I would imagine it has to do with the bit rate you are rendering at. If you lower the bit rate you might be able to lower the size of the video. It would dilute the quality a bit, BUT it would probably work. Then if you had a video a bit larger that 4.7 you could always use smart fit to try to fit it on one dvd. OR some people will suggest a dual layer DVD.

In addition, when you put it in to burn it as a DVD, the files that are created and the menus etc. that are in the set up increase the size of the file size being burned.

Did you use a HD MPEG format? If so, produce the video using MPEG 2 high quality. It is a standard definition format. If you want to stay with HD, 720 or higher, it probably will not fit. As mentioned, you can lower the bitrate, but you will have better results by going to a standard definition mpeg format, like the HQ. You would have to lower it so much that you really would not be happy with the result. __________________________________
CORNBLOSSOM

Yes, as I said in my original message, I rendered the files as MPEG2. That decreased the size substantually, but both files together are still nearly twice the size I can fit on the DVD.

I can try playing with the bit rate for the two files. I think you're right, it will create files with less than desired quality, but it's worth a try.

What I am asking is which setting did you use for MPEG 2? I just used the sample mpg that came with PD 8. I produced it with DVD HQ (480) and it came to 16.5MB. I then produced the same video with HDV 720 (720p high definition) and it came to 37.2MB. You said the original was HD, so if you produced it into HD that may be why it is too big. If that is the case, go back to the MPEG 2, but choose the DVD HQ setting and see if that helps. It is a lower bitrate and smaller resolution, but it should still look great and fit on the DVD.

That's just one way without loosing much quality. You can always save the hd version on hard disk for when you have a blu-ray burner if you like. If you created an actual DVD then it should have already made it then right format. __________________________________
CORNBLOSSOM

Hi William,

I think something is not right if 90 minutes of video is rendering to around 7.7Gb in MPEG2 format.

Even at the highest quality setting (DVD HQ), in my experience PD can usually fit about 70 minutes of its highest quality video on a 4.7Gb disk.

I just converted a 45+ minute AVCHD file using the DVD HQ setting and ended up with the following specs:

Video:
Type: MPEG-2
Original duration: 00:45:28:23
Bitrate: 7.99 Mbps
Resolution: 720x480
Frame rate: 29.97 fps
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
File size: 2.72 GB

Audio:
Type: Dolby Digital
Sample rate: 48kHz
Bitrate: 448Kbps
Channel: Dolby Digital 5.1

Therefore I would expect that 90 minutes of footage should occupy about 5.4Gb.

To fit 90 minutes on one DVD, I would use a lower bitrate setting. When Producing a file, I would select a "Custom" Profile Type, then create one with about 6.2 Mbps instead of the 8.0 Mbps.

This should allow you to render to a file well under the 4.7Gb limit, leaving you enough room for the title page, music and any other elements you wish to add to your menu.

The quality should be pretty good.

Cheers
Con
Windows 7 - i7 860, 8Gb RAM, 2 x 1 TB HDD, GTS 250 1Gb Video