All About Videos
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on Converting to xDVD
Q01: What is the file size comparison between the original HD, Standard DVD and xDVD?
A01: The original is very much dependent on source. Standard DVD to xDVD size is about 4.2:1 (4.2Gb Standard DVD equals to 1Gb xDVD)
Q02: If I encode VCD source from 352x288 to 704x576 xDVD, will the video become better (in quality)?
A02: Only slightly better. This is because we are upscaling the video from small to big. Its always better to downscale instead. Hollywood movies are usually shot at very high resolution and then scale down to HD and DVD.
Q03: If my video's audio is not sync, how do I adjust it?
A03: This topic requires a whole new tutorial. The short answer is to convert it to AVI format and edit it in VirtualDub. Vdub audio option allows you to pre or post load a sound, change audio skew correction or increase / decrease volume. Use the resulting corrected AVI to make xDVD.
Q04: I'm still skeptical on the quality of xDVD. Can you do a side by side result on both to compare?
A04: Sure. See below: Image on the left is HD. Middle is Standard DVD HQ (8Mb/s bitrate - highest possible & at 720x576 resolution). The right is xDVD (1Mb/s bitrate). The difference between Standard DVD HQ and xDVD is quite small.
Q05: Will xDVD be obsolete soon?
A05: I think not. The DVD Players are all following a particular standard and if most of them can play xDVD, then xDVD specification falls within that standard. If one day no one use DVD player anymore or the standard change significantly, then xDVD may fail. But that day may not come.
Q06: I have a Jackie Chan movie in Chinese and I need to include subtitle to it for xDVD.
A06: This is another whole tutorial. In a nutshell, you'll need Subtitle Workshop & VirtualDub. Google search & download the subtitle for the movie (usually in SRT format). Use Subtitle Workshop together with the movie and adjust the timing or edit the subtitle in SRT. Then save it as SSA format. Load the movie in VDub and load the SSA subtitle under video filter, Save them mux together as AVI and then convert to xDVD.
Q07: My video is quite dark and the contrast too low. How do I adjust that?
A07: This is just like adjusting audio (Q03). You'll need VirtualDub. Convert the video to AVI (if not already in AVI, using WinFF) and load it in VDub. Using specific video filters, you can edit the video brightness, contrast, saturation, sharpness etc. Once satisfied, output the file as AVI and convert it to xDVD.
A05: I think not. The DVD Players are all following a particular standard and if most of them can play xDVD, then xDVD specification falls within that standard. If one day no one use DVD player anymore or the standard change significantly, then xDVD may fail. But that day may not come.
Q06: I have a Jackie Chan movie in Chinese and I need to include subtitle to it for xDVD.
A06: This is another whole tutorial. In a nutshell, you'll need Subtitle Workshop & VirtualDub. Google search & download the subtitle for the movie (usually in SRT format). Use Subtitle Workshop together with the movie and adjust the timing or edit the subtitle in SRT. Then save it as SSA format. Load the movie in VDub and load the SSA subtitle under video filter, Save them mux together as AVI and then convert to xDVD.
Q07: My video is quite dark and the contrast too low. How do I adjust that?
A07: This is just like adjusting audio (Q03). You'll need VirtualDub. Convert the video to AVI (if not already in AVI, using WinFF) and load it in VDub. Using specific video filters, you can edit the video brightness, contrast, saturation, sharpness etc. Once satisfied, output the file as AVI and convert it to xDVD.
