Putting Together A DVD w/Special Features

[Daygola814]

Ok, so I have my movie, special features are done, and I want to make sure everything fits on the DVD. How can I get the best quality (maximum bit rate) for the movie and the special features, menus, etc. I can encode each thing separately as an DVD Architect 24p mpg2, but when I did that, it exceeds the limit of the disc.

Is there a process where I can bring all the mpg2 files into DVDA so that they all fit? Should I export uncompressed or 23.976 AVIs and bring them into DVDA and have DVDA encode the files to mpg2 or should I just do it the hard way with trial and error and eventually figure out what bitrate to use for each special feature, for the film, and for the menus, etc.

What is the best process for doing this?

Thanks!

[David Jimerson]

The easiest way to do it is to have DVDA do it for you.

It may not be the best way, though. Ideally, you'd want to have better quality for your main feature, and then pull back some on the special features. If you let DVDA do it, it'll lower the quality of each file across the board.

[Daygola814]

So basically trial and error, huh?

[David Jimerson]

Not necessarily. Pay attention to your bitrates and the file sizes they produce. With some experience, you'll take a lot of the trial and error out of it.

[andrewjackson]

Nice bitrate calculator here:

http://dvd-hq.info/Calculator.html

Leave appropriate room for your menus.