DVD data rate choices?

[Adam Wakely]

I did a comparison with the Data rate set to 8000kbps but I only can get 1 hour on DVD. When I choose the lower data rate (5500kbps) so I can get about 2 hours I am not happy with quality. I was using Media Studio Pro 6.5 to create my MPEG2.

Question:

Can TMPGE make the quality comparable to a 8000kbps setting while using a lower data rate so I can still get 2hours on a disk?
I know there's alot of filters to choose from. I'm sure it would take longer to create.

I would really like to get the better quality and still have 2 hours on a DVD.

Thanks...

[Edward Troxel]

The lower the data rate, the worse the image will look. However, there ARE some things you can do to help lower data rates look better.

For settings advice, go to:

http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0165394101/old_TMPGEnc_Template.html

or

http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0165394101/old_TMPGEnc_Template.html

[Rob Lohman]

What most people do is use VBR (variable bitrate) instead of
CBR (constant bitrate) encoding. With VBR you are setting
three parameters (the fourth is how many passes, the more the
longer the wait but the better the distribution):

Minimal bitrate: the movie will have at least average bitrate to
make sure quality is at a minimal level

Average bitrate: the bitrate the encoder will try to use the most
(or close thereto). If it doesn't needs this much bits it will lower
it to the minimal bitrate level. If it needs more it will raise it, but
generally it will try to use this level

Maximum bitrate: the max bitrate the encoder will encode at,
it will not go above this level.

The advantage to this method is that your precious gigabytes/
megabytes will be used on what frames need it the most. A black
frame needs much less bytes to be encoded without much loss
than a tree shot on sky.

I usually fiddle with 2000 - 5000 - 8000 range settings. Try it and
you might be suprised!

[Adam Wakely]

Thanks for the info! I bought more DVD-RW for testing!
That's the best way I'm sure!