Good rule of thumb DVD-5 vs DVD-9??

[joshgfeller]

I was wondering if anyone had a compression percentage cutoff point to choose between single layer and dual layer disks. I bought a package of dual layer disks for movies like Avatar but they are more expensive obviously so I was curious when to go with a dual layer instead of single layer. For example if I buy a new action movie and remove all subtitles, menus, and unwanted commentary and DVD-5 still compresses it to 85% should I use a dual layer? How about 75%? %65? Thanks for your input. BTW, these will usually be watched on a 47" flatscreen.

[mike20021969]

Originally Posted by joshgfeller

I was wondering if anyone had a compression percentage cutoff point to choose between single layer and dual layer disks.

The quality bar should give you a good idea - but it comes down to what is visually acceptable to you.
If it's in the green, DVD5 will be good.
I've gone down to 45% for a DVD5, but fast action scenes can start to show up the macroblocks.

[joshgfeller]

Thank you for your reply. I generally don't care about the commentary, menus, or special features so it sounds like I should be fine with DVD5 90% of the time.

[jhkilroy]

Originally Posted by joshgfeller

I was wondering if anyone had a compression percentage cutoff point to choose between single layer and dual layer disks. I bought a package of dual layer disks for movies like Avatar but they are more expensive obviously so I was curious when to go with a dual layer instead of single layer. For example if I buy a new action movie and remove all subtitles, menus, and unwanted commentary and DVD-5 still compresses it to 85% should I use a dual layer? How about 75%? %65? Thanks for your input. BTW, these will usually be watched on a 47" flatscreen.

You could always split the movie onto two dvd5's and lose zero quality if you dont mind getting up to play part two....

I have done this many times....

[Prosperity]

Down to personal choice and financial position, personally anything below 95% goes on a dual layer, as i use Taiyo Yuden for single layer the cost difference between them and a dual layer verb is not that great.

Where possible (does not always open curent DVD's) using Nero (pre version 11), usually anything around 90-92% can have the end credits trimmed and still get 100% on a single layer.

Hopefully Slyce when released will also be able to do trimming of end credits.

[Heimdall]

I prefer more a 75-80% range, but I'll let it get down to 50% at the very lowest if needed. I guess I'm just less picky with my media.... Though I generally watch my discs in a windowed player on my computer, or on my phone so its small enough & no HD so I don't really notice too much compression issues. Though when I did break some of my backups out on a larger screen it was a little more noticeable... But not really enough to take away from the enjoyment of the film....

If there are multiple audio tracks, I'll generally cut the 2-channel and keep the 5.1 channel audio & let the TV/computer worry about downgrading the audio from surround sound to stereo speakers. If that's not enough/available, I'll trim off the non-English tracks.