How to add Chapters to existing DVD without degrading quality

Yes, Premiere Elements will re-encode it by taking it by way of an AVI, even if you're going from VOB/DVD to VOB/DVD.

There are programs that will use smart encoding and work with a DVD workflow. Sonic's MyDVD will do this, for example. And Sony's DVD Architect.

But, if you're going to use Premiere Elements -- and going back to the original captured footage isn't an option -- then you'll see some loss of quality in going from DVD to DVD with menus. Whether or not that loss of quality is acceptable or not is sort of your call though.

Neale,

You might want to look into a program, PGCEdit. It should be able to edit the navigation properties in the first VOB, where the Menus, etc. are stored. I have not used this program, but it does cell-level edits in the VOB, and does not touch the MPEG-2 that is going to be contained in that first VOB with an Auto-Play DVD.

Good luck,

Hunt

Well, it was worth a shot. I'd then opt for Steve's suggestion, or similar. A search for "video editors" and "smart rendering" might yield options.

Good luck,

Hunt

Cool Neale. That is a new one to me.

You are correct, almost too many utilities to choose from, and for a few, one must be Jim Taylor to understand 'em.

What amazes me is how much is going on "beneath the hood (or bonnet)" with most of our authoring programs, which use an Abstraction Layer, like Encore, or the authoring features in PrE. It ain't simple stuff down at the code level.

Good luck,

Hunt

Nice solution, Neale!

Yes, back when I got my XKE (1966), I had to learn to speak UK auto, with bonnet, boot, drop-head, and spanner. There were obviously dozen more, but just to read the manual, I had to change my full vocabulary.

Over the years of travel to the UK, some terms, like car park and lift seem ingrained. When entering a lift, even in the US, I have to count floors to make sure I push the correct button, especially if it's the "first" floor. Let's just say that I usually try to take the stairs, so I do not get off on the wrong floor.

Hunt

Gee... and here I thought a lift was only used by a Hollywood starlet trying to improve her "upper floor"

Well, since I live next door to Scottsdale, AZ, the "lift," as you refer, epicenter of the US and possibly the world, I just flat had to laugh aloud.

When attending charity events, my wife and I will play a little game of trying to guess the plastic surgeon, who did which work.

Some of these women also make Nancy Pelosi look like one of the really good Disney animatronics. Sardonic grin, after sardonic grin.

Hunt

PS - before Steve banishes me to the Lounge, I had better go do something useful.