HD to SD DVD with multiple formats.

[Bill Stephan]

PAL DVD encodes are 720×576@25frames interlaced. Progressive footage will look fine when encoded, since both fields of each frame will contain the same image information.

Before you spend money for another encoder, check your encoding settings in Compressor. Two settings affect encoding quality — one is “motion estimation” and I forget what the other is called (haven’t been in Compressor for awhile). The encoding process will take a lot longer, but it should be noticeably better. Test using a short video.

The default settings in Compressor produce a quick and mediocre encode.

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

[Cal Thorley]

Hi Bill,

Thanks a lot for your help.
That’s great clarification on the interlacing issue. I suspected that was the case but didn’t want to assume anything.

In regards to compressor, I’ve got motion estimation to best and 2 pass variable bit rate with the target well above the defaults. I’m getting a lot of compression noise around detail and from what I’ve read it has a lot to do with the HD to SD downsizing. So I guess I need to either convert the footage to SD first, or use something like bitvice which apparently has a high quality downconvert in the encode process.

Thanks again,
Cal

[Bill Stephan]

Many people report better results by doing a high quality downconversion and then encoding. So the first step is the downconversion; then determine whether you want a better encoder.

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

[David Eaks]

There has been much discussion about HD to SD for DVD, without ever reaching a concrete “this is the absolute BEST way to do it” (that I’m aware of). In my experience, following a recent article from Larry Jordan describing a method for downscaling HD to SD, provides an excellent SD file to use for compressing mpeg for DVD-
https://www.larryjordan.biz/convert-high-definition-to-standard-definition-video/

Here’s a recent thread discussing details of that method and some other methods, along with some examples that I posted-
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/8/1176066#1176171

I’m interested to hear others opinions, with real world examples/advice. As this discussion never seems to end with a real resolution or feedback on the results from the original poster.

*I don’t work in PAL and can’t advise on any specifics to that format

[David Rehm]

Hi Cal,
I’ve posted these articles before but will do so again.

https://www.precomposed.com/blog/2009/07/hd-to-sd-dvd-best-methods/
https://www.precomposed.com/blog/2010/10/hd-to-sd-dvd-cs5-revisited/

The popular editors (Premiere, FCP, etc…) cannot produce great results when downscaling from HD to SD (the articles will explain why). To get even remotely better results using these programs will require many hours of encoding and the result still won’t be of pro quality.

The methods used in the above articles (and the one below) are absolutely excellent and a major time saver – and all the programs used are free.

Warning – the process seems intimidating but take it step by step and after a few times it will seem like second nature.

Jeff Bellune also explains this process on his website. https://bellunevideo.com/tutlist.php

David

[Cal Thorley]

Thanks a lot, David.

I’ve done a SD downconvert which just so happens to be the same way Larry recommended. I’d say “great minds think alike” but would be a horrible insult to Larry!
And I’ve used the settings outlined in this tutorial to create the DVD files:
https://lumenosity.blogspot.co.nz/2010/07/best-apple-compressor-settings-for-dvd.html?m=1

Certainly the frame settings have made an improvement and I can probably live with it now. I would try BitVice but it seems like a $200US gamble.
There are still noticeable compression blocks around text but I am watching it on a big HD LCD so the SD quality has to show up somewhere I guess!

Thanks again.
Cal

[Cal Thorley]

Thanks David.
I did see those links but my access to windows machines is zero. Unless I buy one!
I think it was in relation to one of those threads that the BitVice app came up for mac.

Appreciate the suggestion though, thanks.
Cal

[Cal Thorley]

Thanks, Bill.
Yes, certainly seeing improvements with the SD downconvert and max quality compressor settings.
Not perfect but we are talking SD DVD and lower end compression programs.
Cheers,
Cal

[David Rehm]

Can’t you run these programs on a Mac with Bootcamp?

David

[Bill Stephan]

Cal,

Note that titling and graphic elements will suffer in every HD downconversion, whether you use software methods or expensive hardware systems.

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