Tutorial: How to use Varsha


This tutorial is written in Question/Answer format.

  1. What initial setup is required?

  2. How to format a DVD+/-RW disc?

  3. How to create a DVD layout (TitleSets/Titles/Chapters/Slideshows)?

  4. How to save my DVD layout on harddrive so that I can come back to it later?

  5. How to make a DVD image (DVD-ISO file) file on harddrive?

  6. How to burn a DVD image file to a real DVD disc?

  7. How to burn my DVD layout directly to disc?

  8. How to set the default system to NTSC/PAL?

  9. Why are some menu items disabled?

  10. Where do I see what is going on during a long processing?

  11. Whom do I tell if this tutorial has mistakes?

  12. What if I use incompatible files?  Does Varsha do conversion?


1. What initial setup is required?

Check all your dependencies are installed.  Start Varsha and go to Edit->Preferences and check all tabs there.  Specify a temporary directory which does not contain any important data and where large intermediate files can be generated.  I  do not recommend using /tmp.  Tab labeled "Diagnostics" has a self test which checks for exisitance of basic tools on your machine and if they are executable by your login id.

2. How to format a DVD+/-RW disc?

From menu select DVD-> Format DVD RW Disc,  Check mark "Sure, Do it"  box  and click on "Start" button.

3. How to make a DVD disc that can be played in my home DVD player?

Here are the steps
- Get source material ready.
- Start Varsha.
- Create DVD layout.
- Add a menu (optional).
- Make an ISO image of the DVD  and burn this ISO image to a DVD+/-R  or DVD+/-RW disc.
                   or
  Burn DVD directly.


4. How to save my DVD layout on harddrive so that I can come back to it later?

As soon as you start Varsha, you are in a new project ready to be worked on.  After you create your DVD layout (described here) you can click on File->Save and provide a filename to save the project.  Later, comeback to Varsha and use File->Open to open it and continue working.


5. How to make a DVD image (DVD-ISO file) file on harddrive?


6. How to burn a DVD image file to a real DVD disc?


7. How to burn my DVD layout directly to disc?

I recommend you use a DVD+/-RW to make your draft copy first so that, if something is not right, you can erase it and try again.

8. How to set the default system to NTSC/PAL?
Look under  Edit -> Preferences -> Video

9. Why are some menu items disabled?
Based on what is selected on the DVD layout (leftside on Varsha), some actions are enabled or disabled.   For example, it is allowed to add a MenuItem to a Menu but not  to a Title.

10. How do I know what is going on during a long processing?

All long processings show you a live log of what is going on.  Logs have two parts.  Top part shows highlevel summary and bottom part shows details.

11. Whom do I tell if this tutorial has mistakes?
Please send an email to mallappa|at|users(dot)sourceforge[dot]net.  I may just fix the problem and may not have time to respond to your email.  So, thanks in advance on behalf of everyone who uses this tutorial :) .

12. What if I use incompatible files?  Does Varsha do conversion?
Short answer is NO.  Even though Varsha does a basic test to sniff for MPEG-2 data, it assumes you are using correct DVD compatible mpeg files.   MPEG-1/MPEG-2 formats are used for many type of video discs.  All video formats VCD/SVCD/XVCD/DVD etc., have their own max resolution, max bitrate etc.,   So, using incompatible files will only give you either unplayable or poorly playable output.  For example, making SVCD using DVD quality mpegs will result in a SVCD which exceeds SVCD specs and hence not playable in most DVD players. 

Soon, I am planning to add some validation code to make sure your source is good.  Until then, to make a successful DVD, you need to make sure your MPEG files are in  DVD format (NTSC/PAL).  Be sure you have set your video preference to correct type (NTSC/PAL).  Most softwares let you export your camcorder video to mpeg format and at this time specify which type of mpeg you want. 

Bottom line is:
If you are making NTSC DVD, use NTSC DVD compatible MPEG-2 files.
If you are making PAL DVD, use PAL DVD compatible MPEG-2 files.



~The End~