Best program to use for compression

[MeekloBraca]

Im using DVD Shrink 3.2 to use for compressing larger than 4.7gig dvd files to make them fit. The program is great, very easy to use. Im wondering if theres a better way to do this that may produce a better result?

[Abond]

Yes, there is.

[mats.hogberg]

Only better way is to really reencode using an mpeg encoder.
If the compression needed isn't too much, there's IMHO really no need to use anything but DVDShrink.

/Mats

[MeekloBraca]

Im looking for a program at the 65-80% compression mark. Seems like anything above 80% is just fine. Get into the 70's and its a bit iffy.

[ROF]

Think about it this way. You have ten potato chips. Take away three chips, what are you left with? Sorry, I am sitting here eating some pringles and it was the best analogy I could think of, but when you compress files in this manner you are actually taking away portions of the video and audio stream and throwing them away. You have to expect some loss in quality. Tolerance for such loss is solely in the eyes of the viewer. There is no way around it. My suggestion is to use dual layer media. It is very cheap when you consider that you are compressing data that is obviously important to you.

[MeekloBraca]

My question is if there was a better program or a better way. Not to eliminate the quality loss completely. Deul Layer is too expensive for what I want to do.

[mats.hogberg]

DVDRebuilder. Uses CCE to reencode, instead of transcoding=better quality at the same compression.

/Mats

[MeekloBraca]

Alright Ill give that a shot.

[MeekloBraca]

What kind of settings would you recommend for a compression of a racing dvd? So lots of motion, lots of different colors etc.?

I cant get the encoder to work properly, it asks for a reference.

[mats.hogberg]

don't know - Like I've said I've always been satisfied with DVDShrink. Rarely do you have to go to too much compression if you strip out all extras, unwanted audio tracks & cetera.

/Mats

[rsgars]

I might try it this way. Use the bitrate calculator here at dvdrhelp to figure out your bitrates. Skip the DVD Rebuilder and encode directly in CCE using 2-pass VBR with minimum, average and maximum bitrates set according to the bitrate calculator to fit on your DVD.

[MeekloBraca]

Thing is with that you have a little logo on the bottom because its a trail version.

[DarrellS]

I've always been satisfied with DVDShrink. Rarely do you have to go to too much compression if you strip out all extras, unwanted audio tracks & cetera.

Exactly. Most DVD movies rarely go over the 4.37 GB limit. Without all the extra stuff that I don't care anything about, most will fit on a DVD-R with very little to no compression at all.

IMO, using a DL disc to burn a few extra MBs is a huge waste of money.
The only reason I can see to use DL discs is for burning 3 or 4 hour movies. I probably should get a few DL discs and back-up the LOTR Trilogy again.

[lantern]

You could use the free version of DVD-Rebuilder. It comes with a few differernt encoder including HCencoder (Free). There is quite a bit of info here.