Compressor 3 best presets for VHS to DVD

I used iMovie to edit footage that was injested into my MAC from the easy roxio vhs to dvd kit. I ran it through compressor because the video was not recognized by iDVD or iMovie. I used my preset iphone to FCP 6. just to see if it worked to solve my first problem and it did. Now I am curious as to what would be the best preset/droplet to build that will produce the best quality out of the VHS footage? I did notice there was a color drop from the iphone preset I used. That preset is an Apple ProRes 422 HQ and audio is listed as multi track passthrough. Thanks for the help!

>They come in as an MPEG-2 from roxio's easy vhs to dvd kit
Exactly. MPEG-2 is a highly compressed format with a lot of information for 14 out of every 15 frames being thrown out. And as you've discovered, it does not work natively in FCP or iMovie. So when you place an MPEG-2 video clip on the Timeline and render, you're converting the video yet again, suffering more quality loss. Then you exported ... which is yet another level of compression and another quality hit. Then it will have to be compressed to MPEG-2 again for the DVD process. Your chosen workflow is adding so much compression and conversion that it only degradates the image quality.
If this is the only way you have available, you could have used MPEG Streamclip to convert the Roxio MPEG-2 files so they matched your Seqeuence settings in FCP, thus eliminating the need to render (rendering converts the video so it conforms with the Sequence settings). Or better yet, purchase, rent or borrow a DVD recorder and record directly from VHS to DVD in one step.
Good luck with your project,
-DH

Similar Messages

Best method for VHS to DVD

Hi, I'm just wondering which would be the best way to transfer VHS to DVD? Or the easiest. I know sometimes the easiest isn't always the best way.
1. Convert analog video (VHS) to DV using your VCR connected to a DV converter (ie. ADS Pyro AV Link), edit in Final Cut Pro, use iDVD or DVD Studio Pro to make a DVD (with chapter menu)?
or
2. Use a DVD/VCR recorder combo, or connect a VCR to a standalone DVD recorder, record DVD. Rip DVD onto computer, convert to MPEG, edit MPEG in Final Cut Pro, use iDVD or DVD Studio Pro to make a DVD (with chapter menu)?
And using this method, how much video can you record on a single layer DVD-R before the picture quality starts to look pretty crappy, what speed setting should it be set at?
And of the two, which would produce a better picture quality?
Or is there another way other than the two mentioned above?
Thanks for your input.
G4 AGP 1.2Ghz upgrade, 896MB ram, LaCie DVD RW Mac OS X (10.3.9) StarTech USB 2.0 card, 30GB, 80GB, 120GB HDs

Note to Mr. Schultz:
To start let me agree that any of Nattress' filters are worth the money you pay for them. Graeme makes great tools for us to use.
However, I cannot agree with your comments relative to the ADVC-300.
With all due respect to you, since your experience with the built-in filters in the ADVC-300 seems to be the exact opposite of mine, I would suggest that perhaps you are not using the built-in filters correctly.
I'm pretty picky when it comes to image quality, but I have had some very good results going through my ADVC-300 both directly into FCP and on to DV tape.
But to each his own. It's a free country and I'm not challenging your claim to have had bad experience with the ADVC-300.
But I am trying to point out to the original questioner that some of us do not share your experience of consistent failure with the built-in filters in the ADVC-300. That some of us think it is an excellent value and great tool if correctly operated.
I will admit the the ADVC-300 manual leaves a lot to be desired, and the whole filtering and level-adjusting process is not very intuitive. But after I figured it all out, I am consistently pleased with the results.
One note - I did need to find a used hardware waveform monitor and vectorscope to view the signal in and out of the ADVC-300 independently of FCP too make sure the levels and chroma in the outgoing signal were OK. If you are relying on the scopes inside FCP do this before capture, they are not reliable or accurate in this situation. That could cause error.
If you have the right scopes and have been taught how to read them correctly, a lot of this stuff is pretty easy to sort out.

Workflow for VHS to DVD conversion

I am bidding on a large scale project to convert 123 VHS tapes to DVD. This is to be done a one-to-one basis and each DVD would have a simple chapter menu system. The client also wants the chapters to be saved on a separate DVD or CD as WMV files.
I am soliciting help for suggestions on the most efficient workflow. I assume that the VHS tape is brought in to the computer using an A-to-D converter and made into a DV file. I propose to bring the DV file into FCP 5 and section it with chapter markers and export it to DVDSP. DVDSP would have a template to receive the file and I burn the DVD from here. I would then cut the FCP timeline into clips and batch export them with Flip4mac WMV. Renaming the files to match the chapter markers would take time.
Given the large number of tapes, does anyone have suggestions on how to speed up or automate the workflow? Maybe droplets, compressor or applescript. I would like burning and rendering to be done at night in a batch scenario. I am willing to spend some money.
Thanks, Dan
Powermac G5 Dual 2.7 gHz Mac OS X (10.4.4)

The customer wants menu's and WMV files so this ruled out the dedicated VHS to DVD burner approach. I was thinking that maybe DVDSP or FCP could be applescripted to automate the file export and rename (chapter marker names to file names). Could I line up a series of MPEG 2 rendering sessions for an overnight run using compressor and could this be scripted? How could I get all the mpeg2 or QT files lined up to do a batch run through iDVD or DVDSP.
Thanks for your suggestions.

Best application for Standard Def DVD creation?

I have a bunch of MiniDV tapes shot in standard def that I want to make into DVDs for my family. I want to preserve as much picture quality as possible during the process and will be using transitions, overlays, and credits.
I have used iMovie 08 and abandoned it because I needed dynamic chapter markers. I am now ready to edit the next DVD in the 'series', and with the advent of iMovie 09 and the availability of Final Cut Express at a reasonable price, I am trying to decide which way to go. I also have a copy of iMovie HD 6 which I used for my previous DVD.
From reading the reviews of iMovie 09 I am pretty confident that I would be happy with it functionally, but not if it costs me in picture quality. I noticed on my first effort using iMovie HD 6 and iDVD, that the DVD picture was not as sharp as the video viewed directly from the camera. Did I do something wrong, or is that a "feature" of iMovie? Would FCE be better?
My only concern with FCE apart from spending money that I may not need to spend, is the talk of a steep learning curve. With two little kids at home I don't have a lot of spare time. That said, I'd rather spend the time and get a sharp looking DVD than get a mediocre one quickly.
Thanks for any advice.
-John

skalicki` wrote:
What do you mean by "dynamic chapter markers"?
I meant the ability to define the precise location of the chapter within the movie, such that when exported to iDVD the menu allows you to jump to any point you have defined in the movie. By "dynamic" I mean they may be placed at random locations, rather than fixed intervals. iMovie 08 deleted the ability to add chapter markers, iDVD allows only fixed interval chapters (which seems useless to me), as does Toast. I tried the work-around of using Garage Band, but it fails on larger projects. I've read that iMovie 09 has restored the ability to add chapter markers where you want, but if I'm going to shell out more cash I might as well get the package that will get me the best picture too (within reason).
In any video application, for Chapter markers you simply place them in the application, then edit them in iDVD, DVD Studio Pro, etc.
Not in iMovie 08/iDVD, but now that you mention it, how does DVD Studio Pro compare to iDVD? I'm mostly focused on picture quality.
Do you mean better animated titles that you could use within the program? For this FCE is much better, because you don't need to work with the premade things, you can create and animate your own from the ground up.
That will be fun. Not what I was talking about, but a nice feature. I know that FCE will have lots of capability that iMovie doesn't (by design), that's just gravy.
I have used iMovie HD 6 to place chapters where I wanted them in my last DVD project, I didn't have much trouble working with it although it is a bit more "professional grade" than iMovie (I know, not saying much). How do the two compare for learning curve/user friendliness? I would like to say that I'd get a book to read on FCE but the truth is that on an average day I don't have time to watch the news let alone read a book.
In my opinion, FCE is definitely worth the investment and once you learn it you will never want to go back to iMovie!
Thanks, just the fact that the output is higher quality is a big pull for me. I think I'm going to take the plunge.
Now for the next question: FCE 4 or 3.5?
-John

What is the best preset for Panasonic Ag-AC8P?

I teach digital video and use Panasonic AG-AC8P. What is the best preset to use for this camera? Thanks

Thank you for the response.
In reading these I realized my original question was unclear as I was in a hurry. Getting the sequence to match the clips isn't an issue, but when we import clips from that camera and play them in the source monitor, it lags very badly. Can this be solved by using the proper preset in project setup? Or does the sequence preset even matter when playing from the source monitor. One we get it into the timeline and rendered there isn't an issue, only when trying to play from the source monitor (for example when setting in and out points).

Best preset for Canon HF11 (PAL)

Hi.
I'm just wondering what the best preset is when working with footages taken from the Canon HF10/HF11 (PAL)? I'm currently using one of the preset for AVCHD Flashbased camcorders - is this OK or is it better if I create a new preset for the Canon HF-series camcorders?
Thanks in advance.
Stein

Using the PAL AVCHD preset should be fine... just be sure to select the correct one. I beleive the HF11 is 1920x1080 resolution so you need the "FULL HD 1080i" AVCHD preset... you also need to use the appropriate audio preset... 5.1 if you are recording with 5.1 audio.

Best Preset for display on HD 1080p Tv using mix of pictures and video from Sony Camera

I have photos and movies I took on a Sony Camera. I want to use them to create a slide show. The photos are shot in 16:9 aspect. The movies are in mp4 with a 640 by 480 resolution (VGA). What is the best preset to use in Premiere 10? Hopefully I did not screw up by not using the AVCHD setting in my camera for the movies.

>screw up by not using the AVCHD setting in my camera for the movies
Yes, you did... if you want HD output from an SD video
Even Premiere Pro does not do a good job of "up-rezzing" SD footage to HD output
If you do not want a final video that is so blurry that you can't see any details, you need to reduce the size of your pictures and go for SD output
Importing Video http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1065281
Saving & Sharing http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1051093
Sharing for Computer http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1058237
Steve's Basic Training Tutorials... steps are the same for several versions http://forums.adobe.com/thread/537685
-v10 http://www.amazon.com/Muvipix-com-Guide-Premiere-Elements-Version/dp/1466286377/
FAQ http://forums.adobe.com/community/premiere_elements/premiere_elements_faq
TIPS http://forums.adobe.com/community/premiere_elements/premiere_elements_tips
User Guide PDF http://help.adobe.com/en_US/premiereelements/using/index.html
Right click PDF link in the upper right corner and select to save to your hard drive

Best workflow for Blu-ray/DVD projects

For most of my encore projects, I end up creating a blu-ray and dvd version of the project. What is the best way/workflow to do this? I always seem to end up running into problems.

Unless you are working with a high end pro format, Pro Res 422 is perfectly fine to use as a master file. PR 4444 is PR HQ with an alpha channel so you probably can save a lot of space and speed up your exports by dropping down two levels.
If you use the BluRay prests in Compressor, it should do a very good job of encoding. Perhaps Toast is recompressing your file. I don't use the software but I think there is a setting simewhere to avoid the second compression.
Or have FCP make the BD directly.
Russ

Best Settings for a SD DVD with HD Video

So quick question and I just wanted to see if anyone has found a great solution for this.
We have HD Video (1440 x 1080) interlaced. (Looks amazing in Final Cut Pro. Did the roundtrip from color back to Final Cut Pro. Exported to a quicktime mov file using the same settings from the time timeline. (Still looks great) compressed it using compressor using the DVD Best Quality 90 minutes default settings. (File still looks great after its done) Burn it using DVD Studio Pro. Play it back on several TV's including a HD DVD and it looks awful. Although the footage is now in SD, i feel like it shouldn't look this bad.
Any suggestions?

This may help...
http://www.kenstone.net/fcphomepage/hdv_timeline_to_sddvd.html
Usually just setting Field Dom to None in FCP (duplicate your sequence) helps immensely.

Best codec for animation to DVD ?

I have a 1hr ANIMATION project to export from FCP 5.1
It is being delivered to someone who will use it and other material to author a DVD.
What would be the ideal way to deliver -
on mini DV or DVCAM tape ?
or a QT file of the whole show - if so, which codec is best - (file size is not a limitation) ?

I have a 1hr ANIMATION project to export from FCP 5.1
It is being delivered to someone who will use it and other material to author a DVD. What would be the ideal way to deliver -
on mini DV or DVCAM tape ? or a QT file of the whole show - if so, which codec is best - (file size is not a limitation) ?,
I'm a bit perplexed by the whole post.
How could you start a one hour ANIMATION project without knowing how you were going to deliver it to whoever was paying you to do it?
Do you mean ANIMATION as in the codec or ANIMATION as in some type of single-frame or keyframed production? You are using a base codec for your work. Export using a lossless codec, such as ANIMATION, that has the same or better bit-depth than your base codec. However, if the final release is DVD, it is going to squished down to MPEG2 so it is in your best interest to find out who will be handling the compression and talk to them directly. Take them to lunch. If all they're going to do is run you video through Compressor, it really doesn't matter what you give them, it will be horrible. If tey're using a compressionist, take that individual to lunch with you.
bogiesan

Best settings for export to dvd

I am exporting to dvd from ppro cs5. I am on windows 7, 64 bit, 6gb ram, intel I7 core. My export - match source, highest qualtiy, looked a little glitchy in some areas and the text did not look very clear on my titles. I think that all titles are appropriate size fonts. I am using hdv footage and my timeline is set up to match the original footage. I did have a lot of excess files on my hard drive which are now deleted. I defragged about 4 times and am now trying again. I am testing two settings - the first, export to dvd, highest quality, the second, I customized to the same mpeg2-dvd, 2 pass vbr, min 2.80, target 5, max 8. Does anyone have suggestions as to how to export the "best" quality image possible to play on a computer or on a dvd?
Thanks,
Lisa

Don't use Match Sequence Setting in the export because it uses the wrong settings.
Use a mpeg2-dvd preset and tweek the settings a bit.
Make sure the fields are set to upper as the source is HDV.
Check the Use Max Render Quality.
See how that works out.

How to get the best quailty for export to DVD

I am using Final Cut Pro Studio. I'm editing SD 16:9 anamorphic. What suggestions does anyone have for exporting (settings, rendering, to what (idvd, dvd studio pro) to DVD to be played on a computer or TV?
Thanks

Duplicate the preset - actually, the folder for the preset. Each DVD preset folder contains an MPEG-2 video and a Dolby Digital audio preset. By duplicating the folder, you will duplicate the presets inside that folder. The duplicated preset will be placed in the CUSTOM Preset section (below the Apple section). Open the duplicated preset and tweak settings for the Dolby Digital encoder as I described above. Tweak the MPEG-2 encoder preset as needed for each individual project.
You can save any modifications you made to the duplicate presets once you've finished tweaking them. That will make it easy to use them again in the future.
As for the Taiyo Yuden / JVC thing, I always used Taiyo Yuden in the past, but about two years ago or so, all of my normal suppliers only had them available in JVC packaging. Same discs, different marketing name. Beware though, Taiyo Yuden/JVC also markets a "value" line of blanks that (and I quote) "Haven't met quality checks." So only purchase blanks from their "premium" line.
-DH

Best quality for burning to DVD?

I've created a video project for a friend - home movies, scanned family photos, etc., with narration and music. Some of the images are pretty good quality, some not so great, but it's okay. I now want to burn it to a DVD - what's the best quality way to do that? Is there a compression type better for this than others?

Just export from FCE to QuickTime Movie. DO NOT export to QuickTime Conversion if the ultimate purpose is to create a DVD. iDVD or other DVD authoring software will take care of the necessary encoding for DVD.
To save time & disk space, when you export from FCE you can UNcheck the option called "Make movie self-contained." This will create what is called a QT Reference Movie, which you can import into iDVD or other DVD authoring software just the same as any other QT Movie.
One more tip - before exporting your movie from FCE be sure to do the following to actions. This will make your export go more smoothly and help maintain quality overall:
Sequence > Render All > Both and
Sequence > Render Only > Mixdown

Best way for vhs to digital conversion on imac

what is best method to convert old VHS tapes to digital format on iMAC?

Try the Blackmagic Design H.264 Format Video Recorder (for Mac Only). Works like a charm. I use it at work a lot. Click here: http://goo.gl/DoHsZK

Best Settings for a full DVD

Hi,
I'm new to compressor. I have a 1hr and 54 minute video I want to put on a DVD (4.7GB) with a menu or two. From experience, I've found that anything over 1hr and 45 minutes + a menu won't fit onto a DVD. What would be a good setting to use to squeeze my video down to about the size of a 1hr and 40 minute video?
Thank you,
Christopher
Message was edited by: Video Guy

You should be able to get 120 minutes onto a DVD with lots of room left for motion menus, animated transitions, and some extra stuff. The likely culprit is not using the correct audio encoder. There's a large section of the DVDSP manual devoted to maximizing your DVD content and keeping quality up.
Some of the regular contributors will drop by after a while and give you some better advice but you really don't need Compressor to create your MPEG2 unless you really want to exert precise control over the encoding. Meantime, search the DVDSP online help system and search the DVDSP forum for similar threads. The topic comes up often. Look for audio encoding, VBR, things like that.
bogiesan

Compressor 3 best presets for VHS to DVD

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