Pre-converting prior to importing, & conversion speed

[GregK]

Just out of curiosity (and I've really been wanting to ask this for a long time now):

Moderators here are always suggesting "convert before importing to DMF" (and usually with Super, which I do use now and then).....but isn't that sort of redundant when you CAN import many/most video formats directly into the program? Since DMF can import these formats, why doesn't it/shouldn't it be able to handle them, all by itself without having to pre-convert beforehand? Or I believe it's been suggested to export a file first into DVD-compliant MPG and then putting it back into DMF.....so that's almost twice the work/time instead of simply being able to use the original file.

It can also take at least as long as your project/movie you're importing to run it off.....and that's simply running off a VIDEO_TS folder or ISO file, while burning the disc itself is another point entirely. Sometimes it will take TWICE as long. Not to mention a myriad of other potential problems (which I've run into since using DMF6) such as never being able to keep subtitles in synch with the video, or not always being able to retain a file's original 5.1 sound in the final file.

I still use DMF6 now and then, but mainly for when I need to create really good menu screens.....however, it is no longer my primary conversion/disc creation program. There is another program (which shall remain nameless here) which I've been using for months now because I feel it is a superior program in most respects (except for how it creates menu screens, which I don't like). It is much faster and seems to have higher quality than DMF6, and I've never had any problems with subtitles or 5.1 sound, and can do much more with correctly formatting a movie's aspect ratio or even altering it....and again, so much FASTER.

Can someone explain to me why this is? Is it just that DMF is....ultimately....not as good or thorough a program as I initially believed when I purchased it?

[Ron P.]

I think that the conversion that has been suggested is to convert to a DVD compliant MPEG-2 file, from say DV (avi), DivX, Xvid, MP4, WMV and so on. The reason is that DVDMF is not a video editor, it is a DVD authoring program. All clips must first be converted to the DVD standard of MPEG-2 before they can be burned to disc (video DVD). The exception would of course be the Blu-Ray discs. Using DVD compliant MPEG-2 files and checking Do not convert compliant MPEG files in the Project Settings, ensures that DVDMF will not recode those files.

[GregK]

Well, I just wonder why the option for exporting a clip into one of several formats is even in the program if that's the case.....same thing with DMF being able to import any one of several different file formats into the program. Why is that option there if we're always being told to preconvert with Super, etc. before importing into DMF?

The program in question I hinted at before is ConvertXtoDVD....that is now pretty much my primary DVD program, simply because it runs so much faster than DMF6, and...frankly...seems to have more or better options for doing certain things either with the video or audio.

HOWEVER....when I want to create a particular menu, etc., I then use DMF 6 and use the Import From DVD Folder option, and then create my final disc....and the resulting project runs off a heck of a lot FASTER than if I simply imported the original files into DMF right off the bat.

[montgal55]

In response to Ron P. I would agree that DVDMF is not a video editor. However, even when Do Not Convert MPEG-Compliant Files button is selected, DVDMF, for some reason, recodes the file. I, too, use another program for file conversion, which results in a perfect file to my satisfaction.

It is when I finally burn the project with DVDMF, the resulting file is different (i.e., the aspect ratio has changed. It is 16:9, but looks "squeezed", for lack of a better word.)

I truly think there is bug in the program that Corel technicians have to look into.

This is why, I think, GregK. brought up the issue. DVDMF recodes files regardless.

Montgal55