Sage Files - Saving them to DVD

[mike1961]

I have noticed that if I want to make a DVD from the mpeg2 files that Sage creates (or many other mpeg2 files as well), many programs that burn them to a DVD transcode them automatically. This takes a very long time. It seems that many mpeg2 files do not need to be transcoded and can just be written in their native format. I use NeroVision and I was wondering if there is a way to tell it not to transcode when making a DVD or if there is another program I should be using (or if Sage can do it direct). I know that I could easily create data files on a DVD and there would be no transcoding, but I would like to save them so that they may be played in most DVD players.

Thanks,
Mike

[GKusnick]

Mpeg2 encompasses a lot of different sub-formats (pixel resolutions and bit rates), not all of which are DVD-compatible. Set your recording quality to one of the DVD-compatible formats and you shouldn't need to transcode. Last time I tried it, Easy Media Creator was smart enough to skip the transcoding step if the file was already in a compatible format. I've never used Nero so I can't comment on that.

[stevech]

Originally Posted by GKusnick

Set your recording quality to one of the DVD-compatible formats and you shouldn't need to transcode. I've never used Nero so I can't comment on that.

Which formats are DVD-compatible?
I use the latest Nero

[MeInMaui]

Originally Posted by stevech

Which formats are DVD-compatible?
I use the latest Nero

The ones that have DVD in the name such as DVD long play or DVD standard play. I'm not sure if any of the others are also compatible.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by MeInMaui

I'm not sure if any of the others are also compatible.

In the default STV, it is pretty easy to tell which ones are DVD compatible -- when choosing a recording quality, they are the ones where the second line of the recording quality starts with "Format: DVD".

When creating a custom quality, the outputstreamtype should be 10. I think I read somewhere else that it can be 13 or 14 too.

- Andy

[mike1961]

Right - I'm using DVD Long Play but I can't find an option in NeroVision to skip the transcoding process. You would think that it would be smart enough to know and the help files seem to be subpar.

Mike

[ybrew]

Well this is good to know.

I've been saving copies of some shows and just put the raw mpg file on a DVD as a data disc.

This is a tad nicer.

[dblaine2]

You can use the DVD Burning STVi and it will only transcode when it needs to. Plus you get a fairly slick menu interface that is customizable.

[mike1961]

How do I use the DVD STVI? How do I get to it and burn a dvd with it?

Thanks,
Mike

[Tander]

Originally Posted by mike1961

How do I use the DVD STVI? How do I get to it and burn a dvd with it?

Thanks,
Mike

You need to download the STVI and install it. Here is a link to the thread:
http://forums.sage.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=21418

However, a word of warning.... you also need the Dynamic Menus STVI, and make sure you import the "Others STVI as well. This will save you a few days of tearing your hair out So before you install the DVD STVI, get the latest Dynamic Menus and install it FIRST...

[stevech]

Originally Posted by mike1961

Right - I'm using DVD Long Play but I can't find an option in NeroVision to skip the transcoding process. You would think that it would be smart enough to know and the help files seem to be subpar.

Mike

me either.
As to the previous post (Tander) about pulling hair out to get a chain of STV things going in order to burn DVDs - yikes. KISS please.

[Tander]

You're right Steve.... I was getting close to having to join the "Men's Hair club"... so I've gone back to using Nero myself... much simpler right now until the new version comes out...

[dblaine2]

It's all about the ability to read.

It's not that difficult. Besides there is the importer STVi for loading lots of STVi's and thus I can keep order in the chaos....

[Tander]

Originally Posted by dblaine2

It's all about the ability to read.

It's not that difficult. Besides there is the importer STVi for loading lots of STVi's and thus I can keep order in the chaos....

Thank you for the wonderful and positive comment about the ability to read, dlaine2. Of course I had to read your post 5 or 6 times to make sure I understood it, but finally I got it!

Also thanks for suggesting the STVI importer! By the way, I'm sure you read that Nielm who created the Dynamic Menus says that the STVI importer sometimes has problems with the Dynamic Menus...., and that Evilpenguin says his DVD burning STVi has had some problems with HD occasionally, (The root of my problems, but he is working on version 2 to fix it...)

Oh well, maybe I again just misread everything, so I guess I'll have to go back and reread them again until I finally understand.

[dblaine2]

No problem!

BTW, someone on the forum posted a fixed importer that doesn't have a problem with nielm's Dynamic Menu STVi (both of them try to mess with the main menu and it causes them to hang each other). I've been using it for quite some time without a problem.

[Tander]

Thanks for the info... I'll check it out!