MPEG2 File

[sging2]

Taking the advice on here to create an MPEG2 file before creating the disk, I just tried to do this and although I'm using 1080/50i footage in 16:9, the only options it gives is below.
I am now trying to render using the optimiser in custom mode which gives me the settings I need, i.e. higher data rate and 16:9, but still cant adjust the audio type etc.


MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(MPEG-2), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 6000 kbps)
Audio data rate: 224 kbps
MPEG audio layer 2, 48 KHz, Stereo

Is there a better way of creating the MPEG2 file.

Regards
Stephen

[Ken Berry]

What kind of disc are you wanting to create? If it is a normal standard definition DVD, then the properties you set out are compatible with such a DVD and will give good quality. It will also allow about 90 minutes of video to be burned to the disc. The highest quality setting would be 8000 kbps as the bitrate, but that would then cut the video time to a little over an hour. Changing the audio from mpeg to Dolby will not change that.

But if you intend to make a Blu-Ray disc (or indeed an AVCHD "hybrid disc" -- which burns AVCHD in that format to a standard DVD blank, but can only be played back in a Blu-Ray player), then you would need to go Share > Create Video File > Blu-Ray or Share > Create Video File > AVCHD.

Can you also tell us if your original video is AVCHD or HDV? The figures you give (1080/59i) could apply to either format, though the former is mpeg-4 rendered with the h.264 codec, and the latter is high definition mpeg-2.

[sging2]

Hi Ken and thanks for the reply.

I have used VS for many years but am never clear of what settings to export out to, to get the optimum quality, I am using VS 5 Ultimate now. I am creating SD DVD disks but in the future I want to, once I get the burner to also create Blue Ray disks which is why I film in the highest quality. But for now just the best quality DVD.

The format is AVCHD on both main cameras and bit of Pro-Go Hero 2 footage.
The main camera is the last image and comes from the Panasonic AG-AC160A, the middle is the Panasonic HDC-HS300 and the first the Pro Go.

I had a slight problem earlier this week when I outputted direct to "DVD (16:9 Dolby Digital 5.1)" one particular clip from the best camera kept jumping/stuttering only slightly and only this one clip. When I created the same video using project settings it was fine but I cant work out the difference, as the settings are about the same.

Do many people use the MPEG optimiser to create the video file. I used it for the first time tonight and it seemed to create the video ok.

Regards
Stephen

[Ken Berry]

I have never used the Optimizer so can't really comment, beyond saying that if it produces an acceptable result for you, then continue to use it.

My own preference, when making an SD DVD from other formats, is to first convert the video I am using into DVD-compatible mpeg-2: Share > Create Video File > DVD. This should use the default PAL settings (since I see you are using PAL), and would include a bitrate of 8000 kbps, Upper Frame First, 720 x 576, 25 fps and LPCM audio.

If you are wanting to vary these properties e.g. Dolby audio instead of LPCM, then you would need to customise the template used. If you intend to make a lot of DVDs with the same properties, then the easiest thing to do is to got to Settings > Make Movie Template Manager, and set up a template with the above properties and changing the audio to Dolby. If your project is longer than an hour, then as a rough guide, setting the bitrate to 6000 kbps will allow 90 minutes of video or an additional 10 minutes if you use Dolby; and 4000 kbps will allow 2 hours (or a bit more with Dolby), though the final quality at this bitrate will be no better than decent VHS tape.

[sging2]

Thanks ken for all the advice. Most videos will be less than an hour and I can use duel layer disks if needed.

Putting the size of the file to one side, with the bit rate, I'm always sceptical to how high you can safely go that will safely play in a standard domestic DVD player. I see most good quality settings use 8000kbps but is it safe to go higher to obtain maximum quality or will this create more problems.


Regards
Stephen

[Ken Berry]

In theory you can go over 9000 kbps (upper limit is 10,000 but that is for both video AND audio), but with home-burnt discs, many stand-alone DVD players spit the dummy with anything much over 8000 kbps. And I am also not sure the naked human eye will detect much improvement in quality above 8000 kbps anyway!