I am using MF3 and want to burn a 100-minute .mpg file to a DVD .iso image. Problem is, I don't know how to fit the .mpg into one regular DVD disc. I know theoretically I can fit up to 180-minute video to one disc but not sure how to realize this.
I have tried and played with different project properties under MF3 (e.g., high quality, medium quality, etc. etc.), but it seems nothings happens?
Can anybody help?
How to burn a 100-minute .mpg file?
what are the properties of your current video? right-click on it in MF3, and select properties -- what does it say? For video, for audio, anything else you can provide?
How large is it now?
What version of MF3 are you running? "Disc Creator", or "Standard", or "SE", or something else?
What operating system are you running, and are your drives NTFS or Fat32?
How large is it now?
What version of MF3 are you running? "Disc Creator", or "Standard", or "SE", or something else?
What operating system are you running, and are your drives NTFS or Fat32?
George
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DealResearcher
Size of the .mpg file: 6.4 GB. I am using MF3 Disc Creator, on WINXP Pro on NTFS. Current video properties are:
**File**
File Format: NTSC DVD
File Size: 6,486,498 KB
Duration: 5992.926 Seconds
**Video**
Video Type: MPEG-2 Video, Lower Field First
Total Frames: 179,608 Frame(s)
Attributes: 24 Bits, 720 x 480
Frame Rate: 29.970 Frames/Sec
Data Rate: Variable bit rate (Max. 8000 kbps)
**Audio**
Audio Type: LPCM Audio
Total Samples: 287,660,460 Samples
Attributes: 48000 Hz, Stereo
Layer:
Bit Rate:
The .mpg file was captured from my Canon DV and then converted to DVD-compliant MPEG using VideoStudio 8.0.
Thanks!
**File**
File Format: NTSC DVD
File Size: 6,486,498 KB
Duration: 5992.926 Seconds
**Video**
Video Type: MPEG-2 Video, Lower Field First
Total Frames: 179,608 Frame(s)
Attributes: 24 Bits, 720 x 480
Frame Rate: 29.970 Frames/Sec
Data Rate: Variable bit rate (Max. 8000 kbps)
**Audio**
Audio Type: LPCM Audio
Total Samples: 287,660,460 Samples
Attributes: 48000 Hz, Stereo
Layer:
Bit Rate:
The .mpg file was captured from my Canon DV and then converted to DVD-compliant MPEG using VideoStudio 8.0.
Thanks!
GeorgeW wrote:what are the properties of your current video? right-click on it in MF3, and select properties -- what does it say? For video, for audio, anything else you can provide?
How large is it now?
What version of MF3 are you running? "Disc Creator", or "Standard", or "SE", or something else?
What operating system are you running, and are your drives NTFS or Fat32?
you can chop off about 1gb just by switching to Dolby Digital audio (instead of LPCM audio). But that will still leave you at about 5.4gb -- still too large.
How did you create your mpeg video? Did you capture to mpeg, or did you edit a different format (like NTSC DV .avi), and then encode to mpeg2?
You have to lower the bitrate of your video in order to make it fit on a DVD5 disc (4.38gb).
You have a few options.
1) you can re-encode using a more optimized for DVD5 bitrate, like closer to ~5800kbps (CBR or average VBR) with 224kbps Dolby Digital audio.
Here is a bitrate calculator to help you figure out the bitrate for future projects:
http://www.videohelp.com/calc.htm
2) you can just change your audio to Dolby Digital (AC3), and burn the DVD FOlders to your hard drive. That should yield about a 5.4gb VIDEO_TS folder. Then feed that into a program called DVD Shrink to bring it down to size. It's not a true re-encoding, and it can do a nice job if you use the advanced sharpening options (but it will take longer).
In either case, you have to have the proper settings for the "Do not convert compliant mpeg files" option (to tell MF3 whether or not you want re-encoding or to use files "asis").
How did you create your mpeg video? Did you capture to mpeg, or did you edit a different format (like NTSC DV .avi), and then encode to mpeg2?
You have to lower the bitrate of your video in order to make it fit on a DVD5 disc (4.38gb).
You have a few options.
1) you can re-encode using a more optimized for DVD5 bitrate, like closer to ~5800kbps (CBR or average VBR) with 224kbps Dolby Digital audio.
Here is a bitrate calculator to help you figure out the bitrate for future projects:
http://www.videohelp.com/calc.htm
2) you can just change your audio to Dolby Digital (AC3), and burn the DVD FOlders to your hard drive. That should yield about a 5.4gb VIDEO_TS folder. Then feed that into a program called DVD Shrink to bring it down to size. It's not a true re-encoding, and it can do a nice job if you use the advanced sharpening options (but it will take longer).
In either case, you have to have the proper settings for the "Do not convert compliant mpeg files" option (to tell MF3 whether or not you want re-encoding or to use files "asis").
George
-
DealResearcher
That is VERY helpful. Thanks a lot George.
I captured from NTSC DV .avi, and then converted to MPEG-2 using VideoStudio 8.0.
Basically I have to re-converted the whole thing again, right? Can I diable the "Do not convert compliant mpeg files" option and select medium quality in MF3 to burn the thing? Agghaa... wish I had come to the forum earlier.
BTW, for home video (e.g., family, wedding, graudation, etc.), does CBR work better or VBR?
I captured from NTSC DV .avi, and then converted to MPEG-2 using VideoStudio 8.0.
Basically I have to re-converted the whole thing again, right? Can I diable the "Do not convert compliant mpeg files" option and select medium quality in MF3 to burn the thing? Agghaa... wish I had come to the forum earlier.
BTW, for home video (e.g., family, wedding, graudation, etc.), does CBR work better or VBR?
You could output the dv .avi from your VS8 project, and let MF3 encode that to your desired settings.
The DV .avi will be rather large -- a little bigger than 21gb for your 100 minutes.
You could also have MF3 re-encode your mpeg2 file, but that wouldn't be as good as a first-generation encoding. It would be better to encode once to mpeg, instead of multiple times.
But to make MF3 re-encode, just don't put a check mark in that box that says "Do not convert compliant mpeg files", set the video bitrate and audio type, and it will re-encode.
Regarding VBR vs CBR -- I use CBR with 6000kbps or higher video bitrates. Lower than 5000kbps I would go VBR -- to make better use of bits -- more bits for "complex" scenes, less bits for "easy" scenes (that's why it's a Variable bitrate). Your 100-minute video would need to be about 5800kbps with 224kbps audio. If it's a "talking heads" type of video like an interview or something with little movement, then CBR should be fine. if it's alot of action like sports, then you might want to use VBR.
p.s. don't forget to lower your bitrates if you plan to use motion menus and menu background music (they take up space). And if you plan to include a data folder, then that will lower you total available disc space.
The DV .avi will be rather large -- a little bigger than 21gb for your 100 minutes.
You could also have MF3 re-encode your mpeg2 file, but that wouldn't be as good as a first-generation encoding. It would be better to encode once to mpeg, instead of multiple times.
But to make MF3 re-encode, just don't put a check mark in that box that says "Do not convert compliant mpeg files", set the video bitrate and audio type, and it will re-encode.
Regarding VBR vs CBR -- I use CBR with 6000kbps or higher video bitrates. Lower than 5000kbps I would go VBR -- to make better use of bits -- more bits for "complex" scenes, less bits for "easy" scenes (that's why it's a Variable bitrate). Your 100-minute video would need to be about 5800kbps with 224kbps audio. If it's a "talking heads" type of video like an interview or something with little movement, then CBR should be fine. if it's alot of action like sports, then you might want to use VBR.
p.s. don't forget to lower your bitrates if you plan to use motion menus and menu background music (they take up space). And if you plan to include a data folder, then that will lower you total available disc space.
George
-
DealResearcher
As you mentioned, there is a limit just due to the fact that there is a fixed amount of space available on the discDealResearcher wrote:Great thanks. Lessons learned: calculate the bit rate before encoding MPEG-2. So theoretically you can burn video of any length? Or the bit rate cannot be lower than a certain level?
Also how to create a single menu for multiple chapters within one .avi file under MF3 Disc Creator?
And the results will vary based on the video source format/quality, and the encoder used (hardware and/or software).
Here is a link to some info on DVD Specs:
http://www.videohelp.com/dvd
In DMF3, if you only want one menu with the chapters, then you can hit the "ADVANCED SETTINGS" button in the MENU step (under the preview screen). Don't put a check next to the "Add Title Menu" -- so it won't add a separate Menu for your Video title(s). You can then customize the Chapter Menu by changing the LAYOUT -- I believe they have layouts up to 12 chapters on the menu -- it will be cramped with 12...
George
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DealResearcher
Got it.
More question: I just re-converted the MPEG and burned my first DVD, but it has no sound on my DVD player or WMP, but has sound on the DVD player coming with MF3! Very weird!
The properties of the .mpg file read the following. The .mpg file itself does have sound. Why my player can't play the sound after it's burned??? BTW, my DVD player is JVC XV-FA900. But since WMP doesn't have sound either I figure this shouldn't be my player's problem.
**File**
File Format: NTSC DVD
File Size: 4,364,564 KB
Duration: 5992.926 Seconds
**Video**
Video Type: MPEG-2 Video, Lower Field First
Total Frames: 179,608 Frame(s)
Attributes: 24 Bits, 720 x 480
Frame Rate: 29.970 Frames/Sec
Data Rate: Variable bit rate (Max. 5800 kbps)
**Audio**
Audio Type: MPEG Audio Layer 2 Files
Total Samples: 287,660,460 Samples
Attributes: 48000 Hz, 16 Bit, Stereo
Layer: 2
Bit Rate: 224 kbps
More question: I just re-converted the MPEG and burned my first DVD, but it has no sound on my DVD player or WMP, but has sound on the DVD player coming with MF3! Very weird!
The properties of the .mpg file read the following. The .mpg file itself does have sound. Why my player can't play the sound after it's burned??? BTW, my DVD player is JVC XV-FA900. But since WMP doesn't have sound either I figure this shouldn't be my player's problem.
**File**
File Format: NTSC DVD
File Size: 4,364,564 KB
Duration: 5992.926 Seconds
**Video**
Video Type: MPEG-2 Video, Lower Field First
Total Frames: 179,608 Frame(s)
Attributes: 24 Bits, 720 x 480
Frame Rate: 29.970 Frames/Sec
Data Rate: Variable bit rate (Max. 5800 kbps)
**Audio**
Audio Type: MPEG Audio Layer 2 Files
Total Samples: 287,660,460 Samples
Attributes: 48000 Hz, 16 Bit, Stereo
Layer: 2
Bit Rate: 224 kbps
mpeg audio is not a "standard" audio format for NTSC DVD's, so some NTSC DVD's will not play mpeg audio.
Do you have Dolby Digital audio in your MF3 project settings? If so, I would recommend using that audio format -- it shouldn't take yup any more space than the mpeg audio took (provided you use the same bitrate for the audio).
Do you have Dolby Digital audio in your MF3 project settings? If so, I would recommend using that audio format -- it shouldn't take yup any more space than the mpeg audio took (provided you use the same bitrate for the audio).
George
-
DealResearcher
No I don't have Dolby Digital under MF3. Under VS8's Project Properties I have MPEG Audio and LPCM Audio. Since the first one doesn't work with many DVD's I guess my only option is LPCM?
So when I calculate my bit rate using http://www.videohelp.com/calc.htm, what's my audio bitrate for LPCM?
So when I calculate my bit rate using http://www.videohelp.com/calc.htm, what's my audio bitrate for LPCM?
-
DealResearcher
there is an AC3 plugin for VS8, but for the cost of that, you might be better off upgrading your VS8 to VS9 (which supports AC3 audio).
But before going through all the trouble, you should confirm that mpeg audio is not playable with your dvd player and/or setup. Sometimes, it's just a matter of how your audio is setup from your dvd player to your audio components.
Hopefully you have a DVD±RW disc to test things out. I would try a small 5 minute clip with LPCM audio just to see if you get audio from your DVD player. That will tell us that the mpeg audio is causing the problem. But then find out how your connections are made from DVD Player to audio components -- are there any special audio connections, or are you just using RCA connections (usually red and white cable) for the audio from your dvd player to your tv?
But before going through all the trouble, you should confirm that mpeg audio is not playable with your dvd player and/or setup. Sometimes, it's just a matter of how your audio is setup from your dvd player to your audio components.
Hopefully you have a DVD±RW disc to test things out. I would try a small 5 minute clip with LPCM audio just to see if you get audio from your DVD player. That will tell us that the mpeg audio is causing the problem. But then find out how your connections are made from DVD Player to audio components -- are there any special audio connections, or are you just using RCA connections (usually red and white cable) for the audio from your dvd player to your tv?
George
-
DealResearcher