DVD for first time...

[CNT]

http://members.toast.net/cnt/video.htm

I am near my final step to burn (Imation) DVD-R (8X). For now, I like to use the Pinnacle Studio 9 (since I have everything setup and ready to go). If I still should use the programs from this site (TMPGEnc, etc), I won't mind to switch right away. I just want to get this done asap (but good videos too).

From the link above, the Kbits/sec is at 3000 (for "Most video on disc"). I don't see where if I should change the resolution? Does the Pinn. Studio 9 automatically do that?

Also, what about the "Filter video"? What does it do? Should I enable it (check) or leave it disabled (unchecked)? What about the other two options below it?

This is my first time creating DVD. I just want to pack as much video into it while keeping it as best analog as possible (orignals recorded from Hi8).

Thanks.

Chuck

[redwudz]

3000 Kb/s is a little on the low side. Using a bitrate calculator from 'Tools' to the left, 124 minutes of video would work out to a rate of 4689 Kb/s using 224 Kb/s audio. The bitrate is calculated from the running time of the video and the desired file size. The resolution should be the DVD standard. Look to 'What is DVD' for those. <<<

I wouldn't filter unless you have a lot of noise in the video. Filtering often degrades a good quality video. Not sure about 'Draft mode' but 'MPEG audio' is probably MPEG-1 Layer2 audio. AC3 audio is more compact, allowing more bitrate for the video.

I don't use Pinnacle Studio, but give it a try. I generally use TMPGEnc encoder and TMPGEnc DVD Author.

If you are going to be doing this a lot there is a fair amount to learn, but once you get the setup down for your software, burner, media and player, it goes pretty easy. Just capture, edit, encode, author, burn.

[jimmalenko]

Looks like Pinnacle Studio "mothers" you and selects your resolution for you based on what it thinks is best for your bitrate

For the ultimate in control, TMPGEnc, CCE, Mainconcept or ProCoder are much, much better choices IMO and offer many, many more configurable options so that you can create exactly what you want. However, with this extra freedom comes a steeper learning curve.

[thecoalman]

If your going to use 3000kbps you need to use a lower resolution, try the custom option and make sure it's set to a lower resolution like 352x480. You could use an even lower bitrate if you use a lower resolution such as 352x240. Using higher resolutions with low bitrates produces macroblocking.

[CNT]

I tried a sample with DVD with the best settings (7500). The video is very sharp! This is coming from a poor analog, but the DVD sharpens it well!

I did the same project for a VCD, the picture isn't quite as good as the DVD.

Are DVD-R write once and can not add anything afterwards? Same thing for CD-R? Is it because of Pinnacle Studio 9 software or Nero would do the same thing? I know with data, I can add more to already written CD-R, but what about videos?

I want to do the same project with DVD, but with different settings, so I can decide which is best to burn at. So, this is where I need to test it, but appearly I will have to do multiple DVD (a waste). I like to try with 3000 (since that would give me 124mins on single DVD). A 4000 would give me 102mins.

BTW, the Pinn. Studio gives me the option to burn at speed desired, does that make a different to the final output? For DVD, I have choices of 2X, 4X, 6X, and 8X. I did the first one at 2X.

I just want to finish this big project with Pinnacle Studio 9 as possible, then move to programs from here. The Pinn. Studio is simple to understand for me to just finish it, then I will move on with programs from here. If the programs in here can do more burns to already written DVDs, then that would make me switch with reason.

Chuck

[thecoalman]

Get a RW for testing.

[CNT]

Get a RW for testing.

Duh! Didn't think of that!

Chuck

[redwudz]

Sounds like you are on the right track. Doesn't make much difference the speed you burn at. Maybe some software or media is different. I always burn at max (4X or 8X), depending on the media. VCDs are a little harder to encode with good results, VCDEasy is popular for that. TMPGEnc doesn't seem to do as well with them. Doing short clips is the way to go till you get down the best settings for you. Good luck.

[CNT]

Again, using Pinn. Studio 9, it only have option to change the video Kbits/s. No audio adjustments. However, it has "MPEG audio" option. I am Deaf, so I don't know if the sounds will make differences between the MPEG and PCM. I still want the sounds to be good too, these video discs will be for my children when they grow up (and all my kids are hearing). The "Help" tells me that more DVD players likes PCM.

I test with 3000 (which gives 124 mins in PCM) and video is still good enough (it's VHS analog video to begin with). Lets look the following options I have:

Using standard PCM:
3000 Kbits/s = 124 mins
4000 Kbits/s = 102 mins
4689 Kbits/s = 91 mins

With "MPEG audio" checked:
3000 Kbits/s = 175 mins
4000 Kbits/s = 134 mins
4689 Kbits/s = 115 mins

My whole goal (and propose for going into DVD) is to get 2 hours each disc. So, looks like it's either 3000 w/PCM or 4000 w/MPEG. Should I go with 4000 w/MPEG (concern about TV DVD players?)?

Please comments, but keep in mind that I still like to use the Pinn. Studio for now (to get this finish). Thank you.

Chuck

[CNT]

After doing more tests with 3000 w/PCM and 4000 w/MPEG, both looks just the same, nothing different. I could see 7500 being best, but not between 3000 and 4000.

PCM... ?? MPEG... ??

In fact, I have two TV DVD players, one won't play the DVD-R at all, but the other will.

Chuck