Bitrate calculation probs for DVD with several eps

[Chetwood]

I'm back ;)

Alright, I'm currently ripping some cartoon DVDs which have about 6 eps of approx. 22:23 mins each on it. I'm planning to rip them as SVCD whereas 2 or better 3 eps should fit on 1 800 MB CD. Having read the FAQ I know how to select each episode instead of the whole DVD and this works like a charme.

However, I'm not sure how to set the appropriate bitrate to fill up a CD with either 2 or 3 eps. For sound I'm going to use only 128/44 which would result in a CBR audio stream. So how do I calculate the bitrate for

3 eps on 800 MB or
2 ep on 800 MB

squeezing out as much quality as possible and how do I enter this in DVD2SVCD? Do I have to set both max and min average bitrate alike? What would be the correct bitrate?

TIA!

[UltimateDBZ]

If you plan to do each episode separately with DVD2SVCD, you won't be able to use the images that it makes along with the rest of the process, because you obviously can't put 3 images on 1 cd. So what you should do is disable images in the CD Image tab, so you don't waste time making images you won't use anyway. Then head to the bitrate tab. Change the CD size boxes to 1/3 (or 1/2, if you plan to put 2 episodes on 1 cd, and not 3) the size of a full cd. So assuming you are using 700mb CDs, change each box to read about 215. Don't set it to the max (which would be 233) because you'll risk going over the max capacity of your CD. Then go ahead and convert each of the episodes 1 by 1 until you've done all 3 of them. Then take the final MPEG-2 output video files that DVD2SVCD has created for you, and burn them onto a CD using software of your choice (I suggest Nero). This process will take a little extra time, but it is the only way to get your desired results-at least the only way I know.

Good luck :)

[Jason28]

@UltimateDBZ
Good reply. :)

@Chetwood
I wouldnt reccomend putting 3 episodes on 1 CD. If you do that the quality wont be that good. Unless you dont care about the quality then go ahead and put 3 on there :p

Also I wouldnt downsample the sound unless you have to. All DVD players that can play SVCDs should be able to play them with 48. Also this will save you some time as you dont have to wait through the conversion process.

[beerbaron]

http://www.vcdhelp.com/calc.htm

that can help you figure it out

[pacohaas]

you could just have DVD2SVCD do it for you by first ripping all 2 or 3 episodes, then renaming the vob's. This process is outlined in the FAQ's, check it out, Q41.