If im encoding half the resolution of noraml dvd 352 * 576 should i use half the bitrate i would normally use,
i know its a bit of a noob question its just the first time im encoding this resolution, trying to do a tv series with as many as possible on one dvd

1 /Are you talking about the max or the average bitrate ?
2/ What is the value that you use currently, and want to divide by two ?
(dividing 8000 by two can bve okay. Dividing 4500 by two will be far too low).

Try to encode a small clip with different average bitrate ie. 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 etc. And then let your own eyes decide what is acceptable...
If you know how many minutes you want on your DVD, you can easily calculate the average bitrate. And then test if the result is satisfying...

-Anerboda

Just read the post again and Dialhot is right, if it is the maxbitrate you're asking about Dialhot is absolutely right. I wouldn't go below 4000 kbit/s for 352x576, maybe I would even set it as high as 6000 kbit/s. I use 8000 kbit/s maxbitrate for full DVD resolution.

-Anerboda

im talking average video bitrate at 352*576 ,
normally for a two hour movie on full resolution average bitrate is about 4000 kbps, so for half the resolution should i use half the bitrate e.g 2000kbps

i will do some tests to see whats sufficient
thanks u guys

Do remember than on a CD, you can put easily a 1h45 movie in 1/2DVD resolution. In this case the average is 900 (and the max 2300) and the quality is really good. As you have more space on a DVD, you can target something around 1500 and still have a far better quality than on a CD. Just limit your MAX to 4500 in such case.

Thanks Phil, giving it a go now.