Is a low resolution DVD possible? To save space.

DataMeister wrote on 5/12/2003, 11:22 AM
I have a bunch of VHS tape that I'm needing to place on DVD for someone and I'm curious if anyone out there already knows....

Would it cause problems in the DVD spec to save the MPEG2 files at the 320x240 VHS resolution. I haven't tested this in any players but it should allow me to fit much more tape on each disc by doing this.

Does anyone know this already? Is it going to cause compatibility problems with DVD players. Or maybe it just won't work at all? Or do I need to be the scientist for this question and start my own experimentation?

JBJones

Comments

riredale wrote on 5/12/2003, 12:26 PM
Per "DVD Demystified" by Jim Taylor, page 521:

"If you want to pack a large amount of video on a disc, don't try to encode to MPEG2 under 2Mbps. Use MPEG1 between 1 and 1.86Mbps; it will look better than MPEG2 at the same data rates. You could also use "half-D1" resolution (352x480) at rates of about 1.5 to 3Mbps, which can look surprisingly good. Be aware that although half D1 video is mandatory in the DVD-Video specification, it will cause problems on a few players.

"Before encoding the video, use heavy digital video noise reduction (DVNR) and liberal application of blurring filters in video processing programs."

According to a table on page 253, running MPEG1 at 1.5Mb/sec and stereo Dolby Digital audio can fit 6 hours of video on a single DVD-5 blank.

Hope this helps.
SonyDennis wrote on 5/12/2003, 3:34 PM
Allowed by DVD spec: Yes
Allowed by DVD Architect version 1.0: No
///d@
BJ_M wrote on 5/12/2003, 4:06 PM
well you can if you want -- you can re-write the headers of the mpeg1 file or 1/2D1 file and fool DVDA , you can change it back once the VOBS are made or leave it, if they play ok in your player ..

the steps are more than i want to repeat though, unless someone's interisted -- though it is pretty easy to do ..