Reccomended size limits

[Skunk]

I have just used DVDRemake pro to merge the 2 disks of Hellboy : Special Edition. Together they are over 11Gb. Before I run it through DVD-RB I am going to, of course remove many of the extras and menus. I will also probably use steal space from extras set at 50%. My question is how large of a file is too large? In other words, what are your opinions on how large of an input file can be put through DVD-RB and still get good results? Also, what encoder do you think would do the best job for a larger input?

Thanks in advance. :D :thanks: :D

[SpazzHH]

IMO, It's not the size in GB that you have to worry about. It's the total amount of time that all the video takes up. That is a much more accurate guage. On a DVD-5, 3 to 3.5 hrs. is the absolute max without running into unreversable quality problems(again MY opinion). I would recommend HC encoder at the bitrates you'll be looking at.

[writersblock29]

@Skunk

[Qoute] "My question is how large of a file is too large?"

It really depends on content more than overall size. Let's say you have a movie that's one and a half hours long -- but the studio's size is around 6GB. You'll still be able to re-encode it without a noticable quality hit, since the overall frame count (which is judgeable by length) is well within what an encoder can put on a 4.36GB space. The original's size can, of course, contain extra sound streams and subs you don't need, and that should be taken into consideration.

My advise is to do your stripping and create your DVD project the way you want it -- keeping only what you really want -- then feed the entire, remade, project into DVD Shrink (or similiar) to analize your content. If you've got a combined length (add all features together) of around three hours, you shouldn't have to do anything else but allow Rebuilder to do its thing. Four hours... you might want to Half D1 a few features or play with a few matrices. Five and beyond? I'd say forget it, unless you're going to put it on a dual layer blank... or dancing pixels give ya a warm, fuzzy, feeling! ;)

[writersblock29]

@SpazzHH

Looks like we've got the same idea! Too bad my answers are so long-winded... But you beat me to it!

--Cheers!