some DVD issues - blacks, audio

[Matt Brabender]

Sorry if you already know this - but I haven't seen it mentioned in this thread...

In regard to the mpeg2 render settings - dvd architect ntsc is indeed just the video stream unless you select to include audio, but this, as well as the the other default ntsc preset are far from the best quality.

They are single pass vbr at an average of 6,000,000 bps.

Might I suggest playing with the settings. If it's a short piece, then click on the custom button, under the project tab choose best. Under the video tab change the average bps to 8,000,000 and choose 2 pass vbr, or alternatively choose cbr at 8,000,000bps
change the lower bps to 4,900,000 or whatever it is.
you'll probably more than double your render times but, I'm one to prefer to wait the extra time for quality

Then do a seperate render for ac3 audio and you can match them up in dvd architect.

Second thing is the stuttering you mentioned - sometimes, in vegas you'll need to reduce interlace flicker to get rid of this effect.
Right click on the video event, choose 'switches' and check 'reduce interlace flicker'
no more stutter

[Josh Bass]

Thanks, but a couple of things:

I don't have DVD architect, so are the DVD architect stream settings even useful?

Also, if I have a project made entirely progressive (shot in Frame mode on XL1s, no interlaced material added) do I need the "reduce interlace flicker" switch on?

[Matt Brabender]

I guess what I'm saying is the presets are rarely useful, regardless of what authoring software you use

and if it's progressive, the no - in that case, I don't know why you see stuttering