Could 2994 k/bits really be best?

[balkandvb]

I have a question regarding ffmpeg's DVD encoding calculation.

Let's say I put a 3ivx movie in that's of high quality and want to use the DVD mpeg2enc preset to encode it.

Its seems no matter what the source is, ffmpeg tells me when i click "best", that 2994 k/bits a second is the best rate according to 720x480, film frame rate. And then i will have to letterbox it. How can i encode video but let the player electronicly letterbox it?

If this is optimal than why are some DVDs very hit bit rate like in the 6Ks and 9Ks?

[major]

DVD size is always 720x480, with our without letterboxing (simply use 'Decode with Quicktime' for autoletterboxing). For 16:9 aspect select "DVD 16:9" autosize (the size will still be 720x480). The bitrate is optimized for ffmpeg engine. With mpeg2enc you may pump it up eg. to 4000.