DVDpatcher

[enner]

What bit rate and aspect ratio should I choose in DVDpatcher?

I am going to use the file DVDpatcher creates to burn a uk (pal) compliant DVD

Am right in saying for the other options I should choose a 720 horizontal bit rate, a vertical size of 576 and frame rate of 25 fps?

[DJRumpy]

What bit rate and aspect ratio should I choose in DVDpatcher?

This depends on the length of your video. Use a bitrate calculator to find out the AVG or CBR value to use. The aspect ratio should be the same as your input aspect ratio, unless you've changed it by cropping, or resizing (i.e In video = 16:9, then out video = 16:9 )

Am right in saying for the other options I should choose a 720 horizontal bit rate, a vertical size of 576 and frame rate of 25 fps?

For PAL dVD video, yes, these settings will work.

[enner]

How do I found out what aspect ratio the file is in? I have 3 files in sizes of 735mb, 4.70GB and 6.34GB. The files are in mpeg2 format recorded from a satellite DVBs pci card using prog DVB.

At the moment what I am trying to do is cut the three files I have into individual films. The software I am using (easy video splitter) to cut the files tells me the mpeg2 files are not true mpeg2 files.

I need to make all 3 files true mpeg2 so I can use the easy video splitter program to split the files up

So I need to calculate the bit rate of 735mb mpeg2 file. 4.70GB mpeg2 file and 6.30GB mpeg 2 file.

Can you recommend a suitable bit rate calculator for my mpeg2 files?

[DJRumpy]

To find the aspect ratio, you simply divide the width by the height. Example: 640/480 = 1.33 (it should be something like 1.33, 1.79, 1.85, 2.35). This assumes you captured the MPEG in 4:3 which is most likely. If your capture is letterboxed, it will still be 4:3, if it was captured in 4:3. The only exception is if you crop off the letterboxing and resize.

To convert these, you should try something like DVD2AVI. It sounds like your capture card may not create CVD/SVCD/DVD compliant MPEG-2. Open these MPEG's with DVD2AVI, and either save them as a new AVI, or save the project file. This project file can be opened with MPEG2DEC, or VFAPI. This last method is called frame serving. You can find out more info in the GUIDES section.

Regarding the bitrate calculator. The size of your current files is irrelevant. The output size of your new mpegs is entirely dependant on the bitrate you use, and the length of the movie, not it's size.

You can use the Bitrate Calculator from this site (Find it in the TOOLS section). It's pretty straightforward. It will ask you the length of your movie, in hours, minutes, and seconds. It will also ask you for the number and type of disc you will be placing it on ( 2 SVCD's for example). With this info, the calculator can give you the exact AVG, or CBR value you need to fill up those disc's exactly.