Does DVDWS keep video settings?

[jizlobber]

Hi all. I burn both PAL and NTSC DVDs from the same source AVIs. I usually encode them as either PAL or NTSC, compile them, then burn them with the same settings. I want to use DVDWS to add finishing touches: chapters, subtitles, etc. Will DVDWS keep the settings of each video? For example, if I use it to subtitle a PAL video will it stay PAL by default or will I have to configure DVDWS to the exact same settings I used to to encode it to PAL in the 1st place? In which case DVDWS would re-encode it? If that's the case won't some quality be lost by encoding it twice?

Thanks

[GeorgeW]

It will as long as the entire project is completely PAL or completely NTSC -- you won't be able to mix formats within the same project...

Regards,
George

[jizlobber]

Does that mean it will ignore what's in the Project Properties, then? IE Do the settings in project properties have to match the settings of all the videos in the project? All of the videos within a project will be the same, I will not mix NTSC and PAL.

Thanks again.

[GeorgeW]

As long as they are compliant for the type of disc you are creating, then it will ignore the project properties (unless you tell DWS2.x to render using the project properties).

For example, say you start up a new NTSC DVD Project. And the project properties are Video 720x480, 8000kbps, mpeg-2, 29.97fps, LPCM audio, etc...

Now if add a DVD Compliant NTSC mpeg2 clip to your project (let's say its attributes are mpeg2, 720x480, 5000kbps, Dolby Digital audio 48000hz, etc...)

Since the source clip you put in the project is compliant, DWS2.x will not re-encode it. There is a Convert to Disc Template option in the EDIT step (under Video and Audio Tabs). When that box is OPEN, you have a choice to use it "asis" (meaning your clip is compliant), or if you check that option it will re-encode to the project properties. If it is ghosted and cannot be checked, then your source clip is non-compliant for the type of disc you are creating, and DWS2.x will have to encode it to make it compliant.

Regards,
George

[Devil]

I've done a few dual-standard projects. I found the best quality results came from:

1. capture PAL DV type 1 AVI files (I am in PAL-land)
2. edit same
3. create new DV AVI file in PAL (called master)
4. encode PAL MPEG-2 from master
5. generate menus etc. in WS2, ensuring no re-encoding
6. burn PAL DVDs
7. put PAL master file in editor time line
8. create new DV AVI file in NTSC
9. encode NTSC MPEG-2 from NTSC DV (8)
10. generate menus etc. in WS2, ensuring no re-encoding
11. burn NTSC DVDs

Note ops 5 and 10 are completely separate and should be redone: you cannot use the PAL menus in NTSC; in fact, I don't think WS2 will even allow it. Of course, if you have custom backgrounds etc., you can re-use these.

One exception: if you use sub-titles, you can export the txt file in PAL. However, you must edit it in WordPad and change the 25 in the header to 29.97, save as a txt file again and import it into your NTSC sub-titling. It then works fine.