[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

[Rich Kutnick]

The aforementioned colleague seeked out the aid of another FCP user here, and the latter told me, “I used a program called Clipwrap. It’s excellent. It takes MTS files and converts them into ProRes files. I occasionally get MTS files shot by shooters on the west coast who do not shoot AVCHD so I bought the software. Works really well. It might work with other platforms as well.” So here is another solution for all, FYI.

Rich Kutnick
VIDEO IMPRESSIONS

[Rich Kutnick]

I created a 70GB mov file with the Avid DNxHD codec for my colleague, but for some reason he is stonewalling his D/L-Install of Avid DNxHD on HIS system–he just keeps complaining that FCP 7 won’t work with this codec, but he has not even given it a try! I told him that when installed, his system PROBABLY just would recognize the codec and he would be able to work with the file!! If he STILL has cold feet about this codec, can you recommend an m2ts-to-mov transcoder that you know personally will work and with which you have had experience? Anyone else, for that matter? FYI, I STILL think that if he D/Ls-Installs Avid DNxHD that all of his problems will go away. Any other thoughts/feedback, anyone??!!

Rich Kutnick
VIDEO IMPRESSIONS

[Rich Kutnick]

Thanks for the always-quick reply, Mike. I will let you know how this turns out!

Rich Kutnick
VIDEO IMPRESSIONS

[Rich Kutnick]

I just now had a chance to try my own experiment (with VLC Media Player)–if I copy over the DVD structure, choose open folder and maneuver to my SD Card (I do not have a large enough thumb drive, so I used an SD Card), I get full DVD menuing capabilities. If I do the same with a Blu-ray, I can move to any selected Chapter but I cannot get to any menu screens…but it DOES work to view the program!!

Rich Kutnick
VIDEO IMPRESSIONS

[Rich Kutnick]

Interesting, Stephen…Is there any way that you could present the file structure here, either as a directory print screen or otherwise list what is in the root directory and the child folders under it? How exactly did you accomplish this feat–step-by-step instructions? And what software did you use to play back the video–a DVD Player such as Cyberlink or a generic player such as VLC Media Player? I also am curious if this might work with a Blu-ray disk, provided the respective file structure is maintained on the thumb drive (and the thumb drive has the proper capacity, e.g. VERY BIG)? Plesae elaborate, if you will, Stephen, and thanks for the one-up!

Rich Kutnick
VIDEO IMPRESSIONS

[Rich Kutnick]

I also have researched this and can corroborate that LTH is a DVD, not Blu-ray, spec. I ran in to the same problem–my new Blu-ray player that accepted a firmware/software update read the LTH disks, but my older Vizio Blu-ray player (which I could NOT update) refused to read the LTH-written Blu-ray disk.

Here’s more info,straight from the horse’s mouth (err…Ritek, that is):

BDR-254-RDIWN-CB50 Ridata BDR 4X HTL inkjet white hub printable, 50 cake
BDR-254-RDIWNCB50L Ridata BDR 4X LTH inkjet white hub printable, 50 cake
BDR-256-RDIWN-CB50 Ridata BDR 6X HTL inkjet white hub printable, 50 cake

Watch out for Blu-ray disk model numbers that contain “L” at the end of the model number.

For example,on the Newegg web site I spotted this:

RiDATA 25GB 4X BD-R Inkjet white hub-printable 50 Packs Cake Box Disc, Low-to-High Model BDR-254-RDIWNCB50L
Ritek Ridata Blu-Ray (BD-R) White Inkjet Hub Printable 6X BD-R Media 25GB 50 Pack in Cake Box (BDR-256-RDIWN-CB50)

Notice that the LTH disks end with “L” in the model number. “254” vs. “256” in the model numbers designate 4X vs. 6X writing speed. FYI!

Rich Kutnick
VIDEO IMPRESSIONS

[Rich Kutnick]

Thanks for the quick and thorough response, Stephen. I am up-to-date with Sony Vegas Pro 12, the latest revision. Good to know about the YouTube restrictions–I will check this out!

I also thought that I saw somewhere that SVG has pre-made Internet templates. Stephen, do you (or anyone else here) know if these are more-or-less suited to my situation than your wonderful solution?

Rich Kutnick
VIDEO IMPRESSIONS

[Rich Kutnick]

Great informative answers! Thanks!! I do have several follow-ups, though:

So Michael, do you recommend Ridata, then? Have you ever had any Clients complain about ink smudging after they have had their disks for awhile? Do you warn Clients to keep the disks away from any sources of moisture? With the Watershield disks, this is not a problem.

Dave, excellent explanation of LTH, HTL and the Watershield technology! So what brand of BR-R do you personally use, and do you have any after-the-fact moisture issues with the disk surfaces?

…and Nigel, where do you purchase the Shintaro BD-R’s, local or online, and from whom? Now that you mention it, I, too, see those nasty roller marks that I never used to see…hmmmmmmm.

If all three of you kindly would update your posts to answer these additional questions I would be most appreciative, as I am ready to order more BD-Rs today and want to get the best bang for the buck and for the quality/longevity!! Thank all of you in advance!!

Rich Kutnick
VIDEO IMPRESSIONS

[Rich Kutnick]

I have found a solution! I purchased Photomatte Blu-ray Case Inserts from Neato, and they WILL work in the double Blu-ray cases that I previously purchased. To create the artwork, I prepare it first in Discus software using the standard Neato A4 DVD case wrap template. When satisfied, I export it to an Adobe PSD file. I then open up a second program, Neato MediaFace, and insert the PSD file I created into the Blu-ray DVD case insert template, resize it to fit into the template and print with my Epson Artisan 710 color inkjet printer. WORKS LIKE A CHARM!

Rich Kutnick
VIDEO IMPRESSIONS