Newbie Authoring Event 3day Footage

[Eric Pautsch]

The most I ever got onto a dual layer disc with reasonable quality was 5 hours – and this was with an encoder which cost thousands of dollars and a extremely clean source. This will have to be a 2 disc set for sure.

[Michael Sacci]

I would go to a 3 disc set if you are duplicating these. (3) DVD-Rs are cheaper than (1) DVD+R DL, The case may balance out the cost but it will seem like more of a value, quality will be better. Remember even 2-2.5 hours on a disc is pushing quality, footage from GL2 tends to be grainy.

Remember a DVD DL is not equal to (2) DVD-Rs, it is less. 8.5GB vs 9.4GB. Edit anything you can out of these, most things can be tightened up quite a bit.

Here is the break down on Bitrates if you use ac3 audio.

3.8 Mbps – 270 minutes on a DVD-9
4.3 Mbps – 240 minutes on a DVD-9

4.8 Mbps – 120 minutes on a DVD-5
3.8 Mbps – 150 minutes on a DVD-5

tough to get a very clean encode with compressor at 3.8 Mbps unless you are work with perfectly exposed Dbeta, and even at that it is pushing it.

[Matt Townley]

I agree with Michael. Go with a 3-disc “box set.” This will keep your video at a higher quality and add perceived value to the people buying it. You may be able to charge more since there are 3 discs instead of “just one.”

If you need duplication for your project when you are done, feel free to email me and I can give you a quote.