Maximizing image quality divx to dvd

[shadomic hedgehog]

I don't quite understand how to maximize image quality when converting various video files to DVDs.

I use the application ConvertXtoDVD. I really like it, as its simple to use. However, I have a lot of those ~700mb divx files, and that’s what I usually put on these DVDs. Also TV shows which vary in size. Now I know a lot of the quality is lost when the avi file is created, but does creating the DVD restore that quality (since the file comes to fill up a dvd). I usually put like two movies on a disc, but I really don't understand if that makes sense. So what is the golden rule to know how exactly to maximize the image quality when converting to a dvd (not necessarily always divx to dvd). I just wonder if its a waste of money to do one movie per dvd, when I could do 2 and not have a loss in image quality. I know it all depends on the files themselves too, are there applications to help with determining this? Also, I don't use any special TV, just the good old regular CRT kind. Not sure if ill upgrade in the future, definitely not any time soon. But then again I suppose watching it on a computer monitor is similar to High Def TVs? Yea, I don't fully understand all the fancy new TVs these days.

Anyways, is there an FAQ I couldn't find about this? How to really understand maximizing image quality through conversions and various TVs?

Thanks

[Baldrick]

A DivX DVD Player or a HTPC is the golden rule.

[shadomic hedgehog]

Well that makes sense, but unfortunately I don't quite have one of those. I've been meaning to buy one but money is a little tight. Heck maybe they're cheaper than I think though now. Still, any advice on converting to DVDs?

[stantheman1976]

Maybe demux the streams and encode at half D1 resolution with a higher bitrate? The audio is probably MP3 VBR so you'd have to use VirtualDub and save the stream as WAV. Then transcode to AC3 and use a bitrate calculator. This may or may not help. As you seem to understand, you're dealing with an already compressed format and then trying to alter it.

Also, I think there's a deblocking filter for VirtualDub. Check it out.