AVI vs DVD

[m baqar]

Why is that when an AVI file is converted into DVD format the video quality is a bit changed. And further in which format should i capture from DV so that while making DVD i do not have to re compress the file.

[guns1inger]

Every time you encode video using a lossy codec, you throw away data. Sometimes this isn't noticeable, and sometimes it is.

DVD uses mpeg-2, encoded to specification. You can see what it is under What is DVD ? (top left corner of this site).

Personally, unless you are encoding with a DVD Recorder directly from the firewire port, I would capture as DV, then encode afterwards. Editing is much easier with DV, and you generally get much higher quality using a two pass VBR encode than you do from a single pass encode, especially if the running time exceeds 70 minutes.

[m baqar]

What if i capture from DV camcorder in mpeg2 format and than make DVD will i loose video quality.
Or which is the best method to capture from DV camcorder in which format should i save my capture file.

[guns1inger]

If you can capture and encode to mpeg-2 at a high enough bitrate, and don't have to re-encode before authoring, it should be OK.

Personally, I never capture directly to mpeg-2 except with my DVD Recorder. DV is kept DV or lossless until the last moment.

[m baqar]

Thanks tell me if i capture DV as DV do i have to recormpress while making DVD. Which is the best frame rate.

[guns1inger]

The process is normally

Capture as DV
Edit
Encode to mpeg-2 (do not change the frame rate or field order)
Author for DVD
Burn to disc

[m baqar]

Which is good for author

[m baqar]

Is there any good software to create menus for dvd

[guns1inger]

Plenty.

Do you want something canned and template based, or something where you have to design it all yourself (and therefore produce something original) ?

GUIForDVDAuthor is free and lets you create whatever you want.

Tmpgenc DVD Author is not free, and is template based although you can change some elements.

I use DVD Lab Pro, although it has quite steep learning curve for a beginner.

[m baqar]

I want to create myself instead of canned ones.

[Semaphoric]

You can make very nice custom menus with TDA, but sometimes deciphering the settings in the Help system can be a little obtuse. It took me weeks to figure out how to do custom frames around thumbnails properly.

And by that time, I'd decided I prefered text-based menus anyway. :wink: