Fitting Shows on a single DVD

[DannyM]

I'm still somewhat new to this, and I've been scouring the internet for two days without finding anything concrete.

How do I fit a GBPVR-recorded movie onto a DVD?

For example: I have an .mpg file (from GBPVR) that is 3.5GB and 2 hours long, but as soon as I dump it into my Roxio DVD authoring program, it takes up over 7GB?? I'm guessing it has something to do with the bitrate, but I can't find out how to change the bitrate on the mpeg2 file. Do I have to decode/reencode? do I have to demux/remux? What are some recommended/fast tools to do this?

Thanks for any help!
-Daniel

[gEd]

take a look over at videohelp.com for info on converting mpeg to dvd and the tools available to do this.

No idea what roxio is up to. Most decent dvd authoring software can work out a resolution, bitrate and audio sampling combo that will enable it to fit on a 4.7b dvd. Perhaps it thinks that you have a dual layer. chck out the options / preferences in the application.

edit: there is also the myvideosmydvd plugin. details on the wiki here http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Plugin/MyVideosMyDVD

[capone]

I've used Nero to fit 3 DVD movies on a single disk. It used smallest size and 2 pass, and still looked great and had 5.1 sound.

[gEd]

man that's tight! Aren't blank dvd's cheap enough over there LOL

neat tho

[capone]

100 DVD-Rs for $26. I think I paid $35 for 100 DVD-RW.

I did them that way so I could get as many per disk as I could for my son on a car trip (don't want to be swpping DVDs in the portable while driving, when possible). I thought it would only look good on the 9" screen, but when I plugged it into the TV, it was just as sharp. It took 4hrs per disk to reencode (in my case, it was xvid back to mpeg2...nero did great on that too), but the results were worth it.

[DannyM]

Hey, thanks for the input...

I think the problem is with Roxio. I have version 6 (I think 8 is out?). I tried using the DVDAuthorGUI program from over at VideoHelp.com, and that seems to work great! (no inflated size values)

As far as movies I've recorded that actually ARE over the disc limit (4,482MB), I found a tool (also at VideoHelp) called ReJig that lets you set a target size or percentage, and will recompress your MPEG2 files to the exact size you need.

Boy, with all the problems I've run into, I feel like I'm quickly becoming an expert in this stuff! Amazing how that happens...

-Daniel

[gEd]

nice one danny, glad you got it sorted.

Expert already ? - damn that was quick ! :-)

The world of gbpvr is a great way to learn about video stuff as it gives you the motivation to work out how to achieve things of real practical value, such as transcoding, dvd authoring / burning etc.

have fun