Which format is better for DVD authoring if your source is VOB?

[Sean]

Hi
I edited some VOB files in Edius4 and now I want to export them for using in DVD authoring program, (Adobe Encore DVD) but I am not sure which format give me better quality.
I think there are two ways for me;
1- Export them as Canopus DVAVI
2- Export them as MPEG-2 Program Stream (with M2P extension)
Which format does give me better quality since my video source is VOB?
In general, AVI files would be better format for Adobe Encore DVD but in this case I am not sure because my original files are MPEG and I don’t know whether it is correct to convert them to AVI or not?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Sean

[GrassValley_BH]

Export as MPEG. DVDs use MPEG-2 compression, so exporting as DV will only introduce an extra and unnecessary compression step which will reduce quality.

Be sure to export as a DVD-compliant MPEG-2 stream, and tell Encore not to re-encode the input if it's already DVD-compliant.

[Sean]

Thanks for the reply, but how can I export it as DVD compliant MPEG-2 stream by ProCoder? Would you please explain it more?
My VOB files are NTSC, 720 x 480, 29,97 fps

[STORMDAVE]

Forget about the VOB's, they're just clips on the Edius timeline. Just export via ProCoder2 (Or Express) and choose a DVD-Video preset.

[Sean]

I exported my project as DVD MPEG-2 program stream by ProCoder xpress (with M2P extension). Is this DVD compliant MPEG-2 stream?

[STORMDAVE]

Yes, but some authoring apps will not support .m2p files (muxed single file which contains both video and audio). If you're using Encore, I recommend that you do MPEG2-Elementary Stream in which you will get two files, one .m2v and one .wav out of ProCoder Express. In Encore, just import both, and then make a preset in Encore for AC3 audio and right click and set a preset on the audio. You need to make your WAV into an AC3 so you will have high compatibility and more space for VIDEO...or else just use WAV if you think it's ok.

[Sean]

Dave
Thanks a lot for your comments, but Video bitrate of Elementary stream was 7800bps while program stream was higher (9100bps).
Quality is very important for me, I am looking for a way to get highest quality.
What will happen if I increase video bitrate in procoder advance settings? For example increase it up to 12000bps? Can I change other parameters for better result?

[Sean]

By the way Adobe Encore support M2P.

[STORMDAVE]

You're welcome :)

It probably does, but I am so used to elementary stream over the years...just more control.

You should let encore encode to AC3 224kb for you. Uncompressed PCM WAV is about 1500kb, so if you use wav you're actually giving audio more room when in fact you could give that data to video.

You can change your bitrate in the advanced setting in PCE, right before you hit convert. I recommend a MAX bitrate (audio+video) of 7500...I feel this is safe for me so I just use that nowdays. So video should be 7276, leaving 224kb for audio.

Never go above 8000 (So 7776 for video and 224 for audio) for both audio+video, you might have playback issues. You should read the help file on how to do AC3 in Encore...just let it encode audio but not video since it's compliant already.

[Sean]

Are you sure 7500 bitrate is good enough? But video bitrate default in PCE for MPEG-2 program stream is 9100.

[GrassValley_BH]

The total (audio+video) stream size should not exceed 9.1 Mbps for DVD compliance. In reality, you should try not to exceed about 8.5 Mbps total.

[STORMDAVE]

Are you sure 7500 bitrate is good enough? But video bitrate default in PCE for MPEG-2 program stream is 9100.

Yea you shouldn't see much of a difference between 7300 and 7800 for video (CBR) at the highest quality....unless you're using an upconverting DVD player, and in this case you might see a few extra speckles.

One important factor is, what are your intentions for this? Are you going to deliver the DVD to a customer? If only for yourself, you can experiment and use a really high bitrate and check if your DVD player supports it.

[Sean]

Thanks, it was very useful. Are there something else that I should consider when I am exporting my project from Edius Timeline? Should I change anything else in advance settings?

[STORMDAVE]

You should be fine with the default DVD Video settings :)
I always use Closed GOP, in Encore2 it is much easier to scrub through these files...so if you want you can use that feature, it's in the Advanced settings right before the export out of PCE.