Video doubles in size?

vinceq60 wrote on 1/26/2008, 10:13 AM

I must be going nuts. Ive been using DVD Architect for a year, and all of a sudden I import a 1.7gig WMV file, and it becomes a 7.6gig file that is too big to fit onto a DVD.

Anyone have any clue what i did?

Comments

bStro wrote on 1/26/2008, 10:51 AM

A WMV is not DVD-compliant, so DVD Architect has to re-encode it as an MPEG2 (which is DVD compliant). When you give DVD Architect a file that needs to be re-encoded, it's estimates the final project size using whatever bitrate you tell it to (File > Optimize DVD window) or -- if you don't set one -- the default bitrate for the project (also File > Optimie DVD). If you haven't changed this, it's 8Mb/sec, which is usually higher than necessary.

Best practice is usually to encode your file as an MPEG2 in the first place. Second best is to adjust the bitrate(s) as needed in the Optimize DVD dialog.

Sidenote: That said, the estimate in the bottom right of DVD Architect is usually wrong, although that doesn't negate everything I've said above. I suspect that the actual resulting project won't be 7.6GB, but most likely will be more than 1.7GB just based on the fact that when people encode WMV files, they usually do so at much less than would be used for an MPEG2 destined for a DVD.

Rob

vinceq60 wrote on 1/26/2008, 12:07 PM

I usualy do encode mpeg2. The reason I did a wmv, was because it was 2hrs of vhs. Which was 5.1gig, and wouldnt fit on the DVD. Any tips for rendering in VMSP7 for getting a mpeg to go slightly less quality to get it under 4.7gig ? All i found was a MP4, which is far too small. Can I adjust the output settings somewhere? Like GOOD/BETTER/BEST or something of that nature?

Thanks again

MPM wrote on 1/31/2008, 6:16 PM

Generally the most popular option I'm aware of as an alternative DVD format is DivX, with support built into quite a few players. Depending on the targeted player's level of support, menus, subs etc are all possible, though you won't create the disc in DVDA. DivX is one of many "mp4-type" codecs like wmv, which are more efficient for storage, but take more processing. You're probably used to seeing these types of video in or with web settings of low bandwidth -- works like anything else when you crank that bandwidth up -- because you posted it being "Far too small". For DivX guidelines & info check out their web site.

For 2 hours of video on a single layer normally you'd reduce the mpg2 bit-rate. Usually you can go two hours (though not more) without too many problems, but in this case with the poorer picture from a VHS source you might disagree -- all I can say is try a short test render [just a couple of minutes of video, preferably a panning or action scene]. Otherwise go dual layer, or consider capturing your VHS as avi & filtering it a bit in Virtual Dub or better yet, Avisynth.

You've got the right idea of good/better/best, but it's unfortunately set with the bit rate, in the custom dialog for the encoder in Vegas -- no idea how it looks in VMSP, sorry. You'd also want to set the field order I'd bet with a VHS source. There are calculators available for download, and it generally works that the less bitrate, the smaller the file, but the more compression, and the more quality loss.

Chienworks wrote on 1/31/2008, 7:30 PM

Render the 2 hour video as DV .avi which has very very little loss. Then hand that to DVDA Studio using the 'fit to disc' option under optimize. DVDA will then encode to MPEG2 using the highest bitrate that allows the video to fit on the disc.