DVD record time limit...

[dude127]

Could anyone explain to me why if; a DVDR will hold approx. 4.3 GB of data, why can I only put one 700 MB movie on it? Help, I don't understand this at all, & have done quite a bit of research to no avail!!!

[setarip_old]

Hi!

You undoubtedly created your 700Mb file using a high-compression codec (DivX, XviD, MPEG4, etc.) and, possibly, highly-compressed audio, such as .MP3.

When you convert such a file to compliant DVD format, the video is converted to MPEG-2 format, which is far less compressed than your 700Mb file's video. Likewise, the audio is converted (typically) to .MP2, .AC3, or PCM (.WAV), all of which are far less compressed than the audio of your original 700Mb file.

On the other hand, if you have a standalone DVD player with DivX playback capability, you could simply copy several of your 700Mb files to the DVD without converting them (as "data") and play them...

[dani82]

my obvious guess, cd mode (nero)

[HardwareGeek]

@dude127

What software are you using?

[dude127]

Thanks y'all (setarip_old) & other users for the info. Actually, I am taking already created files & trying to burn several of them to 1 DVD. I am usind Roxio DVD Creator 6 for the buring process.

I would really like to add several movie files to one disc. I am still unclear as to what I need to do to make this happen. Any & all info. is greatly appreciated!

[setarip_old]

Are you trying to burn them in their PRESENT format (presumably DivX or XviD-compressed .AVI), in which you should just use a "data disk" mode - or are you trying to convert them to compliant video DVD format, in which case I refer you to my initial post to this thread?

[dude127]

Thanks setarip_old for the insight. Actually, I am taking already created files & trying to burn several of them to one DVD. I am usind Roxio DVD Creator 6 for the buring process.

I would really like to add several movie files to one disc. I am still unclear as to what I need to do to make this happen. Any & all info. is greatly appreciated! I am a "newbie" at this (as if u couldn't tell!); I have read countless guides & am now thorughly confused!!! Help!@!@!

[dude127]

I read your second post, & I guess I just am too new at this to get a grasp on it... I don't understand...

will "data disc" mode play on a standard dvd player connected to my tv?

[setarip_old]

will "data disc" mode play on a standard dvd player connected to my tv?Since you still haven't confirmed, I'm still assuming that your the videos that you've created are .AVIs. As such, they will be playable from a burned "Data disk" DVD only if the standalone DVD player is specifically capable of playing .AVIs...

Please tell us what the format is of the videos you've created...

[dude127]

Since you still haven't confirmed, I'm still assuming that your the videos that you've created are .AVIs. As such, they will be playable from a burned "Data disk" DVD only if the standalone DVD player is specifically capable of playing .AVIs...

Please tell us what the format is of the videos you've created...


Videos are XVID & also AVI. I have been experimenting w/ several diff. types of formats, but I still seem to be not getting it right...

[dude127]

Hi! I was wondering if it would be possible for us to set up an email dialog concerning this subject? I am at a loss as to what to do! I have just finished looking over the guides (again!) for the upteenth time, & still cannot understand what needs to be done.

I have been into pc's for 8 + years, assemble all of my own machines & upgrade many others, so I have a working knowledge of pc's/OS's, etc., etc. But the video thing is throwing me for a loop!

I am able to use DVD Decrypter & Shrink for backups, & I edit w/shrink, no problem; but other than that I am lost!!! If you would be willing to help me out via. email, I surely would appreciate it. I believe I could get a better understanding if I could ask questions in a personal manner instead of a forum type system...It seems to take so much more time by using the forum...

If you want - private message me & I will provide an email address...

Thanks for your time, dude127

[CWR03]

dude127, the problem you're having is a lack of understanding about what Roxio's DVD Creator does with imported files. It transcodes them into DVD-compliant MPEG-2 video files which take up 4.7GB for two hours of video. There is some compression adjustment within the program, but it's minimal. Regardless of the file size of the imported video, Roxio can't put much more than two hours of video length onto a single-layer DVD.

There are other options - you can transcode the video to DVD-compliant MPEG-2, reauthor a new DVD and shrink it in a manner that suits you, or for around $50 you can get a standalone player that can read your current files from a data disk, giving you the ability to fit 4.7GB of video files onto a single disk, regardless of their length.

[dude127]

Thanks CWR03 for clearing things up a bit for me. I guess I needed it explained in "simple terms" :) I understand now for the most part. Now a couple more questions;

What program (best & easiest)?! would one use to "transcode"? a DVD Disc movie to a DIVX file?

Why do they all seem to be right around 700 mb after transcoding?

"How Much" quality loss is there after "shrinking" the file from DVD size down to 700 mb? I know "How Much" is a relative & subjective term, but it seems like going from 8 GB of data to 700 mb. would result in an awful quality movie file...

Thanks for all your time!

[CWR03]

What program (best & easiest)?! would one use to "transcode"? a DVD Disc movie to a DIVX file?
You may want to re-read the forum rules (http://forum.doom9.org/forum-rules.htm), particularly 12 in this case. There are many programs available to suit your task, and "best" or "easiest" is a matter of perception, something no one can answer for you.

Why do they all seem to be right around 700 mb after transcoding?
To fit on a CD, and with that question I direct you to forum rule #6, as well as this sticky (http://forum.doom9.org/announcement.php?f=6) located at the top of the Newbies sub-forum.

[dude127]

OK....Well, CWR03...I Don't know where any of that came from....I am simply asking questions that I do not know the answer to, & have not been able to find the answer to on the forums, or in the guides area.

I have not specifically mentioned any movies/downloads/copyrighted material, or ANYTHING that could be construed as an illegal gesture, so I do not understand your post w/ regards to looking at the rules.

BTW, in looking over the various forums, I have seen several/quite a few specific mentions to movie titles, downloads, & other content that I would definantly consider questionable; so for you to refer me to the rules totally confuses me...

AND - FYI...I have been capturing "Home" recordings via. my ATI capture card, which captures the file to the HD in AVI. So, from there I have been experimenting w/ avi/divx; & not knowing what I am really doing, have been trying to get some help here on the forum...

The manual that comes w/ the capture card is useless, ESCD/DVD Creator came bundled w/ my burner w/ very limited documentation, so what is a fellow to do but ask for help...

[siddharthagandhi]

You're being kind of harsh on the noob. Instead of pointing out forum rules when he had a very minor offense you should help him with his problem. Dude127, maybe you are accidentally selecting VCD or SVCD, when you should be selecting DVD?

[dude127]

Thanks siddharthagandhi for coming to this noobs defense! I appreciate it! I am selecting the DVD burn button in the pgm. I do understand pretty well now why my files are only fitting "one to a DVD".

As I understand things, it seems as the process of converting my avi/divx file to the dvd format for playing on a standalone player, the DVD Creator "Decompresses" the file & it expands back to the DVD Disk size of several GB. :)

Or at least that is what I am sorta figuring out from reading the previous posts & other posts within the forums. It is not an easy task for a newbie, & I think that people need to realize that there is a steep learning curve, & we all start out knowing nothing as to how this all works...

Again, thanks to all for the information, I surely appreciate it; and maybe we can all lighten up a bit (on the noob slamming/bashing...)

[siddharthagandhi]

what they're trying to say is that you have a 700 MB video file, but it is not in the dvd format

so the dvd creator converts it

but since the dvd format requires more space than the original file, it takes up the entire DVD disc

But I'm not exactly sure about that. I don't think that such a drastic file size increase (from 700 MB to full DVD disc) would occur with MPEG-2 (the dvd format)

[setarip_old]

I don't think that such a drastic file size increase (from 700 MB to full DVD disc) would occur with MPEG-2 (the dvd format)Probably not - But it very likely WILL convert to a total filesize of significantly more than 1/2 the space available on a DVD5 (single-side, single layer) - and, therefore, preclude the possibility of putting more than one such "package" on DVD5 (single-side, single layer).

Additionally, it's the running time of the .AVI video and not its compressed filesize that relates to the eventual size of the DVD "package".

[dude127]

Again, thanks one & all for all the help. When I said I was taking already created files & trying to burn several of them to 1 DVD; what I actually meant was that I was taking files that my ATI capture card automatically creates in AVI...& trying to burn them to DVD.

Since my Capture Card or burning software documentation does not address the issues that I was having prob. with, I went to the 'net for help. Searching all over google,

mamma, yahoo, & others & also looking over the forums, I was able to find "limited" information, most of which is "way over" a newbies head that is just starting out experimenting w/ video.

I most certainly do "graciously accept" the information all the users have provided, & most definantly do not mean to "roil the waters" i.e. upset anyone or violate any posting rules... Actually, I was reading "2COOLS" entries about the "repeal rule # 12" movement...interesting the way the voting went...

for example, instead of me asking "what is the best program to use..."

I guess it would have been better to word it like this...Dear User(s); Which program would you say that you have had the most success with & the least difficulty with while producing the most satisfactory results for working w/ divx/avi/other files. Essentially saying the same thing, but wording it "politically correctly" so as not to violate the rules...

Again, a personal thank you to all who have posted the helpful info. You all have more knowledge on this subject than I, which is why I came here in the first place - to try to learn & increase my understanding of this hobby.

[HardwareGeek]

What program ... to "transcode"? a DVD Disc movie to a DIVX file?
AutoGordian Knot and FairUse Wizard are just two of the tools that will convert from dvd to avi.

I think that the correct term is encode?

"How Much" quality loss is there after "shrinking" the file from DVD size down to 700 mb?
Alot, I would argue. But if you output to a standard definition display, you might not notice the visual artifacts too much.