Multiple Divx files onto DVD ? aka Tmpg express woes.

[bat5hit]

Hi, I have a few Divx files that I would like to put onto dvd, all are around 350mb in size. When I convert them however they seem to be quite large (sometimes upto 3 gig) and therefore cannot fit many onto a dvd.
Is there a method to convert them so file size is a little smaller so I could maybe get 2 or 3 on a dvd without sacrificing quality too much ?
I mainly use Mainconcept mpeg encoder or Tmpg express.
Apologies if this has been asked many times before.
Thanks in advance.

[nufan292]

Use a bitrate calculator. Or burn them as data-dvds with the divx files, but your player will need to be able to play divx files.

[redwudz]

The problem is that DIVX is very efficient as to size/quality as compared to MPEG2.

You can adjust the bitrate (look to bitrate calculators <<< on the left) to get a smaller file. The file size of the DIVX is not as important as the runtime. That is what the bitrate calculator inputs. You may be able to reduce the size by reducing the bitrate and not kill the quality, but it takes a little work. There are plenty of tutorials here <<<.

For a quick method, something like TheFilmMachine works well.

[bat5hit]

Yeah my dvd player doesn't support divx which is why I am converting. I'll check out the bitrate calculators, thanks for the replies.

[bat5hit]

A problem I am now experiencing with tmpg express is when I add the files to be converted they have no sound in the preview window on the cut/edit screen and also it says that the files are way longer than they are. When I checked it had like 90 minutes of black screen after the video ended.
I know I can get round this by selecting the start and end frames, it's the sound problem thats concerning me more.

[Slyce]

The process I used to do what you are doing is to separate the audio and video streams with VirtualDub, then encode to MPG-2 with TMPGEnc. It can be a little tedius, but the results were worth it.

Basically you use VirtualDub to save the audio as a .wav and save the video as an uncompressed .AVI. This solves the problem with no audio in TMPGEnc.

I converted to separate Elementary Streams for audio and video with TMPGEnc. This imports easily into the likes of DVD-lab.

Now, with TMPGEnc, consider using a low resolution setting in the Project Wizard, the quality might be close to what you have in the DivX. As redwudz mentioned, you can adjust the bitrate rate to squish your files.

Hope this is of some help.

[redwudz]

Run the file through AVIcodec or Gspot first before you try to encode. If you find MP3 VBR audio (Common with XVID or DIVX files), that may be your audio problem. TMPGEnc and other encoders don't get along well with it.

As Slyce says, Virtualdub to extract audio to a WAV file. From that point you have several alternatives. You might spend some time with the 'Convert' guides to the left <<<.

[bat5hit]

Thanks I'll try the virtualdub method. I went round to my mates with the files and tried it on his setup (he has the same software) and it worked first time with audio so must be a probelm my end.
Thanks again.