re-encoded files are now larger?

[Kaecha]

Hey everyone.

I've spent the day encoding the files again, this time using the wizard which had "dvd" highlited on the bottom for the out-put file. It made my 36 files into m2v and wav files.

My original file folder was 5.1 GB and now the TMPGEnc files are in a folder with a size of 9.73 GB.

I've tried to use shrink but it doesn't recognize the m2v and wav files so I have to try to find the vob files. Where on my computer would these files be?

I've used the wizard and accepted all the defaults except the bit-rate which I changed to 8000. Is this too big? If so what bit-rate is acceptable for a good quality play-back?

I've had to delete the original files off my hard-drive so if I have to re-encode them again, can I do it from a dvd drive or do I have to copy them back to the hard-drive?

[ormonde]

"I've used the wizard and accepted all the defaults except the bit-rate which I changed to 8000. Is this too big? If so what bit-rate is acceptable for a good quality play-back?"

What was the bitrate that the "Project Wizard" template set for you? Also, which template did you use? (DVD, Super Video-CD, Video-CD). Changing the bitrate yourself to a higher number won't necessarily improve the visual quality of your output, and it will affect the size. I would leave the bitrate figure that the wizard chooses alone.

"I've had to delete the original files off my hard-drive so if I have to re-encode them again, can I do it from a dvd drive or do I have to copy them back to the hard-drive?"

I would "Rip" them to your HD with "SmartRipper" because you can use the "Stream Processing" feature to demux the video (m2v) and audio (ac3) right from the VOB files, and then go back and multiplex them together in TMPGENc-using the wizard setting of your choice.

[Kaecha]

bit-rate number

I'm not sure what the bit-rate was set to except that it was wa-ay lower than 8000, I don't think it was even at 3000. I haven't had to change it since so it hasn't gone back to it's original setting (the only reason I changed it was I had read a post from someone earlier that said they had changed theirs to 8000 for a better play-back).

On the project wizard the 1/5 screen I accepted the default of DVD NTSC (the first one listed under DVD)

I also had a default for the audio: CBR Linear PCM Audio

Wizard Screen 2/5: I picked an mpg from my computer to encode

Video Type: Non-Interlace Aspect Ratio: 1:1 VGA

Content of Video: Video Movie

Wizard Screen 3/5 -- Filter Settings Didn't do anything in this screen, just moved to :

Wizard Screen 4/5 -- Video Resolution: 720x480
Average Video Bit-Rate: Changed to 8000 from ???
Audio Bit-Rate: (greyed out)
Auto Select and Auto Setting are checked.

Wizard Screen 5/5 Just told it where to save the encoded file.

In the regular screen (with the preview window--which I have chosen not run in the options drop down menu, just so it will work a bit faster), the line beside the "settings" button says "DVD for NTSC etc."

Is there anything in there that looks like I need to change it besides the bit-rate? What number would you recommend for the bit-rate?

Thanks for helping out.

[ormonde]

"Is there anything in there that looks like I need to change it besides the bit-rate? What number would you recommend for the bit-rate?"

Like I indicated in my initial post, whatever number that the wizard chooses should be sufficient. If it is under 3000, I wouldn’t worry so much. Remember, if you choose the max bitrate size or close to it, it will dramatically change your output file size–much larger. Like I said before, You won't get "Greater" visual quality from what the source is, and the preset wizard templates in TMPGENc are designed to give you DVD compliant mpegs.