As I explained it does NOT matter. There is no preferred method
since both DVDA and Vegas use the EXACT SAME MPEG and AC3
encoder!

So it is up to you. Encode to MPEG2 / AC3 in Vegas or load the
AVI (then you don't have to export the audio seperately) file
into DVDA and let it do the MPEG2 / AC3 encoding.

The choice is yours so do what you like best. It will not matter
which one you choose in terms of quality. It's just what you like
best in your workflow.

One tiny difference might be disk space. If you output as AVI you
require much more space to save the file before DVDA encodes
it. If you directly encode to MPEG2 / AC3 from within Vegas you
will need less disk space.

That is the only difference.

got it. thanks.

selecting the frame viewed in the button
 

this is another DVDA question. i'm asking it here, because after all, DVDA is VEGAS bundled software.

i managed to create a scene selection menu. as default, the picture shown within each scene button, is the first frame of the scene the button is representing.

this creates a problem in a situation where the scene begins with black, therefore the button representing that particular scene will show a black picture. how can i select a different frame from that scene to be shown in it's representing button?

thanks.

Click on the button, On the right-hand side look under the "Graphics" header. Below that is a "Thumbnail" option. Below the "Thumbnail" is a "Start time" box - change this to be the frame you want shown.

thanks!

how do i render selected tracks ONLY?
 

if i want to render ONLY the video tracks or a project, or alternately ONLY the audio tracks of a project. would the simplest way of going about doing this be activating the MUTE button on all of the tracks i wish NOT to render and then go ahead and rendering the whole project? or am i missing something?

For video only, just deselect audio on the audio tab under "custom".

For audio only, just pick an audio format (such as WAV). OR you can deselect the video on the video tab under "custom" but it makes more sense to just pick an audio format.

Or, you can just mute the tracks you don't want.

Link to scripts which includes a script to change aspect ratio for entire media pool:

http://s92274348.onlinehome.us/vegas.html

Your Contour Shuttle Settings in Vegas
 

Woohoo - just got my brand spanking new Contour Shuttle Pro v2 to use in my favorite editing program! I wanted to find out, of those of you who are using this thing (v1 or v2), how do you have your keys programmed?

Looking for some ideas... I've never used a shuttle like this before.

http://www.contourdesign.com/shuttlepro/

Thanks Rob. My PC DVD player is Cyberlink PowerDVD and it doesn't have any config options for setting de-interlace.

As a side note, I played my Progressive Scan test DVD on 3 players all configured for interlace playback. Both my Pioneer and Sony DVD players played the DVD fine.

When I changed one Pioneer DVD player to progressive scan mode, and changed my Pioneer TV to progressive scan, I could not see any obvious difference between the interlace and progressive format playbacks.

I Really Screwed Myself On This One: DVD Help!
 

I have a very annoying story to relate I will try and keep brief:

Long before I discovered Vegas I bought Ulead DVD Workshop. I then discovered Vegas, and then had a chance to upgrade to the Vegas 5/DVD Architecture combo at reduced price. I opt only for Vegas 5. Baaaaaad mistake. Why? I figured I already have Ulead and decide to get their upgrade (I know, I know, the Vegas DVD thing would have only added fifty bucks). So I spend a not insignificant amount on Ulead's DVD2 Workshop upgrade. To make a very long story short, the upgrade discs just don't work with my computer(s). I exchanged a disc and still nothing. Yadda yadda etc. I wish I could now just grab the Vegas Architecture program, but it's now priced way high and I blew the earlier opportunity. So, right now I'm just too damn mad to use the basic Ulead program, and with the Vegas thing unavailable, does anyone have a suggestion for a wonderful >third< choice for DVD creation? I'm willing to write off this awful experience if maybe there's something else out there I can use with Vegas. I STILL want Vegas Architecture, but that's the way I rolled the dice. Anyone, pardon the rant; any suggestions welcomed.

Here is a link to download a section of video to see what I am talking about.

The widescreen footage looks fine, but the 4:3 is all squashed in the center.

When I pre-render this section and watch it through my camcorder connected to a 27" TV, everything looks great. But as soon as I render to MPEG2, it gets messed up.

Video Link:

http://www.alcanada.com/other/problem.mpg

Vegas Veg File:

http://www.alcanada.com/other/problem.veg

Thanks

I put several scripts along the top row like Excalibur, Tsunami, and Neon. Just find the functions you use most - that's what I would put on the buttons (i.e. jump to next/previous clip...)

Call Sony and see if they'll let you pay the difference for the upgrade.

You should probably put a hold on all software purchases, you sound like a crazy software addict :-p

And if that doesn't work, I saw this on another forum. Someone said it was good.
http://www.mrbass.org/dvdburn/

I have never used the program but it's free:-)