Compressing for DVD DL

Hi all, I have a 70 min HD film that I expect to be around 40-50GB when exported to a self contained QT.
I want to compress for a DVD DL as opposed to a basic DVD but can't find any settings in compressor to compress my film to say 7-8GB, only to a basic DVD which is 4.7GB.
Anyone know how to compress for a DVD DL in compressor??
Many thanks
(FCS2 all latest updates, 10.5.2)

Hi,
You may need to set your bit rate accurately to reduce your file size as you wish and I usually use [Bit Budjet|http://www.kenstone.net/fcphomepage/bitbudget.html], which works perfectly.
Although I have not found myself in need to burn DL DVDs I believe it will be handy for you too as it can calculate the right bit rate for a 8.54 GB DVD Dual-layer.
For general info about creating dual-layer DVDs check out both DVDstudio4 manual and the link below plus all the links it reports:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6864655&#6864655

Similar Messages

Compression for DVD help

Hello,
I need some help using compressor.
I made an animated film using final cut pro. My finished project is 1440x960 which is a 3x2 aspect ratio with square pixels. These settings were used because my source material was still frames from a pro digital SLR camera.
I'm trying to make a DVD copy of it using DVD Studio Pro via Compressor. I realize I need to use the letterbox scale effect to get it to a 4x3 ratio without looking horizontally squashed on a TV, but I'm not sure how to figure out what percent to set it at. It's somewhere around 95 percent based on just looking at it, but is there a way to know EXACTLY what that percent should be?
If I use Quicktime to compress my movie, it automatically sets the correct letterbox scaling but it doesn't, at least not obviously, let you know what percent it uses. In addition, shouldn't Compressor do a better job compressing than Quicktime Compressor? Does it even output the required format for DVD's?
Thank you in advance for your help.

Use photoshop and make your photos 720 x 480, 72dpi.
Then import them into FCP.
Edit them up, export out as quicktime movie.
Then import them into Compressor.
Encode them with 7.0 mbps average, 8.2 max, 2 pass vbr, best.
For audio, use dolby digital, 224kbps, -31 normalization.
Should be fine.

Best Quicktime compression for DVD playback later on?

I have some DV footage that I had captured into MPEG-2 files on my old PC, then recently got a Mac and I want to be able to edit the footage on the Mac software I have and put it onto DVD for standard playback on a TV.
I've got the latest Quicktime Pro with the MPEG-2 playback component, and another program I just found called MPEG Streamline that allows me to convert the MPEG-2 files into MOV files that can be edited in iMovie and Final Cut Express, of which I have, and then I plan on just using iDVD to put the projects on DVD.
I've converted some footage using 3 different compressions: Apple DV 25, JPEG Motion A, and H.264 at NTSC 720x480 resolution so far, and cannot see any noticeable difference in the picture quality between the three converted files when played full screen with Quicktime, but of course, there is considerable difference between the resulting file size for each video. With all three files played back in Quicktime, there was some faint pixelation around moving figures in the video, even after setting the video stream to play back high quality.
I would like to know if there is and what the best compression to use would be in converting the MPEG-2 files into MOV files or other format that's compatible with iMovie and Final Cut Express that will result in the best quality for DVD playback. I don't have Final Cut Pro so I don't have Compressor, which I understand, has a preset compression optimized for DVD playback later on.

Nevermind, I just used DV compression and the playback quality came out just fine on the DVDs I've burned from the footage.

Animation compression for DVD

I have a square pixel after effects project which is around 10gb rendered at DV Pal square pixels and animation. I wish to present this with a laptop & projector. When compressing the file through basic DV Pal settings it looses much of the quality.
Is there a compression for putting animations onto DVD's with a sqaure pixel ratio that doesn't stretch the pixels for DVD - or am I being really daft here!! Is it possible for DVD's to play square pixels??
Many thanks

I have a square pixel after effects project which is
around 10gb rendered at DV Pal square pixels and
animation. I wish to present this with a laptop &
projector.
If you're going to have a laptop anyway, why not just install QuickTime (if it isn't already installed) and just play the file directly. That way, you're not losing anything quality-wise.
DVD makes no provision (that I'm aware of) for displaying non-standard frame types and MPEG-2 is your only compression option.
-David

Compressing for DVD without Compressor?

I am trying to export to MPEG 2 for DVD from FCP6 but I can't use Compressor. It's crashing and I haven't figured out why yet.
In the meantime, is there a process for exporting sequences to Mpeg 2 right from Final Cut? thanks

BCason wrote:
Actually, I can't even get DVDSP to let me import the files into the asset bin. It says there is no compatibility. That's where I get hung-up.
What exactly does "says there is no compatibility" mean? Do you get an error message and if so, then you need to say exactly what it says. Are you dragging it into the Assets tab or going via the Import Asset command? Or are BOTH not working? As others have already asked: what are your export settings in FCP, specifically *_which codec are you using_*?
cheers

BEST COMPRESSION FOR DVD

HI,
I want to find out the BEST compression setting for a FCP project that is 1hr and 41min. I'm burning it to a DVD that is 120min long. It's NOT HD. And it's going to be shown on a wall when it's finished. What are the best settings for this?
Thank you for your help.
Andy

#42 - Quick and dirty way to author a DVD
Shane's Stock Answer #42 - David Roth Weiss' Secret Quick and Dirty Way to Author a DVD:
The absolute simplest way to make a DVD using FCP and DVDSP is as follows:
1. Export a QT movie, either a reference file or self contained using current settings.
2. Open DVDSP, select the "graphical" tab and you will see two little monitors, one blue, one green.
3. Select the left blue one and hit delete.
4. Now, select the green one, right click on it and select the top option "first play".
5. Now drag your QT from the browser and drop it on top of the green monitor.
6. Now, for a DVD from an HD source, look to the right side and select the "general tab" in the track editor, and see the Display Mode, and select "16:9 pan-scan."
7. Hit the little black and yellow burn icon at the top of the page and put a a DVD in when prompted. DVDSP will encode and burn your new DVD.
THATS ALL!!!
NOW...if you want a GOOD LOOKING DVD, instead of taking your REF movie into DVD SP, instead take it into Compressor and choose the BEST QUALITY ENCODE (2 pass VBR) that matches your show timing. Then take THAT result into DVD SP and follow the rest of the steps. Except you can choose "16:9 LETTERBOX" instead of PAN & SCAN if you want to see the entire image.

Compression for DVD 24min short

I would like to get an idea of the best setting for compressing a 24min. short in1920x1080 for a DVD for festival submissions.

The short answer is, take a short but representative section and "test" and "re-test" until you get the best results you can attain.
Some further suggestions:
I assume that the festival specified DVD and that Blu-Ray is not an option.
The size of the file really doesn't matter to Compressor except that it somewhat reflects your movie's resolution and down-scaling from HD sizes to SD can introduce artifacts.
Start with the standard Disk Burning preset; duplicate it and save as custom settings; name them appropriately as you make adjustments so you can see at a glance what settings worked better or worse.
In Audio, set Dialogue Normalization to -31.
Don't judge the image quality on your computer. The Apple DVD Player may give you a rough idea of whether you have issues. But it's necessary to play out to a broadcast monitor or TV from a DVD player to see what it will truly look like.
Although it's possible that basic Disk Burning preset will give you what you want, I suggest turning opening Frame Controls (which should already be turned on) and setting the re-size filter to Best. You should also consider doing the scaling and the MPEG 2 encodes as separate steps (separate jobs).
The Encoder section of the Inspector allows you to adjust quality settings. You can test CBR and VBR settings at different bit rates. If VBR, use the Two Pass; the default bit rates are pretty good…you might be able to bump them up a little, but I wouldn't go above 8 Mbs.
BTW, how were you planning to burn them? If it's from Compressor, choose Hard Drive as Output Device to make a disk image. You can burn multiple copies from that disk image. You can also drag the Video TS folder into DVD Player to get a preliminary look at your results.
Good luck.
Russ

Best quality compression for DVD

Trying to compress a 7 minute project from Final Cut for best quality on a DVD, type 5. Been using the pre-set "Best quality: 90mins", but wondering if there is a higher quality compression I can get for such a short project? Have most up to date versions of Final Cut, Compressor and DVD Studio Pro. Thanks!

You can duplicate any preset you want, then adjust it to suit your needs.
-DH

Best way to compress for DVD Studio Pro

i have been bringing in a reference movie into DVDSP and burning/authoring from there with chapter markers. Is this the best quality or should I go through compressor? if so, does compressor keep my chapter markers? it is a 30 minute dvd and when I have used compressor before it can take hours. thoughts? is there a big difference in quality between the two? thanks

Some general things to keep in mind for compression
http://dvdstepbystep.com/faqs_7.php
http://dvdstepbystep.com/faqs_3.php
Compressor is going to give you more control than just bringing .mov into DVD SP. I will often use self contained movies in case I need to re-encode, can save some time. Compressor will keep chapter markers if you put them in properly in Final Cut and exported them properly (set them as Chapter Markers in FC and include Chapter Markers on export from FC.)
A half hour movie shouldn't take hours, but it does depend on your machine, what frame controls you have set, what Codec etc....

NTSC to PAL Compression for DVD Studio Pro

I am trying to make PAL MPEG2s using Compressor. My videos are roughly 15 minutes long (I have 6 going onto one DVD). I altered one of the Presets to PAL, 16x9, one pass VBR, 4.5 to 7 data rate, best for the motion setting. And I get the typical odd chunky feeling during motion within the frame. Meaning frames look removed (or added) during movement. I looked at it not only on my MAC but on a PAL DVD routed to a true PAL monitor.
Any advice for settings I should try? I have two tests rendering - I moved up to 2 pass VBR, 5-8 data rates, better motion and best motion. I should be able to look at them this evening; but from the folks I talked to, I'm not hopeful. Has anyone figured a way to make PAL MPEG2s look good short of having PAL masters made and a large Post house do the files on their very expensive equipment?
Thanks,
Cindy S.

What version of Compressor are you using? Compressor 2 has frame rate conversion settings under the Frame Controls tab (offering various levels of quality).
In any case, you might want to try the freeware utility JES Deinterlacer since it supports fairly good NTSC to PAL conversion using either frame blending or a form of inverse telecine (to convert from NTSC's 29.97fps to PAL's 25fps). If you're using Compressor 1.X then this may be your best option unless you are willing to spend some money on an alternative, third-party solution.
You can download JES Deinterlacer from VersionTracker.com -- it comes with instructions.<small><hr width="75%"><small>If this suggestion helps in any way, a confirmation or acknowledgment would be appreciated, since that would also help others who may be having the same difficulty. Do for others as you would have them help you.<center>Thanks for sharing, Waymen.</center></small>

Best way to export/compress for DVD???

Hi there friends,
Can someone please advise the best method, export and compress to put my project on DVD.
It is 14.5gb in size and I would like to put it on one dvd.......
Help please.

You should google iDVD. There's a huge amount of information on the web and on the Apple web site on how to use their applications.

Should my compressions for DVD be coming out at 720x404?

My source is 720x480, but I thought DVD resolution is somethingX480, not 720xsomething, isn't that right? Am I doing something wrong? It looks great on television, but I'm just now noticing these dimensions when I pull up the info on my Quicktime player.

Hey Sub,
what you are noticing is your cropped video. basically you are taking out your mattes.
the files is more than likely 16x9, correct?
don't worry about it. if it's going to DVD, then the player is introducing the mattes in a 4x3 set up. in a 16x9 set up, depending on the aspect ratio (with 404, sounds like 1.85) then it will add mattes as needed.
if you import into DVDSP, it imports correctly and displays on your TV correctly, right? the answer as to why is the above reason.
when you view it in QT or any other decoder, it wont have mattes because you removed them and QT doesnt automatically place mattes. it display whatever native resolution the file is (of course the exception is the aperture setting in Movie Properties).
Mikey M.

Exporting for DVD

Hi,
Ridiculous question I know but here goes.
I have a 2 1/2 hour show that I videoed on MiniDV and have edited in Final Cut. The image quality is as good as I want it, not perfect but fine, but when I export to use in DVD Studio I loose quality. I'v used Compressor and converted it to MPEG-2, but is there any way I can just export straight from Final Cut Pro without loosing image quality, keeping all the settings and so on I used in Final Cut Pro?
Im burning on to Dual Layer DVDs so space isn't really an issue.
Does it have to be MPEG-2? Is there a different, higher quality format I can use? Or is the only thing I can do to try keep the quality raising the bitrate?
Anyone with an insight to share with me can treat me like a luddite and use baby speak
Cheers

Heya,
All DVD's are authored to MPEG-2 format. You must compress the file to MPEG-2 in order to play on a standard DVD player. SD MiniDV is roughly 13gigs per hour. So for 2 1/2 hours of footage you're looking at around 30 gigs that needs to be compressed to fit onto a DVD.
You should also take into consideration the bitrate of MPEG-2 compression. Considering that the audio is compressed to AC3 a safe bitrate compression for DVD video is around 7.5 mbp/s. A bitrate higher than that may cause errors during playback on some DVD players.
single layer vs. dual layer makes no difference on the total bitrate compression it only means you can fit longer duration of the compressed bitrate. Sending to Compressor and using a customized setting of MPEG-2 compression with 7.5 bitrate for video and AC3 for audio is the best quality you'll get on a standard DVD.
Welcome to the forum.

Exporting HDV for DVD

I'm shooting HDV with a Z1, and editing in HDV. I cannot get decent quality compressing for DVD through Compressor, nor if I compress a QT file. So I have to print to tape, then downconvert, and compress that, which gives excellent results. Downconverting to SD 4.3 is no problem, but for the life of me I can't figure out how to downconvert to SD 16.9. I know it's doable, because I've done it once, and can't remember what I did. What I'm getting is a very small image that needs enlarging to 300% in the motion tab, which gives lousy quality. Any suggestions how to get high quality compression from HDV, or how to downconvert to SD 16.9?
Peter in Tucson
2.7x2 G5 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

If the destination is ultimately a DVD, then you should export from FCE to *QuickTime Movie* ... NOT QuickTime Conversion.
To speed up your export time, do the following BEFORE exporting your video:
+Sequence > Render All > Both+ and
+Sequence > Render Only > Mixdown+
When you export to QuickTime Movie, UNCHECK the option called +"Make Movie Self-Contained".+ Doing this will create what is called an QT reference movie. It will be relatively small and export quickly. You can import this into iDVD and create your DVD project same as if you had exported a self-contained movie from FCE.
Note that all DVDs are standard def, not high def. Assuming your project is 16:9 aspect ratio, it will be the same on the DVD, only it will be standard def. The only true high def media is BluRay, for which you need a BluRay burner and software (DVDStudio Pro or Toast).

Recently shot a 24min. short in HD.Fairly large file and I need to compress and burn to DVD.I realze I won't get HD on DVD,but I need decent compression for Festival submission.Any sample settings I might try?

Recently edited a short to 24min.in FCPX.It is 1920x1080 24fps.It is large and I want to send on dvd for film festival submissions.How should I compress in Compressor to have the best quality and get it all on a dvd.I realize I won't get HD,but I need it small enough for dvd retaining some quality.

The short answer is, take a short but representative section and "test" and "re-test" until you get the best results you can attain.
Some further suggestions:
I assume that the festival specified DVD and that Blu-Ray is not an option.
The size of the file really doesn't matter to Compressor except that it somewhat reflects your movie's resolution and down-scaling from HD sizes to SD can introduce artifacts.
Start with the standard Disk Burning preset; duplicate it and save as custom settings; name them appropriately as you make adjustments so you can see at a glance what settings worked better or worse.
In Audio, set Dialogue Normalization to -31.
Don't judge the image quality on your computer. The Apple DVD Player may give you a rough idea of whether you have issues. But it's necessary to play out to a broadcast monitor or TV from a DVD player to see what it will truly look like.
Although it's possible that basic Disk Burning preset will give you what you want, I suggest turning opening Frame Controls (which should already be turned on) and setting the re-size filter to Best. You should also consider doing the scaling and the MPEG 2 encodes as separate steps (separate jobs).
The Encoder section of the Inspector allows you to adjust quality settings. You can test CBR and VBR settings at different bit rates. If VBR, use the Two Pass; the default bit rates are pretty good…you might be able to bump them up a little, but I wouldn't go above 8 Mbs.
BTW, how were you planning to burn them? If it's from Compressor, choose Hard Drive as Output Device to make a disk image. You can burn multiple copies from that disk image. You can also drag the Video TS folder into DVD Player to get a preliminary look at your results.
Good luck.
Russ

Compressing for DVD DL

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