AVI to DVD (MPEG2) - Unexpected file size

[daamon]

Hi,

I'm capturing video from a DV Cam using Premiere 6 into AVI. I'm then using the template on TMPGEnc to encode to MPEG2 (video @ 9,000 bitrate, and audio @ 384kbps - which, I believe, are both OK for DVD MPEG2). All's OK so far.

The thing is, the source AVI is around 7.7Mb, and the resulting MPEG2 file is around 2.2Mb. I would've expected the file size of the MPEG2 to be nearer the 7.7Mb size.

Does this mean that I'm losing some quality?

I've looked into converting DV -> AVI -> VOB or DV -> VOB to see if that makes a difference, but can't find anything in the "Conversion" section.

Comments welcome...

Thanks.

[Gazorgan]

Size of the source AVI has nothing to do with the size of the MPEG2. Ever.

The only thing that matters is the length of the video and the bitrate you used.

[daamon]

Cool. Cheers Gazorgan - That's put my mind at rest.

The video is around 36 mins long, at a 9,000 bitrate. Does 2.2Mb sound about right? I guess there are calculators somewhere - I'll check it out.

I'm happy with creating SVCD's, but want to move onto DVD's (for better quality, and the challeneg). Is MPEG2 at approx. 9,000 bitrate worse / same / better than encoding to VOBs?

If VOBs are better, how would I AVI -> VOB?

Cheers.

[Tommyknocker]

You will probably have to judge for yourself to see if the quality suits you. Converting an MPEG-2 file to DVD is easy if the file is DVD compliant (look in DVDR section at left). You use TMPEnc to demux the MPEG file to m2v and mp2. You change the file type of the mp2 to mpa. Load the files into IfoEdit. It creates (authors) the VOBs, BUPs, IFOs, etc files you burn onto a DVD with a burn program like Nero. Try this guide.

[daamon]

Thanks Tommyknocker.

I've just downloaded IfoEdit as I've not used it before. I've got TMPGEnc DVD Author. I shall have a look at the guides to see how / if that does the job. I think, with your info and the link to the guide, I should have enough to go on.

Much appreciated.