What are the tricks for good DVD from 720p24?

I

Indywannabe

Well-known member
How do you guys get good (at least reasonable) resolution when compressing a 720p24 videw onto an SD DVD?

This is my first real attempt at putting a 2 hour and 11 minute video onto a DVD. I usually just shoot HD and deliver the edited final in .mov on a WD portable drive, so I'm not used to the horrible resolution once compressed to a DVD.

The HD version is absolutely beautiful. But when burned to a DVD it does not look as good as my partner's Sony consumer SD cam when burned to a DVD. In fact it looks absolutely awful and grainy. I would provide some samples, but the content is a new musical project and top secret.

HVX200
720/24pn
Cinelike V (all settings std)

FCS 2 suite: FCP 6, DVD Studio Pro 4, et al
DVCPRO HD - 720p24 sequence

The sum of the MXF files were about 45 GB. The exported QT file about the same.

The shoot was live musical theatre. It required no post video editing and just a little audio editing. I also used an HD monitor for proofing.

Used the "current settings" for Compressor. I also tried to go to QT first...with approximately the same results once on the DVD.

Compressor was set for 150 minutes 2-pass (took 9 hours) export from FCP. Much less time when exported to QT first. The end results are the same.
 
finish your HD sequence. create a new anamorphic SD (8bit uncompressed) sequence. drop the hd sequence from the browser onto the SD timeline.

export a reference movie of that and let dvdspro do the compressing. i usually set dvdspro data rate at about 5.0/7.8
 
Let's figure out if the quality problem is a result of the low bitrate or your workflow/tools. How is the quality if you bump up the bitrate to 8Mbps? I know that won't fit on the disk, but see if it makes a difference.
 
THoff,

What do I look at if the bitrate does not fit on the disk? You were correct that it won't fit and it errors off when I bump the DVDSP preferences to 8mb.

wgzn,

I set up an 8 bit sequence. The default is 29.97 with 48khz audio.

Should I set the new 8 bit timeline at 23.98 to match the source HD sequence or leave it at the default 29.97?

Also, should I drop the 48 to a lower rate for audio? There isn't a selection for AC3 or AIFF.

In any case the render will take a couple of hours.
 
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If you are trying to compress two plus hours onto a single layer DVD, it will look pretty bad.

No way around it.

WGZN bit rate suggestion will not work with a single layer DVD and two hours eleven minutes.

Even 7.8 mbps on a 60 minute single layer DVD may present problems if combined with aiff audio.

There is a lot in the equation to evaluate.

Throwing out numbers without taking those separate factors into account won't work.
 
David S. said:
If you are trying to compress two plus hours onto a single layer DVD, it will look pretty bad.

No way around it.

WGZN bit rate suggestion will not work with a single layer DVD and two hours eleven minutes.

Even 7.8 mbps on a 60 minute single layer DVD may present problems if combined with aiff audio.

There is a lot in the equation to evaluate.

Throwing out numbers without taking those separate factors into account won't work.
Click to expand...


If I use Compressor to export from FCP, then I can output AC3 audio vs AIFF, giving a little more space for video...but you have highlighted the sad truth on the outcome of trying to squeeze 45gb onto a 4.7gb DVD. So any suggestions as to how to make the best of it is appreciated.

Double layer may be a possibility. Assuming the MacBook pro has a DL burner (it is a Superdrive).


Stuckfootage,

2 disk set may be an option
 
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Will burning to a dual-layer DVD (with appropriate software) usually result in a better DVD result?

Let's say it's a 6 minute short film. If I wanted higher quality DVD output, would a dual-layer DVD burner necessarily give me that?
 
sean90291 said:
Will burning to a dual-layer DVD (with appropriate software) usually result in a better DVD result?

Let's say it's a 6 minute short film. If I wanted higher quality DVD output, would a dual-layer DVD burner necessarily give me that?
Click to expand...

No

A DL only assists if your footage is longer than 60 minutes.

More isn't better for encoding DVDs.

The proper target and maximum bit rate for the length of video being encoded combined with the audio rates are those most important.
 
sean90291 said:
Will burning to a dual-layer DVD (with appropriate software) usually result in a better DVD result?

Let's say it's a 6 minute short film. If I wanted higher quality DVD output, would a dual-layer DVD burner necessarily give me that?
Click to expand...

A dual layer DVD is just bigger. More space. So it only benefits if a single layer restricts your bit rate due to space limitations. A 6 minute short isn't that big a file so it wouldn't result in any benefit.
 
David S. said:
No

A DL only assists if your footage is longer than 60 minutes.

More isn't better for encoding DVDs.

The proper target and maximum bit rate for the length of video being encoded combined with the audio rates are those most important.
Click to expand...

I'm on the way to the store for +R DL.

You know the source sequence is 720p24 and the length is 2 hours 11 minutes...

- what is the recommended target?
- method of export (reference QT, self contained QT, or Compressor) and the settings?
- 29.97 or 23.98 export into DVDSD
etc....


The first try was Compressor using "current settings". Next, tried QT export...same result roughly. Dropped the HD sequence into the 8-bit uncompressed timeline...still waiting on the render, but the part rendered so far has good color but looks blurry.
 
Ted Spencer said:
A dual layer DVD is just bigger. More space. So it only benefits if a single layer restricts your bit rate due to space limitations. A 6 minute short isn't that big a file so it wouldn't result in any benefit.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I wondered about that.

These days, what's the max acceptable bit rate for a 6 min. film burned to DVD. I've been burning with 8000 variable bit rate. But sounds like you get better quality by going even higher.
 
In Compressor, use the 120 minute best quality preset with Dolby2/AC3 audio.

I always export QT/SelfContained/Current Settings/Audio and Video/No recompression, and drop that into Compressor.

SEE BELOW FOR AMENDED WORKFLOW.

THIS ISN'T CORRECT
 
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thanks David. If the project is 2 hours and 11 minutes, does the disk have that 11 minute extra space? ...or will that require the 150 minute format?
 
Let me amend what I said.

If you wish to encode 131 minutes of video to a DL DVD, then use Dolby2 audio, and the preset the allows for a maximum/average bit rate of approximately 6.8 mbps.

Modify one of the presets to achieve this and save it.
 
Ok.

I'll set the preset in DVDSP to 6.8 and use the Dolby 2 audio.

But back to compressor: use the 150 minute or the 120 minute setting?
 
David,

My apologies, but both Compressor and DVDSP have presets for adjusting bit rate.

Do I use Compressor at the 150 or 120 minute setting?
 
In Compressor I duplicated the 150 minute 2-pass and bumped up the 3.7 to 6.8 avg. It automatically bumped the max to 8.0.

Is that right so far?

I just hit submit, so it will be a while.

Next step will be DVDSP onto a DL DVD.
 
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Keep the maximum under 7.

All my suggestions pertain to Compressor.

DVD SP, IMO, should not be used to encode video.
 
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