Max Mbps for DL DVD

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Max Mbps for DL DVD
by Avi Lall on Jan 12, 2012 at 5:44:01 pm

I output my 60 minutes HD FCP sequence to Compressor and rendered there as MPEG at the maximum possible Average rate of 7.7Mbps. Ended up with a file size of about 3.5 GB. That would be OK to bring into Studio and burn an SD DVD. Understandably, but disappointingly,the picture quality has dropped considerably compared to the original footage.

Consider this: If in Compressor I use H.264 (instead of MPEG), and Average rate of about 14Mbps, theoretically I should end up with a file size around 7GB (2x3.5) which should easily fit on a double layer DVD. However, when I do that DVD Studio defaults to making an HD DVD rather than SD which then makes the disc unplayable on regular stand alone DVD players.

Is there anyway I can increase the Average rate from 7.7Mbps and still be able to make an SD disc, albeit double layer? Or is 7.7Mbps the ceiling for SD, no matter what?

Thanks.
Avi

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Re: Max Mbps for DL DVD
by Alex Asp on Jan 12, 2012 at 6:02:20 pm

H.264 format is not a valid format for SD DVD. You can use only MPEG2 (and sometimes MPEG1) for SD DVD. However if your DVD is destined for a replication at the factory using mold-injection technology, and not for burned copies you could go as high as 9.8 Mbps combined which leaves about 9.6 Mbps for Video if your sound is AC-3 stereo at 192 Kbps. For the burned DVDs, the recommendation here on Cow is that you should not go over 7 Mbps. Using CBR for 60 minutes video will make it much better perceived. Also if your source is HD you should properly convert it to SD first so it looks not only acceptable but good. The procedure is outlined here, just look in the Archives.

Alex Asp/Solaris Digital Ltd.
Subtitle utilities HERE
Anti-aliasing for Highlights:HERE

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Re: Max Mbps for DL DVD
by Noah Kadner on Jan 12, 2012 at 6:12:15 pm

Yeah the dual layer doesn't affect the max data rate- it would be the same either way.

Noah

Call Box Training.
Featuring the Panasonic GH2 and GoPro HD Hero.

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Re: Max Mbps for DL DVD
by Avi Lall on Jan 12, 2012 at 6:16:26 pm

Thanks Noah.

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Re: Max Mbps for DL DVD
by Avi Lall on Jan 12, 2012 at 6:16:30 pm

Thanks Alex.

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Re: Max Mbps for DL DVD
by Avi Lall on Jan 12, 2012 at 6:35:06 pm

Three questions.
Should the CBR also be restricted 7Mbps for burned discs or can I go to 9.0?
Will the quality be better if I export from FCP as QT (current settings) then compress it at CBR?

I your earlier comment did you mean I should convert my original SD footage (1440x1080) to SD before editing in FCP?

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Re: Max Mbps for DL DVD
by Alex Asp on Jan 12, 2012 at 6:53:18 pm

Yes. CBR should be restricted to 7 Mbps for burned discs.
I presume you exported directly from FCP timeline to Compressor. No, the quality would not be better than your current encode. But, and this brings us to question number 3.
No. You should edit your film in HD and then export either a QT movie or a QT reference movie (depending on your project's special effects, filters etc). Then bring it into Compressor for downconversion, and then bring the downconverted movie to Compressor and encode to MPEG2.

Alex Asp/Solaris Digital Ltd.
Subtitle utilities HERE
Anti-aliasing for Highlights:HERE

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