Converting multiple avi into one DVD

[liverkick]

Going for my first DVD burn. Just want to make sure Im on the right track here.

I have multiple AVI files (about 130 mb a piece, same res/frame rate) that Id like to start converting into a couple DVDs.

Im using TMPGenc Plus and TDA for the job. Is this more or less the right way to go about it? Batch encode using TMPGenc, take the resulting m2v files and add them to TDA for authoring. Use DVD shrink if its too big. Burn accordingly.

[jimmalenko]

Yep.

Except for the DVDShrink part. You really should calculate the correct bitrate so that everything fits in the first instance, and not expect DVDShrink to perform miracles for you - https://www.videohelp.com/calc.htm is one calculator you could use. http://members.dodo.net.au/~jimmalenko/calc.htm is another. DVDShrink can pull it down up to a max of about 2-3GB if required, but I'm sure you'll see quality degradation if you do it this way - if not now, then when you invest in your next TV. It'll probably provide suitable results should you need to shrink it by about 1 GB or less, but do a few tests / experiments for yourself, as you're gonna be the one watching it, not us

[zworg2]

Batch encode using TMPGenc

apologies, slightly OT

but how do you batch encode in TMPEnc?

and anyone know if you can batch encode in ffmpeggui?

When i say batch encode i mean put many in get many out, not put many in get one out.

thx

[jimmalenko]

but how do you batch encode in TMPEnc?

File > Add current project to batch list > MPEG file, choose filename.




You can then close that window, set up your 2nd encode, and then do the same thing, and it will add the 2nd one to the list. Continue as long as necessary, then go to File > Batch Encode, and click the Run button when you want it to start.

and anyone know if you can batch encode in ffmpeggui?

Not using the GUI ..... but you could always take note of the command line it is using with ffmpeg and make your own batch files

[liverkick]

Thanks for saving me from ruining my video quality Jim. It just dawned on me that bitrate calc essentially does the trick of fitting it for you. Im a slow one sometimes.

zworg2, I think it only encodes 1 by 1, not at the same time. Perhaps batch in Xpress works differently? I only have Plus.

[Baldrick]

Batch ffmpegGUI XP !

[liverkick]

OK have another dumb question. Almost all the guides Ive read so far seem to instruct extracting the audio from the avi file and combining it later. If its not AC3 (mpeglayer 3 according to Gspot) should I still extract the audio before encoding? Is there a quality loss encoding both at the same time or something?

[guns1inger]

generally this advice comes about because tmpgenc (and many other encoders) do not like variable bitrate MP3 audio. If extract the audio as an uncompressed wav file, then you will not degrade it any further than it has been by the MP3 compression. You can now either a) use this as your audio track in tmpgenc and have it all come out the other end, or b) seperately encode the audio to the format of your choice and mux during authoring.

[liverkick]

Gotchya. Is there a recommended bitrate for Wav to MP2? Should it always be the same as whatever Gspot says the original file was?

[liverkick]

Well my first burn went rather flawlessly. Thanks to jimmalenko and everyone else who gave me tips. I gotta a couple more questions..

Im a little confused about how to use the bit rate calculator info. I had it calculate for 96 min (4 avis), average bitrate of 6157 and max of 9603. My source files were 16:9 640x360 avi which I encoded to 720x480 2 pass and resized with Video Arrange Method (center: custom) to 720x360. Using the recommended bitrate this ended up only filling 2.7gb of the DVD. Obviously I could have fit a couple more clips then, the video quality is pretty good I think. Whats a good method of estimating how much data you're going to end up with? Too many variables involved?

Also batch encoding those 4 avis (roughly 24 min clips) took my rig about 3 hours and 55 minutes, about an hour a piece. Is that the normal speed for Tmpgenc?

[jimmalenko]

Im a little confused about how to use the bit rate calculator info. I had it calculate for 96 min (4 avis), average bitrate of 6157 and max of 9603. My source files were 16:9 640x360 avi which I encoded to 720x480 2 pass and resized with Video Arrange Method (center: custom) to 720x360. Using the recommended bitrate this ended up only filling 2.7gb of the DVD. Obviously I could have fit a couple more clips then, the video quality is pretty good I think. Whats a good method of estimating how much data you're going to end up with? Too many variables involved?

What min did you use ?

The bitrate calculator calculates what bitrates to use to use up roughly 4460 of the 4482MB on a DVD, so it's results are always very exact. It sounds like TMPGEnc didn't hit the target for you, which is very strange indeed. Personally I think 9603 is too high, and could cause problems with playback on some players. Maybe try using min 2000, ave 6000, max 8500.

Also batch encoding those 4 avis (roughly 24 min clips) took my rig about 3 hours and 55 minutes, about an hour a piece. Is that the normal speed for Tmpgenc?

Yep, for 2-Pass VBR that's about what I'd expect.

[liverkick]

What min did you use ?

I used 2000.

Personally I think 9603 is too high, and could cause problems with playback on some players. Maybe try using min 2000, ave 6000, max 8500.

I havent noticed any problems in the playback on two different players so far, but I'll definitely take that into account. What does Max bitrate effect exactly?

Do you think I'd be safe in using the settings I used and just adding a couple more clips to fill out the DVD?