Uncompressed file to QT Conv. for DVD highest quality...

B

bentramer81

Well-known member
After reading some old post I made the sequence into a regular quicktime file 1080p24 (not a conversion) and from there I opened with Quicktime and made the sequence using the H.264 option and this is working better than when I created a quicktime file directly with compressor, there is less noise in the picture.

Quick Questions:

1. What is the highest quality "uncompressed" way make your sequence into a single file, is making a quicktime file (not a quicktime conversion) the best uncompressed way of making your sequence into an uncompressed file? (I realize once I make a quicktime conversion it is getting compressed) I read that once I have an uncompressed file that opening it with quicktime and using H.264 would allow me to make the clearest DVD possible. Is it?

2. After finishing the step above how much can I really expect to see a differnce between using this file in idvd vs. dvd studio pro?

Thanks in advance.
 
Quicktime Conversion is not always compression, sometimes it is 'Transcoding' from one codec to another without compression.

Some thoughts on your question - uprezzing to uncompressed will only make the container file bigger, it will not have any more detail in the resolution than the original file. Exceptions are when you add interpolation like 4:2:2 to 4:4:4 color space interpolation.

An uncompressed file will be HUGE. I do not believe you will see any difference in the SD DVD after encoding and muxing.

Uncompressed files with color correction or graphics may render poorly if your sequenc e preferences (command 0) are set to render in 8bit - change to 10bit. This will dramatically increase render times.

My workflow looks like this - open .mxf in FCP using Raylight. Set timeline to correct preset. Edit to time line. if there are graphics / extreme color correction, I might render using 'high YUV'. Export as a quicktime reference movie (much smaller) or if everything is rendered, a self contained movie. Open compressor and drag quicktime into compressor. Compress to Mpeg2 and AAC using specific settings (basic presets work well also). Open DVDSP, drag file in and set chapter and index. Advanced Burn disc image to HDD. Burn disc image with disc utility.

I have found this workflow to offer the best quality to time ratio. I am always open to learning if someone has a better workflow.

j
 
clarification: Export as a quicktime reference movie (much smaller) or if everything is rendered, a self contained movie.

I almost always 'use current settings' when exporting a quicktime


j
 
I go to ProRes first or uncompressed 10-bit and then to MPEG2. I would definitely not recommend going to H.264 first. That's highly compressed MPEG-4 and optimized for the web.

Noah
 
so when working in 720p with the HVX outputting to DVD'

why would you export to Pro Res or 10bit ? What do gain... also why one or the other
 
Jason Wilson said:
so when working in 720p with the HVX outputting to DVD'

why would you export to Pro Res or 10bit ? What do gain... also why one or the other
Click to expand...

I find the amount of processing required to go directly from 720p DVCPROHD in FCP to MPEG-2 16:9 is too much and takes too long. Plus if anything fails it's a major delay. If I go to 16:9 ProRES standard definition first I get the downcovert out of the way and wind up with a still editable SD version of my project that's ready for archiving or going to MPEG-2.

The MPEG-2 conversion from the already 16:9/SD ProRes is of identical visual quality but takes a lot less time to encode because the downconversion and rendering of filters out of FCP is not being undertaken simultaneously.

Noah
 
AwakenedFilms said:
clarification: Export as a quicktime reference movie (much smaller) or if everything is rendered, a self contained movie.

I almost always 'use current settings' when exporting a quicktime


j
Click to expand...

Why would you choose to export a self contained if it is already rendered? Basically the question I'm asking is..... would exporting a self contained file from a fully-rendered timeline be any better then exporting a reference file from a fully rendered timeline (besides being able to transfer to another location w/o losing assets).
 
filmismymedium said:
Why would you choose to export a self contained if it is already rendered? Basically the question I'm asking is..... would exporting a self contained file from a fully-rendered timeline be any better then exporting a reference file from a fully rendered timeline (besides being able to transfer to another location w/o losing assets).
Click to expand...

Never say never- but I personally never use reference movies because the assets within them can easily become lost or disconnected and then you're stuck with nothing. When you export a self-contained movie there will be no additional rendering- if you export with current settings. If you export to a different codec then the footage will all be re-rendered.

Noah
 
Yea I'm the same way Noah, I rarely export reference versions. Now when you say "no additional rendering" you mean rendering to a different codec (transcoding correct?) Because i've had timelines that are not fully rendered and have exported them as full size and FCP renders any undone stuff (red or orange bars)
 
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