Copy DVD

[steve_ss]

I have transferred my VHS tapes to DVD on a Panasonic DVD/VHS unit. I want to duplicate the new DVD.
I tried importing into VS9 and then creating a disc but the output or required space is double the 4 Gig of the original file, and wont fit on one disc. Using the fit to disc option seems logical, but I wanted to get some input first.
Or is there a better option altogether.

[Ken Berry]

First, there are any number of programs out there which can copy a video DVD correctly.

Second, though, can you tell us exactly now you imported the original DVD to your computer.

Did you match the imported file properties exactly as the project properties?

Third, the fit to disc option is a bit dubious. It only seems to work properly if the file size is only slightly larger than the space on a DVD. You would be better using a special program like DVD Shrink if it came to that.

But if you have the Nero suite or Roxio Easy Media Creator suite or similar sorts of programs, try copying the original disc with that.

[etech6355]

have transferred my VHS tapes to DVD on a Panasonic DVD/VHS unit.

You put the dvd from the panasonic recorder into your dvd drive and IMPORT the video to your harddisk. If you recorded non-stop then you should have one large file on the dvd and can import the complete file.

The panasonic recorders use 704x480 NTSC or 704x576 PAL. Remember this because almost all video editing programs will try to change this to 720. You create custom templates or manually change the project settings.

I suggest reading the tutorials to make a dvd from the panasonic recorder.
Sounds like you simply need to know how VideoStudio works, which like all programs takes some time.

[steve_ss]

Thanks I had a free copy of Nero from something I bought. I installed it and it worked like a charm.
One problem solved but I'm still concerned about using these clips in VS9 later to make a project.
With these clip properties:
File format: NTSC DVD
File size: 168,170 KB
Duration: 292,793 seconds
Video type: MPEG-2, upper field first
Total frames: 8,775
Attributes: 24 bits, 704 X 480, 4:3
Frame rate: 29.970 Frames/Sec
Data rate: Variable bit rate (Max. 9558 kbps)
Dolby Digital Audio
Total samples: 14,054,054
Attributes: 48000 Hz, 2/0(L,R)
Layer: None
Bit Rate: 256 kbps
I set the project properties to the same.
When I go to create disc the file is 360.00 MB. Is this typical?
I have only created small projects so I never noticed the increase in file size.

[GeorgeW]

Thanks I had a free copy of Nero from something I bought. I installed it and it worked like a charm.
One problem solved but I'm still concerned about using these clips in VS9 later to make a project.
With these clip properties:
File format: NTSC DVD
File size: 168,170 KB
Duration: 292,793 seconds
Video type: MPEG-2, upper field first
Total frames: 8,775
Attributes: 24 bits, 704 X 480, 4:3
Frame rate: 29.970 Frames/Sec
Data rate: Variable bit rate (Max. 9558 kbps)
Dolby Digital Audio
Total samples: 14,054,054
Attributes: 48000 Hz, 2/0(L,R)
Layer: None
Bit Rate: 256 kbps
I set the project properties to the same.
When I go to create disc the file is 360.00 MB. Is this typical?
I have only created small projects so I never noticed the increase in file size.

That size sounds about right -- assuming you mean ~292 seconds, and not 292,793 seconds

Regards,
George

[Ken Berry]

This won't help, but coincidentally I have just this morning had a not dissimilar experience. A friend wanted me to correct an MJPEG video he had taken in his still Canon camera, but he has taken it when the camera was on its side. No problem. My computer has the MJPEG codec and of course VS10 could correct the angle.

I did so and then went to Share > Create Video File > Same as First Clip. And the resulting properties of the new clip were exactly the same, except that the size was more than 10 times the original!

I am still looking into this and will report back if I find anything...

[etech6355]

First, I suggest not go from the timeline directly into the burning module without rendering a dvd compliant video first. You want to go into the "Share | Create Disc" Module from an empty timeline. In the Burning/Create Disk module you then import your dvd compliant video and it will not be re-encoded. So if you have edited your video create a new dvd compliant mpeg2 file on the harddisk, clear the timeline or start a new project and go into the create disk module from an empty timeline.

Different video encoders use different parameters. Even though your video has a max_bit_rate of 9558, in VideoStudio's encoder your video is really 4595kbs max_bit_rate if it was encoded by VS. So this is the setting you would want to use.

You recorded this video at the SD (standard quality) setting. If you used the HQ setting the 9558 would be closer to the true video_bit_rate.

You can use this formula to calculate the true video settings to create a new video file that's very close to the original.
((Size of File in Megabytes / video_length_in_seconds) * 8000 ) = Total_Bit_Rate in Kilobits (<--Bits Not Bytes) This is the figure you put into VS encoder which is expressed in kilobits (kbs)

Your video is 168,170KB or 168.170MegaBytes so:
((168.170) / 292.793sec's) * 8000 ) = 4594.9kbs
4595kbs is close enough

If you encode your video at these settings using VBR (Variable_Bit_Rate) the output file should be very close in size to the input file(s).
This is also the setting you would use as your project settings.

You would only need to do this if creating a new mpeg2 file of edited video(s), otherwise when in the burning module you can insert the dvd files you imported directly into the burning modules timeline, since they are already dvd compliant they will not be re-encoded.

[etech6355]

Ken, I think the audio part of the MJPEG codec will make the filesize grow quite high. I had similar happen.
Maybe try the mpeg4 codec.

[steve_ss]

I changed the project data rate to 4595 and the file size came close to the original (179 MB).
I assume this maintains the same quality as the video I imported?
I did not quite understand your last sentence "You would only need to do this if creating a new mpeg2 file of edited video(s), otherwise when in the burning module you can insert the dvd files you imported directly into the burning modules time line, since they are already dvd compliant they will not be re-encoded." Could you please explain?
Thanks

[etech6355]

As George pointed out I didn't actually calculate for the audio. So the file approximation is slightly higher. You can tweak it down alittle.
The formula is for the Total_Bit_Rate of the video, better than a setting of 9550.

To hit it exact is hard, the idea is you want VS to smart render your video. On my system if I smart render a video that was encoded by the pana at 4500kbs and my settings are 9550 the program can generate an error. A side effect of Mpeg Editing......
You don't have to use that formula, let VS calculate like it did. It's my method, once you learn the true bit-rates your recorder records in SD & HQ mode you can use them all the time for calculations, unless you choose "Fit To Disc" on the pana unit. Those mpegs are very hard to edit without problems.

I did not quite understand your last sentence "You would only need to do this if creating a new mpeg2 file of edited video(s), otherwise when in the burning module you can insert the dvd files you imported directly into the burning modules time line, since they are already dvd compliant they will not be re-encoded." Could you please explain?
Thanks

I would go through the tutorials sections and learn how VS works. Tons of information in the tutorials. I don't have time to completely answer this question but it's how VS works.

[GeorgeW]

The size you quoted for the resulting dvd (360mb) is correct based on the project properties for that render (Video VBR 9558 and audio at 256kbps). So that means the program re-rendered your source video to your project settings.

Did you go to the Disc Creation module with a video on the timeline, or did you go to it with a clean timeline, and then insert your mpeg file

Did you have the "Do not convert compliant mpeg files" checked

Regards,
George