DVD standard bitrate

[richarddd]

If I read correctly, there is no minimum bitrate specified by the DVD standard, but some players may require a minimum bitrate as high as 2000 kbps to play correctly. Is this right?

Also, standard maximum bitrate is 10080 kbps, with video max of 9800 kbps. Is there a lower recommended maximum so that all players are likely to play correctly?

[The Geek]

If I read correctly, there is no minimum bitrate specified by the DVD standard, but some players may require a minimum bitrate as high as 2000 kbps to play correctly. Is this right?

I believe so. I'm not entirely sure if there isn't a minimum bitrate specified, I think there is none, but yes, you should use a bitrate of about 2000kbps as the minimum, otherwise some players have problems.

Also, standard maximum bitrate is 10080 kbps, with video max of 9800 kbps. Is there a lower recommended maximum so that all players are likely to play correctly?

What do you mean by "standard" ? The 10080kbps is the maximum bitrate for the multiplexed VOB stream.
And the 9800kbps is the maximum bitrate for all elementary streams together (means. bitrate of video file + bitrate of audio file etc. = max. 9800kbps. When you multiplex them the final file gets a bit bigger, hence the difference to 10080kbps for the final, muxed stream).

The Geek

[SeeMoreDigital]

One of the things you have to understand about the Mpeg2 codec is, it's overall performance capabilities, as required for DVD player compliancy.

Depending on the source your trying to encode, Mpeg2 does does not generally excel at bit-rates below say, 3000Kbps!

Of course there are some encoding tricks you can try, such designing/using custom matrices and using an encoder that offers a 2pass (or more) encoding mode.

I have a couple of "low bitrate" Mpeg2 files in my test collection, that were generated by an company in Israel for possible streaming use. Both utilize an 720x576 image pixel frame size (as used for DVD). One runs at an average bitrate of around 1500Kbps, the other at around 2500Kbps. However, both are interlaced (which is another bit-rate saver). And although they look okay... they sadly offer nothing special.

Have you got any specific use in mind?


Cheers

[richarddd]

@Geek

By "standard" I meant the DVD mpeg-2 official standard.

I hadn't realized 9800kbps was the maximum bitrate for all elementary streams together.

@See More

>>Have you got any specific use in mind?>>

Setting the right bitrate for backing up DVD's using CCE, etc. And curiosity.

Given that I never keep more than one audio stream, 2000-9000kbps would seem a reasonable choice.

thanks

[dragongodz]

the 9800kbps is the maximum bitrate for all elementary streams together
it is also the video max bitrate of course(as stated in the dvd specs) since you dont actually have to have audio etc. which may confuse people since most dont think of a dvd without audio. :)

also if you are going to use a really low bitrate then you should consider making your video half D1 (352x576/480). it will look much better. i have never heard of players actually having trouble playing full D1 at low bitrates but they would not look the best.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Originally posted by dragongodz
also if you are going to use a really low bitrate then you should consider making your video half D1 (352x576/480). it will look much better. i have never heard of players actually having trouble playing full D1 at low bitrates but they would not look the best. I would advise that anybody thinking of generating half D1 Mpeg2 encode, check that their DVD player supports them!


Cheers

[The Geek]

I would advise that anybody thinking of generating half D1 Mpeg2 encode, check that their DVD player supports them!

Half D1 is DVD standard. Every DVD player has to support it. Otherwise that player does not support the DVD video standard completely, and should be returned. I don't think there are many models out there that can't play half D1.

The Geek

[SeeMoreDigital]

Originally posted by The Geek
Half D1 is DVD standard. Every DVD player has to support it. Otherwise that player does not support the DVD video standard completely, and should be returned. I don't think there are many models out there that can't play half D1.

The Geek It would be nice to think this is the case... but sadly it's not!


Cheers

[ronnylov]

Some MPEG2 encoders may give bitrate spikes above the set maximum. For instance TMPGEnc have this problem. To be on the safe side I use 8000 kbit/s as maximum video bitrate when encoding to DVD.