Which format should i use?

g wrote on 12/23/2005, 10:54 AM

hi - when i save a file to hard drive for eventually saving to a DVD, which format (file format: mpg-2, wav, wmv, etcc...and sub-format: NTSC, PAL, etc...) should I use? I want the best video quality possible...any thoughts? thc, g

Comments

August73 wrote on 12/23/2005, 12:58 PM

For burning to a DVD you'll want to render it as an mpeg-2 file. That will give you the best quality. As far as NTSC or PAL, I've always used the default NTSC format. Somebody explained the difference to me once, but I don’t remember. I think it has something to do with the language your computer uses. Most computers are formatted with NTSC. If I'm wrong, somebody please correct me

Chienworks wrote on 12/23/2005, 1:36 PM

For burning to a DVD you must use MPEG-2. No other file type is DVD-compliant.

NTSC is used in North America and Japan. PAL is used in Europe and Australia. You really don't have a choice here as you *should* use the format that televisions in your part of the world are built for. If you don't know, call up a local electronics store and they'll be able to tell you.

ScottW wrote on 12/23/2005, 1:40 PM

August73, I think you're confusing NTSC with NTFS; NTSC = Never Twice Same Color (and is a video format) where NTFS = New Technology File System (and descibes the file system onyour hard drive).

August73 wrote on 12/23/2005, 3:37 PM

Scott, I think your right. That makes more sense now.

g wrote on 12/23/2005, 5:01 PM

Wow!! thanks for the info!!! helps out a lot!

dibbkd wrote on 12/28/2005, 9:34 AM

"For burning to a DVD you must use MPEG-2. No other file type is DVD-compliant."

This may not be what you're talking about, but I have added AVI and WMV files to DVDA and burned a DVD movie that played just fine.

I do know now that you should render to MPG-2 because it's better, but I just wanted to say that you are able to use other video formats.

Or is this not what you were referring to?

ScottW wrote on 12/28/2005, 10:18 AM

If you add AVI files or WMV files to your DVDAS project, DVDAS will happily convert them to MPEG video and PCM audio for you.

dibbkd wrote on 12/28/2005, 10:57 AM

"If you add AVI files or WMV files to your DVDAS project, DVDAS will happily convert them to MPEG video and PCM audio for you."

Ah, OK. That must have been what Cheinworks was referring to...