DVD File sizes using DivxToDVD

[targus]

Hi

I noticed that when using DivxToDVD there is the choice of selecting the size of the target disk. Choices are DVD5, DVD9 or custom.

I noticed that with DVD 5 (which I aaume is 4.7Gb media) selected, the log file aways shows the predicted file size as only 4.2Gb. So this time I used the custom size and set it at 4.7Gb - I assumed that setting the media size smaller than it really is will reduce the quality and vice versa?

Anyway, having set it at 4.7Gb the log showed the final size of the files would be 4.6Gb.

But on checking the the VOB files they are only at 3.7Gb.

Any ideas on an explanation would be much appreciated.

Thanks
\F

[guns1inger]

DivxtoDVD, especially the freeware version (cf. ConvertXtoDVD) works slightly differently to many encoders. It looks at the compression used by the original, and uses that data to help compress as mpeg2. This results in smaller file sizes (and therefore more video per disc) without causing to many artifacts. It does get confusing watching the log tick over, starting with what appears to be a good estimate of required bitrate, then watching it tick down as it encodes. You can artificially inflate the bitrate by setting it up for a DVD9. Sometimes this comes in closer to DVD5, sometimes a little over. It does not seem to make much difference to picture quality.

ConvertXtoDVD adds more control over encoding, offering not only size but quality increments (basic, byt functional) and seems to use the available bitrate better. The biggest plus to the current ConvertXtoDVD over the previous version is that is now encodes 23.976 material as 23.976 with 3:2 pulldown. DivxtoDVD converts it to 29.976 and pads the framerate with duplicate frames, making for jerky pans.

Now, if only it could read AVS scripts, I'd be happy.

[targus]

Thankyou for this Guns1inger. It answers a previous post of mine asking about jerky pans that I didn't get a good answer to!!

I do have the registered version of DivxToDVD (only bought it a couple of months ago) and have emailed VSO to see if I can upgrade to CovertxtoDVD as teh ability to deal wit h3:2 pulldown would be useful.

I know it's a bit basic but so am I and it usually does a good enough job for me.

Cheers
\F

[jimmalenko]

I do have the registered version of DivxToDVD (only bought it a couple of months ago) and have emailed VSO to see if I can upgrade to CovertxtoDVD as teh ability to deal wit h3:2 pulldown would be useful.

I'm pretty sure that all I did was install COnvertXToDVD and it automatically saw I had a registered copy of DivXToDVD and transferred the licence.

[mats.hogberg]

Also, the true size (in computer lingo) of a DVD-5 is 4.37 GB, and I suspect that's why DivXtoDVD tries to target 4.2 GB - it "thinks" in computer GB, not in marketing GB.
(Computer GB = 1024*1024*1024, while marketing GB is 1000*1000*1000)

/Mats