What is the maximum DVD time with best quality?
by Kent Clark
on
Apr 25, 2008 at 3:06:15 pm
I've read Ed Troxel's newsletter archives. Several years ago he wrote about DVD recording times for a given bitrate. If I understood his chart, I can record about 60 minutes of video on a DVD at highest quality. Recording longer requires a reduction in bit rate and lower quality.
Since I'm new to the subject I'd like to know if I have interpreted this correctly and whether several years after Ed's article this is still true.
As I've said in a few other threads, I'm going to have 20+ hours of MiniDV tape from an 8mm film transfer. I'm trying to estimate supplies I'll need to finish the project.
Since these are old family movies, I want the best quality. Should I estimate one DVD per hour of MiniDV recording to achieve that?
Thanks for the help and guidance, this forum is a fantastic resource.
Re: What is the maximum DVD time with best quality? by Mike Kujbida on Apr 25, 2008 at 3:26:16 pm
Edward's figures still hold true today (for single layer DVD, that is).
Looking at his chart, it shows that you can get up to 70 min. at maximum quality which is a CBR (Constant Bit Rate) of 8,000,000.
Go over that time limit and you have to start dropping the bit rate.
One suggestion is to use only good name brand media.
The two most recommended brands are Taiyo Yuden and Verbatim.
If you want (almost) guaranteed long term archive capability, go with the MAM-a gold archival brand. They're more money (currently $152 for 50) but they have a very good reputation.
Another thing to keep in mind is what you want to use these discs for.
If it's to store your footage on before rendering, a single layer DVD will only hold 20 min. of raw AVI so you'll need 3 DVDs for each hour of footage.
It's not until you render to MPEG-2 that you can store 60 min. on one disc.
Also, with the exception of the MAM-A discs I mentioned, DVDs are not recommended for long term storage.
You'd be better off making duplicates of your miniDV tapes and storing them, prererably in a temperature & humidity controlled environment.
However you make your backups, make at least 2 copies and store them in separate locations to prevent loss due to things like fire, theft, etc.
Re: What is the maximum DVD time with best quality? by Mike Kujbida on Apr 27, 2008 at 12:07:26 pm
Allen, these are gold discs (24 karat gold reflective layer) and you know how much gold is going for these days :-)
($885 U.S. or $566 EUR per ounce)
Here's a link to the store for those discs.
