Rendering MPEG-2, and .avi templates?

[Mike Kujbida]

“…should I go ahead and render the same project to .avi and MPEG-2…”

The project is already on the timeline so you may as well.
I recommend looking into the Batch Render script as it can be set up to render one project to all of these formats without any further intervention on your part.

“And are there any secrets to rendering MPEG-2?”

See my rather lengthy response in the DVD scene selection markers as in comm. DVDs thread.
There are a lot of things in it that you might find interesting.

BTW, https://www.johncline.com/bitcalc110.zip is the link to the bitrate calculator I’ve been using for a very long time.

“And what Template should I use for .avi?”

What do you need/want an AVI file for?
If it’s standard definition video, just use the standard PAL DV template (PAL DV Widescreen if required).
If it’s HD then I have no idea as I don’t shoot HD yet.

[Norman Willis]

>>See my rather lengthy response in the DVD scene selection markers as in comm. DVDs thread. There are a lot of things in it that you might find interesting.

OK, great article. I definitely caught maybe part of that (lol). I am saving it, and I hope it will make sense to me later. (lol)

I’ve got to get running on my next project (due in 36 hours), so what would happen if I just set the CBR to 8,000,000, and then set quality to 31, and let it run? And then I can put it on a DVD later?

My goal is just to make the videos to a very high standard of quality; and then to put as many of them as will reasonably fit on a DVD, without sacrificing quality. For right now, will it work if I just set the CBR at 8,000,000, and set quality to 31?

[Mike Kujbida]

For right now, will it work if I just set the CBR at 8,000,000, and set quality to 31?

Norman, that value will work for a total program length of up to approx. 70 min. and you said you’re looking at 100-120 min.
Most of us don’t recommend using CBR for anything that long as the quality will suffer.
This is where the bitrate calculator comes in very handy for determining optimum VBR values.

Here’s the numbers I get. They might be a wee bit conservative but I guarantee that the video will fit on a single layer DVD.
BTW, this assumes you’re using AC-3 audio.

100 min. VBR values:
7,848,000 / 7,136,000 / 3,568,000

120 min. VBR values:
8,000,000 / 4,688,000 / 2,808,000

Best of luck with your project and please let us know how it turns out.

[Norman Willis]

Hi Mike.

>>Most of us don’t recommend using CBR for anything that long as the quality will suffer.

I was looking back over this post, and I guess I am confused. Will a CBR of 8,000,000 really be inferior in quality to a VBR where the bitrate never reaches 8,000,000?

I guess I don’t understand.

Thanks.

Norman Willis
http://www.nazareneisrael.org

[Mike Kujbida]

Norman, I just realized that my 100 min. VBR values were way off.
They should be 8,000,000 / 5,672,000 / 3,400,000.

I was referring to using a CBR setting for videos of 100 – 120 min.
The CBR value in both cases would be exactly the same as the Avg. value (the middle numbers) in the two examples I gave.
The reason VBR will look better is that you’re giving it room to go up and down depending on the needs of the content.
For example, a well-lit talking head will not stress the encoder as much as a stage play or a concert where you have lighting values that go all over the place.
Please let me know if this doesn’t make sense.

[Norman Willis]

>>Please let me know if this doesn’t make sense.

Yeah, sorry, I still don’t quite understand.

I can understand why someone would use a VBR: it obviously takes more bits to record a soccer game, or even anything using pan/crop a lot, than it does to record a well-lit talking head. However:

>>Norman, I just realized that my 100 min. VBR values were way off. They should be 8,000,000 / 5,672,000 / 3,400,000.

Why would a VBR that only peaks at 8,000,000 be superior to a CBR that stays pegged at 8,000,000, regardless of subject? I can understand why VBR would be desirable/smaller, but why would it be superior? Thanks.

[Mike Kujbida]

On a single layer DVD, CBR is only useful up to a program length of approximately 70 min.
A dual layer DVD is good for a bit over 2 hr. with an 8 MB CBR.
Anything more than that and you have no choice but to use VBR.
Does that help?

[Norman Willis]

Yes, I think that helps a lot.

Thanks.

Norman Willis
http://www.nazareneisrael.org