Convert movies to DVD

[neonblade]

Hi,

I have some videos (mostly captured tv-series) that I would like to burn on DVD to watch them on tv, because the tv has a much bigger screen (32", my computer screen is only 17").

But I'm very new to all this, so I have some questions.

1. What is good software to convert and burn movies/videos to DVD? I already tried ConvertXtoDVD, but that software won't work with .ass-subtitles (it only understands .srt-subtitles, and these look bad on tv).

2. How many minutes of video can be put on DVD with acceptable quality?

3. (Most important) On TV, there's always the problem with the Overscan. To avoid this, I would like to do the following: Reduce the video resolution by 5-10% and fill that area with a black border. For example:

Video is 704x396 pixels. Now reduce the video to 669x376 pixels (5%), and add a black border around the video so that it will have 704x396 pixels again. So on tv, the black border will be in the Overscan area, but not the video.

But is this possible and is there a software to do this (Freeware prefered )?

Thanks for your help.

Sebastian

[guns1inger]

FAVC can do the encoding and has an overscan setting as well. It can use HCEnc, which is a very good quality encoder. I don't know how it will handle your subtitles. I also don't understand you issue with SRT subs, as I have never had a problem with how they were authored into discs.

You might also consider that TV shows are shot with overscan in mind and broadcast that way. If you encode the image as-is you will see it as it was broadcast.

[Soopafresh]

2. How many minutes of video can be put on DVD with acceptable quality?

Depends what you mean by "acceptable". 2-2.5 hrs for great looking quality, then drops off from there.

[neonblade]

FAVC can do the encoding and has an overscan setting as well. It can use HCEnc, which is a very good quality encoder. I don't know how it will handle your subtitles.

Thanks. I will download and try, but the description sounds good.

I also don't understand you issue with SRT subs, as I have never had a problem with how they were authored into discs.

Well, the problem is if two people are speaking at the same time. I have a movie where a man speaks and a tv is running in the background. With .ass/.ssa-subtitles, the subtitles for the man will be at the bottom and the subtitles for the tv will be at the top. With .srt-subtitles, both texts will just overlay each other (as far as I know, there is no positioning in .srt-subtitles).

You might also consider that TV shows are shot with overscan in mind and broadcast that way. If you encode the image as-is you will see it as it was broadcast.

You're right with tv-shows, the overlay problem is more with movies.