mpeg size

[whitelighter]

Hello -
I'm trying to burn an mpg onto a dvd with Ulead. The mpeg is only 1.67 gb, but when I try to burn it onto dvd, ulead says the file is much larger (like 9.83gb or something) and won't fit onto the dvd. Can someone tell me why this is, or if there's a better program that will let me add a selection menu with chapters, but doesn't make it into such a huge file?

[jagabo]

If your MPG file is DVD compliant already: make sure Ulead is not set to reencode the video. If you have to reencode, just use a lower bitrate setting. If I recall correctly, Ulead is template based -- so use a template for a longer running time, eg, use a 2 hour template rather than a 1 hour template.

[whitelighter]

Ok, thanks. Reducing the bitrate seemed to work. It's supposedly burning the dvd now. What puzzles me now is why it's taking so long. At this rate it'll take like 3 days. Do you know why it takes so long for Ulead to do something that Free Easy Burner can do in only a few minutes?

[AlanHK]

Ok, thanks. Reducing the bitrate seemed to work. It's supposedly burning the dvd now. What puzzles me now is why it's taking so long. At this rate it'll take like 3 days. Do you know why it takes so long for Ulead to do something that Free Easy Burner can do in only a few minutes?

It can only be reencoding it.
Since it's already MPEG, then this is a complete waste of time and can only degrade the quality.

If the MPEG is DVD compliant, use something that will just author and not reencode.
Eg, GfD.
You'll have your disc in 20 minutes.

[jagabo]

If you are talking about Ulead DVD Moviefactory, it has a setting that controls whether or not DVD compliant MPG files should be reencoded. Make sure it's set not to reencode. It might reencode the entire video if you make any changes to it -- like trimming out a bit at the start or end.

[whitelighter]

Ok, thanks. I'll try GfD, but first I just want to be sure I've got this reencoding thing down (I'm basically an amateur at this): under Project Settings (in Ulead), there's a box that says "Do not convert compliant MPEG files". I have this box checked. Is this what controls reencoding?

[jagabo]

Yes, that is the setting the keeps the program from reencoding compliant files. Since it's already enabled your source probably isn't DVD compliant. Open it with MediaInfo and post the video properties. I assume you were exaggerating when you said it would take 3 days to encode?

[netmask56]

Get hold of the trial version of VSO ConvertXtoDVD (not the ancient free version) and give it a try - it is very tolerant of a range of files and has a simple menu system as well as chapters etc. It's quite quick . If you like it buy it as it is a worthwhile program to have in your DVD authoring toolkit.