RU.08 said:
Yes I think you can have a higher average so long as the "overlap" parts (each end of each clip) is within the set amount. And I should note I don't know that it's 11 seconds or half of that or double that either, since we're just assuming it pre-loads the clip 11 seconds in advance.
Right, I understand the assumptions. But if it turns out to be true: Is it possible to encode something such that the max bitrate is differently specified for different segments of the same file? Perhaps much fancier encoding software is required (than, say, adobe)? BDInfo spat out the numbers chapter by chapter, and there were no noticeable dips at branching points or in the short m2ts files. But of course if it's only 11 seconds with lower bitrate it would be masked by the average.
I'm mainly asking because if there is indeed a 20mbps max for the entire film, it might actually be preferable to not use branching at all. Assuming one is only creating two versions of Star Wars, for instance, and has no qualms going from BD25 to BD50, a higher bitrate could be used without branching. Obviously, that goes out the window if 3+ branching options, or if the disc was already intended to be a BD50 packed with bonus material. A very inefficient use of space, but it should look better.