QT files doubling in size?!!

[robotriderdh]

I'm creating a DVD for my school's musical that I filmed, and I've exported the performance and the extras from FCP to quicktime. The performance is 1.64 gigs, and the "extras" is only 368 megs.

When I upload these files to iDVD, the project monitor shows that my project is 4.9 gigs!! this may be a very simple problem, but I have no idea!! this is a problem because i only have 4.2 gig DVD's, and no dual layer burning abilities. i want to only use one disc for the project, as opposed to using two, with one act on one side, the other on the opposing side. (btw, when i take out just the extras, the project monitor shows a project size of 4.6 gigs)
(i know it's an amateur program, but i've no money for another program since FCP killed my wallet)

I'm not at all skilled at compressing, and have no Idea as to what settings would still get basically full video quality... so I haven't fooled with that. so if you have advice regarding compression, please be as specific as possible (I only have 'compressor.')

Thanks so much!

[BenB]

Best advice I can give you, and you'll be super happy with it, is blow the 20 some-odd dollars on the book, "Apple Pro Training Series, Compressor Quick-Reference Guide."

You'll be a master of Compressor in no time. I really do strongly recommend this book. It's brand new, but has been needed for a very long time.

When you export a QT movie, what format are you exporting it as? Or is it just a self-contained QT movie?

How long is the performance clip?
How long is the extras clip?

Length of the video will matter more than how big or small the QT file is, cause that QT files has to be encoded into an MPEG-2 video file, and an audio file. Then all your files sizes change. Not to mention, every time you include a new menu or transition, there's more disk space taken up by project.

I'm not all that familiar with iDVD, but is there a place in the settings you can set what the specifics are for when it encodes the files itself?

I'd just go with Compressor, and get that book. Don't be intimidated, Compressor is really easy once you get walked through it. The book does a fantastic job keeping it simple and easy.

[robotriderdh]

I actually figured out a lot about the problem while just messing around with compressor. i also got DVD studio pro, which allowed me to compress the file to mpeg2 and AAC audio and then link them on the DVD (iDVD does not have that ability). I actually have solved the problem, but i still plan on buying that book. thanks a lot!