Avi to DVD

[SteveF22]

On a typical Blank 4.7GB DVD+R disk, what is the best end format for time?

For example, If I have a .avi that needs converting to a mpeg2 or SVCD or VCD or DVD so my magnavox MDV458 DVD player can read it, then what is the end format most people would use.

What format allows for the most time to GB ratio of video play?

What is your fav program for this?

Thanks,
Steve[/b]

[daamon]

Hi SteveF22,

A DVD+R (or -R for that matter) with VCD resolution / bitrate, but with DVD compliant MP2 or AC3 audio (i.e. 48KHz) would yield the most running time on the disc.

If you really want to squeeze loads on, have the simplest of menu - or even none at all...

Encode to MPEG1 (VCD) video only using TMPGEnc (it's free for MPEG1), and encode the audio in the AVI to MP2 or AC3 using ffmpeggui, making sure the audio is at 48KHz, and around 192 - 256 kbps, depending on the quality of the original.

Author to DVD using any number of basic authoring tools, including free ones. Look in the "Tools" section, "DVD Authoring" category...

However, VCD is the lowest quality. There's always a trade off between quality and running time - more of one, less of the other...

[redwudz]

If you are making a standard high quality DVD to play on a settop player, only MPEG-2 will work. If you have a Divx DVD player, then you can use that format.
For the DVD specification, look to the upper left for 'What is' DVD. <<<<<< You can vary the bitrate and the audio format somewhat, but to be a compliant DVD, it has to be MPEG-2 or MPEG-1. (lower quality similar to a VCD)

If you are asking about the most effecient format, that's debatable. H264 is very good, but very few settop players can use it. The Nero Digital is also right up there.

Divx may be a good choice if you want small file size and decent quality with fair compatibility with Divx settop players. There are a lot of Divx/Xvid settop players on the market presently.

For most Divx/Xvid conversions, I use VirtualDub Mod. A couple of all in one converters that are popular are AutoGK and my favorite, FairUse Wizard.

[guns1inger]

Also, remember that it isn't really 4.7GB. You only 4.7 maufacturer GBs, not real world GBs. In reality you get 4.38GB to a single layer disc.

[SteveF22]

Thanks Red for the informative info, and I didnt know DVDs only held 4.38GB, thats the fleeceing of America or what?
Ya, my magnavox only handles standard MPEG1 or 2.

Lets say that I have a file that is 600mpeg as an .AVI

Convert to mpeg2 high quality = 2.23GB
Convert to DIVX is = ?GB

What would that number be?

[guns1inger]

There is no magic formula, other than what a bitrate calculator will give you. There is no direct correlation between mpeg-2 and mpeg-4 file sizes.

If you avi file is 600 mb, it could well be Divx. Use g-spot or avicodec to confirm. If it is Xvid and you use the same settings in Divx, you will get the same file size.

[terjeber]

Thanks Red for the informative info, and I didnt know DVDs only held 4.38GB, thats the fleeceing of America or what?
Ya, my magnavox only handles standard MPEG1 or 2.

Lets say that I have a file that is 600mpeg as an .AVI

Convert to mpeg2 high quality = 2.23GB
Convert to DIVX is = ?GB

What would that number be?

If your AVI is 600M as an AVI, there is a good chance it is already DIVX

[SteveF22]

Thx, vid is allready DIVX, I gotta find a player that plays divx, u get so much more with less then half the space.