Please help me confirm DVD compliant MPEG-2 settings. Archiving old tapes.

[Hulk]

I'm starting to archive some old analog tape and want to convert the video to MPEG-2 format. At this point I don't have a DVD burner, but I will someday. I want to make sure my files will be DVD compliant.

A few questions:

Variable bit rate okay to use?

Any constraints on the bit rate?

Any constraints on the resolution? I know 720x480 is standard DVD resolution but can I use 640x480 and still have streams that will play on a DVD player? I like that resolution for playback on computer screens.

Thanks.

Mark