AVI to DVD problems

[mr_tinka]

I want to make one or more video DVDs out of twelve AVI files I have.

These videos are 30 mins long each.
I tried making a DVD with 3 of the AVIs using Nero 6. It just showed 50 mins of black. I tried several video convertors to make MPEGs out of them but either they either made poor quality video, or would not load the file. One suggested that I dont have the correct codec. They play OK in Windows Media player and Nero Showwtime OK. My friend has DVD architect and he had problems with the files.

By using the convertors I learned the files had resolutions of [464x352] [480x368] [448x336] [528x400] and mp3 audio that varies between 201kbs to 210kbs from file to file.

I want to burn these onto DVD(s) and preserve as much of the videos picture and sound quality as I can but I don't know how. Can anyone help me out?

[reboot]

Start here.

[mr_tinka]

Lets just say I convert to MPG2 for example, since the resolutions differ do I have to make the output file's resolution the same as the original or will they all have to be converted to a standard resolution? If so would I round is up or down?

From the resolutions I posted previously, should I convert to PAL or NTSC (my player supports both).

Thanks

[funkguy4]

Lets just say I convert to MPG2 for example, since the resolutions differ do I have to make the output file's resolution the same as the original or will they all have to be converted to a standard resolution? If so would I round is up or down?

From the resolutions I posted previously, should I convert to PAL or NTSC (my player supports both).

Thanks

your resolutions don't tell us what system u ought to use. we need framerate. as for the resolution differences, that's really a slightly more complex issue. if you're using tmpgenc, then u just tell it the source is 1:1. or you can resize using something that yields better quality. as for the output quality of which u complain, if the source is'nt good, the output will be even lees good. however, if your source IS good, you should be able to get out something very similar to the input provided u have good settings and bitrate.

[reboot]

The frames per second of the original avi's will determine if you should use PAL or NTSC.
From the video aspect ratios you mention, I would probably encode to half D1.

Lets just say I convert to MPG2 for example

You MUST convert to mpeg-2 for dvd compliance, there is no "if".

[Soopafresh]

Try VSO DivXtoDVD It is free, and the newest version allows you to put multiple files on the input field for encoding. It will also "force" your output to be DVD compliant.

[mr_tinka]

Thanks Soopafresh, VSO DivXtoDVD did the trick.

There is something I want to ask about this program. Is there any way of calculating the size of the output in MB before starting the conversion?

[Jeremiah58]

Thanks Soopafresh, VSO DivXtoDVD did the trick.

There is something I want to ask about this program. Is there any way of calculating the size of the output in MB before starting the conversion?

I have been trying to figure out the way of calculating the size of output.
I have been converting DivX and Xvid files.
I haven't found any solution for the output size calculation, which doesn't bother me, because the output size has always been much lower than I would expected (for full resolution DVD).

[mats.hogberg]

Don't know about this particular app, but generally, if you're trying to squeeze in 6 hrs of video on a DVD, I'd suggest 352*240/288 (NTSC/PAL) mpeg1 instead of 1/ D1, mpeg2. It's not enough bitrate room for 1/2 D1.

/Mats

[mats.hogberg]

Another (not as good as encoding to the correct bitrate to start with, but obviously the only way, using some apps) way is to just encode and author, then use DVDShrink to get the output down in size.

/Mats

[Jeremiah58]

Another (not as good as encoding to the correct bitrate to start with, but obviously the only way, using some apps) way is to just encode and author, then use DVDShrink to get the output down in size.

/Mats

Yes, indeed, that's the way to do the job.

Speaking of VSO DivXtoDVD, I think that this application deserves attention of experts on this forum. It is very stable, fast, the output video seems to be of very good quality and in unexpectedly low output size, for full resolution PAL or NTSC DVD.
The quality of output DVD video (seems to me) comes very close to that obtained with Procoder 1.5, but in much smaller output size.
I'm an amateur who likes to play with applications, so my humble opinion is not relevant in any sense, but I really would like to see what someone with true knowledge, would have to say about this tool, regarding DivX to DVD conversions.

[mats.hogberg]

I am tempted to give it a try - but if it doesn't even include a bitrate setting, I doubt I'm going to fall in love....

/Mats

[funkguy4]

psh, 6 hrs can go on DVD @ FULL D1 (provided there isn't any audio) using KVCD templates. Just not using this app. But, even using this app then you shuold be able to fit 6 hrs Half D1 on DVD....maybe

[mr_tinka]

Don't know about this particular app, but generally, if you're trying to squeeze in 6 hrs of video on a DVD, I'd suggest 352*240/288 (NTSC/PAL) mpeg1 instead of 1/ D1, mpeg2. It's not enough bitrate room for 1/2 D1.

I dont mind it spanning over a few discs in order to get the best quality I can. So far I've converted four files to a DVD 3.5Gb in size.

What is 1/ D1 ?

[reboot]

I am tempted to give it a try - but if it doesn't even include a bitrate setting, I doubt I'm going to fall in love....

/Mats

It doesn't include ANY settings...but it is free

[funkguy4]

I am tempted to give it a try - but if it doesn't even include a bitrate setting, I doubt I'm going to fall in love....

/Mats

It doesn't include ANY settings...but it is free

psh, if u know how to use a frameserver and QuEnc, that's free too. Not to bash thse who enjoy one-click.

[mats.hogberg]

psh, 6 hrs can go on DVD @ FULL D1 (provided there isn't any audio) using KVCD templates. Just not using this app. But, even using this app then you shuold be able to fit 6 hrs Half D1 on DVD....maybe

6 hrs equals a bitrate of 1460 kbps (with 224 kbps audio). Way too low even for 1/2 D1.

/Mats

[funkguy4]

psh, 6 hrs can go on DVD @ FULL D1 (provided there isn't any audio) using KVCD templates. Just not using this app. But, even using this app then you shuold be able to fit 6 hrs Half D1 on DVD....maybe

6 hrs equals a bitrate of 1460 kbps (with 224 kbps audio). Way too low even for 1/2 D1.

/Mats

I said 6 hrs can go on WITHOUT audio, plus the source resolutions aren't all that high to begin w/, so he would probably end up going Half D1. And...i must sayy.....just TRY the kvcd templates ok. Just TRY them. Or, if you're not a TMPGEnc user, try the KVCD notch matrix.

[mats.hogberg]

I said 6 hrs can go on WITHOUT audio

You know what - I made an experiment, and actually managed to squeeze in 24 hrs of video on a DVD - Exatly like the source @ full D1 - it was 24 hours of a black screen, but hell, what quality!
Seriously - thare aren't that many silent movies these days, and 1680 is still too low.

/Mats

[reboot]

The most I ever got, in watchable quality, was 16 hours +- using KDVD templates, 1/2 D1, slightly customized.

[funkguy4]

The most I ever got, in watchable quality, was 16 hours +- using KDVD templates, 1/2 D1, slightly customized.

exactly...we're only aiming @ 6 here. that' like...6/16...3/8...37.5%...exactly......it sohuld be better than "watchable" @ only 6 hrs

what customizations??

[reboot]

I encode at 1/4D1 not the 1/2D1, which happens to be the same size as my source. Why resize?
I also encode at 29.97fps, and don't use pulldown, again, because of my source, I don't want to do any changes here.
I also add noise reduction filter, to help with the output quality.
I save elementary streams, then author in DVDLab Pro.
End result is better than the "regular" KDVD settings by quite a bit.
Doing 6 hours, the OP could use my settings (or very similar) and bump the Q up to 100, and it would probably just fit nicely.