Converting .AVI's to Import into Adobe Encore DVD 1.5

[mwillard]

I have a tv show (22 Episodes), that are all in avi file format. When I go to 'Import as Assest' I get an error message telling me that the avi file is not in the correct file format (i.e. size, fps). So I looked around the forum and read for about a week. I found some useful guides, but nothing that really answered my question. So I used Adobe Premiere Pro to convert the file to the correct NTSC requirements. The only problem was that when Premiere Pro was finished with the avi and it had been converted to a mpeg-2 file format it took up like 2.5/3 Gig's. Now this isn't very good because I would like to put 3 or 4 episode's on 1 dvd. Can anybody help me out?

[GeorgeW]

sounds like you might be working with divx or xvid .avi's?

When creating for DVD, it will come down to your bitrates to determine how much you can fit onto a DVD5 disc.

The more minutes you try to squeeze on, the lower the bitrate available -- so you have to balance the amount of time per dvd vs. your acceptable video quality.

To get a higher video bitrate onto a dvd5 disc, use either mpeg or AC3 audio (although mpeg audio is not an NTSC standard, so some NTSC DVD PLayers won't handle it -- but it is ok for PAL. AC3 is fine with both PAL and NTSC).

There is a nice bitrate calculator here:
https://www.videohelp.com/calc.htm

[mwillard]

Thanks George!

Here's the breakdown for the files:

Width: 640
Height: 432
Audio Bit Rate: 192kbps
Audio Format: MPEG Layer-3
Video Frame Rate: 25 fps
Data Rate: 133kbps
Video Sample Size: 24bit
Video Compression: XVID

So with that then I would say it would be safe to say it is XVID AVI's. What should I use to convert them and what should I convert them to to be able to fit say 3 or 4 on a dvd, while use Adobe Encore DVD?

Thanks for all your help!