How do I maximize compatibility?

[garibaldo]

I'm trying to encode some home videos and sat captures and I want to distribute these to friends and family who are using a variety of dvd players. I want to use the 352x480 format and burn approx. 250 minutes of near DVD quality video onto a DVD-R. I am currently using a CVD template in TMPGEnc Plus with 2 pass VBR (3000 avg, 3600 max, 2500 min). The quality looks decent on my computer screen. I've even tried this with HDTV captures and it almost looks like DVD quality. I've adjusted the GOP max to 18 for NTSC, adjusted the audio to 48000 Hz and 224 bitrate. The system is set to MPEG2 Program VBR. TMPG DVD Author will accept files encoded with these specs and they work on my DVD player. I'd like to include a menu if possible for multiple videos. What kind of compatibility can I expect with these settings? How do I maximize compatibility? Also, what burning method and brand of DVD-R or DVD-RW would work best? I'd appreciate any help.

[garibaldo]

*bump*

[Gees]

Please try not to bump your topic(reply to your own topic) immediately, wait at least a few days.

it's right where you enter your post. You had to pass it to do that.

[Donny661]

It should be compatible with every dvd player that supports dvd-r. Make sure you use pcm or dolby digital audio because those are the only required dvd video audio codecs.

[Vejita-sama]

Max? I'd recommend using a DVD supported resolution with ac3 audio. Then burn with IMGTools + DVD Decrypter. Media wise stick to good brand names (eg. Ritek or TDK).

But keep in mind that not all players can play all discs. My personal opinion is that more standalones (esp older ones) support DVD-R over DVD+R. But pretty much any new standalone can play either.

[garibaldo]

What size increase should I expect with ac3 or PCM vs the MP2 file that would result from demultiplexing my MPG? Are there DVD players out there that don't play 352x480 even though it's considered a standard format? Also, are there problems with high or low bitrates?