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1) If i ouput a PAL mpeg file and the mpeg optimizer shows a video optimization of 90% (which i believe means it will smart ender 90% of the file rather than reencode the video) does it also mean that if i choose create DVD the same level of smart rendering will apply.

2) Could you tell me if my imput file is an mpeg 2 file does the degree of smart rendering depend on bitrates or frame size, frame rates (PAL/NTSC) or a combination of these factors

3) What is the difference between the following outputs PAL DVD (4:3) and PAL MPEG2 (720 x 576, 25fps) found under Share --> create video file --> DVD/VCD/SVCD/MPEG

1) Yes it should. You will also have other stuff on the DVD though, such as menus which will take up some processing time but if you have everything working properly, there will be the same degree of smart render in the project.

2) Smart render is effectively copying a file without any re-encoding. If you have a number of clips with different properties, the mpeg optimizer will suggest that you encode using the properties that apply to clips making up the largest possible portion of your project - and those areas will show green in the mpeg optimizer dialogue box.

Lets say you have just two clips, one two minutes long and the second one just one minute long. Using the mpeg otimizer, VS would render the project with the same properties as the two minute clip, and that part would not be re-encoded. The second clip would have to be re-encoded to the same bitrate as the first one.

In order to maximise the benefits of smart render, you should try to use the same kind of clips in your project - eg mpeg2 clips from a hard drive or minDVD camcorder when working with standard definition video.

In the case of the miniDVD camcorders, they generally have three different quality settings. In order to preserve the maximum picture quality in your finished video, it's best to stick to clips shot at the same quality setting - and best to use the highest quality setting, even though that limits you to only 20 minutes of footage on a minDVD. You then make sure that your mpeg2 output, either to a file or to a DVD or DVD folders matches the properties of the source video clips. In so doing, not only will you maximise picture quality, you will also maximise the use of smart render and reduce the time required for VS to render the project.

If you add transitions, these will have to be re-encoded, as will any parts of your project that have video filters or titles.

3) There might be no difference. When you select PAL DVD (4:3) the video will be compliant with the DVD standard, which places limits on the maximum combined video and audio bitrate as well as some other things.

If you select PAL DVD (4:3) in the "Share>Create Video File" step, you will have no options to change the video bitrate or other settings.

If you select "Share>Create Video File>Custom" and then select "PAL DVD" in the "Video Save Options" window you will be able to change settings in the "Compression" tab up to the maximum allowable bitrate mentioned above.

If you select MPEG-2 it's possible to use a higher video bitrate than allowed by the DVD standards.

If your target is a DVD, there would be no reason to select anything other than "PAL DVD"

If you select MPEG-2 it's possible to use a higher video bitrate than allowed by the DVD standards.

... and also different frame sizes, which also may not be DVD-compliant.