AVI to DVD headaches

I guess I pretty much still a noob but I can use mastering software (Use
Ulead 10 . It's not the latest version and I use it
under W2K.

I also have Pro Coder 2

I don't mind getting some utility I might be needing.

The Problem:

Now 4 times I've had avi files that after I get them ready for burning
to DVD they are just a bit too big, say 10% or less.

So I try to reduce them (and sometimes I'm guessing here, could use
advice on this). No menu - That's got to save some space. Audio sampling
rate - 160-192 ought to be fine. None of those measure make enough of a
difference.

I'm not sure which is most economical for space for the video options.
BTW, I'd especially like to know is variable or a constant bitrate would
be better.

Another oddity - Why is an avi file of the movie so small compared to
the DVD generated files. That really puzzles me.

So basically the problem is try to reduce the size. I don't mind if the
quality is slightly less.

Now if there is no hope of reducing size then is it possible to span two
DVD's? it seems like there should be no reason why not but the software
I have I can't see options or controls inside (of Ulead, eg) that allow
to after finishing one DVD starting the second at the correct point.

I've done some goggling and have not had a lot of luck finding
information. I probably am not using the right search terms as I'm not
exactly sure what this problem is referred to in the "trade".

I sure would like some guidance on this as it takes forever doing test
projects. Pro Coder takes like 7 hours to convert an 824MB avi file.

TIA...


--
Email - rsgibson@verizon.borg
Replace borg with net

"Ron Gibson" <rsgibson@verizon.net> wrote in message
newsan.2008.01.10.21.19.55.472358@verizon.net...
>I guess I pretty much still a noob but I can use mastering software (Use
> Ulead 10 . It's not the latest version and I use it
> under W2K.
>
> I also have Pro Coder 2
>
> I don't mind getting some utility I might be needing.
>
> The Problem:
>
> Now 4 times I've had avi files that after I get them ready for burning
> to DVD they are just a bit too big, say 10% or less.
>
> So I try to reduce them (and sometimes I'm guessing here, could use
> advice on this). No menu - That's got to save some space. Audio sampling
> rate - 160-192 ought to be fine. None of those measure make enough of a
> difference.
>
> I'm not sure which is most economical for space for the video options.
> BTW, I'd especially like to know is variable or a constant bitrate would
> be better.
>
> Another oddity - Why is an avi file of the movie so small compared to
> the DVD generated files. That really puzzles me.
>
> So basically the problem is try to reduce the size. I don't mind if the
> quality is slightly less.
>
> Now if there is no hope of reducing size then is it possible to span two
> DVD's? it seems like there should be no reason why not but the software
> I have I can't see options or controls inside (of Ulead, eg) that allow
> to after finishing one DVD starting the second at the correct point.
>
> I've done some goggling and have not had a lot of luck finding
> information. I probably am not using the right search terms as I'm not
> exactly sure what this problem is referred to in the "trade".
>
> I sure would like some guidance on this as it takes forever doing test
> projects. Pro Coder takes like 7 hours to convert an 824MB avi file.
>
> TIA...
>
>
> --
> Email - rsgibson@verizon.borg
> Replace borg with net
>

Some good advice can be found at www.videohelp.com on DVD authoring, making
DivX AVI's etc
A quick and simple program to make a DVD from an AVI file in around 1 hour
is VSO ConvertX toDVD, simple menu but otherwise pretty reliable.