File Conversion

[TDK1044]

Is there an approximate time that it should take Video Studio to do the file conversion prior to the Burn? In other words, assuming that you've kept all your properties the same throughout your project and you now have a rendered single one hour MPEG2 file 720 X 480 NTSC, how long should it take Video Studio to convert that file if the Burn settings are identical to the rendered file? Have Ulead ever given a conversion time table based on 30 minutes, one hour etc? I know there are variables associated with the question, but I just wondered?

[kebrinton]

When I first read your post, I assumed you were using "file conversion" to mean "rendering" the .AVI format to .MPEG2 format. That can take roughly twice the real-time length of the video, so a 1-hour video might take 2 hours to render. Or more.

However, it seems you are referring to creation of the DVD itself, because you're talking about "a single one-hour MPEG2 file." I'm not conscious of any "file conversion" that can be measured during authoring of a DVD "prior to the burn."

Would you clarify?

[Ken Berry]

I wonder if he means the menu processing and multiplexing once the burn has started??? In any case, I am not sure that that is subject to any fixed time frame as it will depend on how complex the menu is, the size of images used in it etc. I guess it may also be computer-dependent (i.e. faster on more powerful computers). Generally, I find that the multiplexing on one of my HQ one-hour, single layer DVD projects will take anything between 20 minutes to half an hour. Sometimes, it might only take 15 minutes for a fairly simple menu/project, but never any less than this. Then the burn itself will take 13 minutes 48 seconds at 4x.

[sjj1805]

Dependant upon the source material I am working with and what I intend to do with it I edit the source material with one of the following:

MediaStudio 8
VideoStudio 9/10
Womble MPEG Editor.

From this I create a DVD compliant MPEG2 file.
I then use DVD Workshop 2 to create my DVD.

I have just completed a 1 hour 33 minute video.
Imported it into DVD Workshop 2.
Included a 34 second first play video.
Created 4 chapters.
Created 2 menus.
Menu 1 - The title Menu is text only with a Play button and Scene Selection button. there is 20 seconds of background music.
Menu 2 - The Scene selection Menu has a fixed background, 4 motion thumbnails and 20 seconds of background music.

I then burn this to a Hard Drive Folder.
This took DVD Workshop 9 minutes and 34 seconds.