Best encoder for HD to dvd? Procoder3?

[Dave5]

hi,
I'm using CS3 on a PC with my HVX and I'm really happy with how well it works with the MXF files. I've burned HD to dvd, by rendering uncompressed avi in After effects, import to Encore, burn SD dvd. These have looked awesome. Recently I have filmed some complex motion (*dogs running slow motion , movement from the pan, dogs body, the hair, etc.) this doesn't look so good. Is it the encoder in Encore? I've set everything to best settings. I don't care how big the file is, I just want it to look good (I'll use dual layer or muti dvd's if I have to) Is anyone using Procoder 3? I've read this might be my best choice for what I'm after. Is there a better product? Does anyone have experience or feedback on this?
Thanks!...................................dave

[Lumiere]

I also have exactlly the same problem dude:(when any kind of program render out as mpeg2, picture sucks:(

[David Saraceno]

Cinema Craft

[seunosewa]

With a good encoder, it shouldn't suck. DVD encodes at 8mbps are almost perfect with a good encoder. You specifically selected 8mbps, right? And you tried 2 pass encoding at 8mbps average, 9.8mpbs peak, right?

One example of a good encoder is CCE. Another is Tsunami MPEG.

1) Can you post some frame grabs from the bad video?
2) Have you considered that the bad-looking slow motion footage may look bad due to the manner in which you're generating it??

[David Saraceno]

8 mbps isn't "almost perfect" as a number for encoding.

The maximum and target bit rate for encoding to m2v is directly related to the total number of video minutes being encoded and how audio is treated.

A 9.8 mbps peak coupled with aiff audio and probably AC3/Dolby2 will choke a fair number of DVD set tops.

But that number has no relevance except with respect to the total number of minutes of video.

The maximum bitrate for DVD video is 9.8 Mbps average, and that is one angle and includes the combined bit rate of video and audio.

Even though 9.0 Mbps is the maximum many DVD players can't handle more than about 10 Mbps for the combined bitrate of all streams in a single track--including audio and subtitles, and even less for tracks containing multiple angles.

What's more, some players can't even handle that. And some can't even handle moderately high sustained bitrates without dropping frames. So you have to be conservative when figuring out your the total bitrate you're going to shoot for, or you may wind up with problems when playing a disc on some players.

Assuming you go for the maximum (9.2 Mbps total), that means the following:

Video (one stream): 7.7 Mbps
Audio (one stream): 1.5 Mbps
Total: 9.2 Mbps

However that total assumes aiff/wav uncompressed audio. To be safer, encode audio wav or aiff to Dolby2/AC3 which adds only 192 mbps to the equation.

But no number is perfect.

[Dave5]

Thanks for the reply!
Do you use Cinema Craft David ? Sp2 ? I see they have some kind of demo available, I'll try it, thanks again.......................Dave

[David Saraceno]

It will be available for the Mac at month's end.

If you go the web site, look at the number of commercial DVDs that have used it for encoding.

It is clearly the Cadillac of encoders.