best mpeg format for dvd architect

[Mike Kujbida]

Leaving out the fact that certain DVD players can handle formats such as Divx, MPEG-2 is still the format to use for DVD authoring.

DVD -R used to be the preferred format but, these days, unless you’re dealing with a much older player, most players will handle both -R and +R without any problem.

[George Wing]

[Donna] “When making a video to be used in dvd architect, I usually use the mpeg2 option video stream for dvd architect. What is the best format to use for dvd architect that will play best in most dvd players? Also, any opinions on which is better…dvd-r or dvd+ r? Thanks.”

Which version of DVDA are you running, and are you using any “Advanced” features such as Multiple Angles and/or Buttons On Video (BOV)?

If you are using “Advanced” features such as these (and if they cause DVDA to re-render your assets), then you might get better results by rendering out to the native format of the originals, and letting DVDA do the mpeg encoding (this would avoid multiple mpeg encoding). If DVDA does NOT need to re-encode your assets, then you could go with the mpeg2 DVDA templates from Vegas. NOTE: mpeg1 can also be dvd-video compliant, but DVDA will not author a DVD using dvd-compliant mpeg1 “asis” (it will re-encode to mpeg2).

For compatibility across a wide range of DVD Players, you might consider keeping the total bitrate (video bitrate plus combined audio bitrate) to <= ~7500kbps. If using +R discs, check if your burner/software will allow you to set the booktype to dvd-rom. Regards, George

[Donna Lutz]

Thanks George….I am using DVDA 3 but not with the advanced features.
What is your opinion on the 24p option in sony vegas?

Donna

[Mike Kujbida]

Donna, Vegas has been doing 24p since version 4 and does it extremely well. Check out the white paper (PDF format) on the Sony site called 24p and Panasonic AG-DVX100 and AJ-SDX900 in Vegas and DVD Architect as it does a good job of explaining things.