AVI TO DVD Query

mada999

Hey all..

I have about 23 or so AVI files each are around 350MB in size, I want to then burn them to DVD format so I can watch them on a DVD player..

I want to be able to fit them onto around 3 DVD's and have a menu. What's the best way to go about this and what programs are there out there that would help me succeed ?

Would it be better to convert them to MPEG first, and at what FPS should I use to get them all to fit onto 3 DVD's....


Thanks in advance

mada999

PogMoThoin

aha...the porn collection...:D

Virtual dub is 1 that can convert them, although i never used it. could give it a go. convert to divx as most new dvd players can read it.

Wertz

If it's a normal DVD player then you need to convert to vob files and some IFO/BUPs for chapters etc.
350mb sounds like ~1 hr of avi...a DVD will fit a little over 3hrs of vobs no matter what FPS you use so you're gonna want 7-8 dvds IMO.
I use winAVI to convert and then use the nero plug in to burn it....there's a menu creator app in nero someplace if you want to make menus, but I've had mixed results; failed burns sometimes after changing filenames (for the menu) prior to burning.

winAVI is a processor intensive program...you need something fast to do it efficiently especially if you want to work on ohter stuff whilst converting...

JDxtra

If you are converting NTSC material (e.g. US TV episodes) to PAL DVD discs then this can cause issues.

I've tried multiple pieces of software to do the conversion but all ended up with lip sync problems... and took ages to convert (1 hour per 45 mins of TV)!

I'll probably end up spending €40 on a cheap DVD player that can play AVI files to save the hassle...

ShiverinEskimo

I say this each and every week - a sticky is in order for the frequency of this question.

Get the full version of ConvertXtoDVD. It will take your avi files, convert them, burn them and create a DVD menu for your files. I've used it for a long time and it is miles above the competition. Beware the trial version puts a link across your picture. (aka watermark).

For more info see http://www.vso-software.fr/products/convert_x_to_dvd/

And even though I promised i'd never say this - use the forum search function in future - this is easily the most asked question on this forum. I don't mean to be mean but I literally posted the same answer like 4 days ago:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054958584

Adam

Alternatively, get a dvd player that plays avi's straight off! Best invention ever, converting is such a time consuming pain in the hole!!

Cant think of my make/model off hand but I'm sure Google is your friend!

mada999

ShiverinEskimo wrote:

Get the full version of ConvertXtoDVD. It will take your avi files, convert them, burn them and create a DVD menu for your files. I've used it for a long time and it is miles above the competition. Beware the trial version puts a link across your picture. (aka watermark).

Oh will this program be able to convert my 20+ AVI's and then fit them onto 3 CD's ?

I

ShiverinEskimo

It depends on the AVIs. Best way is to convert each AVI into file format for DVD using ConvertXtoDVD and then use DVD shrink to compress as many as you wish onto DVD.

If they are 20 episodes of a tv series though (and the fact you have 23 350MB files to me screams Prison Break or Lost) you won't be able to get more than 4 maybe 5 on a DVD. As Wertz said VOB files can only hold so much time.

I got an entire series of Prison Break onto 4 DVDs using ConvertXtoDVD. Each AVI at 350MB is abotu 42 minutes long meaning you can can 5 eps totalling the 200 odd minutes a DVD can hold.

awhir

really think this sould be sticked.

mada999

A friend of a friend loaned me 3 DVD's with lost series 1 on them ..it had all the episodes on the 3 DVD's and 2 recap episodes....I'm just wondering how it was done..i cant ask him how he done it coz he bought it on ebay....It had a menu etc also...

ShiverinEskimo

Were they AVI files on the DVDs or were they playable DVDs?

A 40 minute AVI takes up ~350MB
A 40 minute DVD takes up ~900MB

The AVI uses better compression techniques because it can rely on decoder such as Windows Media Player to decode and play them using a computer.
DVDs are made using the MPEG2 format as it is better quality and therefore for a DVD to play it needs to be in this format which sacrifices file size for quality.

As someone else said - if you get a DVD player than can decode AVI files then you can fit a stack of eps on a DVD. But if you want them to play on a regular DVD player they need to be converted to MPEG2 Vob files which take up much more space. Its like MP3 Audio vs CD Audio. You can fit much more MP3s on a CD if you have an MP3 CD Player - if you want to play the music on a regular CD player you have to make an Audio CD and take a (big) hit in the number of tracks you can fit on one disc.

PogMoThoin

just copied dvd's released in box set.
pm'ed ya the info Mada999. i'd get in trouble for posting it.