Best Format For Dvd

[RamonaCV]

I don't know the specifics of each format - mpeg-2, mpeg-4, avi, hd dvd, hdv -- and am not finding an easy way to figure out what each format it is so that I can select the appropriate one. Maybe someone can help?

 

I have dvd compilations of a bunch of old videotapes. The video quality is actually pretty good. Now I want to edit these DVDs - trim them up, make a movie out of them with menus,maybe merge a couple, maybe split a couple, etc. My problem is that any fooling around with the "original" DVD causes great degradation in the video that I get out of it. So I'm sure I'm outputting or saving to the wrong format. MyDVD gives all kinds of "output" selections, and I may sound stupid, but it is confusing to me. I read somewhere on here that DV format AVI is best for output. That's Greek to me, but I tried it and got really poor video. I'm guessing MPEG-2 would be best? Or AVCHD?

 

I want to make the best quality DVDs I can make, as close to original quality as possible. While I'm asking, what is the best recommendation for media? I'm using Taiyo Yuden. Not sure if I should be using -R or +R.

 

Any help will be greatly appreciated.I've got a feeling I'm making a lot more work for myself than is necessary.

[Jim_Hardin]

Nothing sounds ‘stupid’ in your post

 

The main thing to consider is your desired Output and the quality settings of the Source files.

 

I think you will want to stick with DVD Quality since as a rule in Video, you can not render upward with good results…

 

Meaning: you can’t take a VHS quality source and make it into a Blu-ray with good results It can be done, but not the way you think

 

The Output in MyDVD should be DVD, High Quality or DVD, Same as Original. This limits you to these TIMEs (but HQ is all we want to see):

4.7Gb:

HQ = 1:06

SP = 1:37

LP = 2:22

ELP = 3:04

 

8.5 Gb:

HQ = 2:00

SP = 2:57

LP = 4:19

ELP = 5:35

 

In General you cannot retain your original menu structures or chapters but you can create new ones!

 

Start with VideoWave (Edit Video-Advanced) and Add one of your DVD’s. – point it to any of the VOB files in the VIDEO_TS folder of the disc.

 

Your original DVD will never be touched in any way, other than a Read.

 

Note the TIME of the project in VW:

This one is only 56 seconds + 21 frames long. Format = hh:mm:sec.frames

 

Keep in mind what was said about DVD Capacity at HQ!

 

Edit & Save. Then click the icon to go to MyDVD.

(note that Save is a Project File and contains no Video )

 

Set to HQ (default is always Fit-to-Disc), pick a menu and burn.

 

I suggest you have a disc or 2 of DVD RW on hand for testing & experimenting.

 

TRY IT, then post back with any questions or problems you may encounter.

[ggrussell]

Since you are editing video from an existing DVD, you need to know about those files so you can 'match' those setting when you out put in Videowave. Download Media Info and open one of the VOB files that is about 1GB larger. This will give you an indication what setting was used when the video was recorded for example 1hr or 2 hr mode, etc. Hopefully the bitrate isn't too far off from what Videowave/MyDVD uses so it can smart render.