What is best format to export for dvd?

[videogirl]

I have on interest in making my dvds through edius, I use Nero for that, but Normally I export as Canopus HQ Avi but I'm dealing with a particularly long video that I want to fit onto one dvd without compressing through Nero, is there an mpeg format I should try that may be more approapriate/?

[Khoi Pham]

how long is the project?

[Bassman]

Videogirl,

DVDs for video playback (not data) are limited to only one type of file format - Mpeg-2.

So the only variable is the amount of compression you use (bitrate) to make the Mpeg-2 file from your original. Longer project - smaller bitrate - less quality.

I would still use Edius to make the Mpeg-2 file as the quality of the encoder is much better with Edius.

[videogirl]

I have been making DVDs for years, and I always use AVI as my format, however Nero automatically converts and encodes for dvd so I don't have to do it through Edius.

I like AVI files because I can view them on the pc AND burn them onto dvd and nero does it all for me.

mpeg2 can't be viewed on pc's.
so what should I encode to make it smaller>?

its high definition... usually I fit just over an hour on a dvd but disk 2 is 4 minutes too long and nero wants to compress!

[videogirl]

Bassman how do I make mpeg2 with edius?

[gazzagreen]

Mpeg2

Bassman how do I make mpeg2 with edius?

Hi videogirl

You can make Mpeg files by choosing "Mpeg" and then "Mpeg Generic" from the "Print to Disc" option on the export button (Rec screen).

The best resolution I have found is 6000 mbs. This way its not to high that some dvd players stutter, and not too low that it looks bitty. You should be able to get about 1 hour 40 minutes on one single layer disc depending on content and menus

Gazza

[Bassman]

I have been making DVDs for years, and I always use AVI as my format, however Nero automatically converts and encodes for dvd so I don't have to do it through Edius.

I like AVI files because I can view them on the pc AND burn them onto dvd and nero does it all for me.

mpeg2 can't be viewed on pc's.
so what should I encode to make it smaller>?

its high definition... usually I fit just over an hour on a dvd but disk 2 is 4 minutes too long and nero wants to compress!

I will be happy to answer all of your questions, but some background information about your workflow would really help this situation.

Are you editing footage you shot in Edius?

How are making the AVI files?

Are you delivering these files for customers who play them on a TV and or a computer?

[videogirl]

I film on sony hdr fx1 hi definition as well as Canon 5dmk 2
I edit in edius, and 'export as' canopus hq avi.

from there I 'create dvd' with nero vision express and nero automatically creates the dvd
no i dont have any problems doing it this way
and no it doesnt have a problem playing on any tv

I then keep the avi files on my pc so they can be watched or reedited for online use at any time (ie shortened or shrunk)
however with these really long files nero compressed them

[Bassman]

O.K. thanks for more information.

I will start by telling you my workflow when shooting, editing and making DVDs:

1) I edit my footage in Edius.
2) I use the Exporter inside of Edius to export out an Mpeg-2 version of my finished project. This process is referred to "encoding". It is essentially compressing your project down to a smaller file sized version.
3) I put the Mpeg-2 file in another DVD authoring program to be put onto disc. You mention using Nero. The important difference to notice here is that I used Edius to make the Mpeg-2 file, not the other program. That means the other program (in your case Nero) should not perform any compression. It just puts the file on the disc in the stae it was given.

Why do it this way and not make an AVI file?

Well, the encoder in Edius is very refined and will make a very high quality Mpeg-2 file. Aslo, the best your project will ever look is when you are playing it on the timeline within Edius. So creating an Mpeg-2 file from the timeline is as close to the source as you can get.

When encoding from the timeline, you need to adjust the bitrate to fit the length of your project. In other words, the longer the project, the more you need to compress the file to get it to fit on a single DVD.

BTW, you can play Mpeg-2 files in Windows Media Player.

4) Edius has a DVD creator built in which will encode and burn a DVD straight from the timeline. This is a convenient way to make a DVD as well.

Also, I do not keep AVI files as backup. Rather I keep the original camera files along with the project files. That way you can have access to edit anything in the future. AVI files take up a lot of space and unless you need to use them for a specific purpose, are redundant along side of the original camera files.

There are a lot of settings and things to learn. This is the basic workflow for very good results from Edius. I suggest reading and searching a lot on the forums for more info.

Good luck.

[NakedEye]

Hi videogirl if your PC does not have an mpeg2 decoder engine to allow playback of mpeg2 video....you can download the free VLC media player which will perform this task for you....it will allow viewing menus and navigation as well...it uses open source decoders. http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

Any DVD authoring program you give an avi file to will compress the avi file into an mpeg2 file to burn to the DVD....if your file is to big for Nero to fit on one disc then you may need to adjust the compression settings (bitrate) in Nero so it will fit....here is a link to a DVD bitrate calculator to give you a starting point...http://dvd-hq.info/bitrate_calculator.php.

As Bassman indicates Edius will do a much better job of creating the mpeg2 file for DVD than will Nero....if you need just simple menus/navigation then Edius can do this right from the timeline via the Burn to Disc exporter.

If you prefer to use Nero then you should be able to import the mpeg2 files created in Edius to a Nero project....I say should as I do not use Nero.....I would also create 1 file for each disc, that is divide the project up into natural sections.....you may also be able to fit it all on to one dual layer disc.

Regards & HTH

Dave.