Doing some DVD encoding tests...Help

[bobhope]

So in my search to find the best software DVD encoder (I'm not too happy with compressor) I'm trying to find a better solution. I'm evaluating MainConcept and BitVice right now, and comparing them all to a master authored at a post-house using hardware encoding.

Anyway, my problem is, I've got a completed sequence to do my test with in FCP 5.1.2. It is NTSC 23.98 shot as 24PA footage on DV tape using a combo of HVX and DVX cameras. I can encode the sequence easily with compressor....file...export using compressor... but how can I export using a different encoder?

I've tried exporting just a DV file and then run that through my 3rd party encoders (file...export using quicktime conversion) but something seems to be getting lost in the process.

Thanks for your help

 

[VaricamLife]

Create a sequence with the output settings you want (23.98 vs 29.97 and a standard def codec). Then from that use Export > Quicktime Movie. In the dialogue window that shows up make sure you have turned on the "Make Movie Self Contained" option. Then take this self contained quicktime movie to your 3rd party encoder (BitVice or whatever).

Quicktime conversion does as the name implies, it converts things. There are a lot of minor settings you can tweak using it (so great for many things). Caveat though is that if one of those is default in an unfavorable way it may not play nice with your third party encoder (and you might not instinctively know what setting needs to be fixed). Good luck.

cheers.