What specifically are you having trouble with? DVD uses MPEG 2 HQ and Blu-Ray can use AVCHD 1080 or MPEG 2 1080, most commonly AVCHD in PD. VCD uses MPEG 1, but I don't know if that's even an option anymore. __________________________________
CORNBLOSSOM

I think that's really helpful. I'll see if I can work things through with that info. Thanks.

I don't have the links, but DVD and Blu-Ray both have web pages that give detailed information about the standards. Most questions can be answered right here if you run into a specific problem. __________________________________
CORNBLOSSOM

Here are some easy to get going info:
DVD - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD-Video
Blu Ray - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc

It gets complicated after this but as Jaime-esque says - ask away! PD 64 Bit-Win10 64 Bit-32GB RAM-80TB HDD
Sony FX6 - 500Mbps 4k/50p AVC-I HLG
Canon XF400 - 150Mbps 4k/50p AVC
GoPro Hero6 Black
Pana HS700-28Mbps 1080/50p AVC (High@L4.2)
Canon HV20-HDV 25Mbps 16:9 1440x1080/25p MPEG

Thanks for the info. I guess I'm a little overwhelmed. I'm just not sure which file type and type of media I should choose. I don't think my needs are really unusual. I have a blue ray player and several other regular DVDs. I would like it to be able to play in multiple DVD players. Some of the video was shot on a high definition camera. It also would be nice to be able to take advantage of the Blu-Ray's high-definition capability. Do you know what the right combination would be? Am I shooting to high?

You would make up you project in PD as you like. When you are happy, you have three choices for DISTRIBUTION of the finished project (and they are not mutually exclusive), you can:
1) Make a DVD (will play in DVD and BD players but will only be SD); and/or
2) Make a BD (will only play in BD players but can be in HD); and/or
3) Make a Video File (heaps of options for phones, tables, PC, youtube etc).

I have some where I made all three. I keep the Video Files on my HTPC, send a BD to one grandparent and a DVD to the other.

So edit once, produce many (as requried). PD 64 Bit-Win10 64 Bit-32GB RAM-80TB HDD
Sony FX6 - 500Mbps 4k/50p AVC-I HLG
Canon XF400 - 150Mbps 4k/50p AVC
GoPro Hero6 Black
Pana HS700-28Mbps 1080/50p AVC (High@L4.2)
Canon HV20-HDV 25Mbps 16:9 1440x1080/25p MPEG

Thanks - very helpful! But, what is "SD"?

standared definition -720 by 480 unless you are outside the US.

High definition is usually 1920 by 1080. .
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BoilerPlate: To posters who ask for help -- it is nice to thank the volunteers who try to answer your questions !
Anything I post unless stated with a reference is my personal opinion.

Quote: Thanks - very helpful! But, what is "SD"?

SD= Standard Definition
HD = High Definition

Standard Definition is 720x480 for NTSC countries or 720x576 for PAL countries.

High Definition is any of a number of formats. ranging from 720P to 1080P.

Carl312: Windows 10 64-bit 8 GB RAM,AMD Phenom II X4 965 3.4 GHz,ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB,240GB SSD,two 1TB HDs.

What are the NTSC countries and PAL countries. Also, I assume the US is NTSC?

Quote: What are the NTSC countries and PAL countries. Also, I assume the US is NTSC?

PAL countries here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PAL

NTSC Countries here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTSC

To make matters more confusing; most DVD players outside the US will play either PAl or NTSC; The NTSC countries will only play NTSC.

Yes, the US is an NTSC country. .
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BoilerPlate: To posters who ask for help -- it is nice to thank the volunteers who try to answer your questions !
Anything I post unless stated with a reference is my personal opinion.