Maximizing DVD disc space

I regularly get a request to fit video footage onto a single DVD disc even though the footage can usually only fit onto a much larger capacity, dual layered disc. While the standard size disc can hold 4.7 gig ( approximately 1.5 hours) dual-layered discs can accommodate over 8 gigs. The consideration is always how to maximize disc space without compromising quality. Being able to fit everything onto one disc will obviously save one both time and money i.t.o. of the number of discs needed and the duplication process.

I recently had such a challenge and want to share my process with you hoping that you will be able to benefit from my trial and error. Of course, should I forget how to do it I can always refer back to this post. It's always a good idea to start of with the best quality footage and therefore your camera equipment is very important. Moreover, good sound trumps image quality. I work on both MAC and PC platforms as it allows for greater flexibility in addressing production issues.

So I started off shooting footage with a Sony PD170 and did the first edits using Final Cut Pro (FCP). A total of 20 Individual interviews were exported and could comfortable fit onto a DVD. However, the screening of this videos were also recorded and needed to be placed onto disc and that is where the challenge comes in. Further editing had to be done as I thought it best to fit the original interviews into the edit. This new edit was done in iMovie exported to MOV files for DVD authoring. The videos were exported as video_dts files to its highest quality. The encoded DVD files were then transferred to PC for shrinking using DVD-shrink. Shrinking the DVD in this way ensures the structural encoding of the disc is maintained and that all that is sacrificed is some of the image quality. The disc shrinking can be customized bearing in mind that the more shrinking, the less quality you will have. Finally the video files can be re-authored onto the final DVD disc.

The final step is to do a cover design and duplication.