It takes approx 3hrs to build my project to DVD. I often need to cancel because I'm holding up the machine for too long (allotted 2hrs). I hit cancel, then a day later try to build again. It takes just as long because all the files are being transcoded again, including those that completed before I hit cancel. Is there a way, without transcoding individual files after importing, to continue building from where the project left off when I hit cancel? Thank you.

There's no pause in making a DVD with Encore...once you have canceled building a project it rolls back everything. If you have multiple video files that need to be transcoded...try transcoding them individually prior to building your DVD.

If that doesn't work...try negotiating for additional time on the computer or find another computer.

I figured that would be the case but do you or does anybody know about the files that are created when building? It seems, as I've said, that it will transcode the original file again after cancelling. When it transcodes the same original file, it seems to make a transcoded file with filename_001, filename_002, etc. for each build of the same file. Is there a way for Encore to recognize it's transcoded a file already? Would another solution be to import the transcoded file from a previous cancelled build? Would that make the build process faster for the second and future attemps? Thank you so far.

How and where are you saving your project file? If you create a project folder that includes the original AVI files and all the menu graphics...etc. Then Encore will place all the transcoded files into that directory. When you launch the project... Encore locates the files...sees that the video files have already been transcoded and you just need to complete the DVD build.

Th project file is located in folder x and the .mpg's also are in folder x.
In folder x, a project folder with the same name as project title ("potato") is created (so the path is Z:\x\potato\Cache\Media Cache Files\mlf.cache.MACC)
Are these files encore can use in regards to my situation? Thank you.

The transcoded files are located in the Sources folder (see attached screen capture).
Click to view attachment
When I have a video project I create a main directory/folder to store all my video clips, stills, music...etc. This folder will contain my Premiere project files...AE project files...and any other related output files. I generally output an AVI file from Premiere and place it in a sub-folder called "AVI". I then create a sub-folder called "DVD" which is where I will save my Encore project files (menu art...jpgs....music....ect.). I will use the AVI file located in the AVI folder as the video asset in Encore. When Encore transcodes this file it will place the demuxed audio and video files in the "transcodes" folder. So each time you open the project file (.ncor) Encore will look to see if the videos have been transcoded.

That explains why I thought things were transcoded when they weren't. Thanks for your help so far.

I've transcoded a few at a time, saved, came back and done a few more. Then I went to build and I ran out of space on a simple project:
11 timelines, less than 2hours of video, no special audio, no motion menu (3 total menus). The amount of space req'd was 4.83 and obviously won't fit on a 4.77 disc. I've done projects with far more video but I did all the transcoding after/during build process and had no problem. Obviously my bit budgeting is the problem but I'd prefer Encore handle that as I'm not 100% sure how to calculate, even with the help examples. Any suggestions?

I generally don't pre-transcode since Encore does all the math to get it to fit on a DVD5 disk. You could try not pre-transcoding all the video....Leave half or a third untranscoded. Then build the disk...I would think Encore would then transcode the other files to fit.

Going back to my original problem, my time is limited but it seems as if I spend some time doing transcoding, save, come back another time, build, it may build in much less time. Does that sound correct? Thank you very much.

What I'm suggesting is that you pre-transcode some of the files...and have Encore auto-transcode the others. This should take a lot less time, since Encore will not be transcoding all the files at one time. The actual time will depend on the number of clips....and the length of the clips....so if you have time constrains then yes, you will have to transcode and save the project in stages.

Thanks, it seems to have done the trick:
I imported 11 files then
auto transcoded 6 files in 2hrs (used auto preset) then
saved.

Next day I auto transcoded the other 5 files then
built.

No problem with disc space or time contraints.

Seems like the key is to have all assets in the project for auto transcoding to work properly; not importing 1 file, auto transcoding it, importing another and repeat. I'd need to be more bit conscious to successfully accomplish this latter method.
Thanks again.

I'm glad it worked out for you.