1) You can just keep it as one big file, your authoring software will take care of it.
2) If you have pro level authoring gear, then yes you can choose the layer break.
3) Unfortunately you have to burn a completely full disc. That's right, you have to burn all 8 1/2 GB even if you only use a tiny part of the layer. Means a longer burning process.
4) I am using Sony brand +R dual layer discs that came with the unit.
Re the question about using the camcorder for capture. Read the article I linked to about decimating the Chroma.
Basically I am not talking about 4 to one compression, but 4:1:1 instead of 4:2:2
So you lose 1/2 of your colour resolution by going via DV, plus ON TOP of that you also compress 4 to 1 in size, and then encode for DVD. So it is a bad way to do it if you are after utmost quality (But in reality it looks OK)
I am not using a 'capture card' as such, I am using an SG workstation with an on board lossless 4:4:4 capture system, and then encoding to DVD from that.
but to go ON and ON about how you did it and why you did this and that to improve the quality
I'm only telling people about it because I thought they might be interested in some of the more technical aspects of video, in particular the decimation of colour by the DV format, and the evils of multiple compression.
It's my job, so I kinda waffle on about it coz I love it
