project formats do not match.
Here is a table describing all the templates Sony Media Software has created for you in the render dialog for the professional MPEG plugin: