VS ProX6: Compile Multiple Projects to one DVD with chapters

[pgp566]

I have been working on a large project with four distinct parts which I would like to save as chapters on a single DVD. Each of these parts contains up to seven video and audio tracks which have been accurately synchronized - it is essential to preserve this. If I try to add one project to the next one as a new chapter, the synchronization of the multiple tracks is lost, even with ripple editing enabled. Somehow I need to 'package' each of the projects prior to final assembly (so they become a single video entity) but without losing quality due to multiplied compression artifacts, or burn each project as a separate chapter to a non-finalized DVD while (hopefully) being able to add chapter numbers later. Any ideas would be most welcome (I have only five days remaining to complete this).
Many thanks.

[canuck]

You want to combine those 4 projects into one continuous video and then make have each project as a chapter on the DVD. Is that correct?
Or do you want to have each project appear as a separate title on the DVD menu?

First of all, I would export each project as a video file in the format that is required to create a DVD (mpg for a standard DVD). Then when you create the final DVD, simply add each videofile in sequence and then set the chapter points to where each new "project" starts. When you finally burn the DVD, there should be no re-rendering required since the video i already in the correct format and you should have no loss in quality.

[pgp566]

Thank you very much Canuck... I think the first option: to go straight into the video, with each chapter sequencing automatically, but to be able to skip to another chapter if required, i.e. the DVD is internally organized as chapters but the user is not forced to select chapters: the DVD should flow through them automatically (I hope this makes sense...)

First of all, I would export each project as a video file in the format that is required to create a DVD (mpg for a standard DVD).

I think this is the answer! But this will be a Blu-Ray DVD - do you happen to know the file format required to create a Blu-Ray DVD? If so then I think we have success!

[Ken Berry]

do you happen to know the file format required to create a Blu-Ray DVD?

If you are talking about a hybrid DVD i.e. a Blu-Ray folder burnt to a DVD disc, the format must be AVCHD (which is mpeg-4 produced with the h.264 codec). But for a full Blu-Ray disc It can be either AVCHD or else high-def Blu-Ray mpeg-2.

If you are talking about the hybrid disc, then the maximum bitrate you can use is 18 Mbps, which will allow not much more than 20 minutes of video plus a menu to be burnt to the disc. Reducing the bitrate will increase the amount of video you can burn to a DVD, but of course a reduced bitrate also means reduced final quality.

[pgp566]

Thank you Ken, I have done this before and it produced an AVCHD with ".m2t" file extension - does this indicate that I have the right format?
Many thanks

[lata]

Hi

Yes that would be the correct format, however you can adjust some video properties and still create a compliant video file.

If your original video clips are HD their properties may be suitable for burning to disc.
When you render the project to create the new video file using the same properties as your clips would be the best option.
So what are the properties of your original clips.?
Right click a clip in the timeline and select properties?