Best conversions for dvd

[atvmxr]

What is a good conversion for dv files that will save file size, and also be suitable to play in home dvd players with decent quaility?

[filmboss80]

For something playable on most home DVD players, you will need to start by encoding to MPEG-2. For a good visual playback quality, the higher the bitrate you encode to, the better (like 7000 to 8000kbps). After that, you would use a DVD authoring program to make it compliant for most DVD players. And finally, you would burn it to a disc. With that said, keep in mind that MPEG-2 video is very compressed, and does not give you much leeway in terms of editing. If your DV files are really important--or if you plan to edit the footage later--you might just want to archive them.

[atvmxr]

There wont be any editing or anything like that, it will be the 3 minute or so clips, that have been captured, then a certain selection of these files will be burned straight to a dvd, and sold. I am looking or somthing very easy to use. Any suggestions. I will have to be able to burn the dvds kinda quickly. I was looking at a program like roxio my dvd 9 or somthing to that nature. I have been using nero for a while, with out problems. Also what wold you suggest fro a mpeg 2 encoder?

[Baldrick]

I would try the tmpgenc dvd author 3 all-in-one instead of roxio and nerovision. If you don't need that advanced menus you can use convertxtodvd or free tools like dvd flick, favc.

[filmboss80]

Always listen to Baldrick. (I know I always do.) You mentioned burning the DVDs quickly for sales. Encoding from DV to MPEG-2 takes a bit of time, depending on length. Authoring also takes time, depending on how detailed the final disc will be (for example: creating user access points to the many separate clips, linking clips to play one after the other, setting multiple chapters, creating navigation menus, etc.) Then there's the process of the authoring software going through its motions to create all the DVD-compliant structures prior to burning. If you are needing to make multiple copies in a limited period, there is also the issue of DVD duplication. So, even in the best scenario, these things take time. When you are rushed, mistakes can occur, and the discs can end up as little more than coasters. I don't know your specific situation, but if it involves hurried sales, you may just need to get buyers to pre-order your DVDs, and then you can deliver them after you have taken the time to produce an error-free product.

[atvmxr]

Well it will be all pre ordered sales. I am looking to convert the dv files, they will all be 3 minutes clips. We do dance competitions, and each dance is about 3 minutes. I figured I could capture 2 hr segments, then change hard drive out and encode to mpeg 2, to a seperate folder on a different hard drive. Once we get back to the shop, the dvds will be made. I am looking for a authoring program, that I can do a drag and drop. I liked the my dvdle program that came with my laptop, it is very easy to use.