Question on burning MPEG1&MPEG2 files with DVD Burner

[airbear]

I looked around the site here but couldn't find an answer to this. I just bought my 1st DVD Burner, the dual mode Sony DRU500A. I'm only using Nero 5.5.9.17 to burn with, not the software that came with the Sony.

Is MPEG2 all set to burn as DVD-Video, or do I need to convert it first? How about MPEG1? Will Nero do the conversion for you? I have some MPEG's I'd like to burn on the Sony and then watch on my Apex DVD Player. I've been burning VCD's and SVCD's using Nero, but it'll be nice to get longer videos or combine shorter ones on DVD+R or -R media.

I did read the info here about converting MOV, AVI, etc. to DVD format and I have the programs to do that with, I just don't know if it's needed or not when using Nero.

Thanks!

[Tommyknocker]

You should convert your MPEG-1s and -2s files before burning. The prevailing rule of thumb is to encode your files before letting Nero burn them.

If you are not sure if a file is ready for burning, you can use a
CD-RW to make your (S)VCDs to see if you need conversions without ruining you good CD-R disks.

[airbear]

Thanks for the quick answer. Most the MPEG's I have are already encoded for either VCD or SVCD. Usually I get them as cue/bin CD Images and use VCDGear to convert them to MPEG. Some are already in MPEG format, but almost always VCD or SVCD ready. So I guess what I'm asking is do I need to do anything to the SVCD Compatible MPEG2's before burning DVD Video? Is DVD Video the same as SVCD/MPEG2?

I've got some 45 minute long TV Episodes in MPEG1, sometimes MPEG2. I'd like to get several episodes on 1 DVD. Speaking of that, here's another dumb newbie question: How many minutes of video can I burn on a DVD?

The Sony came with Sonic "MyDVD" 4.0. It says you can take MPEG1, MPEG2, AVI or Quicktime videos and add them to your project. I haven't installed that yet, and prefer not to unless I really need it. But if nothing else works I guess I can try it. I may let Nero do the conversion and burn onto a DVD+RW that I can erase if it becomes a coaster.

[CauCauCau]

So I guess what I'm asking is do I need to do anything to the SVCD Compatible MPEG2's before burning DVD Video? Is DVD Video the same as SVCD/MPEG2?

No, they're not the same. DVD must have 48,000 hz audio and the MAX number of frames in GOP needs to be set to 18 (NTSC) or 15 (PAL).

I've got some 45 minute long TV Episodes in MPEG1, sometimes MPEG2. I'd like to get several episodes on 1 DVD. Speaking of that, here's another dumb newbie question: How many minutes of video can I burn on a DVD?

A lot? It depends on the bitrate. I've not a lot of experience with this, but I think you can choose to encode it at whatever bitrate you like and the DVD player will play it. Test it out, try encoding with different bitrates. See what works and what doesn't.

The Sony came with Sonic "MyDVD" 4.0. It says you can take MPEG1, MPEG2, AVI or Quicktime videos and add them to your project. I haven't installed that yet, and prefer not to unless I really need it.

I haven't actually heard rave reviews about this product. It works, but it doesn't give you a lot of flexibility. I know some people are happy with it, but I think most prefer to stick to other programs.

But if nothing else works I guess I can try it. I may let Nero do the conversion and burn onto a DVD+RW that I can erase if it becomes a coaster.

I think you may be better off doing the encoding/conversion yourself, but definitely give it a go. If you're happy with the outcome, great!

Test and play, play and test. That's what this Video encoding/writing seems to be all about

[airbear]

Thanks! That's just the kind of info I needed. The details of converting formats and doing more advanced stuff I can get from the excellent tutorials they have on this site.

Airbear

[bugster]

Hey airbear, before you go off and start burning coasters on your expensive DVD media, be careful. You CAN NOT burn (S)VCD on to DVD-media. It will not work in your standalone player. Also AFAIK, Nero will NOT convert any mpegs to DVD format, You must use an authoring package like sonic's MyDvd that came with your burner, tho I would reccomend shelling out on a more flxible package like Ulead DVD WS or Dazzle DVD complete.

FYI, VCD standard VIDEO is valid for DVD, the audio must be upsampled to 48Khz. SVCD standard video is NOT valid for DVD-Video, though there are methods of persuading some authoring packages to accept and it will play in some players. I strongly suggest you take a look at some of the authoring guides on this site.

[airbear]

Again, thanks for the info. I didn't know that about Nero. I have Ulead DVD WS, guess I'll try and see how user friendly it is before dropping back to the program that came with the Sony. I still have about 70GB of data I want to archive before I start messing with Video. Hopefully the 2X DVD-R media I ordered from Meritline will be here soon and I can get started on that project. For video I'll buy another DVD+RW or two and only use those until I get the video stuff figured out.

Airbear