DVD+R DL Recordable disc

[DaisyK]

Been awhile since I have been back here to the forum. But I need some advice, of course.

I am using a Sony Handycam HDR-CX 350 video camera set to record on HD/HQ. My usual recording time is a 1hr to 1hr 15min video and I can get all of the recording to burn to a DVD+R DL recordable disc. I now find myself with a video recording of 1hr 31.5min. File size is 7.31GB. How do make it fit onto the mentioned disc that specs say has an 8.5GB capacity. The software shows that it is waaaay over the limit for the disc.

I am using VS Pro X6 to edit my video and share to a DVD disc. What do I need to change in order to save this entire video in the best quality I can.

Thanks for your help.

[RobertOZ]

Hi Daisyk,

Dual layer discs can be very unreliable, and many NLE's have difficulty in recognizing that the capacity of the disc is 8.5 Gb. If you have a blue ray burner, then you could try burning to a Blue Ray disc.
If you have a stand alone burning program, render your project and save to your computer, then try burning with a stand alone burner, otherwise the only other option would be to split the project and make 2 discs.

Hopefully, other members may be able to give further assistance

Robert

[lata]

Hi Daisy

Have you recently upgraded your camera to a HD type.
The Sony Handycam HDR- is a HD camera producing Bluray quality video.
To burn a DVD the files will be down-scaled to standard definition.

That process will reduce the quality of the video, As Robert says you should consider using Bluray, that of course will require a Bluray burner and Bluray Disc Player.

Your size of 7.31GB seems to be the HD files size???

Standard Definition Video

A single layer disc holds 4.3 Gb of data.
The data rate (aka bit rate ) used by the video file controls the quality and size of the file.
As a guide using:-
8000kbps will allow for approx 70 minutes of video to a disc. (full DVD quality)
6000kbps will allow 90 minutes (Good DVD Quality)
4000kbps will allow 12minutes per disc. (VHS Quality.)

For Dual Layer 8000kbps should allow for 150 minutes ish of video.

Your HD video files are much larger than standard, but as I said they will be converted to Standard definition, using Mpeg2 type files.

Burning a DVD option one

I assume you are allowing the burner module to convert your video.
From the options Cogwheel (project settings) (Lower Left)
Choose the “Change mpeg Settings”, --Customise –Compression tab modify these to reduce the Video Data rate below 8000kbps, try using 7000kbps,
Also make sure you have selected Digital Dolby Audio as that will help in reducing the files size.
Click ok to return to the burner module, check the progress bar is showing only green.

I assume you are using a disc menu, choosing a Text or Thumbnail type menu will also help in reducing the files size allowing more minutes per disc, or allow to increase the data rate to increase quality.

Burning a DVD option two

From the edit timelines--You can convert your projects to create a mpeg2 standard definition video file.
Controlling the data rate will produce a file small enough to fit the disc without further rendering. Share Create Video File DVD—will use 8000kbps.
You use that file in the burner module.
From a new project Share Create disc – Add media—add Video files, using your new video file.

As a foot note I have tried Dual Layer discs but had so many playback issues I simply gave up.
now I have upgraded to Bluray.

[DaisyK]

Thank you for the suggestions. I think using two discs and splitting my video will be the best way for this project. I have been interested in Bluray, which I can burn, but for many of those that will be viewing (nursing home) I'm not sure whether they have the capability of viewing that format. Need to keep it simple. And need to keep those worship services shorter!

Now that I am retired from my day job and have more time to try more project options, I am trying to learn and make better use of my software for many uses.

Thanks again...