I am problematic, I admit it...I didn't go to film school and I base all of my understanding of video on what I have learned perusing the web and this forum.

I came up with a new theory on how to possibly get a little better quality in my DVD for high data rate moments. Since television always cuts off a little, I wondered what would happen if I used the pan/crop tool to shrink all my video...say 3% so that the edge of the video is still outside the outer safe area, but in from the original a little. Would this result in a slightly lower data rate since there will be only black screen for that 3% on the outside instead of video with motion? My logic comes from the following:
1- black screen without movement requires a lower data rate than moving video
2 - there are moments when I have a complex transition or something similar where I peak out my data rate (ie-7mbs for vbr or cbr max).
3 - If I replace moving video in an area that won't be seen on the tv with solid black the data rate will be lowered and you won't lose any visible video.
4 - the lower data rate will come in usefull during the times that I "top out."

I know the increase wouldn't be great, but I like to improve the quality everywhere I can.

Please chime in (especially all you video BA's out there) and let me know what ya' think.
thanks,
Carson Calderwood