Best settings to render HDV (1440×1080) to mpeg2

[Mike Kujbida]

I do this a lot and have not noticed any quality issues.
Based on the length of your finished program, use a custom CBR (Constant Bit Rate) of 8,000,00 when doing the encode from Vegas.
Also, use the Sharpen FX set to zero on the Vegas master output as this will help.

[Michael Denford]

Thanks for your reply mike. The settings I have used are as below:

Project Settings:
I used the HDV 1080-50i (1440×1080, 25.000 fps) preset.
Adjust source media to better match render settings has been left unchecked.

Render Settings:
I used the DVDA PAL Widescreen preset, but with VBR as max 9,500,000, ave 8,000,000, min 4,200,000.

By the sound of it, adjusting VBR to CBR 8,000,000 will make a difference to the clarity of the ‘darker’ events?

I could apply the Sharpen FX to each video event, but I am unsure what you mean by Vegas master output. Is this the same?

Prob not a good comparison, but the video quality is nowhere near what I see on 4.7GB DVD movies.

Another avenue would be to create an 8.5BG DVD. Would you also have any pointers on what Project and Render settings to use here?

Thanks again for your help Mike.

[Mike Kujbida]

“By the sound of it, adjusting VBR to CBR 8,000,000 will make a difference to the clarity of the ‘darker’ events?”

Michael, the difference would be negligible.
If any events are dark, I use either Levels or Color Curves to brighten them up.
I use these instead of Brightness/Contrast as that affects the entire scene while the other two affect only targeted areas (i.e. dark, middle or bright sections of an event).
Other users have invested in a program called Neat video to do this for them.
https://www.neatvideo.com/

“I could apply the Sharpen FX to each video event, but I am unsure what you mean by Vegas master output. Is this the same?”

Drop that FX on the Preview window and it gets applied to the entire video.
If you only have one video track, you could also apply it as a track level FX.

[Michael Denford] “Prob not a good comparison, but the video quality is nowhere near what I see on 4.7GB DVD movies.”

If you’re referring to movies that you rent from the local video shop, they usually start with a large highly skilled crew and more equipment (and more expensive) than you and I can ever dream of.
To top it off, when the transfer for DVD is done, it’s done in a specialized shop and each and every shot is optimized for video delivery, once again using high-end hardware and software.

[Michael Denford] “Another avenue would be to create an 8.5BG DVD. Would you also have any pointers on what Project and Render settings to use here?”

You won’t gain anything by using a dual-layer disc as your bitrate is already at the maximum allowable for a DVD.
Doing a Blu-ray would get you much better quality but I’m not sure if you have or want that capability.

One thing I think I forgot to mention and that’s to make sure you render using “Best” mode instead of “Good” as it will make a difference when downsizing from HD to SD.

[Michael Denford]

I really appreciate your help here Mike.

Thanks for the tip Re: Using the FX In the Preview window. Much easier. It’s a shame this cannot also be done with the Stabilizer FX also.

Can I ‘trick’ Vegas and DVDA into using Bluray Render settings and DVDA setting, and burn onto DVD+R DL (with menus etc.), then playing the disc on a Bluray player?

[Mike Kujbida]

“I really appreciate your help here Mike.”

You’re very welcome.
I had a lot of help when I first started using Vegas so this is my way of “paying it forward”.

” It’s a shame this cannot also be done with the Stabilizer FX also.”

That’s just the way Vegas is. Some FXs can only be applied at the event level while others can be applied anywhere.

“Can I ‘trick’ Vegas and DVDA…”

I’ve never heard of anyone doing that so go ahead and try it.
If it doesn’t work, all you’ve lost is some time and the cost of a DVD.

[Michael Denford]

Mike, just like to thank you for your help. The Sharpen FX at 0 works well, and I was very impressed with the Colour Curves FX to enhance the darker scenes.

Thanks again.

[Mike Kujbida]

My pleasure Michael. I’m glad I was able to help.