Compressing in DVDSP

Is bypassing compressor a good idea? Can DVDSP do the same job as converting a "FCP current settings quicktime movie" to mpeg2? I set my bit rate to 6.3 and max at 7.3 in DVDSP. 2 pass. I am having a heck of a time with compressor so I am trying it in DVDSP. The finished product looks pretty good except certain cross disolves. I there anything I can do to smooth out these disolves? Also, I used a DVDSP template and it looks really blotchy/pixlated in finished dvd is this normal?
Thanks in advance,
Jeremy

Same question, same answers!
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=605313&tstart=0

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Compressing for DVDSP

Hi,
I am having a lot of trouble encoding a coupe of fcp movies for DVDSP. I have tried compressor and DVDSP to no avail.
Both are DV movies; one of them very complex, the other not so much. The very complex one is 72min, the other is an 8min trailer. I am using FCP Studio 5.1.1 on a PowerPC G4, OS 10.4.7.
The main problem: artifacts when played using a regular DVD player. It does not happen using simulator (with and without background encoding) or my computers' DVD players.
I have tried changing field dominance, using self-contained movies instead of experting directly to compressor; using DVDSP's compression, etc. I have read a lot on the subject already and cannot figure out what is going on. My understanding is that compressor is not the way to go. Is DVDSP the best option? If so, what would be the best settings to use?
In sum, what is the best way to compress this kind of projects (complex, lots of movement, stills and speed changes) for DVDSP?
Thanks for any help you can provide!
Best,
Mabel

So you've tried exporting from FCS to QT movie, directly to compressor, and you've tried compressing the QT movie asset in DVDSP, and you have artifacts in each case, right?
First, I don't think that letting DVDSP do your compression is a good way to go for the longer, complicated project. Maybe for the short one if you must.
I'd go back to FCS and place compression markers at frames that are the beginning of big movement segments. I think FCS will automatically place markers at transitions. Then with the markers in place I'd export to QT movie (doesn't have to be self-contained) and then drag that movie file into compressor. In compressor choose MPEG-2 preset appropriate for the time, probably 90 minutes best quality, at the same time encode a Dolby AC3 audio file, and this may give you better results.
good luck.

Audio issues from FCP to Compression to DVDSP regarding 24p

This has probably been asked before. I exported my 2 hour Anamorphic 24p movie into Quicktime self contain with Audio. Once I run through compressor (.m2v and .ac3) And import the files into DVDSP, on the track it progressively goes out of sync. Its good in the beginning and then it gradually goes out of synce. Please Help.

if your audio is in sync with the video only for the first second or so, and then gets more off as time goes by, it may be that your video is at 24fps and your audio is at 29.97 or 30. also, did you check the original move your exported (the one that went to compressor) to see if the audio was synced there?

How to compress DV into smaller size?

Hi.
I need to know how to compress a DV file to say 60% of it's original size. I'm trying to pre-compress these files so that they will fit on a single DVD without using Toast on the final burn. In other words I want to compress the DV files without compressing the DVDSP menus etc.
Sandy

sandy, are you trying to make a data dvd with a quicktime (dv compressed) movie file or a dvd-video?
in the first case; dv has only one compression setting, there is no way to change it, unless you compress using a different codec.
in the latter case, you'll be wanting to compress to m2v (mpeg2) and probably ac3 for the audio
hope this helps

HDV to DVDsp Interlacing issues, Please Help

Hi All
can anyone help, heres my workflow:
Shot on Sony Z1(pal) HDV
imported to MAc via HDV1080i50 Firewire
Sequences setting HDV1080i50 present
edited like a dream!
exported to compressor
compressed to DVDsp 90mins BQ
authored to DVD via DVD studio
Played back on 40" Sony Bravia
Horrible Horizontal interlacing lines on any camera movement
What am I doing wrong, am i missing a baisc step somewhere?
Please help
Martin

If you are using the new FCS with compressor 3.5, it produces terrible SD video when converting from an HD format. One workaround: change your sequence setting field dominance to "none". (To do this, control click or right click on the sequence>settings>field dominance>none) rerender and then export to compressor. Results will be much better. There is a whole thread on this over in the compressor discussion board.
Steve

DVDSP final burn issue

Finally getting to burn stage in my attempt to convert HD to SD letterbox but always get a "Video TS_Folder in build" that stops the progress. How would I remove/alter that?

Thanks, check my previous msg as to what I did. I tried all that Compression stuff and DVDSP and it all just didn't work, almost like I was missing one or two important points. Trouble with advice in this forum sometimes is that the helper presumes that the helpee knows what he does.
I appreciate it and all, but I'm just not good at Compression and DVDSP, and I have a friend much more tech than me coming over on the wk-end to show me step-by-step. I'm simply not there yet and any explanation has proved to be too complex, as dumb as that sounds, at least for me. There's always a step or two missing, but sometimes it works. Trouble with FCP also is that it has so many ways to do a single job.
I did accomplish my goal as indicated in the msg before yours, in a round-about way that probably is regarded as basic, but it worked, I got my letterbox DVDs.
thanks again

Master file is poor quality when played in QT

I have a 45 minute documentary that was ingested as native into FCPX from a Sony XDCAM, compressed in compressor using mpeg-2 for DVDSP.
All this worked fine.
My question is about the master file. It is 422 (same as source)and Linear PCM. Playback in QT is pretty poor quality.
I optimized (as I was working in proxy) before creating the master file.
My question is, is this normal or did I choose the wrong settings?
Thanks
Sandy

What are the complete specs of the original media besides XDCAM?
compressed in compressor using mpeg-2 for DVDSP.
It is 422 (same as source)and Linear PCM.
I don't believe this is correct. If it's compressed for DVDSP it's going to the DVD standard and is no longer 422. The audio is separate and is normally compressed to an AC3 Dolby Digital file.
I optimized (as I was working in proxy)
Did you switch back to original/optimized before you exported, or did you export the proxy version?

General Question About Compressor Speed & Newer Macs

Hi,
I am considering buying a PowerMac G5/2.3 dual-processor. I currently have a G4/350 with a 1.2 Ghz Sonnet processor installed. My main intent is to speed up MPEG2 compression for DVDSP 4 at any encoding setting compared with what I have now. I usually leave this computer running overnight to encode without any other apps running. Typical video length is 1-2 hours.
Will I see a significant speed boost with the G5 and a comparable amount of ram or is it a waste of money? DVDSP simulation also looks choppy. Will that smooth out?
BTW, I have no interest in creating a cluster to hand off Compressor tasks, so that path will play no part in my decision. Thanks for any help.
James

You'll see a difference, for sure.
I work on a Dual 1.42 G4 tower but often visit a friend over at a local post house who works on a Dual 2.5 G5. His machine is significantly faster than mine - I'd say about 40% faster. (and yes, I say this having needed to work on Compressor on his machine)
Considering the greater horsepower difference in your scenario, you should be pretty happy.

DVD stutter

I have Final Cut Studio on Power Mac G4 Tower, 1 GHz, 1 GB Dual Processor with External 250 Lacie HD. I am trying to burn a 27 min FCP project with DVDSP on TDK DVD-R 8X. The project will play for 7min, and then stutters and becomes pixelated and just unwatchable. The DVD plays on the mac but not on my JVC DVD player. Could someone walk me through the steps and settings I should be using from FCP exporting using compresser to DVDSP burning settings?
I really appreciate any tips and help I could get.
Katherine

Keebler said:
From the tests I ran, yup...BV is better.
I couldn't believe the difference in colour (BV's were much deeper and richer).
That's my experience too, although I'm not sure I'd call it deeper and richer, more like simply darker. In any case, I'm not sure I would call that a benefit because in my hands Bitvice causes brightness shifts from the original DV source whereas Compressor's MPEG2 output is nearly an exact match for the original. Personally, I'd prefer that the output looks as much like the input as possible. If I want a darker image I'll adjust the video in my FCP sequence, I don't expect the MPEG2 compressor to change my video for me.
However, I'm using NTSC sources and output so maybe you'll see different results with PAL. Also, since I'm using Apple's MPEG2 Playback component to view the finished results I guess that Apple's Compressor has a potential advantage because they are handling both the encode (to MPEG2) and the decode for playback.
In any case, Bitvice is a good product, they have a demo that you can download so it's worth a look to see if you prefer their output.

Video Bitrate Problem

I looked through previous threads on the subject, but couldn't find anything that solved my problem.
I'm trying to build a dual layer DVD in DVD Studio Pro 3.0.2. All the smaller video files (ie: special features) mux without any problem, but when it gets to the mother file (a ninety minute video), I always get the "Video Bitrate Too High" complaint. I tried adjusting my bitrate settings as per a suggestion on these boards, but it hasn't helped.
Here's the kicker: as a test, I imported that same file to a new DVD Studio Pro project, and hit built. It worked like a charm. Why would the file work in one project, but not another? What's the difference? I've checked the settings, and as far as I can tell, they're identical.
The video is uncompressed (the theory being that DSP would do the compression itself). When we tried putting the file into Compressor, it would tell us something about not being able to locate the source. Searching through Compressor forums, my more-technically-minded associate tells me he can't find a solution for that.
Any and all help would be much, much, much appreciated!

Hi Latauro:
I think the issue could be related with audio bitrate, no matter that DVDSP alert "video bitrate too high".
I don't know what files are you importing to DVDSP, but as you said that are letting DVDSP to make the encode, I guess you are importing not compressed video and audio. If you don't compress audio, DVDSP will encode it as AIFF and will take too much of the complete available bitrate.
If that is the situation, you must first try encoding your audio to Dolby 2.0 (AC3 files) in Compressor and replacing the uncompressed one in your tracks with the AC3 new files.
If you get a low level audio compared with your uncompressed audio files, change the following settings in the standard Dolby preset:
Compression Preset: None
Dialog Normalization: -31 dbFS
About the Compressor error you get, please post a more detailed information about the error message and your system configuration. I'm sure someone here will give you a solution.
Message was edited by: Silal

Express vs Pro/Studo

What is the big difference between the Final Cut Express and Studio?
I want to make picture videos with music, text and perhaps video clips. THANKS!

hey there dgil04,
$1299.00--FCS is a full-featured Pro editing suite & includes several apps-Compressor for multiple output options & compression rates, DVDSP for building DVDs from scratch & including increased interactivity, QMaster for render farms, Soundtrack Pro for audio tweaking, surround sound & multi-tracking, scoring. full version of LiveType for animated titling, Color for color grading & finishing, FCP for editing just about every currently available video format/codec, Cinema Tools for film out & more. very extreme learning curve for everything in the suite.
$199.00--FCE is a mid-level editing suite for use w/ DV, HDV, AVCHD formats/codecs, includes LiveType for animated titling, editing interface is very similar to FCP. use iLife suite for DVD authoring & burning, GarageBand for audio tweaking & scoring. steep learning curve for everything in the suite.
for what it sounds like you want to do, try FCE if you've outgrown iMovie, need multiple video tracks or better video FX. it is an outstanding product for the price, especially when coupled w/ the iLife suite. check out the product pages for each suite @ apple.com under "Mac".
good luck.
good luck.

Novice here,,, Why can't we export to DVD ? Policy or Technology or ? thx

Novice here,,, Why can't we export to DVD ? Policy or Technology or ? thx

Why can't we export to DVD ?
Am afraid I don't quite understand your question since we can export and create/author DVDs. If you are asking why iMovie does not do so directly, then yes there is a problem of technology involved. QT is basically a "temporal" synchronization multimedia "engine" while DVDs are based on "spatial" compression and synchronization. Therefore, a different "engine" is required for processing the data -- Compressor alone for advanced compression and DVDSP for advanced authoring or a combined simple compression and authoring application like iDVD. If you are asking if it is possible to combine the capabilities of iMovie and iDVD into a single application, then I suppose it would be possible but probably violate the standing policy of Apple's normal "KISS" (Keep it Simple, Stupid) approach of doing things and likely create a whole new level of problems to add to the current ones already present.

Audio and video compression preferences for export to DVDSP

Hi,
I have a few questions here. The first is regarding the internal use of compressor by DVD Studio Pro. It is my understanding from (limited experience with) past projects that quicktime movie files are automatically compressed to an mpeg2 format when imported into DVDSP. To what extent do I have control over the level of compression, and are the default mpegs that were made optimal quality? Where can I check this?
My second question is regarding compression of audio files. Whereas my video files were automatically compressed, I am not so sure about the audio. I was forced to compress the audio down to Dolby2 separately using the external compressor program, in order not to exceed the bitrate on my last project. Was this just a question of one or the other (video/audio) needing further compression than the default amount, or is there more to this issue?
I live and work with video in Europe, where I have recently been told that optimal audio is mp3? 4? rather than Dolby 5.1? Is this correct, and how much more space does dolby 5.1 take than dolby2? How significant an issue is this when making dvd's for musicians?
Lastly, can someone recommend the best quality audio-video compression solution for a dvd containing approx 40 minutes of audio and video footage for use in europe?? or explain how I might go about finding this out for myself?
Thanks a lot, and I look forward to reading your comments.
4 x 2.5 GHz PowerPC G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6) 8 GB DDR2 SDRam
4 x 2.5 GHz PowerPC G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6) 8 GB DDR2 SDRam

It is my understanding from (limited experience with) past projects that quicktime movie files are automatically compressed to an mpeg2 format when imported into DVDSP. To what extent do I have control over the level of compression, and are the default mpegs that were made optimal quality? Where can I check this?
Settings for DVDSP's internal encoder can be adjusted in DVDSP preferences. Press Command-, - that's the Apply and the comma keys - to bring those up, then select the Encoder tab. In your case, make sure you adjust the settings for SD DVD (and not HD-DVD). You will also be able to specify whether to encode in the background (basically, as soon as you import your file) or encode on build, at the bottom of that tab.
I was forced to compress the audio down to Dolby2 separately using the external compressor program, in order not to exceed the bitrate on my last project. Was this just a question of one or the other (video/audio) needing further compression than the default amount, or is there more to this issue?
I can't confess to have read any of your previous threads, but if you exceeded bit rate, that is a common reason to need to use Dolby compression for your audio. (unless you can afford to recompress your video files)
That is, if you video files use a high bit rate (say over 6 Mbps average), then it's usually necessity to use Dolby compression to make sure that all your footage fits on a single disc. (this is a simplification, of course, but I think you get the idea)
Or was there more to this question that I'm missing?
I live and work with video in Europe, where I have recently been told that optimal audio is mp3? 4? rather than Dolby 5.1? Is this correct, and how much more space does dolby 5.1 take than dolby2? How significant an issue is this when making dvd's for musicians?
Someone was mistaken when they told you that DVDs accept - let alone are optimized for - mp3 or mp4 files. That's flat out wrong.
As for the difference between Dolby 5.1 vs 2.0, that depends on your encoding rates. Typically, most folks encoder Dolby 2.0 at 192 kbps, with some choosing to up the bit rate to 224 kbps. Beyond 224 kbps, you're not actually improving audio quality for a 2.0 mix, you're just bloating your file size. When it comes to 5.1 audio, it's typical to encode your audio at 384 or 448 kbps.
When it comes to compressed audio vs uncompressed audio, it does matter when you're making DVDs for musicians. But that means that you'll probably need to lower the bit rate on your video files.
Lastly, can someone recommend the best quality audio-video compression solution for a dvd containing approx 40 minutes of audio and video footage for use in europe??
If you want to keep you audio as AIFF files, set your encode to 2 Pass VBR Best, with an Average bit rate of 5.0 Mbps and a Max bit rate of 7.0 Mbps. If you need things to happen a bit faster, use One Pass (not One Pass VBR) and use 5.5 Mbps as your bit rate.
If you want to have a firm grasp over how all these numbers work, there is a section at the back of DVDSP manual, that explains how to calculate bit rates (what we call bit budgeting in the business). Give that a quick once-over if you can.

DVDSP vs Compressor compression

Is it better to compress my video with Compressor or use my raw uncompressed Quicktime movies as assets in DVDSP and have it do the compression when building a disc?
A co-worker says DVDSP is better since it automatically adjusts quality to make assets fit within a disc. Compressor has presets, but requires tweaking if my program length doesn't comform to one of the MPEG 2 time presets (90, 120, etc minutes)

The general rule is that Compressor will give you complete control over your encoding process. Working in DVDSP with your assets encoded, will give you faster builds too.
An important advantage of using Compressor is its capabilities to encode your audio to Dolby 2.0 (AC3) what will give you more space for your video (letting use a higher bitrate to your video). DVDSP will not compress your audio, leaving it as AIFF/PCM what most probably will give you some high bitrates issues during encoding/playback (specially in stand alone player).
is better since it automatically adjusts quality to make assets fit within a disc
I never encode in DVDSP and never heard about any automatic fit feature. You must change the encoding settings inside DVDSP preferences to fit your assets (remember you'll not be able to encode your audio to Dolby inside DVDSP).
But anyone with more experience in inside encoding will tell us if that automatic feature really exists !
Hope it helps !
Alberto

Jagged Edges - When compressing 50 minute clip - burned in DVDSP

I'm in the process of authoring four DVD's (mixed martial arts, muy thai etc) which was shot in HD on a Panasonic HVX-200 using the DVCPro HD codec, at 24 fps progressive.
2 of the four DVD's I'm having problems with jagged edges around the two fighters (two guys shot against a white backdrop), you can clearly see blocky artifacting around the edges of them.
I've tried exporting via compressor using a 1-pass VBR 6.2 Mbps min - 7.7 Mpbs max, imported into DVDSP, build the project, and then when I use the DVD player program, I can see the artifacting.
However, I have a couple of other clips on the DVD, that were exported the exact same way, and no artifacting is evident.
I tried re-encoding at a CBR of 7.7 Mpbs, no change. Any ideas?
One thing that I just thought of is that I have been using the same source folder when building the project as the previous versions (to save time rebuilding all the motion menus, etc). Could that be a reason? Would DVDSP be using some of the information from the older encoded video?
Any thoughts please.

Make sure that you are encoding for 24p. Set the video format for 720p, and the frame rate for 23.98. You should also be using 2-pass VBR, not 1-pass.

Compressing in DVDSP

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