question about DVD Shrink

[Shaorin]

I heard this program can compress dvd but i was wondering does it do any sacrifices like decreses the quality?

[yoda313]

Yes if its a dual layer you're shrinking to fit on a single layer dvd you will lose quality.

You can control how much quality by what you include. Shrink has a percantage meter to show much your reducing the movie.

By removing extras, bonus audio tracks, fancy menus and the like you can significantly improve the video. But you may lose the menus depending on how you eliminate the extras.

Also if you split to two single layer discs than you can preserve the quality - of course you have the hassle of two discs. Or you can use a dual layer recordable dvd if you have the drive and the blanks (which are more expensive and not as compatible as standard dvdrs - at least with older players from what people have reported hear on videohelp).

[Shaorin]

But what if i'm shrinking the authored files i just made?

[yoda313]

Well you'd be better off using a lower bitrate so you don't have to recompress it. Or use halfd1 specs so you can use a lower bitrate more efficiently.

Or you could reencode them to a lower bitrate from the original files if you still have them.

Or recapture/recreate with a bitrate calulater

https://www.videohelp.com/tools

so you get a smaller target file. That would produce better results without the need to reencode (it will be a little lower quality but thats what you're doing with dvd shrink anyway, lowering the quality).

[jimmalenko]

There are certain configurations you can use that don't decrease quality in DVDShrink, such as excluding unwanted audio and such, or setting extras to a still picture. Obviously this is only usually relevant when shrinking directly from a commercial DVD, and not your own "homemade" content.

The key here is whether the quality reduction is noticeable. Personally my results from DVDShrink have always been acceptable to my own standards, watching on a 27" TV.

[bendixG15]

Just try it...
Just look at it...
Just decide for yourself....
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It doesn't take that long.....

[ZippyP.]

... does it do any sacrifices like decreses the quality?

It depends how much you shrink. Bigger shrink = bigger quality drop.