Dual Layer Compatibility Question

[rbermude]

I am considering to upgrade my burner to a Dual Layer model since I need to be able to record 2 hours of video with the best video quality.
My experience so far indicates that you can only get 1 hour of good video quality in a 4.7 GB disc.
Are dual layer disck "generally" compatible with older DVD players (set top boxes)?
What is the average price for a dual layer disc these days?

Rene

[mh2360]

4.7GB is more than enough for a 2 hour recording. If you use a good quality encoder at, say 2 pass VBR, then I challenge anyone to tell the difference between a recording encoded at twice the bitrate...

[spiderman2k1]

Are you recording from TV I would just get a Panasonic DVD recorder. And DVD-R is fine for two hours. If you get the one with a hard drive you can edit right on the deck.

[waheed]

not to mention dual layer discs will cost 10 times the price of a single layer dvdr.

[Die*wrek*show]

and that's if you don't burn any coasters!

[Ward River]

I'm waiting for the prices to come way way down before I go spending money for a dual layer burner.

[rbermude]

mh2360:

I have tried and tried and tried getting even 1.5 hour with an acceptable video quality.....using different methods and encoders........and I can tell you.....I see the difference.

So, can you point me to where I can find the formula you use to get the same level of quality doing compression and getting 2 hours of video in a 4.7 GB DVD disc?

Rene

[lumis]

there is no way i'd backup a movie or a tv series to a dvd+rl DL at the current prices. $10/disc just isnt worth it.

if i were recording a wedding or other personal event, i would definetly consider a dvd+r DL. $10/disc is worth it if its something you plan on keeping for a long long time.

i've recorded football games (from HD) and i've crammed 2 hours of video on a disc, the results are okay, but not great.. but if i split it up over 2 discs and max out the quality, the results are excellent.

i guess it just depends on what you're going to put on the dvd+r DL.

as for compatibility, i'd say its pretty good, as long as you set the book type to dvd-rom. the dvd+r DL's that i've burned have played in every device i've tried.. but i've heard of people having problems at the layer switch.

[Ward River]

4.7GB is more than enough for a 2 hour recording. If you use a good quality encoder at, say 2 pass VBR, then I challenge anyone to tell the difference between a recording encoded at twice the bitrate...

mh2360:

I have tried and tried and tried getting even 1.5 hour with an acceptable video quality.....using different methods and encoders........and I can tell you.....I see the difference.

What kind of audio is in your project? Is it using PCM (uncompressed)?

[rbermude]

Ward River:

Is the audio important to get longer video in a 4.7 GB disk?

What setting should I use?

Rene

[Matt D]

Just like with the video, compressing your audio to something like AC3 or MP2 will take up less disc space.

[guns1inger]

If stereo, then AC3 at 192 or perhaps 224khz
If 5.1 then AC3 at 384khz

MP2 (mpeg1-layer2) can be used in PAL land without a worry, but might not play in NTSC land, where it is an optional audio format.

PCM, on the otherhand, will eat a quarter of a DVD5 for an hour of audio.