How do i get good quality and small files to DVD Format

[Chronic]

I have been using a few different Encoders. I have done many different things i want to know what works for other people. I have winavi And i get macro bloacking, beside the macro blocking , the color and sharpness are great. Same problem with tmpge express and tmpge plus. I have used DixvtoDVD and the file are good size, but the color and sharpness aren't as good as TMPGE or WinAVI, Does anyone know any programs or ways to set them up to loss the Macroblocking

[jimmalenko]

Macroblocking is a classic sign of insufficient bitrate and/or an unsuitable resize up. http://members.dodo.net.au/~jimmalenko/AVI2DVD.htm might be able to help you.

[spectroelectro]

Best way to get high video quality with small size is to use Half D1, that is, 352 x 480 instead of 720 x 480. Files are half the size but on a normal analog TV look the same as 720 x 480. Use variable bitrate encoding. For half D1, you can get excellent results with 300 min/3000 av/7000 max. The standalone Mainconcept MPEG-2 encoder produces smaller files with the same settings as the TMPGenc encoder. For highest possible quality, Canopus Procoder Pro with VBR on half D1. Capture in Huffyuv half D1.

[bugster]

It all depends on the quality and specs of the source file, the encoder you use to convert to mpeg and the settings in that encoder, esp bitrate.

@spectroelectro, i need to disagree somewhat with some of the things you just said.

Best way to get high video quality with small size is to use Half D1, that is, 352 x 480 instead of 720 x 480. Files are half the size but on a normal analog TV look the same as 720 x 480.

Half D1 is good for lower bitrates and therefore smaller filesizes but it does not look the same as a full D1 video. Generally the amount of detail in the picture is reduced because of the lower resolution, so as a blanket stament your post is somewhat misleading.

The standalone Mainconcept MPEG-2 encoder produces smaller files with the same settings as the TMPGenc encoder.

They are very different encoders and so can not have exactly the same settings. About the only thing that can be set exactly the same is the bitrate. At the same bitrate they will produce the same size output files, (to within a few Mb's anyway) regardless of any other settings.

@Chronic, provide us with some details of your source files (A GSpot screen shot might be helpful here) and we might be able to make some better judged reccomendations.