How many AVIs will fit on a DVD?

[erock7625]

Hi there,

I'm trying to burn 24 AVI tv episodes to DVD. The AVI file are about 21 minutes each and using the Divx video codec, 352 x 240, 29.97fps and a bit rate of 577kbs. The audio bitrate is 56Kbs. I am using WinAVI 7.1 to convert the AVIs and Nero 6.6 to burn them. In WinAVI I have it set for Constant Video Size of 1 disc, 4300MB capacity. Because I have it set to Constant Video Size I'm sure I can select as many AVI files as I want and WinAVI will make them fit on the DVD, but I'm sure I'm losing quality the more AVI files I select. I've been burning 6 of these files to each DVD and it seems to be a total of about 3.1GB when completed. So my question is how many AVI files can I fit on a DVD without sacrificing quality and how much quality am I losing the more I add to the DVD. It seems some of the episodes the actor movements are very slightly jerky once burned and played on a stand alone DVD player.

Thanks.

[yoda313]

You might be better off putting them on to two discs. That way you can get better quality on each one and still have 12 on a disc.

Try a VIDEO BITRATE CALCULATOR found in the tools section to help choose the proper rate. As I said putting less on each disc is the best way to improve quality. Also don't go too wild on any fancy menu. The more you clog up the menus the more space it takes. Just do a simple pic in the background and no music to take up the smallest space and it will still look good with chapters (if you have them that is).

Also experiment a little. See how high or low your willing to go on the burn. Use a dvdrw to do some testing on a single episode. That will save you time and frustration before you encode all 24.

[lordsmurf]

Three discs of 8 episodes each is optimal. Be sure to correct for overscan if they were cropped. 352x480 with a bitrate of 3000k average and 3800k max.

If this is some sort of P2P internet downloads, it'll likely be flawed source, full of sync delay issues, noise in the image, audio problems, and generally just look like crap, a "digital" feel to it, unlike a DVD you buy at the store. .

[somebodeez]

I can't answer all of your questions but I do mine:

3 AVIs at 1400 MB each (movie files and at this size, my AVIs usually have AC3 audio and I don't bother splitting them)
6 AVIs at 700 MB (usually movies)
12 AVIs at 350 MBs (usually TV series approx. 40 minute long episodes)
18 AVIs at 233 MBs (usually TV Series approx. 20 minute long episodes)
onto a DVDr.
Some people do episodes at 175 MBs too but I never do.

[Hermit]

I am also facing similar problem with WinAvi v 7.1 as reported below
I'm trying to burn some AVI files to DVD using WinAVI 7.1 and burn them with Nero 6.6. I normally have no problems but this one batch of AVI files has been causing problems, they play fine in AVI format in Windows Media Player. Once they're converted and burned though in one section the audio is out of sync with the video for a while. And the picture gets all scrambled in some spots and occasionally freezes. I've tried encoding them several times and burning them several times using good quality Verbatim DVD discs but have problems each time. My burner is a Sony DW-Q28A and the AVI files are about 21 minutes each (6 total) and using the Divx video codec, 352 x 240, 29.97fps and a bit rate of 577kbs. The audio bitrate is 56Kbs. I'm not sure if the problem is in the encoding or burning. I've burned many other discs without problem.

I've also tried DVD Santa and just burning the one episode that is having the problem. So my question is this, why would an AVI file that plays perfect in Media Player not convert correctly to DVD?

Thanks.

Any thoughts?

[lordsmurf]

Use a real encoder. Try TMPGENC
Not that "all in one" muck like DVD Santa or WinAVI

[pchan]

I guess that those video clips are anime. I use TMPGEnc to convert to VCD NTSC format. I unlock the template and change the audio setting to 48kHz in order to be DVD compliance. Next, I author those MPEG1 clips to DVD using DVD-Lab. I was able to put about 17 of 21 minutes episodes into 1 DVD+R. It was slightly above 4.5gig, so I use DVD Shrink to right sized it. Then I use Nero to burn to DVD+R.

P.S. Nost sure if Nero can accept VCD format for DVD. DVD-Lab can. TDA should be able to.

[erock7625]

Thanks, I guess I can try TEMPGEnc, I did try DIVXTODVD and it did seem to work better but the audio was still out of sync for a brief time.

[lordsmurf]

Check to see if you have VBR audio source, that can be a huge problem that needs special attention.

[pchan]

If you do not trim your clip shorter, TMPGEnc should work OK. I use Virtualdub to trim the clip (censor for my kids ) and did encounter problem with VBR audio. Download the clip from another fan site and fixed the issue.

If you do use TMPGEnc, please set video quality to Highest.