Video length for best quality in iDVD?

[Steve Brame]

Here is a very good calculator for determining the best encode settings for DVD.

https://dvd-hq.info/bitrate_calculator.php

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Steve Brame
creative illusions Productions

[Jeff Pulera]

Hi Vic,

Not a Mac user so not sure if iDVD allows you to tweak the encode settings at all, or if you MUST use one of the presets. But if you go with the 120 minute preset, you will definitely hurt the quality, as the video will be compressed at half the data rate! You’ll end up with a DVD that is half empty.

You can “fill” a DVD with 60 minutes of footage, or 90 or 120 or 180. It’s a matter of setting the best encoding rate that will allow the source material to fit within the disc capacity. The longer the program, the lower the data rate (quality). As Steve said, you can determine optimum settings with a bitrate calculator app.

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Vic Noseworthy]

Thanks, Steve. It’s a little bit confusing, the calculator. Are these settings I’d use when using DVD Studio Pro? Thanks, Vic

[Vic Noseworthy]

Thanks very much, Jeff. Just wondering…
I have a highlights version of the wedding, which runs about 14 minutes. When I burned it to DVD using the “Professional” quality setting, it appears that only half (or, perhaps, even just one-third) of the space on the DVD was used. Is there a way to use ALL the space on the DVD, thereby getting better quality video?
Thanks again.
Vic

[Jeff Pulera]

Hi Vic,

There is a maximum date rate for the DVD spec, something like 9.4 or 9.6 including audio. The generally accepted maximum video encode rate is 8, which will allow for up to 60 minutes or so. Anything shorter will therefore leave space on the DVD, no way to use it all with short programs. The 14-minute video will be encoded at the “best” possible quality, or max data rate.

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Vic Noseworthy]

Thanks, Jeff. Good to know for future DVDs!