DVD Rendering

[tvid101]

Hi, I'm very new to video editing and am using VS 11.5 Plus.

I've created a few DVDs from mpeg-2 files with no problem, they took a little while (1-1.5 hours for a 2 hour DVD) but they work fine.

I've since tried to burn a standard DVD from a single very large file (16GB mpeg-2 video) and gave up after 12 HOURS when it was still at 24% converted!
I tried to set VS11.5 at its highest priority but the CPU was only going at 7-10% and barely converting.......although it started out at around 40-50% for a while.

I have searched the forum but found no clear, new user friendly explanation of how to best render a large video file to avoid ridiculously long conversion times.

I don't understand why a video which is already in mpeg-2 format needs to be altered to be burned onto a DVD. When I select Share -> Create DVD -> 8.5DVD, the filesize indicated shrinks to what will be its post conversion size..............but is there a way to more quickly convert it to this state? For example, the 16GB mpeg2 shrinks to about 7.1GB when I go to Create DVD, but then obviously my attempt to convert it failed.

I'm using 8.5gb dual-layer DVDs and all the video files are mpeg-2. Can someone point me in the right direction for how I might:

Render/Convert/Whatever the original huge 16GB mpeg-2 file to whatever is necessary to burn to an 8.5gb DVD??????????

Thanks to anyone who can help.

-I'm also using avi files for some hi8 video and want to know if there's a quicker way to convert those files to DVD format, though the preset conversion to DVD seems to work fine as it is.

[DVDDoug]

I have searched the forum but found no clear, new user friendly explanation of how to best render a large video file to avoid ridiculously long conversion times.

There is no single cause for something like that. But, since the CPU utilization is dropping to such a low level, something is probably "wrong" with your original file... For some reason, Video Studio is having trouble converting it. You might try a 3rd-party conversion tool such as SUPER or SVCD 2 DVD MPG (both FREE!!!).

You didn't give us any details about that 16GB file. It could be a high-bitrate high-definition, file, or it could be a very-long program??? HD files do take a long time to convert. I had (standard-definition) MPEG-2 files that have taken several hours to convert... I've started the process before going to bed, gotten up in the morning and it wasn't done yet... But, when I came home from work it was done!

I don't understand why a video which is already in mpeg-2 format needs to be altered to be burned onto a DVD.

1. If the audio & video are both DVD compliant, doesn't have to be re-encoded. It just has to be "re-structured" as VOB files. This should only take a few minutes, depending on your computer speed. (You have to check the box that says "Do Not convert Compliant MPEGs".)

2. Not all MPEG-2 is DVD compliant. There is a chart on this page that shows the specific details.

3. A 16GB file has to be re-encoded to a lower bitrate or it's not going to fit. Here is a bitrate calculator, to help you figure-out how to squeeze your program onto a disc. (Hiigher bitrate = bigger file = better quality.)

I'm also using avi files for some hi8 video and want to know if there's a quicker way to convert those files to DVD format, though the preset conversion to DVD seems to work fine as it is.

An "AVI" file can be anything from AVI/DivX to AVI/DV. DV should go fairly quickly, DivX can "take forever". And, of course, it depends on the speed of your computer.

Hi, I'm very new to video editing...

In that case, I'd recommend that you avoid dual-layer discs for now (if possible). In the beginning, you are likely to end-up making several "coasters". You are better-off experimenting with cheaper single-layer discs or with an erasable R/W disc. Also, some DVD players have trouble with burned dual-layer DVDs, and I just seem to get more "rejects" with dual-layer discs.

[tvid101]

Thanks for the great reply DVDDoug. I'll try out SUPER and see if it converts any better/faster.........VS is acting a bit strange for converting.........other than that it works well.

VS is showing (Not Responding...........) and then suddenly starts responding and converting bit by bit........still only using 7-10% CPU. When I minimize the window during conversion, it doesn't maximize correctly either....a small bug.

I was using files from an external drive so I transferred the huge file to my main drive and its slightly faster but not as much as I had hoped.

The file is an HD tv program about 2 hrs in length..........I just want to fit it to a single DVD and not have to wait 30 hours to convert it.

I burned another dual layer DVD (2 hrs of avi video) and it came out great so I don't think that will be an issue as long as the data fits. I burned it at the rated speed and the DVD looks fine to me.

Right now the biggest pain is converting the video files.......my CPU isn't slow but it isn't blazing fast either.......maybe I'll invest in a cheap desktop quad core or something.

Does anyone know how I can force more CPU to be used by VS? For some reason it's only using 7-10% as I said before. I think my processor can handle it but VS is just not taking advantage.


Edit- I'm trying out SUPER now and it seems to be rendering much, much faster and using a good amount of CPU power. I'm using the original 16GB .mpeg file and am outputting it as a DVD vob file. I have no idea what that means but I'm doing it! I'm crossing my fingers that this file will be reduced in size and I will be able to edit it and make a DVD in VS.......if not, does anyone have experience with SUPER who can guide me to convert and create a DVD from an mpeg file? Thanks.

[rma127]

Hello. I have the same type of problem, I did not see a resolution to your probelm. I would like to do it with VS11.5 as I figure that is why I bought the package.

[Ken Berry]

If you gave us some specific details of your own problem, it would certainly help in trying to give an answer.

EDIT: I now see you have another post, which is to do with HDV -- and so not at all similar to the facts in this thread. So I will try to deal with it in the other thread.