Using DVD Shrink Before OR After Tmpeg DVD Author

[fahrenheit1]

Im compiling a DVD set of The Sopranos is it best to shrink each episode before using TMPEG DVD AUTHOR i.e. each episode shrunk first or compile all the episodes and run them through DVD AUTHOR then use DVD Shrink anyone have an idea which is best?

[cd090580]

For me, the best it's after authoring because your menu will take some place.

If your files are > 4.3 gb then you probably need Tmpg dvd author 1.6 which supports DL.

[jimmalenko]

I would go after.

[fahrenheit1]

Thanks cd when i convert each episode to dvd format the file size is usually around 3.5gb so u have an idea of the scale size of the overall DVD so DVD SHRINK has a lot of work to do and also the proccessor

[rkr1958]

... when i convert each episode to dvd format the file size is usually around 3.5gb ...

Are these one hour episodes? This seems awful large if so. Are you backing up from a DVD set or are you capturing, encoding and authoring from a cable broadcast?

[guns1inger]

Sopranos episodes range in length from 50 - 65 minutes. The PAL box sets for season 3 and 4 had three episodes to a disk, with 4 episodes on the final disk of the set.

Using DVD/RB/CCE I was able to get a good quality backup of the 3 episode disks, but for the 4 episode disks I split them in two.

If you are willing to wait for multi-pass VBR at fairly tight rates, you should be able to get at least 2 and maybe 3 episodes onto a single layer disk without having to resort to shrink after

[fahrenheit1]

Each episode is approx 1 hr long i downloaded season 5 but i was given season 3 and on the first disc theres 7 episodes and perfect quality ( which i think is pretty good)