mpeg2 too large

Sneddy wrote on 12/3/2005, 6:25 AM
I have a one hour 47 minute mpeg2 I'm trying to burn. DVDA says it's 114% the size of of DVD. When I use Optimize and move the bitrate slider, it doesn't change the %. Is that normal or should I be able to tweak the size exactly to 100% with the slider showing the change? The 'Fit to Disc option doesn't seem to work for me with this mpeg2. Is Fit to Disc only for .avi files? Any suggestions? Thank you in advance.
Bob K.

Comments

johnmeyer wrote on 12/3/2005, 7:42 AM
Fit to Disc is for AVI files. DVDA does not re-encode MPEG-2 files that are too large.

The DVDA estimates are notoriously inaccurate and they will often tell you that the MPEG is too large when, in fact, they are not. I've had estimates as high as 108%, had DVDA do a "prepare," and then ended up with a project that would still fit on a DVD. I am quite certain that DVDA did not re-encode, since the prepare only took about 15 minutes.

If your MPEG files ARE too large, prepare the project and then use DVD Shrink (free program) to reduce the whole thing. Best bet of all, of course, is to go back to Vegas and re-do the MPEG-2 at a lower bitrate. Use a bitrate calculator to determine the correct bitrate beforehand.
Chienworks wrote on 12/3/2005, 8:57 AM
Yep. I just had one this morning that DVDA reported as 114%. I did the prepare anyway and burned with Nero. Everything fit with about 80MB to spare. This made sense since i used a bitrate calculator in advance and calculated to give me about 100MB breathing room.
Sneddy wrote on 12/3/2005, 9:40 AM
Looks like back to Vegas where I will import an avi into DVDA and then use fit to disc. Thanks to all who have confirmed this. Words can't describe my appreciation to forums!! Bob K.
TheHappyFriar wrote on 12/3/2005, 10:43 AM
i bought a copy of tmpgenc 2.5 for "problems" like this. That way, if itIS to big I can avoid a lengthly vegas re-encode.

it's worth every penny, just like Vegas.
ErikS wrote on 12/6/2005, 8:21 AM
Where do oyu find DVD Shrink and this bitrate calculator?
thanks
ScottW wrote on 12/6/2005, 10:11 AM
google "bitrate calculator" - first entry on the list.
johnmeyer wrote on 12/6/2005, 10:42 AM
Bitrate Calculator

DVD Shrink