'Small' Mpeg-4 Files End up BIG in iDVD

Hey everyone. Quick question about using iDVD. I am trying to make a DVD with several 'episodes'. After converting them from .avi to .mp4 (using iSquint and H.264 encoding), each episode is in the 280-300 mb file size range. I started a new project in iDVD and imported the videos, but after importing just one episode I am close to the single-layer DVD limit with 2700 mb taken up for one episode (and some menu/audio features). Even prior to converting to .mp4 the file size for each episode was less than 350mb.
My question is, why is iDVD reformatting the episodes into much large video files? Is there anyway around this? I know it's unrealistic to fit all episodes on a single DVD and have it be acceptable quality, but I'd like to be able to fit more than 2 (which is the limit I am currently at).
Thanks for any help.

My question is, why is iDVD reformatting the episodes into much large video files?
Video DVDs use mpg-2 compression - NOT mpg-4.
Is there anyway around this?
Not if you want to make a DVD that plays in DVD players.
If you don't care about image quality, VisualHub (the 'for pay' version of iSquint) claims to let you put up to 18 hours on content on a DVD.
F Shippey

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Can I compress it after it has already been converted to DV?
If not, what settings do I need to adjust on MPEG Streamclip to convert this 120 min. MPEG-2 file into an iMovie/iDVD compatible file that's under 4.7 GB?
Also, being that I need to compress the file so much, doesn't that mean I'm going to lose 75% in picture/sound quality?? I hope not.
I'd appreciate any tips you guys may have for me. Thank you!
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Your video must be about 85 minutes, for DV is about 13GB per hour. So it should be fine.
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You deleted the original footage before you verified anything !
Sorry, this is just <princess bride voice> inconceivable <pbv off>
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Drop that in the time line.
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reimport the file to FCP
Re export the file as a m2v and burn a new disk.
Swear on whatever is holy that you will NEVER delete source footage again if you do not have access to original tapes/media.
x
ps. Do not double post - we will get to you.

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timr13746007 wrote:
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How do import files that are saved from my camera in MPEG movie format? The files end in ".MPG"

Don't you need to purchase the Apple QuickTime MPEG2 Playback Component ($20 from Apple) to do this?
On a similar subject (I posted elsewhere but with no reply)...
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M,
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Opening in QT 7.6 gives the following warning dialogue: "The movie could not be opened. The file is not a movie file."
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Mavericks 10.9.3
Latest Mac Mini, 8GB RAM, two 256GB SSD
Compressor 4.1.1
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MediaInfo trace:
General
Complete name : /Users/tester/Movies/export-tests/test24trailer.mpg
Format : MPEG-PS
File size : 12.9 MiB
Duration : 12s 576ms
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 8 614 Kbps
Video
ID : 224 (0xE0)
Format : MPEG Video
Format version : Version 2
Format profile : Main@High
Format settings, BVOP : Yes
Format settings, Matrix : Default
Format settings, GOP : Variable
Duration : 12s 533ms
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 7 995 Kbps
Maximum bit rate : 38.8 Mbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Active Format Description : Letterbox 16:9 image
Frame rate : 59.940 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.145
Stream size : 11.9 MiB (92%)
Audio
ID : 189 (0xBD)-128 (0x80)
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension : CM (complete main)
Format settings, Endianness : Big
Muxing mode : DVD-Video
Duration : 12s 576ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 448 Kbps
Channel(s) : 6 channels
Channel positions : Front: L C R, Side: L R, LFE
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 688 KiB (5%)

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Hi!
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Any suggestions on these lines?
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Good luck,
Hunt

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iTunes supports the following video content formats:
Video content purchased from the iTunes Store.
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'Small' Mpeg-4 Files End up BIG in iDVD

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