Nature of the problem
Cannot set the video data rate at a high enough rate to fill the DVD. For example if I set the rate to 3100 kbps, it estimates that the DVD is full (4.6/4.7 GB), but will only use 3.0 GB of the DVD (4.7 GB) when completing the DVD. I recorded it at a much higher rate in another capture program (~7000 kbps). If I adjust the rate up to say 3200 kbps, it will not write to the disk as it says it needs a larger medium. Using other size estimators http://www.videohelp.com/calc.htm), I should be able to use a 4500+ kbps and fit onto a DVD (at this rate MF4 estimates ~6.0 GB). I am copying 20 of these and would like to do it correctly so I do not lose quality in the translation. Is there some setting to bypass this estimation so I can fully utilize the capacity of the DVD? If not, I need better software. I do not want 2 DVDs per 2 hr movie, especially since MF4 is not utilizing 1.7 GB of the DVD.
Properties of your source files (format, file size, where did you get it?)
2 Hr VHS tape converted to 10G+ MPEG files which I edited down.
What devices are involved and their mode of connection?
Project Settings
Fastest rate that will work.
MPEG files
24 Bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
(DVD-NTSC), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 3100 kbps)
LPCM Audio, 48000 Hz, Stereo
Output format (file, DVD, VCD, SVCD)
DVD
PAL or NTSC
NTSC
Error Codes (if any)
System information (please fill this up in your User Profile).
Any audio/video softwares or codec packs installed in the system
Thanks for your help, Rick.
MF4 SE does not allow full utilization the DVD capacity
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heinz-oz
Hello Rick, and welcome to the forums.
First of all, you state your version of MF 4 to be a "Simple Edition (SE)" version. I guess you received that bundled with some hardware you bought. SE versions can vary greatly, depending on which hardware these came with. What was your hardware?
Secondly, again I'm not sure if your version can be patched, did you try to patch it with the updates available here http://www.ulead.com/tech/dmf/dmf_ftp_40.htm?
Thirdly, even though it has no bearing on the problem you are facing, try to avoid LPCM audio and use AC-3 if your version supports it. LPCM audio takes a very large chunk of available disk space without giving you any tangible advantages.
First of all, you state your version of MF 4 to be a "Simple Edition (SE)" version. I guess you received that bundled with some hardware you bought. SE versions can vary greatly, depending on which hardware these came with. What was your hardware?
Secondly, again I'm not sure if your version can be patched, did you try to patch it with the updates available here http://www.ulead.com/tech/dmf/dmf_ftp_40.htm?
Thirdly, even though it has no bearing on the problem you are facing, try to avoid LPCM audio and use AC-3 if your version supports it. LPCM audio takes a very large chunk of available disk space without giving you any tangible advantages.
Here's something you can try...
"Burn" the DVD to your hard drive, instead of burning an actual DVD:
On the Finish/Burn screen, uncheck the box that says Record to Disc and check the box that says Create DVD Folders.
If this works, you will get VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders on your hard drive, and you can then copy them to an actual DVD (if the files aren't too big).
Again, I'm not sure if your SE version has this option.
I would trust the calculator, if you feed it the correct information. You may not be allowing for the LPCM audio (LPCM audio is 1536 kbps).
LPCM vs Dolby (AC3) would account for the difference between about 3000 and 4500 kbps. The free SE versions don't normally have a Dolby encoder.... Dolby always gets paid!
Two hours with LPCM audio is "pushing it". Since LPCM audio is not compressed, the audio starts taking-up a bigger percentage of the DVD space as your program gets longer.
"Burn" the DVD to your hard drive, instead of burning an actual DVD:
On the Finish/Burn screen, uncheck the box that says Record to Disc and check the box that says Create DVD Folders.
If this works, you will get VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders on your hard drive, and you can then copy them to an actual DVD (if the files aren't too big).
Again, I'm not sure if your SE version has this option.
I would trust the calculator, if you feed it the correct information. You may not be allowing for the LPCM audio (LPCM audio is 1536 kbps).
LPCM vs Dolby (AC3) would account for the difference between about 3000 and 4500 kbps. The free SE versions don't normally have a Dolby encoder.... Dolby always gets paid!
Two hours with LPCM audio is "pushing it". Since LPCM audio is not compressed, the audio starts taking-up a bigger percentage of the DVD space as your program gets longer.
[size=92][i]Head over heels,
No time to think.
It's like the whole world's
Out of... sync.[/i]
- Head Over Heels, The Go-Gos.[/size]
No time to think.
It's like the whole world's
Out of... sync.[/i]
- Head Over Heels, The Go-Gos.[/size]
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fredericksw
Thanks for your quick responses!
The card is the Kworld PCI DVD maker. I have to use their software to record the video input, as MF4 does not recognize it.
I will check for updates too.
I think you both hit the issue, it appears to be the audio. The only other audio choice I have is MPEG audio. I have seen references to AC-3, but it does not appear to be an option. Are there any issues with MPEG audio?
By changing the audio, I can fit the below settings on one DVD.
MPEG files
24 Bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
(DVD-NTSC), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 4400 kbps)
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
MPEG audio layer 2, 48 KHz, Stereo
Thanks again,
Rick
The card is the Kworld PCI DVD maker. I have to use their software to record the video input, as MF4 does not recognize it.
I will check for updates too.
I think you both hit the issue, it appears to be the audio. The only other audio choice I have is MPEG audio. I have seen references to AC-3, but it does not appear to be an option. Are there any issues with MPEG audio?
By changing the audio, I can fit the below settings on one DVD.
MPEG files
24 Bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
(DVD-NTSC), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 4400 kbps)
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
MPEG audio layer 2, 48 KHz, Stereo
Thanks again,
Rick
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heinz-oz
Don't know anymore for certain but there was one audio compression which was not supported by NTSC, it may have been mpeg. Easy enough to try though, if you don't get audio, it's in all likelyhood not supported. If the mpeg audio does work, there is no need to use such a high bit rate for it. Even with CD music I have found 192 kbps more than enough.
Give it a try but don't burn to DVD, just create the DVD folder on your HDD. You can play that with any mediaplayer or software DVD player on your PC to see how it turned out. It's easy enough to burn this DVD folder to a blank DVD with NERO or any other burning program you have.
If you want to have AC-3 dolby sound, the only sensible solution is an upgrade to the current version. I would go for the MF 5 plus version then because it is an excellent all round burning package as well.
Give it a try but don't burn to DVD, just create the DVD folder on your HDD. You can play that with any mediaplayer or software DVD player on your PC to see how it turned out. It's easy enough to burn this DVD folder to a blank DVD with NERO or any other burning program you have.
If you want to have AC-3 dolby sound, the only sensible solution is an upgrade to the current version. I would go for the MF 5 plus version then because it is an excellent all round burning package as well.