Best Quality for DVD output

D

Daniel Farmer

New member
I have been searching the forums for a while now and have not been successful in finding an answer so I figured I would ask what is probably a basic question for most of the users on this forum. I recently purchased a HVX and have been playing with all the different settings but am still somewhat lost on a few things. I am making a promotional DVD and was wondering what is the best format to shoot in for the best outcome. I was considering using DVCPRO50 or 720 24pn but like I said I am not sure. I would like it to be the closest to High Definition without actually burning onto an HD DVD. For post production I use Final Cut Studio 1 with all the latest versions of the software to support P2.
 
720 can make for a nice "SD" DVD. But of course, your tweeking of the final file with Compressor will have a dramatic impact on the DVD's look... high bit-rate, double pass, etc.

When you start to get close to maximizing your settings in Compressor, you start to push the limits of your blank DVD stock so I recommend a high-quality blank DVD. The better quality DVDs play better in more standard DVD players... no skipping, etc.

Good luck!
 
Thanks Orangemoon, now as far as compressor goes for the run of the mill SD DVDs I have made I have used the MPEG-2 6.2Mbps 2-pass. If I was creating only a several minute video would it be possible to use one of the advanced formats? I didn't know if I could use a less or uncompressed format to get better quality.
 
You elect the preset that matches with the total number of minutes of the video and all menus.

If less than an hour, choose the 90 minute best quality preset and also Dolby2 audio.

I shoot 720/24pn and have done this with several replicated SD DVDs.
 
If your film is short, you can get away with more density. In addition to what David S. mentioned, you may want to try to increase the "average bit-rate" and "maximum bit-rate". There will be a point where the average DVD cannot read the DVD fast enough for presentation so it will choke. But since your DVD is short, you should try maximizing those settings and see if it will play in a home DVD player (I assume your target audience will be viewing it on consumer players so it has to work for them).

If it chokes, try gradually lowering those settings until the DVd plays consistently smooth. I have about 4 DVd players around the house from different manufacturers... most of them are the cheapos. So if works on them, I know I'm good.

It takes a lot of trial and error (unfortunately). Since the amount of pixel movement from scene to scene and film to film can be so different, there's no science to it... just a lot of trial and error.

Best of luck!
 
Thanks for everything!!! I have found that trial and error isn't always a bad method because I usually end up learning something completely unrelated and unintentionally.
 
I shoot at 30p dvcpro50 in native 16:9 and edit in Avid Newscutter or Vegas 8 and render MPEG2 in Vegas 8 and burn DVDs in Sony Arch 4.5 at average 8mb rate and they look good enough to me.
 
In your opinion what is a great quality blank DVD to burn onto? and is it true that DVD -R is more compatible among DVD players?
 
I've read the -R is slightly more compatible, but I haven't seen much about this lately.

I use Verbatim and Taiyo Yuden exclusively.

I do not use Memorex or any other no name or store brand.
 
-R is more compatible with OLDER players. New players generally play everything form MP3 to DVD+/-R.

I've had great results with TDK DVDs that I get at Costco. Never made a coster that was the media's fault.
 
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