Burning movies to DVD

[lejes]

Hi all!

I'm a newbie to DVD burning, but I have read many of the guides for DVD authoring, but I'm still confused about something.

I realise that if I have an AVI file, i could use programs like TMPGEnc to make it a DVD type movie file and it will be increased many times in size.
But say for example that I have like 12 movie files (avi's) that add up to 4 Gigabytes on my hard drive. Isn't it at all possible to burn these to a blank DVD-R such that it can be viewed on a normal DVD player with one file playing after another?

The guides' directions make the movie files increase in size by many times when they're re-encoded into DVD format (vob) files. Is there a way that I could just keep the qualities just the same as it appears on my computer and fit several files that add up to 4 gigs on a single DVD-R, so that I can watch them on a DVD player connected to my TV?

if so, how?

thanks.

[ghoster]

nope they need to be in mpeg format. well i guess you could encode them to vcd with 48000 kps audio. the file size would not be as big but it still would be bigger then your avi's i think. the quality won't be as good either.

[lejes]

If I first converted to VCD or SVCD, would I still be able to fit many of the files onto a single DVD and play them on a DVD player?

I'm hoping to fit many hours of video onto a single DVD. Can I do that using your idea?

[ghoster]

well you can put like 430 minutes vcd quality on a dvd. for scvd its half that amount. these numbers are ball park fugures prob could add more. just trying to give you a idea. if i was you i would just use cds. i wouldn't waste a dvd but thats me.

[lejes]

Thanks.
You've helped me quite a bit here.

I think I will use DVD's as opposed to cd's though.
I like the idea of having many movie files on a single disc so i can watch them without changing discs. Plus my DVD player doesn't work with VCD's very well.

btw... When I put multiple movies onto a DVD, will they be separated as chapters? That would be cool!

thanks.

[Gargantuan]

btw... When I put multiple movies onto a DVD, will they be separated as chapters? That would be cool!

thanks.

Use Ulead DVD Movie Factory, it makes it very easy to make/add chapters. Or you can use Ulead DVD Workshop. Movie Factory is the cheap alternative. And since you don't mind using VCD quality video on a DVD, you should be pleasantly surprised with your final product. There should be a demo available, but I'm not sure. Hope this helps.

[lejes]

That's great!

Yeah, as long as the quality of the movies end up looking the same on DVD as they did on my computer (either VCD, or SVCD quality), then sure. I'm really glad to hear that I can also have multiple movie files on a DVD as well.
So this way, I can have like sets of movies on a single DVD.

Thanks to all that took the time to reply to me.

[drewson99]

well, sorry to say, but if they look at all good on your computer, they probrably *won't* look the same when you put several full length movies onto a DVD. basically, if you try to get more than 2.5-3 hours of video onto a DVD, it ain't gonna look good. Period.

however, i will give you some advice, so you won't think I am just in and out to naysay: use 2pass VBR and you will do a little better qualitywise. I have been putting sitcoms onto DVD and I have learned that if I do it at highest motion search quality and use 2 pass VBR, I can fit 7 or 8 22-minute episodes onto one DVD without noticeable difference from the original cable TV source.

hope any of this helps,

Andy