DVD Compression

[Nathyn]

How do people do DVD-4s with so many extra on them. I know they're using DVD Studio Pro and the video looks good so how do they do it. I'm thinking about using DVD-9 but they're expensive. I know places that can replicate them but I'm really trying to decide what. Also I need to know where to buy DVD-9s.

-Nate

[VaricamLife]

Its all about the Compression at that point. How did you go about making it into an MPEG-2? The stronger you are with compression techniques the better the video will be and the more you can fit onto one DVD.

Things you can look out for are your bit rate, type of compressor, and well frame rate you shoot with. For the bit rate I mean, you don't need to max it to like 7 or 8 to get great looking MPEG-2s. But you will unnecessarily bloat your file size doing that. I think a lot of stuff can sneak away at like 5-6 and be just fine. With the type of compressor, well perhaps you need more than 2 passes, so get away from Compressor. Take your file into perhaps Cinema Craft or a hardware encoder. Yes more costly, but they'll also increase your quality (bang for the buck maybe not though). And then as for your shooting frame rate, well shoot at 24, edit at 24, make a 24P DVD and you have more time you can fit onto 1 DVD.

In this FCP forum, go down a few postings and look for one about the APTS Compressor book that BenB has posted. See his comments and see his link. It might be a book that would be well worth your time.

As for Dual Layer DVD's, I think just about any major electronics store carries them now. But no they aren't particularily cheap as of yet. But if you want to author a 2+ hour feature and extras on one disc, well you might just have to pony up the $. Good luck.

cheers.

[doolahrock]

Also, I am presuming that you you have A.Pack installed on your Mac (can't remember which ap it comes with exaclty).

If you have been using AIFF audio files use this ap to convert to AAC (ACC? can't quite remember). It saves a lot of DVD space and I use it on a regular basis if my AIFF file is taking the vid to beyond the 4.3 gig mark.

Jon

[Nathyn]

Thanks guys...


Also, I am presuming that you you have A.Pack installed on your Mac (can't remember which ap it comes with exaclty).

If you have been using AIFF audio files use this ap to convert to AAC (ACC? can't quite remember). It saves a lot of DVD space and I use it on a regular basis if my AIFF file is taking the vid to beyond the 4.3 gig mark.

Jon

Good point. Audio takes up incredible space on a DVD. Is there anyway I can export the film from FCP where it would be smaller in space?

-Nate