I've searched around the forum and it seems like others have figured this out, but
I cannot get it to work.

I have a .mpg which was imported using media import. It is about 4 minutes long.
I'm trying to put it on a DVD without having it re-encoded again. I'm trying a
very simple test case.

(a) import clip using media import as .mpg, no decoding takes place thats great so far
(b) view movie in windows media player, looks great.
© launch MyDVD
(d) new project (no menu)
(e) add movie (.mpg from above)
(f) burn to .iso file

At that point it starts a long encoding process. The final .iso file has poor pixelated
quality becuase it was re-encoded.

I have EMC deluxe (upgrade).
I have tried both hardware and software under options (even though it should not
be encoding anyways)
I have latest drivers and latest directx.

Is there a trick or step I'm missing?
Should I put the .mpg into videowave instead?
Do I need to do something different during the import? I didnt see any options.

ggrrussell - one of your posts sounds like you did exactly what I'm trying to do
but it works for you??

Thanks for your help.
-Scott

Very little to go on in the way of specific information…

It sounds like your source file is of low quality whereas your output is set to high quality. 1. That is what requires rendering. 2. Anytime you render UP, the results are poor.

Check the Properties of the source file. It should match your output quality – 720 X 480, 29.97fps @ 9mbps.

Yes,, it usually works for me. Like James suggests, double check how you are capturing. Are you using the Dazzle Device that cam with EMC 8 Deluxe? Make sure capture is set for the same quality as the MyDVD project. Since your file is so small, both should be at 'best'.

oops, I left out that important detail, that I was importing from DVD, sorry
about that. I guess I wrongly assumed that if I imported from DVD that
the captured (imported) .mpg file would be compliant.

So I have a DVD with some old 8mm(vhs) movies on it. I was trying to
import an entire title and use MyDVD to burn it with a menu along with
some other content I have. I never edited the imported .mpg file, I used
the exact file that came from the media import from the DVD. I was
hoping there was a way to keep it from re-rendering it since it already came
from a DVD.

Is there a different way I should import it from DVD? I only see
DivX, MPEG, and WMV as pull down capture options.

How can I tell if a .mpg file is DVD mpeg-2 compliant?

If I save a file from videowave in DVD mpeg-2 best quality, and later
use that .mpg file in MyDVD will it re-render it again? Or will it somehow
know it is already been rendered?

-Scott

You are correct. I would assume that , too. I have no idea why MyDVD is re-encoding the file. It shouldn't. If I can find some time this coming weekend, I'll see if I can duplicate what happened.

I noticed that MyDVD will also read in .vob and .ifo files when you click add movie.
I tried that and it seemed to bring in the file and link it to a menu button, but then
when I went to render it, it just hung forever at 0% I finally had to hit cancel.

Is reading in the .vob or .ifo (it didnt seem to make a difference which one I read in)
the right way to do this? That would for sure make it easier. Video wave does not
read in .vob/.ifo, but seems like MyDVD can.

I'll have to play around with this approach a little more.