Tmpgenc is slower than DVD LAB when it comes to processing too
Don't confuse the issue. Tmpgenc is an encoder, tmpgenc DVD Author is akin to dvdlab (well, sorta), but DVDLab can do FAR more.
buddycat: Although tmpgenc is a tediously slow encoder, it does produce reasonable results. 14 hours is entirely respectable, on YOUR system. (Honestly, I didn't think anyone would be attempting video work on anything that slow these days). My XP2500+ can do a 2 hour movie in about 1:43 in tmpgenc, and about 1:05 in Mainconcept.
No, DVDLab is not a free utility. There is a fully functional 30 day trial at
www.mediachance.com
It's arguably the best "bang-for-the-buck" authoring software there is ($100).
Fitting 2:41 onto one disk does require a low bitrate, as you've found out. There are things you can do to increase bitrate of video, maintain some quality, and get 6 hours on a disk. Here's a shortlist:
1.) Separate audio from video first, save the audio somewhere, and if possible, convert it to AC3 (or at worst, mp2). If your source file is a download, then 128kbps audio is plenty. No point in having 384kbps of noise and static from a poorly encoded avi in the first place. This will shrink the audio file a LOT, allowing more room on the disk for video.
2.) Encode video at the slowest, best quality setting (2 pass VBR), and do NOT include the audio in this process.
3.) Use a good authoring app (dvdlab) and remux (put back together) the video and audio in that, not during encoding. If audio is VBR, it can get miles out of sync during encoding, and some encoders just don't handle audio well at all.
To get the results you want, requires separate tools, that each do one job, and do it extremely well. I have 5 different audio tools, each one designed slightly different, and depending on the output I want, which tool I use.
I have 5 different encoders. I have 3 different authoring programs. The end result determines which of all these apps I use during the process, and that's just for dvdr. I have a whole bunch of other programs for (S)VCD.
There's nothing fast or simple about video work. You need patience, and time, and it really helps to have a bit of money for some software and hardware.
I would suggest, if you want to continue in this hobby, you invest in a serious computer upgrade, then download and try all sorts of different demos. Buy what you like the most.
To get back to your original question.
CDR can
reasonably hold about 1 hour per disk, SVCD quality.
DVDR can hold about 6 hours of SVCD quality video per disk (8 hours VCD).
DVDR can hold about 2 hours of near dvd quality video per disk, full dvd quality requires about 1 hour per disk.
You can do this. It's difficult, but is going to require some learning. Don't expect Nerovision Express to give you good quality at the settings you want. It's just not that flexible.
I hope this doesn't sound like preaching, I'm just trying to give you some benefit of experience