Project file size for DVD

[Ken Veal]

I have a project too long to burn to a DVD.How do I find a point in the project that will be the right size to burn to a DVD

[Ken Berry]

A single layer DVD will hold around 4.3 GB (depends on how you could count -- whether you use bytes or bit, which are different. The other max for DVDs is 4.7 GB.) But anyway, depending on how long your project is, you could maybe fit it in by reducing the bitrate used. But if the project runs for much over 2 hours, that would mean reducing the bitrate to under 4000 kbps and quality would not be good.

So if it is going to have to go on 2 DVDs, I would be looking for a spot around the halfway mark in the project, where there is some obvious break in the action portrayed in the project. Then you could raise the bitrate -- and thus quality -- of each half, and both would then fit on its own DVD at a much better quality than you would get by trying to cram the whole thing on one DVD by severely reducing the bitrate.

Just remember, though, that the bitrate for either half cannot really get higher than the 8000 kbps mark.

[lata]

Kenneth
You do not say how long your movie is?

The video of course would have to be in Mpeg2 format and as Kens reply having an appropriate data rate

[Ken Veal]

Thank you for your replies gentlemen.Here are some details of my project
In VS 2023 Ult (cant find a way to add this to my profile) the project length is 1.53.04. made up of 177 MTS clips with a few titles and not much Score Filer Music .The clips are from film that I took and can be split into more than 1 project from any point. Video data rate variable max 1800kbps. 1920x1080 5i 18mpbs . project format AVCHD. Mpeg transport stream files.
file size 577kb mpeg 2 ,
I want to keep this simple, what I had in mind was to Create a Preview Range in the Share Tab up to a point where there was the correct size file to burn a DVD.That is around the 4GB size.Then I was going to create a new working folder and put the remaining clips i in a new project.My problem was how to work out where the end of the preview range would have to be.Hope this makes sense

[lata]

Hi Kenneth
At 1 hr 53 mins would require a data rate of approx. 4500kbps, this will drastically reduce the quality.
I would consider cutting the project into two allowing the 2 DVD’s to use 8000kbps giving you the highest quality.
You would have to find a suitable place on the timelines to split your project.
You could add an ending to the timeline at 50%, and a beginning for the second half, if that makes sense.

This is what I would do...
I would first render the original project to the Avchd 1920 x 1080 50i settings,
This will create a HD video allowing me to play to check quality, the video file will also be blu-ray compliant.
I can now convert this HD videos to Mpeg2, now creating a DVD compliant video file.
I simply add the HD video to the timeliness,

Using the Playback Range set to the first half you can render that section to Mpeg2, repeat for the second half. ( remember to tick the Create Preview Range Only from Share)

Each video is approx. 1 hour and can use a data rate of 8000kbps, this should reduce the file size below 4.3gb allowing it to fit to a DVD at full quality

Once created the SD Mpeg2 videos can be played to check quality, and if below 4 Gb can be added to usb device to play on tv.
If the quality is acceptable all that is left is to burn the SD Mpeg2 to disc one at a time.

Although I would first create an ISO file prior to actually burning the disc.

post updated

Typical Mpeg2 settings
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(DVD-PAL), 16:9
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 8000 kbps)
Audio data rate: 384 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)