Getting more video on a DVD?

[kelemvor]

OK,

I'm in the long, drawn out process of converting VHS tapes to DVD.

I've already captured them via VirtualDub and the Analog passthrough on a camcorder. That all worked fine.

Now I have converted them to mpeg compatible files using tmpeg plus.

Problem is these files are anywhere from 2 minutes long to 40 minutes long and everywhere in between. Most are around the 5-10 minute length.

I used tmpeg and just let all the settings on default and converted the files. I then used tmpeg Dvd Author to burn them. Because of the file sizes I only got 1 hour on the DVD.

Since the source files were old tapes, the quality isn't really much of a concern. What is the best way to get more on the DVD?

Do I need to use one of the bitrate calculator things for each individual file and start doing math or can I just take the settings from Tmpeg Plus and cut the rate in half?

Just looking for options here.

Thanks!

[vico1]

Now I have converted them to mpeg compatible files using tmpeg plus.

At what Rez and bitrate?

If qual is not a big concern, use 352x480 or 352x240.
This should get you a lot more on the DVD.

[redwudz]

For old VHS tapes, I would try 1/2 D1 framesize or 352 x 480 pixels MPEG2 (Called Half-D1) and you can maximize the quality at a lower bitrate. If you cut the bitrate down from 8000Kbps to 4000Kbps, you probably won't notice that much difference with 1/2 D1 to your source video, but you would with full D1 as it won't look too good. At 1/2 D1, you should be able to get twice as much on a DVD. For info on that and the DVD format and specification, see the upper left on this page for 'WHAT IS' DVD.

You should use a bitrate calculator to set the bitrate. Add up the total running times of all your videos and use that for the input to the bitrate calculator. The Videohelp bitrate calculator works well, or for others: https://www.videohelp.com/tools?s=1#1

You should be able to get 3 hours of video on a DVD at about 3000Kbps. Try that setting in TMPGEnc at 1/2 D1 with one of your short videos and see how it looks, then adjust it up or down to your taste.

[kelemvor]

I was using the standard settings which were around 8000Kbps and 756x whatever. I tried leaving the 8000 along and changing to the 352x size btu that didn't do anything.

So I set it to 4000 Kbps and let it back up at 756x and the files are half now. I guess I'll just have to see if the quality is what I need.

Thanks.

[guns1inger]

Filesize = Running time x Bitrate. Changing resolution alone will not alter the file size. If you encode the same video twice, at the same bitrate, but one with half the resolution, the file sizes will be the same.

In fact, what you have done is exactly the reverse of what you were advised. You have halved the resolution, but the kept the bitrate the same - and seen no change to the file size. You have then kept full resolution, but halved the bitrate. Your file is half the size, as it should be, but the quality is poor.

What you were advised to do was halve both the bitrate and the resolution.

[kelemvor]

Yeah but I'm dense like that and have to always try everything for myself. SO I'm doing a few at half bitrate, full reso and then will do them again at half bitrate and half reso.

I got nothing but time to kill. heh.

[MOVIEGEEK]

My rule of thumb:
352x240(288)=2000Kbps
352x480(576)=4000Kbps
720x480(576)=8000Kbps
VBR will usually yield a smaller size file than CBR but it takes longer to encode.

[ntscuser]

I encode all TV clips at 3000Kbps using 2-pass VBR (highest quality) and the results are indistinguishable from the original. It gives me about three hours total per DVD.

[redwudz]

Here's an easy way to set up 1/2 D1 with TMPGEnc. Open the program. If the Wizard is open, close it and go to the main page. You want to be in your regular DVD, NTSC MPEG-2 setting of 720X480, 29.97fps, etc. If not, load it from the bottom 'Load' button.

Click on 'Setting' to the bottom right. Go to 'Size' and right click on that word. Select 'Unlock'. Change the 720 to 352. Now under 'Rate control mode' select 'Constant bitrate (CBR). Now right click on 'Bitrate' and select 'Unlock'. Change the Bitrate to 4000 instead of 8000. Leave everything else the same for the moment.

Click 'OK' at the bottom of the MPEG Setting page. Now go back on the main page, click 'Save', again at the bottom right. That will take you to a Template page. Name your new template, 'DVD HALF D1 (NTSC)'. Click 'Save'. Now you can go back to the main page again.

Click 'Load' bottom right. Select your DVD HALF D1 (NTSC).mcf file. Click 'Open'. You now have a new 1/2 D1 setting you can access any time. You can change the 'Rate control mode' if you like, to CQ or VBR or others.

Lots of other settings and adjustments you can play with, but that should get you started.

[kelemvor]

Oh lord. You just saved me so many F"ing clicks. I was looking for a way to save those settings as default. I'll try that when my test ones are done.

Thanks.

[ntscuser]

Just to point out, if you use a template instead of the Wizard then TMPGEnc won't check for correct frame order when a file is loaded or automatically size a recording to fit a DVD.

[theewizard]

I would use convertX

load it up with the files, in the order you want them, and run it

it will convert all the files ( with seperate titles BUT have auto play ) and they it will fit the disk, it will automaticlly size everything

afterwards IF your happy with the quality fine, if NOT do again using less files,

if you want to tidy up and make it all one file, you can ripit, with a ripping program and have it re-authored/re-built as ONE movie

this is the easy way out, NOT the best way for everybody,

use RW discs untill you have it down pat, ( all figured out ) then burn DVD's

[vico1]

Not to sound condescending...and if you already know, Sorry...but
For sampling a few encodes, TMPGEnc Plus can encode just a small portion
of your vids by clicking on:
"Setting"--->"Advanced"--->then check & double click "Source Range"

This will allow you to set a start/end point anywhere within the vid to sample encode.

[thecoalman]

My rule of thumb:
352x240(288)=2000Kbps
352x480(576)=4000Kbps
720x480(576)=8000Kbps

Or:
352x240(288) min. bitrate = 1152Kbps
352x480(576) min. bitrate = 20000Kbps
720x480(576) min. bitrate = 4000Kbps


What I would suggest is if you're aiming for 4000 is to do both a 720x480(576) and a 352x480(576) @4000kbps and compare them on a fairly large size TV if possible. You're in a grey area where either resolution can perform with that bitrate.