having trouble burning a dvd-video

jesse mann · #1 June 30th, 2005, 08:28 PM

i've got an AVI movie file that i'm trying to burn as a video-DVD. i'm using a G4 powerbook with 10.3.4, and toast 6 lite, with a lacie porsche dvdburner....the file is about 103 minutes long, and size is 1.25 gigs. Yet, when i try to burn, it tells me that there is not enough space on the disc, by it seems only a few megabytes....first of all, why the **** can i not burn a 100 minute movie when DVDs are supposed to hold 120 minutes in video form? i've tried every way i can think of around this without spending more money, i.e. every freeware converting software i could find (to change from avi to mpeg) and even after converting to .mov file, i still run into the same problem...i can't figure out how to cut a small piece off of the end of the avi. file which would be fine with me too.....any suggestions? what am i doing wrong? what can i do, without spending more money, to fix this? i hope i've explained the problem well enough. thanks!

jesse

ex2bot · #2 July 1st, 2005, 01:40 PM

Toast Titanium 6 ($80) allows you to divide an .avi.
Quicktime Pro ($30) allows you to divide a .mov.

Doug

brianleahy · #3 July 1st, 2005, 01:52 PM

A 1.25 gig file should fit onto a data DVD just fine, regardless of what kind of file it is.

However, if you're trying to burn a video DVD - as in, playable in a set-top player - you should know that DVD-Rs (single layer variety, at least) hold a LOT less data than a factory-minted commercial video DVD.

With iDVD at least, a single-layer DVD can hold a maximum of about 90 minutes, and that's at a lower bit rate. At a higher bit rate, the max is about 60 min.

jesse mann · #4 July 2nd, 2005, 08:27 AM

wow, so "120" minute DVDrs really only hold 90 minutes of video? that's ludicrous. does that mean the 120 minutes only applies to stand-alone dvd recorders, as in to record off of tv/etc.? sounds like my only option is to buy dual layer discs...am i right?

brianleahy · #5 July 2nd, 2005, 10:57 AM

Yes, I think that's correct -- the "120 minute" designation refers mostly to stand alone DVD recorders.

I'm not familiar with how Toast converts video, but part of the issue may be that set-top recorders typically can use Dolby Digital audio - which uses lossy compression, and so takes up less space on the disc. There is a license fee associated with any DD encoder - hardware or software - and while it is included in the cost of a stand-alone recorder, it's almost certainly NOT included with Toast Lite. (It's not included with iDVD either - though it *IS* included with DVD Studio Pro)

So instead, Toast probably burns discs with PCM audio - which sounds good (it's what CDs use) but eats up more space.

As for (burnable) dual layer discs - they hold more BUT they are a relatively new format - and you need a compatible burner to burn to them. The very latest G5's have dual-layer superdrives - sadly, I don't think any Powerbooks do.