"DVD-Video files" in Nero Express

[jyeh74]

I am using Nero Burning Rom 6.6 right now. There is a button called "DVD Video File" in Express.

The description state: To create a high quality DVD-Video from DVD-Video file structures from your hard drive. Please note that to make DVD-Video from video files, you must use a DVD authoring tool such as NeroVision.

I only have to use Nerovision if I want to create menus right? I ask this because it does let me proceed to "add" my mpg files. I assume that if I dont use NeroVision and just add my mpg into this list, it will convert into a dvd format? (kinda like what DivxtoDVD does?)

Thanks for the clarification.

[Baldrick]

You must author first, you can not just add mpg files.

[jyeh74]

Baldrick,

I used DixvtoDVD but it doesnt tell me how big the output is. It kinda just takes WHATEVER I drag into it, encodes it and burns it. How do I know if I am losing quality? I mean, obviously if I encode and burn 100 mpgs at 50 mbs each, the quality will be lower than if I do 5 mpgs at 50 mbs each. Will it even do it or will it tell me that I cannot fit this on a dvd-r?

That is the problem I have been having with this freewar DivxtoDVD.

I then tried to use TEMPGnc Xpress, but I dont understand the average bitrate (which I left at 9200 default) Was wondering why my 7 mpgs took 5 hours to encode!!!! How low do I set it before quality is effected? I know my mpgs music videos isnt even that great to start out with. I tried lowering the resolution from 720 X 480 (highest default setting) to 352 X 240 but it still didnt lower my output rate WHICH WAS 2.1 gigs!!!!!!

[jtoolman2000]

9200 bitrate is nearing the range that will cause problems with playback on some machines. Your pc is a bit on the slow side so that's why it may be taking 5 hours to encode. What is the actual viewing length of these clips? Two hours should just about fill a DVD/R depending on resolution and or bitrate, you would be able to write more or less. Shoot for 1-2 hours or full rez dvd ntsc in one disc and you should be safe.

The free Divx to DVD does indeed only "fit" whatever you through at it. You really do not know what is actually taking place as far as quality loss. That's why I stick to only 1-2 hours worth of avi ( whatever ) to DVD. I think the PAY version may allow you more control but I do not have it so maybe someone else can clarify this.

[jyeh74]

Can anyone else suggest something (preferably freeware) that gives me the option of viewing length on a dvd-r when I am encoding? I mean, as I add mpgs to encode and burn on a dvd-r, will it tell me how much I have left on a dvd-r? (Nero does this with regular audio mp3s)
TMPEGnc Xpress does, but you have to play around with the average bitrate, which I am not sure what is the lowest setting I should do depending on length. I know I can use the bitrate calculator, BUT at what point do I decide to split the mpgs onto separate dvd-rs......Let's say I have 500 mpg files, each 50 mbs and 5 mins each. Do I cramm all on a single dvd-r and make the average bitrate low, or do I split it up into 2,3,4,5 dvd-rs and increase the bitrate?

jtoolman2000:

The 7 mpgs (about 50 mb each = total 350 mb) I tried averages about 5 mins each = total time 35 mins. I think each is low about 352 X 240 in resolution.

[jyeh74]

thanks for the response, you said 2 hrs should just about fit a dvd-r depending on resolution and length. How do I confirm and test this? Is there a program that allows me to maximize number of files on a dvd-r?

I want to maximize the number of mpg converted dvd compliant files on a dvd-r. without sacrificing quality, which I think is pretty low already.....352 X 240 at about 5-8 mins each and about 50-80 mbs each.

WHAT BITRATE does DivxtoDVD encode and burn it at????? How can I tell - since it just kinda does it for you....doesnt show you the numbers......

[jtoolman2000]

Try to forget about maximizing. Unless you really don't care about the output quality, as I mentioned, try to stay with the 1-2 hours time limit. Yes, of sourse you can cram more. It's just that the more you cram the worse it is going to appear. The idea here if to preserve whatever quality level you began with. In my book there is NO excuse for diminished quality just to get more footage in a DVD.

In TMPEGnc if you leave the adjustment alone it will show you how much room there is as you fill up the disc. At that point you can decide to custom adjust bitrate or VBR to whatever you wish. The thing to remember is you WILL loose quality if you reduce bit rate beyond a certain point. How much? You can only know by experimenting. Idealy a tool would show you an actual preview of the video image as it degrades with decreasing bitrate setting. I don't think any such tool exists.
In digital photogrqaphy there is such a tool for JPG images but unfortunately not for video. As far as I know. If it was out there, I'd be the first to buy it.

[jyeh74]

I used the bitrate calculator. For a 5 min music video it says to use 9603....TMPEGnc only lets me set up to 9200 - that is plenty I think?

So does that mean if I go below the number bit rate calculator gives me that it will LOWER the quality?

And if I go ABOVE the number that the calculator gives me that it WON'T do anything in terms of increasing quality.

[jyeh74]

The thing to remember is you WILL loose quality if you reduce bit rate beyond a certain point. How much? You can only know by experimenting. Idealy a tool would show you an actual preview of the video image as it degrades with decreasing bitrate setting. I don't think any such tool exists.
In digital photogrqaphy there is such a tool for JPG images but unfortunately not for video. As far as I know. If it was out there, I'd be the first to buy it.

What is the purpose of the bitrate calculator then? When I enter 5 mins = it gives me a bitrate of 9603 to use....max in TMPGEnc is only 9200 which translates a 5 min 50mb mpg to a ridiculous 377 mb output!

[jtoolman2000]

No it actually makes perfect sense. A 5 minute video can be 10 megs 50megs or several hundred megs. It's all in the bitrate.

I'll provide you this analogy. I can create a graphics that measures 4x5" when printed. The image can be 4x5" BUT be made composed of 72 -150 - 300- 600 pixels per inch or even 3000 pixels per inch. The "PRINT" will still remain and print to a 4x5" but the 72 inch one will be of lower quality than say the 150. The 300 will be the OPTIMAL resoslution. Anything higher than that DOES NOT add any more detaail to the image AS LONG as it remains 4x5". The 3000PPI image is total overkill and will probably freeze you printer. The 72 will be maybe a few KB in file size, the 3000 PPI one will probably be 30 megs. The 300 PPI one is the ideal one at maybe 3 megs.

Video is the same way. A certain video file will reach its maximum level of "Quality" at a given bitrate. More will not make it any better only larger file size but less will degrade it but will be smaller file size.

[jyeh74]

Can anyone refer a free program that encodes, converts and burns...all while at the same time, tells me how much I have left to "add" on my 4.7 gig dvd-r?

I think someone said DivxtoDVD does it at 6000 bitrate....and I couldnt notice a difference in quality between that output and my original? Why is that? Is it becuase my mpg quality is already pretty low?