Logic of exporting to DV for output to DVD

[Terry Mikkelsen]

I’ve done some comparison shots on my own in regards to HDV (not EX1), but I think that it still may apply. My shots are mostly sports related, so this is high action footage. When going from an HDV timeline to DV and then to Compressor for DVD, I dislike the overall effect (softness). This is a personal point of view and other may find it more pleasing. However, the other big reason I stick with HDV only is TIME. If I change timelines, I need to render/compress to DV and then I need to compress to DVD. I don’t have time to do two compressions, especially for such a small difference in the two methods. I also need to output for web (2 different versions).

So, if you stay in the native timeline when you export out a “reference movie”, cuts only portions of the timeline will not need rendered. Any part with composites and effects will require rendering, even for a reference movie.

If your QT to DVD is taking a long time it is the frame controls which are usually the culprit. Setting them to best is a sure fire way to get long, long compression times. If you have a DV timeline, your frame controls should be off. You are already at size and frame rate that is needed.

Tech-T Productions
http://www.technical-t.com

[Chris Babbitt]

Greg,

If this were my client, here’s what I would do:

I would convince him to invest $100 in a Western Digital WDTV & a portable USB hard drive. That way, they can show it in full HD. The WDTV also allows them to loop the video. All you need to do is take your reference movie into Compressor and make an M2t file (Mp2-transport stream) and drop that onto the hard drive. I use this unit for trade shows myself. It’s a dream, and it will look 100x better than SD on that 50″ screen.

[Noah Kadner]

I wouldn’t ever bring DV into the equation, but for whatever reason some folks like to do that and/or go to H.264 first. Your instinct is correct- going directly to Compressor is the best way to preserve your image quality. I actually go to Uncompressed or to ProRes first. That way you spend a little less time tying up FCP by doing a transcode *and* a downconvert at the same time. You can do one or both in FCP going out the door and then complete the MPEG-2 encode only in Compressor.

Noah

Check out My My FCP Blog and my new RED Blog. Unlock the secrets of the DVX100, HVX200 and Apple Color.
Now featuring the Sony EX1 Guidebook,
DVD Studio Pro and How to Light Interviews.
https://www.callboxlive.com

[Greg Ball]

Terry, do frame controls matter when going from my EX1 timeline to m2v?

[Greg Ball]

Thanks Chris,

I’ve seen a unit advertised that does this, but the client wants to send out DVDs as well as play it in trade shows, so I’m trying to create the best DVD for both purposes.

[Terry Mikkelsen]

“Terry, do frame controls matter when going from my EX1 timeline to m2v?”

Yes, because I believe your EX1 timeline is 1440 x 1080 or 1920 x 1080 and your m2v is 720 x 540. Also, if you don’t have your interlacing set to same as source, frame controls are going to kick in. I’m not bashing frame controls though. They are VERY good when used correctly. Usually, I find it best to use the “fastest” settings first and see if it produces acceptable quality. Then you can push it further if needed, with the penalty of increased render times. Of course, do this with small samples, not your entire video. You don’t want to have to wait 3 days to find out it looks like crap.

Tech-T Productions
http://www.technical-t.com

[Greg Ball]

Noah, I created a self contained uncompressed QT of my 17 minute program. However when I drop this into compressor, compressor tells me it’s going to take 49 hours to compress this file!

Can you walk me through the settings I should be using in FCP and compressor to make this DVD?

I’m editing in an EX1 timeline and rendering in prores 422.

My quicktime file indicates that the file is 1920 X 1080
Codec: XDCAM EX 1080i 60

Thanks very much for your help Noah.

[Noah Kadner]

Export from your timeline into ProRes HQ at 720×480 16:9. Then drop that into Compressor for an SD DVD. Do the downconvert and transcode first in FCP and then Compressor just has to make the SD MPEG-2 file. Compression time depends on your system proc speed too btw. But 49 hours sounds way off. 17 minutes should take no more than an hour or less all in.

Noah

Check out My My FCP Blog and my new RED Blog. Unlock the secrets of the DVX100, HVX200 and Apple Color.
Now featuring the Sony EX1 Guidebook,
DVD Studio Pro and How to Light Interviews.
https://www.callboxlive.com

[Greg Ball]

Noah,

I’m not quite sure what you mean by exporting into Pro Res. Are you saying to create a new sequence with these settings?

Frame Size: 720 X 480 NTSC DV(3:2
pixel Aspect ratio : NTSC-CCIR 601 /DV (720X480)
Field Dominance (none) or should it be top or bottom?

QT Settings:
Compressor Apple ProRes 422 HQ

Also would the advanced settings be Interlaced? Bottom field first or top field first?

Lastly when you bring this file into compressor and do 90 minute best quality, do you use frame controls?

What do you set field dominance to? What do you set output fields to?

I really appreciate your help here. Thanks much.

[Mick Haensler]

Noah

If you could go through the EXACT workflow I think it might be more helpful. For instance, you don’t say whether to export using Quicktime or Quicktime Conversion. Also, there is no Prores 422 HQ 720X480 16:9 codec listed anywhere. You can use Quicktime Conversion and set the size to 720X480 and choose Prores 422 HQ 16:9, but this is more than just choosing a codec. This also opens up a whole new world of possibilities which were not explained in your post. Such as Frame Rate, should I check the Interlace box and if so, Upper or Lower, Should I check Deinterlace Source in the Size window. As a lot of us have found out, one little mistake in the workflow can mean a great looking SD DVD or trash. Thanks in advance.

Mick Haensler
Higher Ground Media