Okay, I'm totally new to encoding and I have the mainconcept encoder and I need to encode an hour and 44 minute avi to fit onto a DVD. I want it to be as good as possible. Any tips? I hate to just use the beginner stuff and be limited to that quality. I need a crash course, so to speak. At least just the stuff I need to know for this.

Also, if anyone is familiar with about how high a bitrate can still fit an hour and 44 minute film onto DVD that would save a LOT of trial and error on my part!

Thanks guys!!!

There is bit rate calculator here (http://www.customflix.com/bitbudget), which says your answer is 5.5Mbps. For the best quality you need to use two-pass VBR.