Divx to DVD

[yesfan]

I have been searching the forums and faq for info regarding re-encoding divx movies to mpeg2 so they can be burnt to a dvd-r. I am trying to fit 2 or movies on a dvd-r to play back in a stand alone dvd player.

What is the best way to do it?

I have tried encoding them with tmpgenc using the dvd template, but get video freezes and audio sync problems. Can I use the unlock template and adjust the dvd settings so the pixel size and the exact frame rate of the converted file is the same as the orginal, or will this make no difference. What is the minimum bitrate I should use? I encoded 3 movies at about 1600 bitrate and total collective size was about 4gb, when i tried to author the dvd the required space was huge. I have not yet managed to work out how to fit it on a 4.7gb dvd-r! The total running time of the converted movies was about 4 1/2 hours but total size was 4gb, how should I be measuring it?

Would it be better to encode as svcd? But I would have audio problems as dvd authoring requires layer 2 384kbs audio, or am I wrong?

Question summary:

Can it be done?

How many movies can I fit on a dvd-r and keep the quality?

Do I use a dvd template or svcd?

Should I adjust the template to match the pixel size/fps of the original movie?

Does the audio format matter?

What is the minimum bitrate for a dvd?

Yes....a bit lost in it all! If anyone could point me to a guide that covers these subjects I would be grateful.

[Sequoyan]

Use VirtualDub to strip the audio into PCM WAV. Save an AVI without audio (direct stream copy). Use that file in TMPGENC. Import audio seprately into your authoring program.

Also:

Can it be done? -- Yes

How many movies can I fit on a dvd-r and keep the quality? -- One

Do I use a dvd template or svcd? -- DVD (if you use a template at all)

Should I adjust the template to match the pixel size/fps of the original movie? -- no, it must be 720-480 29.97 (this is NTSC)

Does the audio format matter? -- for what?

What is the minimum bitrate for a dvd? -- no minimum but it looks bad below 1000 without an expensive encoder

-TS

[yesfan]

Will tmpegnc encode quicker if there is no audio source?

Will that also eliminate any audio sync problems?

Thanks

[Sequoyan]

TMPGE takes FOREVER (well more like 30 hours, for me). I've never done it with audio but assume that it would take even longer.

Have had no audio sync problems. Usually the audio and video lengths end being a frame or two off by the end of two hours but you can't see it when watching the DVD.

- TS

[catback]

Ulead's DVD Movie Factory will open a divx file and convert it to a DVD compliant MPEG-2 file. There is a 30 day demo available on their web site.