Proper recording settings DVR to DVD

[brucemc]

Hello everyone!
I am a newbie to this board and to DVD creation/video capture.

I have been transferring a lot of shows recorded on the DVR that came with DISH Network, not hi def, to my hard drive on the computer, then burning them to DVD successfully, but I suspect I am not getting as much on the DVD as I could for I am using maximum settings pretty much on ULEAD DVD MovieFactory, with MPEG files, 24 bit, 29.97 fps, Video Data Rate at up to 7,000, audio at 256, dolby digital 48khz. I get something short of 2 hrs on a 4.3Gig disc, and I suspect I might be able to put more on without degrading quality.

Thoughts?

[yoda313]

Just experiment.

Probably 5000 video bitrate might be acceptable to your eyes. It all depends on what your "minimum" acceptable quality is. Also try using half d1 resolution at 352x480 at the lower bitrates too. I wouldn't go any lower for the audio though, 256 should be just fine.

[FulciLives]

You didn't mention how you are going from the DVR to your computer. Are you using a capture card or device and if so what kind?

If you use 256kbps AC-3 audio then a video bitrate of approximately 4700kbps would be needed to get 2 full hours on a single DVD-R disc.

However I should point out that the encoding capability of Ulead MovieFactory is not that great. You would get better quality using a dedicated MPEG encoder. Something like CCE or TMPGEnc Plus for instance (both of which are around $60 or so USD).

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[brucemc]

I am using a Snazzi card and connection hub, found at this link http://www.snazzi.com/AVIO.asp as it was suggested by one of the video magazine editors who I sent email to, knowing full well I hadn't a clue to pick one out! I just then take the MPEGs that I create (and if I should be using some other format, let me know!), splice out all the crap (the commercials, that is), then make it all into an ISO because their direct to DVD really, ummm, the technical term is "sucks", then use Nero to burn the iso to the dvd. I am wondering if something like the 4700kbps you cite is the comparable setting for tv quality video, for if I can get the same quality I see from normal tv at a lower setting, then I think I can cram more per disk; am I on the right track or off in left field?