convertxtodvd burned size question

[cgutzmer]

This isnt really a usability question I just wan to know how this works

I was using Nero to burn avi files to DVD. I recently tried convertxtodvd

With Nero I could get 3 25 minute shows on a dvd in excellent quality. With convertx I can get 8 shows on a dvd and not lose quality (that I can tell - it might even be better) Also if I burned a 700 mb avi to dvd with Nero it took the whole dvd. With Convertx it looks like I can get two of them on the dvd with room to spare. (plus convertx includes the subtitles....)

How does it manage this?
Thanks!
Chris

[src2206]

Hi there

A DVD5 can hold up to 7hrs of DVD but obviously you loose quality. CX2D automatically resizes your video to fit the target DVD.

How can they manage? It simply resizes and obviously you loose quality. Though it should be better than NERO as NERO's output quality is horrible poor. So any standard DVD converter should give you better output than NERO and CX2D is considered to be a very good one click solution.

[Soopafresh]

http://www.illusiongenius.com/dh1.jpg

[cgutzmer]

Hah! I love it soopa

When you say that is can hold 7 hours,is that 7 hours uncompressed? If so, thats very cool to know. Otherwise it still doesnt quite make sense to me. (I tend to miss the obvious at times)

For instance I was putting a 700 mb file that was a 2 hour video on dvd. For Nero it would be full up. On convertxdvd it only filled up 1/3 of the dvd. (that would fit with the 7 hour info) If it was compressing it, Iwould have thought it would have still filled up all or nearly all of the dvd.
Thanks for your help!
Chris

[theewizard]

all video except RAW capture is compressed

your avi is compressed, mpeg is compressed, mp4 is compressed

DVD's are compressed the vobs are renamed mpeg2 files with special markers in them, BUT essentially still mpeg2

it's the quality of the encoding and compression that decides how much picture data is throw away and how the file will look when played

when convert / transcode /re-encode a video from avi to DVD, the SOFTWARE used is the deciding factor , of whether the file gets bigger OR smaller and if it looses any quality

convertX just does a better job than NERO so the files to NOT get bigger this lets you put more on the disc

[cgutzmer]

GREAT! Super information - you guys have been very helpful. Got my dvd recorder on the way for the TV so I am sure I will have more questions.

If convertx does a better job what is recommended to do the best job?
Chris

[guns1inger]

ConvertXtoDVD does not resize video - it only encodes at full-d1 resolution. As does NeroVision. ConvertXtoDVD just happens to do a better job that NV, period.

8 x 25 minute episodes is around 3.5 hours, which is, IMO, pushing the bounds of a single layer disc. Your originals must be on the lower quality side, or your TV isn't too good if you can see a quality drop. Even using a good quality mpeg2 encoder (and while ConvertXtoDVD isn't a dog, it is not a quality encoder) you won't get that much on a single layer disc at full-D1 without taking a hit.

NeroVision is cursed with an overly conservative estimation process, and poor encoding settings. I suspect they estimate low because the encoder is so poor.

If you are happy with 8 episodes to a disc and the quality you get, by all means continue. ConvertXtoDVD will always produce better output than NeroVision for this type of thing. However give ConvertXtoDVD a try with only 6 episodes, or even better, take the time to learn how to encode properly, and try your 8 episodes at half-D1 resolution with a good quality encoder, and notice the difference.

For the best possible conversion you will need

Avisynth 2.5.7 + the blockbuster and asharp plugins. You might also consider the MSU Smart Delocker
FitCD
AVSEdit
A bitrate calculator
Virtualdubmod (for testing your script)
Aften and EncWavtoAC3 or AftenGUI
HCEnc or ProCoder2 or CCE
And authoring program of your choice.

Use Virtualdubmod to save the audio as Uncompressed wav. Convert this to AC3 with Aften and save for future use.

Use FitCD to create a basic script to resize your video for encoding. Save the script, open it in notepad or AVSEdit (your choice) and modify to include the deblocking plugins before the resize, and aSharp after the resize.

Use the bitrate calculator to work out what bitrate you should be encoding at. If the running time is longer than around 70 minutes then the bitrate will become your average bitrate for a multi-pass (two or more) VBR encode.

Encode your video (will take several hours), then author with the AC3 audio you encoded earlier.

[cgutzmer]

Thanks guns! That will prove very helpful! Keep in mind I upgraded from a 15 year old tv so pretty much everything looks better to me
Chris