Choosing Between MPEG-1 and MPEG-2
The DVD specification allows for the use of either MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 encoded video. In
general, MPEG-1 provides for smaller file sizes but reduced picture quality (by scaling a
half-screen image to full screen), while MPEG-2 provides for better quality with larger file
sizes.
• MPEG-1 is generally used for titles for which file size is critical and that will be played
back on a computer (not a set-top DVD player).
• MPEG-2 is usually used for DVD titles on DVD media. The integrated MPEG encoder
encodes video into MPEG-2.
DVD Studio Pro works with both MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video assets in your SD project
tracks, as long as they are DVD-compliant. MPEG-1 video used as menu backgrounds is
rendered to full D1 MPEG-2 when the project is built.
Important:
HD projects cannot use MPEG-1 video.
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Chapter 4
Preparing Video Assets