Part 2 : Ducks in a row

I’d re-authored the 3 films now with the Chinese audio tracks. Visual quality is much improved, and there were no problems synching the audio.

The next issue is preferred editing method.

I was too much of a klutz with Premiere and decided to keep things simple using the editing tools that I’m more familiar with. Unfortunately, the quickest & easiest methods are also the least precise & with the goal of keeping this project as cheap as possible I’m making it more difficult. Most of the free conversion/encoding software downloadable from the Web lack key functions unless you pay extra, & some of the “express” freeware programs I’m most familiar with lack features.

Currently, the process should go like this:

1. Using a DVD-rippers (like the oh-so-wonderful DVD-Shrink), separate sections of footage into as few pieces as possible, but leaving them in the “DVD” formant. (Like little 5 min DVDs, retaining the “VOB” file structure of actual DVDs)
2. Rip the audio from each section, into a “.wav” format. (This is due to the fact that the wav seems to be the most trouble-free when crossing between several formats, with the drawback of creating larger files.
3. Import the VOB file for each section into a program such as TMPGEnc 3.0, which allows you to trim, cut, copy, and paste the files & re-arrange their order. TMPGEnc doesn’t recognize the “ac3” audio format without forking over some cash, which is why we’re creating the “wav” source for the audio. When ready, the files can be exported as one in the “MPEG-2” (dvd ready) format.
4. Now, we can’t make anything other than simple cuts & joins with that, so in order to create more artistic transitions like fades, wipes, etc…we can use Premiere, export our file to the “AVI” format (less loss of quality and a quicker encoding process), then use TMPGEnc to convert it to MPEG-2 while combining it with others if need be.
5. We’ll combine all of out MPEG-2 files (video & audio) and author them back into the DVD file structure using a handy program like TMPGE’s DVD-Author.
6. Once the visual edit is finished, we’ll strip our new “soundtrack” from the film to be enhanced. We can then add minor sound effects, new music, or attempt to remix from a 2-channel audio track into the 5.1 “surround” mix.
7. Using DVD-Author again, we’ll combine the new audio mix with the finished video.
8. But wait, we’re not done! Now we have a completely re-edited film with Chinese audio but no subtitles. We’ll have to add new subtitles, line by line, throughout all 4 to 5 hours of footage. Subtle changes can be made to the original dialogue at this point to reflect the new version and minimize the damage coming from losing huge chunks of visual story…