Export settings for DVD

[Charles234532664rrb]

Hi all,

I have been searching for export settings from HD Video in Premere Pro 2021 to DVD. Most of the existing posts are old as I do not have CS6. I was looking for the best settings to enter in the export window. The video is under around 90 minutes. I have clients who still request this format unfortunately.

Should I use MPEG2 DVD, what are the settings for bitrate, etc?

Ive had problems where either the file was a little too big and caused freeze ups or the video quaility was terrible.

[Kevin-Monahan]

Hi Charles,

See if the preset works but keep in mind the balance between bit rate and file size. Make sure it is less than 4.7 GB or you'll need to break it into two discs at decent quality. Find out more info from the client and we can assist you. I hope we can help.

Thanks,
Kevin

[PaulMurphy · Accepted solution]

DVD is a standardized format, so there aren’t many settings to adjust beyond the bitrate.

The key is to use the highest possible bitrate that fits within the DVD’s capacity based on your video’s duration. To determine the optimal bitrate, you can use this calculator:

DVD Bitrate Calculator

[Charles234532664rrb]

Hi Paul,

Thank you for the information. I did use the calculator where the show was 1:48 minutes shot in 1080p 30fps. Calulator said 5419 kbps. In the export window in Premiere Pro, I chose MPEG2-DVD,  quailty was 75, field order:progressive,  Bitrate : CBR 5.5 mbps. I use Toast 20 Pro to author the disc.

The disc video quailty was poor. Anything Im missing here? I did have decent results in the past but I cant remeber what settings I used. 

Thank you

[PaulMurphy]

How are you evaluating the video quality? Are you reviewing the exported MPEG-2 file, or are you watching the final authored DVD?

Keep in mind that DVDs are limited to Standard Definition (SD), which means your original footage will be downscaled, potentially reducing sharpness and detail.

To improve quality, consider using Variable Bitrate (VBR) instead of Constant Bitrate (CBR). VBR allows for better compression efficiency, allocating more bitrate where needed. This bitrate calculator can help you determine optimal VBR settings for better results.

[Charles234532664rrb]

Hi Paul

Thank you for the bitrate calculator, it was very helpful. First performance video I used the calculatror and it came out well using VBR.

The second performance video DVD which was about 8 mins longer at 118 minutes, I used the calculator again, but the authored disc looked very muddy with poor resolution. I checked the exported MPEG-2 file on an old computer with Apple's DVD Studio Pro in the viewer and it looked good.

I then used DVD Studio Pro on an old Apple computer to author and the result was great on the disc.

I had been using the MPEG-2 file on Toast 20 Pro Authoring software, but that seems to be the problem. Any suggestions on a DVD/Bluray authoring software.

Additionally I used the calculator for the bluray disc 118 minutes long and when I went to author in Toast 20 Pro, it said there wasnt enough disc space to burn it.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thank you.