Building DVD

[Jeff Pulera]

Hi Peter,

You may have answered your own question, the .m2v may not be DVD compliant. And are you using the same file for both Blu-ray and DVD? That is unclear from your post.

Would you be able to post a screen shot of the encoding parameters used in Squeeze? Or at least reply with the MPEG-2 DVD settings used?

Thank you

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Peter Groom]

Hi Jeff
Thanks for responding.

I make 2 files, one for dvd and 1 for blu ray as there are sep presets in sor sq so i figure they are different (dvd to BD)

I have uploaded a screen grab of my settings inside sor sq that create the m2v file. This is from a quicktime reference file in AVID MC 6.5.

If you can spot anything that you think should be changed, id be grateful.
Cheers
Peter
The link is
6251_sorensonsq.jpg.zip

Post Production Dubbing Mixer

[Jeff Pulera]

Hi Peter,

What is the length of the video program you’re encoding?

Also, I see that the “Max” encoding rate you have set is over 9000, that is pushing the limits of the DVD spec. I would limit that to 8000, but if we know how long the program is, you may need to lower the Target bitrate as well.

I believe the 6000 Target will be good for about 90 minutes – a longer program will require a lower bitrate. If the encoded .m2v file, plus audio, is too large to fit the DVD, Encore would then be forced to transcode the footage.

Is Encore set to the default of “Dolby Digital” audio in the Transcode Settings? Using PCM audio will often cause files to be to big for the DVD, as uncompressed audio takes a lot of space.

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Peter Groom]

Hi Jeff – that was quick.

q What is the length of the video program you’re encoding?
a In this case its 1 hr 55

re bitrates etc. On this project im not wanting to constarin the quality so am making a Dual Layer DVD which gives me up to 8,5 gigs.
Youre right though, perhaps i should drop that max bitrate abit to say 8000?

Is Encore set to the default of “Dolby Digital” audio in the Transcode Settings? Using PCM audio will often cause files to be to big for the DVD, as uncompressed audio takes a lot of space
I get sor squeeze to encode my master wav mix file to an AC3. Much smaller and sounds ggod. this goes into encore without any fightback.

I have upoloaded a few more stills to help you see my settings. Cheers
peter
6252_encorezip.zip

Post Production Dubbing Mixer

[Jeff Pulera]

Hi Peter,

I do see one potential issue – the Squeeze encoder is creating the MPEG-2 file as UPPER FIELD, but Encore is set to LOWER FIELD. I’m not sure what a PAL DVD is supposed to be, as I work with NTSC. Appears that lower is the norm, looking at the Encore settings though.

In your Transode settings, I see “Peter DVD”, did you make some special settings? Best to use defaults typically.

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Jeff Pulera]

PS – since you are using a DL disc, I would just use CBR 8000 encoding

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Peter Groom]

That is a good point.
The peter settings is me messingtrying to achieve a good setting.

I i need to persuade encore to do upper field. only Dv is lower field
(mini dv HDV etc) which i dont use. Everything i do is upper field.
Ill look at that.

So Ill look at the encore field order and drop that bit rate.

Many thanks for looking at my screen grabs and your advice.
I usually lurk on the audio pros cow forum whene my background in pro audio is more useful but im also a regualr reader of the dvd page where im learning fast.
Mant thanks
Peter

Post Production Dubbing Mixer

[Jeff Pulera]

In my own experiments with different MPEG-2 encoders for NTSC, I had tried both upper and lower field, with lower being the default in Encore for me. Using an upper field .m2v file did not cause a transcode, so probably ok there. Possibly the data rate was the issue for you.

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Bill Stephan]

Jeff,

PAL DVD should be encoded as upper field.

Bill Stephan
Senior Editor/DVD Author
USA Studios
New York City

[Peter Groom]

Thanks Both
plenty for me to try there.
Cheers from across the pond!
Peter

Post Production Dubbing Mixer