batch convert avi's to DVD size

[milofhead]

Greets,

I am looking to encode 12 home movies that I already converted to avi's. When I encoded them their size came out at around 4.7GBs in total and I was looking for a way to convert them to fit on one dvd disc (4.33 GBs) . I have searched for a while and the only things I keep finding is how to convert them to a 4.3 DVD using mpegs and whatnot. I'd actually like to keep them in .avi format (Xvid or Divx) for future editing purposes. Can anyone direct me to where I can learn about how to calculate a batch encode job to avi so they'll be at a specific size? I primarily use TmpGEnc but I am open to suggestions.

thanks.

[guns1inger]

Use a bitrate calculator to get the correct bitrate required to fit the videos into the available space. Work out the combined running time, and use this as the basis for your calculations. Use the calculated bitrate as either a Constant BitRate (good for home movies if the total running time is 65 - 70 minutes or less), or as the average bitrate in a Variable BitRate encode.

Don't know about batch encoding in Tmpgenc, but I'm sure it is possible. If not, you could try FAVC, which uses HCEnc, a high quality encoder that is much faster than Tmpgenc.

[yoda313]

I'd actually like to keep them in .avi format (Xvid or Divx)

That's not ideal for good quality. And by avi I hope you mean you originally copied them as dv-avi. That is the best format for standard definiton video aside from absurdly huge files from more lossless codecs (best as in terms of quality per gigabyte in my view). DIVX/XVID is compressed and editing compressed video results in subpar productions.

Assuming these are dv tapes you should retransfer them as dv-avi through a firewire connection. Also save your original dv tapes and buy new ones so you can always go back to the original tape for a new project.

If you did convert to dv-avi than ignore my advice about transfer. But you should listen to the advice to not use divx/xvid as a storage medium. Great for simple transport to other parties for quick viewing. Not great for quality preservation.

Also as guns1inger suggested using a bitrate calculator is ideal. videohelp bitrate calculator is a free one you can check out.