Bitrate and GOP for DVDS

[Anathemic_nerd]

I have a general question. What's considered a 'good' bitrate to convert? I don't have to worry about high defination or even large screens. I have normal tvs and I don't plan on buying a new one anytime soon. What I want to do is not waste space by highest quality that is useless. I know I don't need anything fancy, so why wastse several dvds in the process?

Also I was told that the GOP also affects the quality of a dvd but what is considered a good GOP? Picture only sounds like the best option but I was unsure with the information I found.

I'm currently using TMPGenc 'beta 12' according to my about file. I am currently converting using 4000 kbs bitrate and a picture only GOP. Video into mpeg-2 and sound mpeg-2. Most of the files I'm trying to convert are avi's but I'm not sure of the codecs.

[jimmalenko]

http://members.dodo.net.au/~jimmalenko/AVI2DVD.htm
http://members.dodo.net.au/~jimmalenko/calc.htm


Some people use a bitrate that is sufficient enough to represent the information whilst at the same time almost completely filling the disc. Others swear by CQ mode, where the quality of the file is a set value but the filesize remains unpredictable. It really depends on the situation as to which way you go though, and without any firm examples, I can't really give any more specific advice than that I'm afraid

[yoda313]

Most of the files I'm trying to convert are avi's but I'm not sure of the codecs.

Use gspot to find out.

But like jimmalenko mentioned theres no hard and fast rule to it. Just experiment and see what you like. Use rewritable discs so you don't waste blanks as you test. Just give it a go and take notes

[Shadowmistress]

If you want to make sure your dvd player plays the movies correctly, I wouldn't mess with the GOP structure if I were you. You will get very unpredictable and undesirable playback behaviour if you don't know what you're doing and your player may not be able to play it at all.

Tmpgenc's default GOP setting is I:1 P:5 B:2 or IBBPBBPBBPBBPBBPBB which is within dvd spec. Some authoring software requests you use closed GOP's which eliminates frame interdependancy between GOPs and makes for better chapter accuracy. I would suggest you use this as well. That GOP looks like this: IBBPBBPBBPBBPBBP.