Question about DVD making

[seven_deuce offsuit]

The program I have (DVD Architect) to create DVDs compresses files that are used, so is it a good idea to use AVI or MPEG-2 files? I was told before that for DVD making, video files must be MPEG-2, but wouldn't using that format lose quality since, in the process, rendering a DVD compresses all files?

[yoda313]

https://www.videohelp.com/dvd

That link might help a little.

What authoring programs do is take a dvd compatible mpeg2 and put in the proper dvd structure. This means it makes vob files and ifo and bup files in a video_ts folder (the audio_ts folder is empty when its created for dvd-video).

If you are making a true dvd video you have no choice but to end up at mpeg2 one way or another. Even if your authoring program accepts avi files it is converting it to mpeg2 before it makes the folders.

Assuming your using your own material you should encode to the proper bitrate for dvd creation first. If your taking an avi you recorded and are making a mpeg2 you need to make sure it will fit a single layer dvdr or a double layer dvdr if you have a dl burner and dl blanks.

You must have mpeg 2 to make a dvd. No way around it in the long run.

[seven_deuce offsuit]

So if I use an MPEG-2 file, would the program skip the conversion process since it's already in MPEG-2?

[Krispy Kritter]

Most authoring software allows you to choose a profile to use while authoring the disc. Some are as simple as VCR settings (SP, LP, SLP), others are more advanced and you often have the option to create your own profile. If your input files meet the criteria of the profile that you chose, then no conversion will be performed. If the files are different, then conversion is performed.

[mats.hogberg]

if I use an MPEG-2 file, would the program skip the conversion process

If the mpeg-2 is within the DVD specs, and if the authoring app hasn't its own opinion on what is DVD compliant and not.
Best is to make sure that the mpeg is a valid DVD specs mpg, and never use an authoring app that has built in encoding capabilities, but simply refuses to accept (or at least warn you of) non compliant source material.

/Mats

[GeorgeW]

DVD Architect 3 - go File / Optimize DVD

in the popup window, click on the video title in question, then on the right side where you see GENERAL / VIDEO 1 / AUDIO 1 -- click on the VIDEO tab, and there will be info on whether DVDA thinks it is compliant (if it is compliant, you have a choice to use it "asis", or convert it to project settings, or a specific setting for that asset).

Regards,
George