How to get 14GB large mpeg-2 file to DVD?

[Bellman]

Hi,

As subject indicates I have problem with a huge mpeg-2 file from TV broadcast. The size of this file is around 14GB and it is recorded with WinTV-HVR-1300 card. I used one of the highest settings (12MBit/sec VBR) to get the best quality, but now I am stuck with this monster file. Is there any ways to get this file on a single DVD or convert to other smaller format somehow?

Thanks in advance,
Rob

[Baldrick]

If you want a standard dvd-video:
Reconvert with lower bitrate using a mpeg2 encoder like tmpgenc plus, mainconcept mpeg encoder, cce basic, hcenc. Use bitrate calculator to calculate so it will fit on a single dvd. Or use an all-in-one solution and add the mpeg2 and it will convert,author and burn to a dvd...like with tda 3, convertxtodvd.

If you don't need a standard dvd-video:
You could convert it to a avi divx/xvid using for example AutoGK.

But you will lose a lots of video quality...what is your goal with the video? store so you can later edit or?

[Bellman]

Thanks for promt reply! I will try to investigate your proposals later.

Well, the goal is to make a DVD with such a quality which is acceptable for watching on regular TV set without noticing pixels and other artifacts. I would not like to have much of quality loss either.

I am basically amateur in the video business, therefore I ended up with such a large file. I thought that it should always be possible to downsample or convert to lower resolution from higher one.

[yoda313]

I think for something that large your best bet is to first cut the commercials out using something like mpg2cut2 and then bite the bullet and split it on two dvds. Or dual layer if your edited mpg is under 8gigs after the commercials are out.

The only true way to preserve the quality on such a high bitrate is to split it across multiple single layers or dual layer discs. Otherwise you'll have to reencode to a lower bitrate.

You really should use a bitrate calculator and find a sweet spot for single layer dvdrs you can tolerate. That way you can simply record and then author and not tackle with reencoding.

[edDV]

Quality is going to cost more in time or money no matter which option.

In a couple of years, HD/BD recorders will be common but blank media for these will remain expensive for years. Dual layer (DVD-9) media may drop in price and become more popular for high def recording. Off air MPeg2_TS files range from 12-19Mb/s or 44-26min per DVD-9 if recorded directly.

The breakthrough will come when realtime hardware VC-1 or H.264 encoders are added to DVD recorders. These will allow 2x-3x longer recording times at similar quality or fit to disk at lower quality.

Alternative is to record to large home video servers and avoid optical media.

[SaSi]

Well, the goal is to make a DVD with such a quality which is acceptable for watching on regular TV set without noticing pixels and other artifacts. I would not like to have much of quality loss either.

You don't really need to record at a bitrate higher than 10Mbps. Of course, even that won't be suitable for recording on a standard DVD.

Your 14Gb file @ 12Mbps is way too long to fit on a DVD with acceptable image quality. On a single layer DVD you can fit 3 hours worth of video with an average bitrate of 3600kbps. To get acceptable quality, you would need at least 2-3 pass encoding with CCE or a similar encoder.

I have the same workflow when recording programmes to keep. First step is to convert to AVI with VirtualDUB in order to trim useless parts (commercials etc). The AVI is saved in DivX with a quite high Q factor (2) to preserve IQ. The resulting file is then passed to CCE to encode to MPEG-2. The encoding bitrate depends on the application. Recorded episodes are encoded at 3600kbps to make space for 4 episodes. Results are pretty good. Formula 1 races are encoded in the highest bitrate possible while not exceeding the 4.36Gb space.

[Cornucopia]

I think for something that large your best bet is to first cut the commercials out using something like mpg2cut2 and then bite the bullet and split it on two dvds. Or dual layer if your edited mpg is under 8gigs after the commercials are out.

The only true way to preserve the quality on such a high bitrate is to split it across multiple single layers or dual layer discs. Otherwise you'll have to reencode to a lower bitrate.

You really should use a bitrate calculator and find a sweet spot for single layer dvdrs you can tolerate. That way you can simply record and then author and not tackle with reencoding.

Splitting to discs or NOT, you'll still have to re-encode, because your bitrate is above legal DVD spec and most if not all players will baulk at it.

I'd:
1. Open in MPEG editor (like Cuttermaran) and cut out commercials on I-frame (so no re-encoding yet). Save result.
2. Open in Vdub, etc. and frameserve to good MPEG2 encoder (like TMPGEnc, Mainconcept, CCE) based on bitrate/length calc. 2pass VBR.
3. Author and burn to DVD-R/DVD+R (SL or DL depending on your requirements).

Scott

[akrako1]

Is there any ways to get this file on a single DVD or convert to other smaller format somehow?

If you happen to have a Divx/XVid capable DVD player, you could convert your file to Divx, and put on a dvd-data disc. You can easily fit ~3 hours video on a DVD in Divx format - at a high quality level.

[Bellman]

Thank you all for comments!

I have been away for a while, but next week will try some of your suggestions. The clip I have problem with does not have any commercials (it is Eurovision Song Contest), but it is possible to cut at least half of it off (voting). So maybe I still have a chance to make only one DVD.

P.S. I have DivX/XVid capable player.

[edDV]

Thank you all for comments!

I have been away for a while, but next week will try some of your suggestions. The clip I have problem with does not have any commercials (it is Eurovision Song Contest), but it is possible to cut at least half of it off (voting). So maybe I still have a chance to make only one DVD.

P.S. I have DivX/XVid capable player.

Consider capturing future shows below 9500Kb/s so you can cut edit with products like Womble's without recode. MPeg2 does not suffer generation loss with as much class as DV.

[akrako1]

P.S. I have DivX/XVid capable player.

Well, then if you only really need it playable on your player I'd suggest Xvid or Divx. MPEG-4 encoding is much more space efficient with the same quality level as much larger MPEG-2. I don't have much experience with them, because I don't have a capable player, but maybe someone can supply more details for Bellman??

[t0nee1]

I'd open in VobBlanker, cut out crap not needed,and use DVDRB to DVD-9 or if you must then DVD-5.....JMO!....
@ bellman
just noticed you have DivX/xvid player. then go with FairUse Wizard....or AutoGk......