Multiple AVI Files into a single DVD

[bappida69]

Hi all,

I have various AVI and MPEG clips (downloaded from public domains like trailers, advertisements etc.). I want to convert the same to DVD compliant files and burn them to a DVD-R. While going through the forums, I found about TMPGenc, but I was not sure whether I can convert multiple files at one time(I have about 500 clips). I had two questions:

(1) How do I convert these clips to DVD?
(2) Would there be any quality loss?

Any suggestion would be more than welcome.

Thanks.

Bappida69

[housepig]

you can batch convert with TMPGenc, but you can't automate a batch convert, ie you can't select everything in a folder, and have TMPG encode everything in that folder to the same specs - you have to open every file, select your encoding options, and add to a batch list.

once you've got everything on your batch list, you can press "run" and go off to the movies for a few hours while everything converts. but you stil have to go point to point to set it all up for the batch convert.

...unless someone wants to prove me wrong, and open my eyes to some automated batch processing in TMPGenc (or any other convertor)?

[housepig]

sorry, forgot about your two questions:

1) you should check one of the Guides in the How To Convert section at left.

2) if you convert with a decent bitrate, you shouldn't have much quality loss. You should be able to fit 90-120 minutes on a dvd without seeing any quality loss. if you try to fit 4 hours on it, you are going to see some problems... and remember that converting to mpeg and putting it on dvd is not going to gain you any quality - the best you'll get is exactly what you put in.

[bappida69]

Thanks for the response, housepig. You answered just what I dreaded to hear!! I have to do one file at a time. And as regards the quality, it is going to remain the way it is. One wonders the need for doing this then....

[housepig]

well, I'm doing it so I can watch the stuff on my tv, rather than on the computer. (or to get stuff off VHS so I can get random access like chapter points).

I'll say this, it's tedious, but once you get on a roll, you can get a lot done in a short time.

and maybe someone who knows a good trick to batching just hasn't seen the thread yet....

[funkguy4]

sorry, forgot about your two questions:
You should be able to fit 90-120 minutes on a dvd without seeing any quality loss. if you try to fit 4 hours on it, you are going to see some problems... and remember that converting to mpeg and putting it on dvd is not going to gain you any quality - the best you'll get is exactly what you put in.

I have managed to fit four hours of DVD-Quality video onto a DVD! He should be able to fit a bunch with Half D1 resolution.