TMPGEnc Settings!!!!!!!! HELP

[F-ING HOSTILE]

I've been using TMPGEnc to encode, and feel it provides excellent M2V video! I noticed that my finished DVD's are only about 3.5 GB or less. My question is: How do I set TMPGEnc to make my resulting M2V larger. I figure, why not encode my video to the largest size possible. That way I might be able to retain even more of the original video quality (although the video seems perfect already), as well as use all 4.3 GB of disc space. I'm guessing I would need to use a bitrate calculator to figure my output size (after taking into account the sizes of my AC3 audio, and chapter points), but am unsure how to do this. I'm also not sure what settings I would alter in TMPGEnc. My current TMPGEnc settings are as follows:

VIDEO- MPEG2 Video, 720x480, 16:9 or 4:3, Frame rate=23.976(29.97 internally),Rate control mode=Automatic VBR, Bitrate=1150, VBR buff=0 auto, MP@ML, NTSC, Encode Mode=3:2 Pulldown, 4:2:0, 8 bits, Motion Estimate Search


ADVANCED- Non Interlaced, Bottom field first, 16:9 525 line, Full screen keep aspect ratio

GOP Structure- 1,5,2,1 Force Picture Type Settings

I'll bet the rate control mode and the bitrate are going to be my main concern, but I'm not sure what the settings will be (I can't find a guide anywhere that really discusses this in any detail). Any help would be greatly appreciated!! THANKS

[babaji]

This page rulez as far as TMPGENC goes. He explains almost every setting that matters. He also has a bitrate calculator (check under utilities in the sidebar) that will tell you how to set bitrate, gop etc..........


http://dvd-hq.info/Compression.html


i already sent him a few bucks using paypal, worth every penny!

[txpharoah]

Up your bitrate. 1150 is not MPEG2 DVD spec anyway, and won't play in most players. You're way too low. Make it 2000-8000 (9000 if AC3)

[F-ING HOSTILE]

Babaji - I actually found that page a few hours ago, but am still not sure which settings to choose. It seems his entire guide is geared mainly for video captured from a camcorder (Interlaced). I'm sure I could just change the relevant settings, but it would be a lot more assuring if someone with dvd backup experience could tell me how they use TMPGEnc. My original settings work great. I'm guessing I just need to change the "Rate Control Mode" to "2 pass vbr", and change the value of my bitrate to give me the largest size M2V I can have (while still keeping the entire compilation under 4.3 GB). Thanks!

[babaji]

Good stuff,

just use his calculator for bitrate, after pluggin in your audio rate. Yes use 2-pass vbr or more depends on how much you are stretching the bits if you are going to use a bitrate of 4000+ then 2 pass is fine. I usually use 4 pass when its a low avg bitrate of like 3200 or so. I know it will take major time to encode with tmpgenc.

Also u may want to load the dvd template(ntsc?). from within tmpgenc then almost all will be set fine. Oh yeah also set precision to best(slowest).

[F-ING HOSTILE]

txpharoah- The settings I have been using were from a guide(under "DVD Rip", "DVD2DVDR for dummies") http://www.digital-forums.com/dvd2dvdr/. The guide called for "Automatic VBR" for rate control mode, which locked the bitrate at 1150. I also thought that it seemed a little low, but these settings have worked perfect for dozens of backups. Do I need to change the rate control mode, and then enter a higher bitrate? If so, what setting do I choose for my rate control?
Thanks for the help!

[F-ING HOSTILE]

babaji- Thanks. I'm not to worried about the time (I'll just start it before bed). Just out of curiosity, do you know why the "Automatic VBR" still worked great with such a low bitrate(1150). I would guess it has something to do with the way the Automatic setting encodes, but the more I think about it, the less sense it makes
Thanks again!!

[babaji]

I am not sure how that works. But for quality and some predictability of encode size. use multipass-vbr. I must say unless i misunderstand how "automatic mode works" 1150 is waaaaaaaaaay too low for a full res dvd ie(720*480). However if you are in love with 1150 kbps then look into making VCD's.

[txpharoah]

Your bad video is from too low bitrate. 1150 is not an MPEG2 bitrate for good quality at high resolutions.

[F-ING HOSTILE]

babaji- I didn't even understand what the 1150 was until just recently. It was just the locked default setting for bitrate when you chose "Automatic VBR" (which was the rate control mode setting for the guide I used, along with several other guides I checked). I guess I just never questioned the settings in these guides (partially because they seemed to work great). The only reason I question them now is because there has been a significant ammount of unused space on my final DVD's (because I only keep the audio/video, and chapter points), and I figured I might as well take advantage of the full 4.3 GB of disc space by making my M2V a little larger. [/quote]

[F-ING HOSTILE]

Your bad video is from too low bitrate. 1150 is not an MPEG2 bitrate for good quality at high resolutions.

I NEVER said I experienced "bad" video. Every DVD backup I have made using my current TMPGEnc settings (taken from the above mentioned guide) has been perfect. I just noticed that my final projects have been around 3.5-4 GB, and wanted to see if I could come closer to using up the full 4.3 GB of disc space by doing an even better job of mpeg2 encoding(although I can't immagine my finished DVD's looking any better than they already do). Thanks!!!!