rendering hd to dvd workflow

[Mike Kujbida]

[Campbell Killick] “Sony vegas really dosent like to render HD to SD and its doing my head in.”

Yes it does because a lot of us on here, myself included, do it all the time.

“I have tried matching the project properties to the rw footage (HD) before editing and rendering but when I try to render to DVD the output is unwatchable (frames dropped and shudder)”

What’s the make and model of your camera? What are your project properties?

“SO I choose “match project settings” and try to render Mainconcept MPEG-2. THis is very slow and produces a monster file that needs to be re-rendered in DVD architect.”

For an SD DVD, you have to render your video to an appropriate MPEG-2 template and your audio to AC-3.

Fill in some of the requested details and I’m certain that we can help you.
Also, please post your computer specs (OS, RAM, # and size of hard drives, etc.) and your version of Vegas (Pro or Movie Studio).

[Campbell Killick]

Thanks for the quick reply Mike

So here is my system info

OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
System Manufacturer HP-Pavilion
System Model VG247AA-ABU p6217uk
System Type x64-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q8300 @ 2.50GHz, 2499 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 5.09, 19/08/2009
SMBIOS Version 2.5
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 6.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 6.00 GB
Available Physical Memory 2.68 GB
Total Virtual Memory 12.0 GB
Available Virtual Memory 7.93 GB

Im shooting with a panasonic hdc-sd700

I have tried a range of project properties.

Either “match media video settings” which give Custom (1280×720, 25.000 fps) or the DVD template PAL DV (720×576, 25.000 fps)

[Mike Kujbida]

Campbell, you need to be aware that, compared to newer machines, your computer is quite slow which means long render times.

I looked up your camera and it shoots either 1920 x 1080 50p or 50i.
My guess is that you have it set to 50p which is why you’re experiencing some of your problems when rendering to DVD.

It’s OK to match project properties but there is one “gotcha” to be aware of and that’s the “blend” vs. “interpolate” setting.
John Rofrano does an excellent job of explaining this in the Jittery footage (field flicker?) thread.
Follow his advice and you should be ok.
The other issue is rendering for DVD.
As I said earlier, you have to render your video to MPEG-2 and your audio to AC-3. Give both files the same name and put them in the same folder. That way, when you launch DVD Architect, load the video file and the audio will automatically follow.
Render using the MainConcept DVD Architect PAL Widescreen video stream template. Use the default settings for now.
Using a bitrate calculator to optimize render settings has been discussed at length on the other Cow Vegas forum so do a search there for more info.

[Campbell Killick]

Thanks Mike

I will check my camera settings and read up on the John Rofrano thread.

Eventually I will get a better computer

[Mike Kujbida]

You’re very welcome Campbell.
Don’t be afraid to come back with more questions as that’s how we all learn.

[Rich Kutnick]

I would like to delve deeper here. With HD (1920X1080, 60i) source footage, will your final output (on DVD) look/sound better by rendering to MPEG2/AC3 in Vegas, then burn in DVD Architect, OR instead render to an HD template in Vegas, then let DVD Architect compress it down to SD quality for DVD burning?

Rich Kutnick
VIDEO IMPRESSIONS