DVD guru. What is the LOWEST possible bitrate to encode a DVD w/o noticeable loss?

[Hoeboy]

Been trying to re-encode Braveheart to fit on a DVD but it's tough with a 3 hour movie (2 hr 57 min and 40 seconds to be exact). I tried 3,800 kbps as someone suggested but the resulting m2v file would be over 4.8gb. I am now at 3,300 kbps and everything seems swell but I'm wondering if this is just TOO low? I don't have no advance theatre system. Just a wega.

 

[0roo0roo]

?? why????

reason why movies fit on dvds is because dvds are dual layered thereby almost doubling their capacity over dvd r and they are also variable bitrate.

 

[bmacd]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
?? why????

reason why movies fit on dvds is because dvds are dual layered thereby almost doubling their capacity over dvd r and they are also variable bitrate.

he's asking a legitimite question....dude...try going to vcdhelp.com for the answer.

-=bmacd=-

 

[Shockwave]

It varies by movie. I've made a few using low bitrate that turned out nicely and a few with high bitrate and it still wasnt enough. Basically, it varies for every movie. If your making it as a replacement for the DVD, dont skimp. If its just so you have a portable, take-to-work type version, then compress the crap out of it and just deal with low quality. Thats my 2 cents. But yes, go to
divx digest
They have some great articles and links there to help you out.

 

[Antisocial Virge]

It not only varies by movie it varies by scene. I use CCE and the "Robshot method" and that involves scanning the entire movie by hand and locally adjusting the bitrate for every scene if needed.

EDIT: Why oh why do people not recommend Doom9.org? Most of the people who wrote the software hang out in the forums so if anyone could help you those guys could. I know for a fact that the programmers for dvd2svcd, dvd2avi and infoedit all hangout there.

 

[KenGr]

There will never be a single answer to this. The bit rate is dependent on the amount of movement (change) in the scene from frame to frame. This is why the commercial movies use variable bit rate pump up the data in the critical areas. People argue about whether you can tell the difference between 6,000 and 8,000 but if you're getting down near 3,000 you will definitely lose a lot of quality if the original is good and/or if there is much motion. I think that around 2,500 you're down in VHS range or below.

 

[Antisocial Virge]

I think that around 2,500 you're down in VHS range or below

If your talking just video bitrate you can get even lower than that and still hold the quality depending on the scene. By base setting is 2500 and alot of the movie scenes are fine there. I know I have done Enemy at the Gates for instance and there was no scenes that had to be adjusted. I watch it on this and I would notice it . I usually get every scene looking good with local settings then when thats all good I raise the global bitrate to fill up the dvd.