DivX 512x384 - Best way to encode for DVD?

[roylayer]

I have a series of 21 DivX 3 Low-Motion files that I want to turn into multi-title DVDs. Using GSpot, I find that each file is about 47 minutes, 512x384 resolution, and 23.976 fps. Audio is mp3 96kbs cbr. These seem like oddball files to me.

1) What resolution should they be encoded to? The rule of thumb is to go down in resolution for encoding. Is 352x480 considered "down?" Is horizontal or vertical resolution the main consideration here? I could go to 352x240, but that seems like a big compromise in quality for these files.

2) What would be a good VBR bitrate setting to match the resolution decided on in #1? I'd like to fit about 4-5 hours of half D1 or 7 hours of 252x240 on one DVD without sacrificing the quality too much.

3) Should I convert these to 29.97 fps? 23.976 with 3:2 pulldown is a supported DVD standard, but one of my DVD players has a problem playing them. It's my understanding that the other DVD player converts to 29.97 internally during playback. Should I just stick with that, or should I encode t o29.97 via TMPEGEnc. That would ensure greater compatability, but would there be a loss of quality?

Thanks!

[teegee420]

I would use 352x480, 23.976 with 3:2 pulldown with a bitrate of around 2400kbps. VBR would be ideal. This will get you about 4 hours on one DVD.

[roylayer]

Thanks. That was my instinct too after reading 100s of posts and spending a LOT of time learning about this stuff over the recent 3 day weekend. Nice to see that maybe some of it sunk in. 8)

[teegee420]

Nice to see that maybe some of it sunk in. 8)

You and me both.