Number of CDs used / bitrate....

[tpham]

Please don't ask me to read the instructions or search the forum as I've done this many times and still I am not able to fully understand how to do it. My problem is determining how many cds to use for my encodes...the following is a problem I had on the weekend and is a problem I have everytime I do an encode. I am encoding 12 chapters of karaoke music with a total time of 128 minutes and choose to use the standard bitrate calculation as defined below.

between 0 - 50 mins. Use 1 CD size 740
between 50 - 76 mins. Use 1 CD size 800
between 76 - 100 mins. Use 2 CD size 740
between 100 - 125 mins. Use 2 CD size 800
between 125 - 163 mins. Use 3 CD size 740
between 163 - 999 mins. Use 3 CD size 800

MaxBitrate=2530 MinBitrate=300 MaxAvg=2230 MinAvg=1600

What I thought was because the total lenght of my music is 128 minutes I can try and fit it on 2 800 mb cds by adjusting the bitrate as

between 100 - 129 mins. Use 2 CD size 800

The final encode produced a .bin that was 810 mb which would fit just 1 800 mb cd. By having only 1 cd the quality would be a lot less that if 2 cds were produced right? What am I doing wrong? Can someone please help me...I can't seem to do this correctly. What I want to be able to do is for example - if I had a 119 minute movie and I want to put it on 3 x 740 mb cds how do I do this??? This is how I've done it in the past (doesn't work too well)

between 0 - 40 mins. Use 1 CD size 740
between 40 - 80 mins. Use 2 CD size 740
between 80 - 120 mins. Use 3 CD size 740
between 120 - 160 mins. Use 4 CD size 740
between 160 - 200 mins. Use 5 CD size 740
between 200 - 999 mins. Use 6 CD size 740

MaxBitrate=2530 MinBitrate=300 MaxAvg=2230 MinAvg=1600

AM I DOING IT ALL WROING???

[tpham]

Someone please help!

[RB]

You are doing it basically right but you shouldn't set the time on the Bitrate tab "too close" to the movie playing time. For instance, if you have 119 minutes, try "from 100 to 125 minutes".

[tpham]

Thank you RB very much for replying...

[jorel]

119 minutes in 3 x 740mb?

i ever do it!
:)
easy way:

120/3=40minutes.
cd1=from zero to 40 minutes,
cd2=from 40 to 80 minutes and
cd3=from 80 to 120 minutes.
encode one first,than the others!

use the frameselection...
and adjust the first 40 minutes.

adjust the time(of course)to 40 minutes and the sizes
like this(sorry my horrible english):
adjust in all times and sises

between 0 - 40 mins. Use 1 CD size 740 (or 800)
between 0 - 40 mins. Use 1 CD size 740 (or 800)
between 0 - 40 mins. Use 1 CD size 740 (or 800)
...just the same in all

encode the first cd with 40 minutes in 740mb (or 800,your choice).
.....
repeat the same with the others using the frameselection!

;)

[DDogg]

BTW, don't have the min average box checked. That just causes problems unless you really understand its effects.

[tpham]

Hi All,

Now I am a bit more confused. I've been reading msges in the forum saying that I should use the bitrate calculator to determine the bitrate and no. of cds to use. Also, I've read that we should be using AutoFit (FitCD) to achieve better cropping and cd space usage. AutoFit (FitCD) also calculates the bitrate from your input (no. of cds) and the lenght of the movie etc. which will then be transfer over to DVD2SVCD. Do I just use what AutoFit (FitCD) calculates without having to adjust the values in D2S under the Bitrate tab. I am very confused.

Someone please help me...thanks in advance

[DDogg]

The only thing that needs user intervention is the size of the cds and making sure the "between lines" are set properly for the amount of cds you are willing to invest in a particular encode.

Just press the default button in the bitrate tab and then leave the values alone! As I said above, uncheck the min average checkbox and leave it alone forever also. The bitrate needed to get you what you have set in the number of CDs is auto-calculated. Yes, that is confusing, but that is just the way it is.

So,since you know your encode is 128 minutes, maybe change "between 100 - 135 mins. Use 2 CD size 800"

All we want to do is make sure it falls safely within the area of that line and you should get 2 cds full assuming you have the default bitrates. If not let DVD2SVCD know.

[tpham]

@DDogg thank you once again

[DDogg]

It should added, if you happen to know exactly what bitrate you want, maybe because you have used a calculator or want something like a special rate for test sample mentioned below, you can, and only if you just insist :) ,force the bitrate by using a special setup.

You put the same exact value in Min. Avg. and Max. Avg. In this case you would have the Min. Avg. Checked. This tells D2S to completely rely on what you input and to make no attempt to figure anything for you. The values in the other two boxes, MAX and MIN are completely ignored for a cbr encode and the value you "locked" is simply passed on to the encoder. On VBR encodes only MAX will be passed as MAX Bitrate to the encoder and MIN will be passed to encoders that need it. Obviously you are on your own when you use this special purpose feature.

Only time I personally use this special setup is when doing a chapter sample and I want to make sure the same specified bitrate is used on the sample as I calculate will be used for the full encode. This is definitely handy when trying noise filters and such. On 99.5% of other encodes the internal auto-calc does it a lot smarter than me.