Simple xvid to dvd question

[PharmBoy]

Sorry to ask this again
I have searched the forums and see so many different answers
If I have an xvid file and want to burn it to a dvd by itself (not trying to get a dvd jam packed) how do I change it to a DVD file with the least loss.
I have TMPGEnc but unsure how to set up the proper bitrate so that I don't minimize the quality but yet make some huge file. This paritcular file is 700mb.
I tried the bitrate calculator but it doesn't have xvid - could I use divx?

[manono]

Hi-

Bitrate is bitrate. It doesn't matter what you are starting with, XviD, DivX, or another MPEG-2. All that matters is the length of the video, the bitrate (or size) of the audio, and the filesize you're trying to achieve. Since you said you're not trying to squeeze every possible MB out of the disc, just fill in the length of the video, the audio bitrate or size, allow something for the overhead (25 MB, maybe), and set the final size (for audio, video, and overhead) for 4400 MB or so.

Different bitrate calculators handle things differently, so use some common sense here.

And the best way to do the encoding is to have AviSynth installed, and use FitCD to give you an AviSynth script to feed into TMPGEnc. But that part's up to you.

[FulciLives]

You may find the following thread helpful:

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=316333

It really isn't that hard ... you just have to try it and after a few times you get "the hang of it".

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[PharmBoy]

Thank you both of you.
I had read the post that FulciLives left (in fact I book marked it) but when ever I use fitcd it would lock up. Perhaps I will try that route again.
manono when you say to set the final size, are you saying to set that in TMPGenc or in the bitrate calculator?
Does it do me any good to set the bitrate higher on TMPGenc than the original file? Is it just going to make a bigger file size with the same quality?

[guns1inger]

Also, you cannot compare mpeg4 bitrates with mpeg2 bitrates when it comes to quality. Aside from the fact that your 700mb file has had the life already had the life squeezed out of it, and probably had it's resolution substantially reduced, you should expect the file size to increase to 3 - 4 times it's current size, just to maintain what quality you have. You should also be prepared for the fact that when you do this, all the flaws that you either have not seen, or have chosen to ignore, will now be exposed.

[FulciLives]

Thank you both of you.
I had read the post that FulciLives left (in fact I book marked it) but when ever I use fitcd it would lock up. Perhaps I will try that route again.
manono when you say to set the final size, are you saying to set that in TMPGenc or in the bitrate calculator?
Does it do me any good to set the bitrate higher on TMPGenc than the original file? Is it just going to make a bigger file size with the same quality?

How about loading your source into GSpot and then post an image of it here?

I can give you an AviSynth script (using FitCD) that you can use for encoding purposes. You can use the script with any MPEG-2 DVD spec encoder that accepts AviSynth which is really just about all of them (or most of them). I suggest you try HCenc but you can still use TMPGEnc Plus if you are comfortable with it.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
I have no idea why FitCD is crashing on you ... I never had that problem myself!

[manono]

manono when you say to set the final size, are you saying to set that in TMPGenc or in the bitrate calculator?

In the calculator. It'll then give you a bitrate for use in TMPGenc.

Does it do me any good to set the bitrate higher on TMPGenc than the original file? Is it just going to make a bigger file size with the same quality?

It'll do you a lot of good. guns1inger explained why. You said (at least I think you did) that you were willing to use a whole DVDR for the one 700 MB AVI. That's a ratio of something like 6:1 for final video size as against the original video size (plus the audio and overhead). You're only starting with an AVI, so don't expect miracles. There's a good chance that converting it to DVD will just bring out the artifacts.