# Plex DVR transcode vs. Handbrake DVD transcode---file size

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-dvr-transcode-vs-handbrake-dvd-transcode-file-size/700660>\
**Category:** Live TV & DVR\
**Tags:** livetv-dvr\
**Created:** [March 15, 2021, 5:25pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-dvr-transcode-vs-handbrake-dvd-transcode-file-size/700660 "2021-03-15T17:25:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![vastwasteland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/96bed5/32.png) [@vastwasteland](https://forums.plex.tv/u/vastwasteland)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2021, 5:25pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-dvr-transcode-vs-handbrake-dvd-transcode-file-size/700660/1 "2021-03-15T17:25:12Z")

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I just got a HD HomeRun Connect 4K, and it was about the easiest hardware install I’ve ever done. I do have a concern with the storage being used with DVR’d shows. I’m seeing at around 800MB MB for even a 30 minute HD show.

In comparison, a 30 minute HD show from a DVD, converted on Handbrake with the standard “Fast 1080p30” format, comes in at around 200MB or even less.

Is there something I can do to shrink down these files (preferably in an automated manner)? I have about 2.5TB left on my media library, and it seems like files of that large size will eat that up quickly.

I tried to run the transcode during recording option, but it pegged my CPU (and didn’t reduce the file size). I see that I can run a post-processing script, but would need one that worked with the HDHomeRun device and a Plex server on a Mac.

Any info would be appreciated.

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**Author:** ![JCHH](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/jchh/32/84326_2.png) [@JCHH](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JCHH)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2021, 5:54pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-dvr-transcode-vs-handbrake-dvd-transcode-file-size/700660/2 "2021-03-15T17:54:16Z")

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DVD’s are only SD:

- PAL: 720x **576**
- NTSC: 720x **480**

Also, the formats are probably different.

- my HDHomerun saves in **.ts**
- I rip DVD’s with Handbrake to **.mp4**

If you compress your TV recordings to MP4, you’ll see a smaller file size.

[edit] - to be clear, you can compress the .ts file manually using Handbrake after the event. The two files (TV and DVD will also have different bitrates etc).

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**Author:** ![vastwasteland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/96bed5/32.png) [@vastwasteland](https://forums.plex.tv/u/vastwasteland)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2021, 6:15pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-dvr-transcode-vs-handbrake-dvd-transcode-file-size/700660/3 "2021-03-15T18:15:28Z")

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Thanks for the clarifications.

So, is there an automated way to convert DVR’s shows to MP4?

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**Author:** ![JCHH](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/jchh/32/84326_2.png) [@JCHH](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JCHH)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2021, 6:36pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-dvr-transcode-vs-handbrake-dvd-transcode-file-size/700660/4 "2021-03-15T18:36:38Z")

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Not sure about automatic, but you can do it in Handbrake. Just open the file (from the “Open Source” button). Select the 720p30 or 540p30 present and convert 🙂

Don’t forget to have Plex rescan the library afterwards (and delete the original).

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 6:36pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-dvr-transcode-vs-handbrake-dvd-transcode-file-size/700660/5 "2021-06-13T18:36:40Z")

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