How to change encoding (CBR / VBR) settings ?

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Level 1

125 points

How to change encoding (CBR / VBR) settings ?

I have imported a 50 min video from FCP as quicktime movie.
(I quess this means it is still DV without any additional compression).

I thought a single layer SD DVD (4.7 GB) can take 60 min of footage in standard (highest) quality.

However, my 50 min movie only needs 2.2 GB ??
(I guess, this means that my movie is compressed more than neccesary)

I tried to change the settings in DVDSP Preferences:
I encoded with CBR, different bitrates, VBR, different bitrates.
However, the output was always the same.

I suspect that the preferences are only valid for new projects.
How can I change the compression/encoding settings for a track in an open project?

Many thanks for you help
Markus

MacMini 1.42 GHz, Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Jul 22, 2006 8:44 AM

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Answer 1

David S.

Level 7

20,636 points

Jul 22, 2006 8:51 AM in response to Markus Haiml

Best to set them first and import. Or delete the mpeg/par folders created by the app.

The best thing to do is to encode the video and audio in compressor. Better control

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Answer 2

Markus Haiml Author

Level 1

125 points

Jul 22, 2006 9:41 AM in response to David S.

Best to set them first and import.

Hmm, I have set all the markers and linked to the menu. This would give some additional extra work. But well, if it works, it's worth the time invested.

The best thing to do is to encode the video and audio in compressor. Better control

But compressor corrupts my file system. I can't use the folder where the *.m2v file is stored. Consequently I cannot drop & drag it to DVDSP....
(This old compressor bug).
And there is no DVD-60 min preset.
Only 90, 120, and 150 min. 😟

However, I'll try my best and keep you updated.
many thanks in advance
Markus

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Answer 3

Markus Haiml Author

Level 1

125 points

Jul 22, 2006 3:00 PM in response to David S.

Hi David,

just an update/feedback f.y.i.

1) I managed to get rid of this m2v-Finder glitch:
- Finder cannot handle .m2v extensions.
- I tried a 6 byte text file and changed the ending to .m2v -> Finder crashes
- right click > open with : Quicktime, always.
- now I can 'get info' and change this for all .m2v files, created by compressor.

The breakthrough compared to other hints in this forum was step 3.

2) I lost my chapter markers in the m2v file. But thanks to advice from other threads, I deleted only the video from the DVDSP track and left the markers.

3) I imported the 9.0 Mbps MEPG-2 CBR file.
Burn stoppped with 'Bit Rate too high' ???
Anyway, I do a 8.5 Mbps encode this night. Hopefully I can finish this DVD by tomorrow. Fingers crossed.
__________________

Seems to work. But back to my original question:
How can I change CBR vs VBR and the bit-rate settings in an existing open project without using compressor at all?

Many thanks for all your constant help
Markus

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Answer 4

Drew13

Level 6

12,387 points

Jul 22, 2006 3:27 PM in response to Markus Haiml

In the past changing preferences in DVD SP (the encoding rates pref) would not work on exisitng projects, only new projects. Deleting pars etc. did not work.

So usually the best way to make sure you are getting the rate you want is to encode outside DVD SP and bring them in

3) I imported the 9.0 Mbps MEPG-2 CBR file.

Burn stoppped with 'Bit Rate too high' ???
Anyway, I do a 8.5 Mbps encode this night. Hopefully I can finish this DVD by tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

You should drop lower, even with A.Pack/Dolby audio you will be pushing the envelope (particularly on DVDs burned from your computer) And often after a certain Rate you will not see the difference (depends on footage etc.). Do some tests and see how low you can go

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