[Magda Fernandez]

Wow, I didn’t realize that I could do this! Thank you for this advice. I confess that I’m unfamiliar with internet local directories altogether. But I’m starting to see the potential here.

I’m about to mail DVD samples of my videos and wanted to include an HTML backup for each HD video file, and make it accessible only to these receipients, in case they have trouble playing the DVD.

So if I’m understanding all of the above correctly, the recipient can type in the URL address of my local file, and watch that video online.

I’m curious, can they access everything else in my local directory? Or just that URL video file?

[Magda Fernandez]

Thanks, Sitruc, it does help.

How do I remove my local files from the web?

[Magda Fernandez]

Hi Daniel. I wound up not trying the free trial versions of Bitvice and Episode after all because of time constraints, and decided to go ahead and purchase CCE MP. The fact that CCE MP’s Xstream encoding engine is dynamic and features an up-to 99 multi-pass option sold me (see, Brian Gary’s review in kenstone.net). But I’ll be happy to rate the 3 methods I tried for compressing HD to SD DVD.

The FCP to Compressor’s Best Quality SD attempt produced awful, useless results. Not worth adding to the library of similar opinions already in the COW.

The Holy Grail method that you recommended yielded the best results I had, up to that point, working with FCP and Compressor. Although I saw a considerable improvement in resolution, color, and transitions, it was weakest in compressing motion graphics. But considering it’s free, I think it’s an impressive compression method if you’re on a tight budget.

For me, CCE MP outstrips the above results by far, and that’s only when compressing with 6 passes, averaging 6250 kbps. I don’t plan to try 99 passes, but I do plan to try up to 10 or 12. But even with 6 passes so far, I see noticeable sharpness in the motion graphics, and also improvements in gamma and color.

FYI, I’m viewing all of my SD DVD results on my computer using Apple DVD Player’s “actual” or “normal” mode. If I settle for the DVD Player’s automatic full screen view, even the CCE MP’s quality results fall apart big time.

[Magda Fernandez]

I thought I’d close this thread with my impressions of Cinema Craft Encoder MP: it’s simply remarkable.

I did have to experiment with various settings to figure out the best ones for my video files, but once I did I was floored by the difference in quality. It was well worth the $800 price tag.

Although I did have to upgrade (with trepidation) to Leopard to use CCE MP, I find that the plug-in works reliably with my quad-core MacPro, even though the CCE folks recommend an 8-core.

[Magda Fernandez]

Yep, that’s exactly what I mean. In Apple’s DVD Player, go to Toolbar, Video, Normal Size.

Does anyone else know of a way to program an SD .m2v file so that it cannot be expanded beyond its 720 x 480 size when viewed on a computer?

[Magda Fernandez]

Hi Nook Kim, please–absolutely no need to apologize! All the opposite, actually. I appreciate your taking the time to share your own workflow. I agree with you as to why it probably didn’t work for me, and why sending data files in my case is risky. Once blu-ray usage becomes the standard, I won’t have to contend with these compression headaches. But until then, I depend upon the generosity and workarounds put forth by readers, such as yourself, in forums such as this one. 🙂

Thanks again.

[Magda Fernandez]

Hmm. I’ve been under the impression that sending .m2v files (as opposed to data files) is safer for playback assurance.

Perhaps someone out there knows a setting that forces an .m2v file to display in normal mode only.

Otherwise, I was planning to print those instructions on the DVD jacket: eg., For optimal viewing, view in Normal Mode only.

[Magda Fernandez]

Thank you, Nook Kim. Unfortunately, I didn’t have much success with your workflow, but that doesn’t mean that others won’t find it useful.

Although the Holy Grail method above has yielded the most decent result I’ve had so far, I’m seeking the highest quality HD to SD compression possible, within my budget. So I decided to go ahead and trust Brian Gary’s review of Cinema Craft Encoder MP, and buy the thing. The price is steep, so I hope I see noticeable results!

I’ll report my impressions after my CCE-MP arrives in the mail and I’ve had time to use it.

[Magda Fernandez]

Thanks, Joe. I will try your suggestion, and your timing couldn’t have been better. I actually had some success yesterday using the Bonsai method that Daniel offered, but the graphics looked pretty fuzzy. I’ll definitely try converting everything to progressive.

I still plan to compare that result with other products’ HD to SD DVD compression results, before plunking down any $ for the best one. Daniel pointed me to Episode’s free trial version, which I plan to try today.

I asked my same question in the FCP forum, and Walter Biscardi recommended BitVice. BitVice also offers a trial version, which I plan to check out.

The offline compression product that seems to get the most favorable reviews is Cinema Craft Encoder SP. But other than Brian Gary’s review, I can’t find any other reviews or user feedback about Cinema Craft Encoder MP.

Have you or any readers out there tried Cinema Craft Encoder MP yet? They don’t offer a trial version, so I can’t test it in advance.

[Magda Fernandez]

Very helpful to know, Walter. Thanks for your opinion.