Nero Recode 2 User Guide
User Manual
Nero Recode 2
www.nero.com
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Copyright © 2003-2005 by Nero AG
REV 1.2
Table of contents
1 About Nero Recode 2 ........................................................................ 6
1.1 What is Nero Recode 2? ................................................................ 6
1.1.1 Nero Recode 2 as a copying program ............................................. 6
1.1.2 Nero Recode 2 as a compilation program........................................ 6
1.1.3 Nero Recode 2 as a conversion program ........................................ 6
1.2 System requirements..................................................................... 7
1.3 Installation ...................................................................................... 7
1.4 Launching Nero Recode 2............................................................. 7
1.4.1 Opening Nero Recode 2 with Nero StartSmart ................................ 7
1.4.2 Launching Nero Recode 2 separately.............................................. 8
2 The Nero Recode 2 interface ............................................................ 9
2.1 Introduction .................................................................................... 9
2.2 Copying an entire DVD ................................................................ 10
2.2.1 DVD-Video ..................................................................................... 11
2.2.2 DVD data........................................................................................ 13
2.3 Creating your own DVD ............................................................... 14
2.3.1 DVD-Video ..................................................................................... 15
2.3.2 DVD data........................................................................................ 16
2.4 Create a Nero Digital disc............................................................ 17
2.4.1 DVD-Video ..................................................................................... 18
2.4.2 DVD data........................................................................................ 19
2.5 Advanced display......................................................................... 20
2.5.1 Selecting an import profile.............................................................. 20
2.5.2 Selecting a Nero Digital profile....................................................... 21
2.5.3 Shutting down the computer once burning has been completed ... 21
2.5.4 Book Type settings......................................................................... 22
2.5.5 Setting the burning priority ............................................................. 22
2.5.6 Configuring Nero Recode 2............................................................ 23
2.5.7 Erasing the contents of a disc ........................................................ 29
2.5.8 Obtaining information on the inserted disc..................................... 30
2.5.9 Nero Cover Designer ..................................................................... 30
3 Import profiles ................................................................................. 31
3.1 Creating an import profile ........................................................... 31
3.2 Editing an existing import profile ............................................... 38
3.3 Deleting an import profile............................................................ 39
Nero Recode Table of contents • 3
4 Copying a DVD ................................................................................ 41
4.1 General information ..................................................................... 41
4.2 Copying without changing the DVD structure........................... 41
4.3 Copying (and changing the DVD structure)............................... 42
4.3.1 Importing a DVD............................................................................. 42
4.3.2 Changing the structure of a DVD ................................................... 45
5 Creating a new DVD ........................................................................ 52
5.1 Creating a new DVD ..................................................................... 52
5.2 Further options............................................................................. 55
5.2.1 Shortening videos .......................................................................... 55
5.2.2 Merging individual titles.................................................................. 56
5.2.3 Separating merged titles ................................................................ 57
6 Converting DVD-Videos and other video files to MPEG-4 files
with Nero Digital .............................................................................. 58
6.1 Converting DVD-Video titles and other video files into MPEG-4
format ............................................................................................ 58
6.2 Additional conversion options.................................................... 60
6.2.1 Selecting an audio track................................................................. 60
6.2.2 Selecting the subtitle ...................................................................... 62
6.2.3 Information on the DVD-Video title and other video files................ 63
6.3 Specifying the Nero Digital encoder settings............................ 64
6.3.1 Specifying the video settings.......................................................... 65
6.3.2 Specifying the audio settings ......................................................... 68
6.4 Chapter marks .............................................................................. 70
7 Burning a disc ................................................................................. 72
7.1 Burning a disc .............................................................................. 72
7.2 Burn options................................................................................. 72
7.3 Nero Digital settings .................................................................... 77
7.3.1 Nero Digital settings ....................................................................... 77
7.3.2 Normal mode.................................................................................. 78
7.3.3 Expert mode................................................................................... 79
8 Keyboard shortcuts......................................................................... 83
8.1 Keyboard shortcuts ..................................................................... 83
Nero Recode Table of contents • 4
9 Service.............................................................................................. 84
9.1 FAQs.............................................................................................. 84
9.1.1 The copied DVD does not contain the audio tracks I selected. What
did I do wrong?............................................................................... 84
9.1.2 The copied DVD does not contain the subtitles I selected. What did
I do wrong? .................................................................................... 84
9.1.3 The DVD I made does have a DTS soundtrack but I cannot hear
any sound. What went wrong during recording?............................ 84
9.1.4 It takes different lengths of time to recode DVDs, depending on the
DVD involved. Why is that?............................................................ 84
9.1.5 I have inserted a DVD and want to copy it but Nero Recode 2 does
not recognize it. What am I doing wrong?...................................... 84
9.1.6 I created an MPEG-4 file but I only have one soundtrack. What went
wrong? ........................................................................................... 85
9.1.7 I would like to obtain a newer version of Nero Recode 2. Where can
I find out if an update is available and download it?....................... 85
9.1.8 Where can I get help with technical problems?.............................. 85
9.2 Contact.......................................................................................... 86
10 Index................................................................................................. 87
Nero Recode Table of contents • 5
1 About Nero Recode 2
1.1 What is Nero Recode 2?
Nero Recode 2 is a program that performs different tasks in connection with
DVD-Video titles and other video files that are not copy-protected.
1.1.1 Nero Recode 2 as a copying program
Nero Recode 2 is a program for copying and archiving DVD-Video titles that are
not copy-protected onto a DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW or DVD-RAM disc.
If the source DVD is larger than the target DVD, Nero Recode 2 can compress
the contents of the source DVD so that they pass on to an empty DVD disc –
normally without any noticeable loss of quality.
In addition, you can remove soundtracks and subtitles with Nero Recode 2 in
order to achieve maximum image quality, for example. What is special is that
even the DVD menu of the source DVD remains complete if individual titles have
been removed. The target DVD can alternatively be written on the hard disk in
the form of a DVD-Video directory - or as a so-called disk image on the hard
drive.
1.1.2 Nero Recode 2 as a compilation program
Nero Recode 2 is a program for compiling DVD-Video titles and other video files
(that are not copy-protected) onto other media (CD and DVD).
If you have DVD-Video titles or other video files on different DVDs and would like
to compile your favorite titles onto one DVD, you can use Nero Recode 2 to have
the desired DVD-Video titles in a new compilation which you can then 'burn'. It
does not matter whether you burn the compilation on a DVD or a CD.
1.1.3 Nero Recode 2 as a conversion program
Nero Recode 2 is a program you can use to convert DVD-Video titles and other
video files that are not copy-protected into the Nero Digital format (MPEG-4)
and to burn them onto discs.
Nero Recode About Nero Recode 2 • 6
1.2 System requirements
Nero Recode 2 is installed together with NeroVision Express 3 and its system
requirements are the same. You can find more detailed information on the
system requirements in the NeroVision Express 3 manual.
In addition, you will need to have a computer with a built-in DVD-ROM or DVD
recorder, as otherwise you will be unable to read or burn DVDs.
1.3 Installation
Nero Recode 2 is not installed separately but together with NeroVision Express
3. In other words, after installing NeroVision Express 3 you will also
automatically possess Nero Recode 2.
1.4 Launching Nero Recode 2
You can start Nero Recode 2 in two different ways – either via Nero StartSmart,
the 'command center' of the Nero family of products, or directly.
1.4.1 Opening Nero Recode 2 with Nero StartSmart
Open Nero StartSmart and choose a task that you would like Nero Recode 2 to
perform, e.g. 'Recode DVD-Video' or 'Convert DVD-Video Movies to Nero Digital
™'.
Nero Recode About Nero Recode 2 • 7
1.4.2 Launching Nero Recode 2 separately
Proceed as follows to launch Nero Recode 2:
Click on START > (ALL) PROGRAMS > Nero > Nero Digital > Nero Recode.
Nero Recode About Nero Recode 2 • 8
2 The Nero Recode 2 interface
r
r
2.1 Introduction
Nero Recode 2 is not only available as a full version, but also in a bundle with a
CD/DVD recorder in the Nero Recode 2 CE or Nero Recode 2 SE versions.
These differ from the full version in the scale of functions they offer, in othe
words they cannot perform all the tasks described in this manual and the use
interface is adapted to the specific version.
The Nero Recode 2 interface is independent of the chosen task. This means that
there are different commands present on the different interfaces. The individual
interfaces are described in the order they appear in the selection area of the start
window.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 9
2.2 Copying an entire DVD
/
With Nero Recode 2 CE, it is not possible to recode a complete DVD and
main feature film onto a DVD disc.
A DVD may not only contain video files that can be played on a DVD player but
also other kinds of data. This data cannot be played on a normal commercially
available DVD player but only on a DVD-ROM/DVD burner drive in a computer.
When copying a DVD, Nero Recode 2 is capable of copying both the video as
well as the data contents. Of course, you can just copy the video element if you
wish.
You will reach the area for copying an entire DVD by clicking on 'Recode an
Entire DVD to DVD' in the start window.
or the
If you do not want to copy the entire contents of the DVD, but only the main
movie, choose the 'Recode Main Movie to DVD' task. The 'Recode Main Movie to
DVD' command is not available with Nero Recode 2 SE.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 10
2.2.1 DVD-Video
After clicking on the 'Recode an Entire DVD to DVD' field in the start window, the
DVD-Video area of the backup window for your DVDs will open.
By clicking on 'DVD-Video Files' you will move to the Nero Recode 2 video area.
By clicking on the 'Import DVD' button you will open a dialog to import the
selected DVD.
This button is only enabled if a DVD-Video title has been imported. Clicking on
the 'Disable' button will remove titles that were originally present so that they will
not be included when you burn your copy.
This button is only enabled if an imported DVD-Video title has been deactivated.
Clicking on the 'Enable' button will activate titles that were originally disabled so
that they will be included when you burn your copy.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 11
This button is only enabled if a DVD-Video title has been imported. Clicking on
the 'Lock Ratio' button will stop the recorder quality of a DVD-Video title being
changed automatically. However, it is still possible to change the quality setting
manually by moving the slider.
This button is only enabled if a DVD-Video title has been imported and automatic
modification has been prevented. Click on the 'Unlock Ratio' button to unblock
the automatic modification of the recode a title's quality.
The 'Fit to Target' check box is ticked as a default. This means that the disc
inserted will later be automatically recoded to fit the size of the blank disk inserted
(where technically possible).
If the 'Fit to Target' check box has been ticked, you can select the target by
clicking on the dropdown button. The level indicator will be adjusted depending
on the target.
If the 'Fit to Target' check box has been disabled, the size of a copy can be
specified independently of the disc's size limitations. It may be that it is not
possible to burn the DVD structure thus created on a normal, commercially
available blank disc. However, this method is suitable for playing a DVD-Video
from the hard drive.
This information field indicates how much space is currently available on the disc.
The Nero Recode 2 level indicator shows how much space on the disc is
occupied. As long as the bar of the level indicator is blue, the entire contents will
fit onto the disc.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 12
If a red bar appears in the indicator, the amount of data is larger than the capacity
of the disc.
Clicking on the '?' button will tell you more about Nero Recode 2.
If you have installed Nero Recode 2 CE without Nero SmartStart, you can enter
the serial number in the area that now opens.
2.2.2 DVD data
By clicking on 'DVD Data Files' you will move to the Nero Recode 2 data area.
In contrast to the video area, the following elements are present in the 'DVD Data
Files' area.
You can open a dialog to import the selected data files by clicking on the 'Add
Files' button.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 13
This button is only enabled if a data file is present. Clicking on the 'Delete' button
will remove any data files that have been added.
Clicking on this icon will start a dialog to let you name a folder to be created in the
data section of the disc.
This icon is only enabled in a subordinate folder. If you click on this icon, the
contents of the parent folder will be displayed.
Clicking on this dropdown button will open a menu and let you choose how the
available files will be displayed in the folders.
2.3 Creating your own DVD
With the Nero Recode 2 CE and Nero Recode 2 SE it is not possible to compile
your own new DVDs by importing and recoding DVD titles.
With Nero Recode 2 you can quickly and easily create a new DVD from DVDVideo titles (provided they are not copy-protected). This allows you to burn a
'Best of' DVD from existing DVD-Video titles and data files. Naturally enough, you
can remove any subtitles and audio tracks that you do not want, just like when
copying a DVD.
You will reach the area for creating your own DVDs by clicking on 'Remake a
DVD' in the start window.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 14
2.3.1 DVD-Video
After clicking on the 'Remake a DVD' field in the start window, the DVD-Video
area of the compilation window for your own DVDs will open.
In contrast to the copy window for a DVD, the following new buttons are present
in this compilation window.
This button is only enabled if a DVD-Video title has been imported. Clicking on
the 'Start / End' button will open a window in which the titles can be shortened –
you must specify the first and last frame. You can find more detailed information
on shortening DVD-Videos in the 'Shortening videos' section.
This button is only enabled if a DVD-Video title has been imported and at least
two titles have been highlighted. Clicking on the 'Merge Titles' button will merge
the two titles to one. You can find more detailed information on mixing DVDVideos in the 'Merging individual titles' section.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 15
This button is only enabled if a DVD-Video title has been imported and two titles
have been merged to form one single one. Clicking on the 'Separate' button will
separate the merged titles so that the original titles are available again in their
original form. You can find more detailed information on separating DVD-Videos
in the 'Separating merged titles' section.
2.3.2 DVD data
By clicking on 'DVD Data Files' you will move to the Nero Recode 2 data area.
In contrast to the data window in the copy area, this window does not contain any
new areas and buttons. Therefore we will not describe it in further detail here.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 16
2.4 Create a Nero Digital disc
It is not possible to compile a Nero Digital disc with Nero Recode 2 SE version.
You can use Nero Recode 2 to convert DVD-Video titles and other video files
(not copy-protected) with Nero Digital quickly and easily into MPEG-4 files. Like
when making your own DVD compilation, you can shorten existing titles if you
only want to use certain parts of a DVD title.
You reach the field for creating a Nero Digital disc by clicking on 'Recode DVDs
and Videos to Nero Digital' in the start window.
If you would not like to recode the entire contents of the disc in MPEG-4 format
(Nero Digital) but solely the main feature, select the 'Recode Main Movie to Nero
Digital' option.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 17
2.4.1 DVD-Video
After clicking on 'Recode DVDs and Videos to Nero Digital' in the start window,
the DVD-Video area of the compilation window for converting DVD-Videos and
other video files into MPEG-4 files will open.
The following new buttons (in comparison to the copy window for a DVD) are
present in a Nero Digital Disc compilation window.
This button is only active if at least one DVD video title or video file has been
imported and one file has been highlighted. Clicking on the 'Video' button will
open a dialog where you can specify the video settings to be used during
conversion. You can find more detailed information on Nero Digital settings in
the section on 'Specifying the video settings'.
This button is only active if at least one DVD video title or video file has been
imported and one file has been highlighted. Clicking on the 'Chapters' button will
open a dialog where you will be able to set your own chapter marks. You can find
more detailed information on Nero Digital settings in the section on 'Chapter
marks'.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 18
2.4.2 DVD data
By clicking on 'DVD Data Files', you will jump to the Nero Recode 2 data area.
In contrast to the data window in the copy area, this window does not contain any
new areas and buttons and so it is not described in further detail here.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 19
2.5 Advanced display
Clicking on the 'More' button will extend the Nero Recode 2 user interface.
Additional options are available in the Nero Recode 2 advanced display mode.
You can use it to adapt the program to your personal needs and to start other
functions related to DVDs.
The content of this area depends on the element of Nero Recode 2 where you
clicked on the 'More' button. The following diagram shows the field where all the
profiles and commands are displayed.
2.5.1 Selecting an import profile
This area allows you to select the profile you want, the settings of which will
determine the result of the finished DVD. A special explanation is provided of how
to specify a profile. Please read the following section on 'Creating an import
profile'.
You can change the profile by clicking on the dropdown button and selecting the
chosen import profile.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 20
2.5.2 Selecting a Nero Digital profile
A
r
Not all Nero Digital profiles are available in the Nero Recode 2 CE version.
This profile is only available when the 'Recode DVDs and videos to Nero Digital',
or the 'Recode Main Movie to Nero Digital' task has been chosen.
This area allows you to select the desired conversion profile. Depending on the
purpose of the converted DVD title, the size of the final result can vary.
You can change the profile by clicking on the dropdown button and selecting the
desired profile.
Above version 2.2, Nero Recode 2 also has AVC profiles (Advanced Video
Coding) for encoding to Nero Digital. Compared to noncoding quality is better for identical file sizes, or the file size is smaller fo
identical coding quality. However, encoding takes more time.
VC profiles, either the
2.5.3 Shutting down the computer once burning has been completed
In the Nero Recode 2 burning dialog, the user can decide whether the computer
is to be shut down once the burning procedure is finished.
This check box determines whether or not the computer will be shut down
once the burning procedure has been completed. In the default setting, this
check box is disabled. In other words, the computer will not be shut down after
burning but remains switched on.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 21
2.5.4 Book Type settings
The recording dialog in Nero Recode 2 lets the user determine the Book Type
Setting for several DVD recorders when burning DVDs. The Book Type field of a
DVD helps DVD players to identify the inserted disk and determines the DVD’s
level of compatibility.
Click on 'DVD Book Type settings' on the drop-down button and select the
desired setting:
Automatic
DVD-ROM
Physical disk type
Current recorder setting
2.5.5 Setting the burning priority
In the Nero Recode 2 burning dialog, the user can decide how the computer's
resources should be employed when burning the disc.
Nero Recode 2 automatically selects the
most suitable Book Type for this disk.
The Book Type is set to 'DVD-ROM'.
The Book Type as given on the DVD is not
changed.
The Book Type setting is read by the
recorder.
This area allows you to select the desired priority.
You can change the profile by clicking on the dropdown button and selecting the
desired priority.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 22
2.5.6 Configuring Nero Recode 2
Clicking on the 'Configure' area will open the configuration menu of Nero
Recode 2 showing various tabs which determine the behavior of the program.
Clicking on the 'OK' button will save the changes and close the window.
DVD
Import DVD
This check box determines whether (when importing a DVD with data content)
the contents will also be taken over. In the default setting, this check box is
disabled. In other words, the data content of a DVD will not be automatically
copied as well.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 23
Characters from languages such as Japanese and Korean which use a 16-bit
Unicode character set that does not match the DVD-Video specifications are not
used by Nero Recode 2. However, this restriction can be relaxed as required. In
the default setting, this check box is deactivated, i.e. the DVD-Video
specifications are not relaxed.
Output DVD
This check box specifies whether (when copying a DVD with elements that are
blocked for user input) these areas should be made accessible to the user.
This is also the standard (default) setting. If, for example, the original DVD
contains a section that cannot be jumped over (so that the contents of this
section are always shown when playing) Nero Recode 2 can unblock it and
the user can skip the section - or view it at fast forward. In the default setting,
this check box is enabled, in other words the section is 'unlocked' and the user
has access to these areas.
If the original DVD consists of two layers, there is a command on the DVD
which will stop the picture for a short time so that the laser can jump from the
first to the second layer. When copying with Nero Recode 2 onto a DVD with
only one layer, this command is unnecessary and can be removed. The
checkbox is enabled in the default setting.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 24
Nero Digital
A
After creating an MPEG-4 file with Nero Recode 2, the program can determine,
after the first pass, that the quality of the resulting video would be improved if the
file is passed a second time.
In this case you can stipulate on this tab how Nero Recode 2 should proceed.
You can change the setting by clicking on the dropdown button and selecting the
desired option.
Ask me to confirm which
files need a second pass.
If a second pass is meant to improve the quality,
then a dialog always appears before the second
pass in which you can choose if the second pass
should be done or not.
Do not ask me. Always do a
second pass for those files
which need it.
Do not ask me. Never do a
second pass-
If a second pass is meant to improve the quality,
then this will be done automatically without
consulting you.
second pass will never be made, even if it
improved the quality of the resulting MPEG-4 file.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 25
If you need to change the video resolution when converting to Nero Digital, a
special method can be selected by clicking on the drop-down button. The
standard setting 'Automatic' obviously selects the best (likely) method.
This check box determines whether the file is analyzed when importing the video.
In the default setting, this check box is activated.
General
If you have installed the version of Nero Recode 2 CE without Nero SmartStart,
you will find a dropdown list box to select the user interface language.
Clicking on the 'Enable All' button will enable all the warning messages again if
they had been manually disabled before.
This check box determines whether the program is shown in the system tray
when minimized. In the default setting, the check box is activated.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 26
This check box shows whether the disk is ejected after encoding/burning. In
the default setting, this check box is deactivated.
When burning a disk, a report on the recording process is generated. This
check box shows whether the system asks if the report should be saved. In
the default setting, the check box is activated.
Preview Window
This area determines the quality of the audio output when the DVD title is being
seen in the preview window.
You can change the setting by clicking on the dropdown button and selecting the
desired option.
Multichannel
Always downmix to 2
The audio output is over a number of channels.
The audio output is in two-channel stereo (default).
channel stereo
SPDIF
If the computer has a sound card with digital output,
the sound will be heard from the connected digital
audio device.
Nero Recode The Nero Recode 2 interface • 27
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