Pixelated Text

Apple Final Cut Pro Legacy

Pixelated Text

Posted by Ben Mullins on March 11, 2008 at 2:09 am

Hi guys,

I just have a quick question about the workflow between FCP & DVD Studio Pro (in FCP Studio 2). Everything I build & burn in Studio Pro comes out with very pixelated text, even though the Quicktime files I’m exporting are crystal clear (usually 1920×1080). I’ve put the encoding settings up to about 8mbps (as I’m burning SD DVD’s) with a 2-pass VBR but still all the text (both in-video & that created in the menu’s) looks terrible. Is there a way around this?

I know this is more of a Studio Pro Forum question but I searched the post archive there and although I found many posts by people with the same problem I could not find any answers. I would really appreciate some advice on this as clients pick up on it all the time.

Thanks for your help,

Ben.

David Roth weiss replied 18 years, 2 months ago 3 Members · 5 Replies
5 Replies

David Roth weiss
March 11, 2008 at 3:17 am

[Benjamin David] “I’ve put the encoding settings up to about 8mbps (as I’m burning SD DVD’s) with a 2-pass VBR but still all the text (both in-video & that created in the menu’s) looks terrible. Is there a way around this? “

A very common mistake is to equate higher bitrate with better quality — “gee, when I step on the gas my car goes faster, so when I turn up the bitrate I’ll bet my DVD will look better…”

Not so, DVDs have an overhead threshold that when exceeded causes pixellation, as the DVD simply cannot keep up. So, turn the bitrate down, it should never exceed 7.0mbs, and make sure you’re using AC3 audio as well, and all should be good.

BTW, if you’re not using good media nothing will work… What brand of DVD media are you using?

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

A forum host of Creative COW’s Business & Marketing, and Indie Film & Documentary forums.
Eric Klassen
March 12, 2008 at 7:18 am

I didn’t know this mattered. Is there a difference between office max -R and Memmorex -R? What’s the best?

Thanks,
Eric

Eric
Ben Mullins
March 12, 2008 at 9:40 am

Hi David,

Thanks for bit-rate advice, will do some tests asap.

Not sure what brand of DVD I’m using as my boss purchases them and they have no markings either on the disc or the packaging. Is there a particular brand that you favour? What should I be looking for in a good DVD? When buying personally I go for DVD-R as I was under the impression it is more compatible than the others.

Thanks,

Ben.
David Roth weiss
March 12, 2008 at 6:09 pm

[Benjamin David] “Is there a particular brand that you favour? What should I be looking for in a good DVD?”

There is an undeniable difference in media. Most professionals are now using Taiyo Yuden. Check it out at https://www.supermediastore.com/taiyo-yuden-dvd-r-media.html . As you will see, it is considered “the best of the best.” I use their silver inkjet printable because it creates a look like a hologram when printed on a simple inkjet printer, but their white inkjet printable media is also great.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

A forum host of Creative COW’s Business & Marketing, and Indie Film & Documentary forums.
David Roth weiss
March 12, 2008 at 6:12 pm

[Eric Klassen] “I didn’t know this mattered.”

See my response to Benjamin…

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

A forum host of Creative COW’s Business & Marketing, and Indie Film & Documentary forums.

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