DVDA 4.0b error--bitrate too low

scottbrickert wrote on 5/16/2007, 11:35 AM

I have three video files (SD-AVI, straight from Vegas), totalling 1:51:31, plus a static menu. When I Optimize the project size (Fit to Disc), each video file gets this error message:

Track 1 video...cannot be recompressed because its bitrate is too low.

The bitrate resulting from Fit To Disc is 4.996 Mbps. The process hangs at this point.

I've never seen this before. The manual does not define "too low" or "too high" in terms of Mbps.

So I'm left with rendering from Vegas, which I'd rather not do.

Any ideas?

Scott

Comments

IN1ACCORD Productions wrote on 5/16/2007, 1:40 PM

Why would you rather not render with Vegas?

DVDA recompresses with a static harsher bitrate where Vegas does a more professional job - giving you MPEG2 variable bitrate and 2 pass (to use with longer higher compressed videos). Audio is rendered using Vegas' Dolby AC3 encoder (where you can even do 5.1).

In DVDA you just drag each of the MPEG2 rendered video files to the DVD menu (the AC3 rendered audio follows the video if you rendered both to the same file). Then DVDA only has the menu(s) to recompress.

In Vegas I would set/customize each videos bitrate to 4.75 Mbps (for a total of almost 2 hours) to avoid burning your DVD to the edge and give yourself some menu breathing room.

Brian

johnmeyer wrote on 5/16/2007, 1:47 PM

I don't know what this message means, but I used the Search function (located near the top of this screen) to search this forum for "recompressed bitrate too low" and found these:

"Bit Rate Too Low" Message in DVDA 4

bitrate too low? WHAT?!

Introduction Media Will Not Play

They don't seem to have exact answers, but perhaps will give you some clues.

scottbrickert wrote on 5/16/2007, 3:25 PM

Thanks for the links. Not much light came streaming in though.

I recreated the project in DVDA2. It had a message for each of the three AVI's:
"xxxx is orphaned and not reachable."

[Choosing Fit To Disc resulted in the same 4.996 bitrate as with DVDA4b]

Yet, I clicked through the Prepare process and rendering began. Maybe I'll just do it in DVDA2.

As for why I prefer DVDA for rendering, it's much simpler, more streamlined, and easier to create the DVD project. I generally use Render to New Track as opposed to Render As from the top menu. I collect the final clips in a Finals folder, then drag these into the DVD project where the chapters and menus get created. After all the previewing and testing, hit Fit To Disc and let 'er burn. If we had Real Time Preview, I'd probably use Render to New Track less, but it's the only reliable way to double check timing. Since I have the final clip from the new track, why not just drag it into DVDA?

The only thing I miss is VBR and dual pass, which would come in handy in a case like this. Why aren't these options available in DVDA?

I've never had a quality issue using that process. It emphasizes creativity over administration (bitrate calculators, file tracking, rendering again when the calcs were off, estimating the footprint of menus before they're created...).

Maybe there's a better way....? Always looking to learn.

MPM wrote on 5/18/2007, 7:10 PM

If it helps at all Scott...

You might find it worth your time to check out some alternative mpg2 encoders; often the cheaper ones, or encoders that come bundled with something like Roxio or Nero will still have the fit to disc option, and hopefully get you a better result than using the DVDA built-in encoding. The only other way I know of to avoid bit rate calcs & adjustments is to use a hardware DVDR.