Copying MPG2 files straight to a DVD or have to encode them?

[kelemvor]

Howdy,

I recorded a TV show in MPEG2 format and want to put that on a DVD. It is one file, 1.6 gigs in size or so, and that's all I want on the DVD. When I watch the program on my computer it looks pretty good.

I used Roxio 7 because I had it handy and made a DVD with just that one file and a menu. End result is a pretty crappy looking picture.

So my main question is two parts...

1) Can I just copy the MPG file to a DVD and pop it in a player and expect it to play? The specific player I'm using is a Samsung DVD-P241.

if that normally won't work then,
2) What program might work best to just dump a MPEG2 file to a DVD so I can watch it? And why does it go through a encoding process when the file is already an MPEG2 file in the first place?

I normally just dump XVid files onto DVD and watch them in my DVP642 but this one I need to watch on a different player.

Thanks.

[thecoalman]

1) Can I just copy the MPG file to a DVD and pop it in a player and expect it to play? The specific player I'm using is a Samsung DVD-P241.

Depends on that particular player.... give it a try.

2) What program might work best to just dump a MPEG2 file to a DVD so I can watch it? And why does it go through a encoding process when the file is already an MPEG2 file in the first place?

Anyone really, you copuld just set it as first play and skip the menus etc. Note sure about that particular software but you don't have to reencode providing it's already DVD compliant. Most ahve a "do not reencode" option or you can set the properties of the DVD to match the video to prevent it.