Video Formats, Rendering, Burning DVD

llyen · Post by **llyen** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 5:27 am

I have read many posts in this forum and tutorials but I'm still not clear on video formats. After capturing and editing in .avi I want to create a video file to burn to a DVD. I'm confused between whether to save as a NTSC DVD or a NTSC MPEG 2 both seem to be mpeg 2 formats. Since I only want to render once as suggested in other posts which should I use to then burn in the DVD-Video format?

Also, a movie that I burned to DVD will play fine on my DVD player but not on my PC....is this a format issue?

I'm learning and could use some help....Lynn

Post by **Ron P.** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 10:05 am

Welcome to the forums Lynn,

NTSC DVD or MPEG-2, kinda like.."To Be or Not to Be"?

You can use either, so long as if you use the MPEG-2 it is DVD Compliant. Here is a good detailed explanation: http://www.mpeg.org/MPEG/DVD/Book_B/Video.html OR
http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html

The NTSC DVD in VS is a template, so that the video file, MPEG-2 will be DVD compliant. In order to be able to burn a DVD, the video file must be MPEG-2. Using the Custom option on the Share>Create Video File step, you can set some custom options, however you must make sure that the Frame size, video and audio bitrates still fall into the DVD specifications.

For someone new to video editing, it is better to just select the appropriate template (NTSC DVD).

Also, a movie that I burned to DVD will play fine on my DVD player but not on my PC....is this a format issue?

That depends on how you created and burned it. If it plays fine on your DVD player then we know that it is a Video DVD, and not a data disk. What player on your PC are you trying to view the DVD with?

llyen · Post by **llyen** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 7:08 pm

Thanks Ron, the info is very helpful. So if I save and render my .avi capture as NTSC DVD 4:3 for example I know it is in DVD format. Question: when I then create a disk in DVD-Video format it will not render it again, right?

The DVD drive on my PC is a Sony RW, model DRU-810A which I know does play commercial DVD's just fine. When I created my first disc I saved it in MPEG2 not using the template and then burned using DVD-Video, maybe this is why it will play on my TV DVD player but not on my PC?

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 7:28 pm

NTSC DVD is a MPEG2 file but a MPEG2 file may not necessarily be a NTSC file.

There are various settings that you can make to an MPEG2 format such as bit rates and screen dimensions. By selecting the ready made NTSC DVD format you know that the MPEG2 file is compliant. If you do it yourself then there is a risk that you may set something that will not comply with the DVD specifications.

We have created a small list of suggested settings here.

Regarding the other matter of a DVD playing on your standalone DVD player but not your computer. Your computer needs to have installed some DVD playing software such as PowerDVD, WinDVD Player, Nero Showtime etc.

llyen · Post by **llyen** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 7:53 pm

This is all great information! It's becoming a little clearer now. I still would like some help on the rendering part of the question. I have read posts about how you should only render once but does the scenario given in my prior post accomplish this?

Also I use the built in Windows Media Player in XP to play commercial DVD's and it works fine.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:09 pm

So if I save and render my .avi capture as NTSC DVD 4:3 for example I know it is in DVD format. Question: when I then create a disk in DVD-Video format it will not render it again, right?

Are you capturing your file in avi, then immediately rendering it to MPEG2, then editing?

You want to capture, and edit, in avi format if possible because avi is not a lossy format and can be edited without any loss of quality. MPEG, on the other hand, is a lossy format and any editing will degrade the quality. Essentially what you want to do is:

1. Capture (in your case in avi format)
2. Edit the avi file
3. Create DVD compatible video file (MPEG2)
4. Burn that file to DVD

llyen · Post by **llyen** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:48 pm

Right, I capture and edit in .avi and only save to MPEG2 after the file is in final form.

Thank's to all of you for your input as I move along the learning curve, I'll probably be back later for more help when needed.....this forum is a great resource!

Lynn