splitting a large movie onto 2 dvd

[sleeper]

How do I split a 2-3 hr. movie into 2 or more dvd's with vs9. Can I do it in the dv-format or in the mpeg formate before I burn a dvd? That way I don't have to go below a 4000 bit rate to make a dvd. Thanks for any assistance.

[rwindeyer]

One suggestion: once your project is finalised, RENDER (Share - Create Video File) it into a video file (mpeg or DV; I prefer DV)

Now load the single (long) video file into the timline. Look for a convenient place about half way through. Cut the file at this point. Delete the second half. RENDER again to a new, smaller video file.

Repeat the process, this time deleting the first half.

Now you have two smaller video files ready for burning to DVD.

[THoff]

There's an easier way to do that -- when you use Share -> Create Video File to render your project to an MPEG2 file, enable the "Create video file with specified duration" checkbox in the Options dialog. This will break apart the output file into segments of the duration that you specify, so if you have a three-hour movie that needs to be split in half, set the duration to 1 hour 30 minutes, and you are set.

Of course, manually selecting the split point so it is between scene changes has its advantages...

[sleeper]

Thank you both for your help. I am still working on my first dvd and i'll let you know how the split goes. It sure is a lot of trial and error, but the results should be worth it. Again thanks for your help. Sleeper