Add comprehensive DVD User Guide for end users

User-friendly guide for creating DVD-compliant videos with VideoTools. Contents: ✓ Quick start (5-minute guide) ✓ DVD format specifications (NTSC and PAL) ✓ Validation message explanations ✓ Aspect ratio guide with selection help ✓ Recommended settings for Simple and Advanced modes ✓ Complete workflow from video to DVD disc ✓ Troubleshooting section with solutions ✓ Pro tips for batch processing and testing ✓ Detailed example: converting home video to DVD ✓ Pre-encoding checklist Features: - Written for non-technical users - Clear step-by-step instructions - Explains all technical terms - Practical examples and use cases - Links to technical documentation - Common problems and solutions Perfect for users who want to: - Create DVDs from home videos - Distribute videos professionally - Archive content on physical media - Author discs with DVDStyler 🤖 Generated with Claude Code
2025-11-29 19:39:59 -05:00 · 2025-11-29 19:39:59 -05:00 · 24a76dfaf1
commit 24a76dfaf1
parent ae8177ffb0
1 changed files with 332 additions and 0 deletions
--- a/DVD_USER_GUIDE.md
+++ b/DVD_USER_GUIDE.md
@ -0,0 +1,332 @@
+# VideoTools DVD Encoding - User Guide
+
+## 🎬 Creating DVD-Compliant Videos
+
+VideoTools now has full DVD encoding support built into the Convert module. Follow this guide to create professional DVD-Video files.
+
+---
+
+## 📝 Quick Start (5 minutes)
+
+### Step 1: Load a Video
+1. Click the **Convert** tile from the main menu
+2. Drag and drop a video file, or use the file browser
+3. VideoTools will analyze the video and show its specs
+
+### Step 2: Select DVD Format
+1. In the **OUTPUT** section, click the **Format** dropdown
+2. Choose either:
+   - **DVD-NTSC (MPEG-2)** - For USA, Canada, Japan, Australia
+   - **DVD-PAL (MPEG-2)** - For Europe, Africa, Asia
+3. DVD-specific options will appear below
+
+### Step 3: Choose Aspect Ratio
+1. When DVD format is selected, a **DVD Aspect Ratio** option appears
+2. Choose **4:3** or **16:9** based on your video:
+   - Use **16:9** for widescreen (most modern videos)
+   - Use **4:3** for older/square footage
+
+### Step 4: Set Output Name
+1. In **Output Name**, enter your desired filename (without .mpg extension)
+2. The system will automatically add **.mpg** extension
+3. Example: `myvideo` → `myvideo.mpg`
+
+### Step 5: Queue the Job
+1. Click **Add to Queue**
+2. Your DVD encoding job is added to the queue
+3. Click **View Queue** to see all pending jobs
+4. Click **Start Queue** to begin encoding
+
+### Step 6: Monitor Progress
+- The queue displays:
+  - Job status (pending, running, completed)
+  - Real-time progress percentage
+  - Estimated remaining time
+- You can pause, resume, or cancel jobs anytime
+
+---
+
+## 🎯 DVD Format Specifications
+
+### DVD-NTSC (North America, Japan, Australia)
+```
+Resolution:      720 × 480 pixels
+Frame Rate:      29.97 fps (NTSC standard)
+Video Bitrate:   6000 kbps (default), max 9000 kbps
+Audio:           AC-3 Stereo, 192 kbps, 48 kHz
+Container:       MPEG Program Stream (.mpg)
+Compatibility:   DVDStyler, PS2, standalone DVD players
+```
+
+**Best for:** Videos recorded in 29.97fps or 30fps (NTSC regions)
+
+### DVD-PAL (Europe, Africa, Asia)
+```
+Resolution:      720 × 576 pixels
+Frame Rate:      25.00 fps (PAL standard)
+Video Bitrate:   8000 kbps (default), max 9500 kbps
+Audio:           AC-3 Stereo, 192 kbps, 48 kHz
+Container:       MPEG Program Stream (.mpg)
+Compatibility:   DVDStyler, PAL DVD players, European authoring tools
+```
+
+**Best for:** Videos recorded in 25fps (PAL regions) or European distribution
+
+---
+
+## 🔍 Understanding the Validation Messages
+
+When you add a video to the DVD queue, VideoTools validates it and shows helpful messages:
+
+### ℹ️ Info Messages (Blue)
+- **"Input resolution is 1920x1080, will scale to 720x480"**
+  - Normal - Your video will be scaled to DVD size
+  - Action: Aspect ratio will be preserved
+
+- **"Input framerate is 30.0 fps, will convert to 29.97 fps"**
+  - Normal - NTSC standard requires exactly 29.97 fps
+  - Action: Will adjust slightly (imperceptible to viewers)
+
+- **"Audio sample rate is 44.1 kHz, will resample to 48 kHz"**
+  - Normal - DVD requires 48 kHz audio
+  - Action: Audio will be automatically resampled
+
+### ⚠️ Warning Messages (Yellow)
+- **"Input framerate is 60.0 fps"**
+  - Means: Your video has double the DVD framerate
+  - Action: Every other frame will be dropped
+  - Result: Video still plays normally (60fps drops to 29.97fps)
+
+- **"Input is VFR (Variable Frame Rate)"**
+  - Means: Framerate isn't consistent (unusual)
+  - Action: Will force constant 29.97fps
+  - Warning: May cause slight audio sync issues
+
+### ❌ Error Messages (Red)
+- **"Bitrate exceeds DVD maximum"**
+  - Means: Encoding settings are too high quality
+  - Action: Will automatically cap at 9000k (NTSC) or 9500k (PAL)
+  - Result: Still produces high-quality output
+
+---
+
+## 🎨 Aspect Ratio Guide
+
+### What is Aspect Ratio?
+The ratio of width to height. Common formats:
+- **16:9** (widescreen) - Modern TVs, HD cameras, most YouTube videos
+- **4:3** (standard) - Old TV broadcasts, some older cameras
+
+### How to Choose
+1. **Don't know?** Use **16:9** (most common today)
+2. **Check your source:**
+   - Wide/cinematic → **16:9**
+   - Square/old TV → **4:3**
+   - Same as input → Choose "16:9" as safe default
+
+3. **VideoTools handles the rest:**
+   - Scales video to 720×480 (NTSC) or 720×576 (PAL)
+   - Adds black bars if needed to preserve original aspect
+   - Creates perfectly formatted DVD-compliant output
+
+---
+
+## 📊 Recommended Settings
+
+### For Most Users (Simple Mode)
+```
+Format:          DVD-NTSC (MPEG-2)  [or DVD-PAL for Europe]
+Aspect Ratio:    16:9
+Quality:         Standard (CRF 23)
+Output Name:     [your_video_name]
+```
+
+This will produce broadcast-quality DVD video.
+
+### For Maximum Compatibility (Advanced Mode)
+```
+Format:          DVD-NTSC (MPEG-2)
+Video Codec:     MPEG-2 (auto-selected for DVD)
+Quality Preset:  Standard (CRF 23)
+Bitrate Mode:    CBR (Constant Bitrate)
+Video Bitrate:   6000k
+Target Resolution: 720x480
+Frame Rate:      29.97
+Audio Codec:     AC-3 (auto for DVD)
+Audio Bitrate:   192k
+Audio Channels:  Stereo
+Aspect Ratio:    16:9
+```
+
+---
+
+## 🔄 Workflow: From Video to DVD Disc
+
+### Complete Process
+1. **Encode with VideoTools**
+   - Select DVD format
+   - Add to queue and encode
+   - Produces: `myvideo.mpg`
+
+2. **Import into DVDStyler** (free, open-source)
+   - Open DVDStyler
+   - Create new DVD project
+   - Drag `myvideo.mpg` into the video area
+   - VideoTools output imports WITHOUT re-encoding
+   - No quality loss in authoring
+
+3. **Create Menu** (optional)
+   - Add chapter points
+   - Design menu interface
+   - Add audio tracks if desired
+
+4. **Render to Disc**
+   - Choose ISO output or direct to disc
+   - Select NTSC or PAL (must match your video)
+   - Burn to blank DVD-R
+
+5. **Test Playback**
+   - Play on DVD player or PS2
+   - Verify video and audio quality
+   - Check menu navigation
+
+---
+
+## 🐛 Troubleshooting
+
+### Problem: DVD format option doesn't appear
+**Solution:** Make sure you're in the Convert module and have selected a video file
+
+### Problem: "Video will be re-encoded" warning in DVDStyler
+**Solution:** This shouldn't happen with VideoTools DVD output. If it does:
+- Verify you used "DVD-NTSC" or "DVD-PAL" format (not MP4/MKV)
+- Check that the .mpg file was fully encoded (file size reasonable)
+- Try re-importing or check DVDStyler preferences
+
+### Problem: Audio/video sync issues during playback
+**Solution:**
+- Verify input video is CFR (Constant Frame Rate), not VFR
+- If input was VFR, VideoTools will have warned you
+- Re-encode with "Smart Inverse Telecine" option enabled if input has field order issues
+
+### Problem: Output file is larger than expected
+**Solution:** This is normal. MPEG-2 (DVD standard) produces larger files than H.264/H.265
+- NTSC: ~500-700 MB per hour of video (6000k bitrate)
+- PAL: ~600-800 MB per hour of video (8000k bitrate)
+- This is expected and fits on single-layer DVD (4.7GB)
+
+### Problem: Framerate conversion caused stuttering
+**Solution:**
+- VideoTools automatically handles common framerates
+- Stuttering is usually imperceptible for 23.976→29.97 conversions
+- If significant, consider pre-processing input with ffmpeg before VideoTools
+
+---
+
+## 💡 Pro Tips
+
+### Tip 1: Batch Processing
+- Load multiple videos at once
+- Add them all to queue with same settings
+- Start queue - they'll process in order
+- Great for converting entire movie collections to DVD
+
+### Tip 2: Previewing Before Encoding
+- Use the preview scrubber to check source quality
+- Look at aspect ratio and framerates shown
+- Makes sure you selected right DVD format
+
+### Tip 3: File Organization
+- Keep source videos and DVDs in separate folders
+- Name output files clearly with region (NTSC_movie.mpg, PAL_movie.mpg)
+- This prevents confusion when authoring discs
+
+### Tip 4: Testing Small Segment First
+- If unsure about settings, encode just the first 5 minutes
+- Author to test disc before encoding full feature
+- Saves time and disc resources
+
+### Tip 5: Backup Your MPG Files
+- Keep VideoTools .mpg output as backup
+- You can always re-author them to new discs later
+- Re-encoding loses quality
+
+---
+
+## 🎥 Example: Converting a Home Video
+
+### Scenario: Convert home video to DVD for grandparents
+
+**Step 1: Load video**
+- Load `family_vacation.mp4` from phone
+
+**Step 2: Check specs** (shown automatically)
+- Resolution: 1920x1080 (HD)
+- Framerate: 29.97 fps (perfect for NTSC)
+- Audio: 48 kHz (perfect)
+- Duration: 45 minutes
+
+**Step 3: Select format**
+- Choose: **DVD-NTSC (MPEG-2)**
+- Why: Video is 29.97 fps and will play on standard DVD players
+
+**Step 4: Set aspect ratio**
+- Choose: **16:9**
+- Why: Modern phone videos are widescreen
+
+**Step 5: Name output**
+- Type: `Family Vacation`
+- Output will be: `Family Vacation.mpg`
+
+**Step 6: Queue and encode**
+- Click "Add to Queue"
+- System estimates: ~45 min encoding (depending on hardware)
+- Click "Start Queue"
+
+**Step 7: Author to disc**
+- After encoding completes:
+- Open DVDStyler
+- Drag `Family Vacation.mpg` into video area
+- Add title menu
+- Render to ISO
+- Burn ISO to blank DVD-R
+- Total time to disc: ~2 hours
+
+**Result:**
+- Playable on any standalone DVD player
+- Works on PlayStation 2
+- Can mail to family members worldwide
+- Professional quality video
+
+---
+
+## 📚 Additional Resources
+
+- **DVD_IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md** - Technical specifications
+- **INTEGRATION_GUIDE.md** - How features were implemented
+- **QUEUE_SYSTEM_GUIDE.md** - Complete queue system reference
+
+---
+
+## ✅ Checklist: Before Hitting "Start Queue"
+
+- [ ] Video file is loaded and previewed
+- [ ] DVD format selected (NTSC or PAL)
+- [ ] Aspect ratio chosen (4:3 or 16:9)
+- [ ] Output filename entered
+- [ ] Any warnings are understood and acceptable
+- [ ] You have disk space for output (~5-10GB for full length feature)
+- [ ] You have time for encoding (varies by computer speed)
+
+---
+
+## 🎊 You're Ready!
+
+Your VideoTools is now ready to create professional DVD-Video files. Start with the Quick Start steps above, and you'll have DVD-compliant video in minutes.
+
+Happy encoding! 📀
+
+---
+
+*Generated with Claude Code*
+*For support, check the comprehensive guides in the project repository*