Do I need DVD Studio Pro?

I've made two different slide shows that have taken hours to put together.
I can play them through my Laptop and Epson Digital Projector with good results, but when I try to burn a DVD it looks like sh*t.
Q. To get good DVDs, do I need to upgrade software?
And, If so.
Is DVD Studio Pro the right choice?

To answer the question of why retail DVDs look so good... because they have more money at their disposal. You don't really think these are compressed with a program included with a $79 suite? Or even DVDSP. Commercial DVDs typically use a hardware encoder. And they ain't cheap.
In any case, we would need a better defination than "looks like sh*t". Color? Transistions? Pixelated? What resolution are you using? Next, are you using any motion (Ken Burns effect) on the images. If not, you should, even if only a little. DV was developed for moving images, not stills. I create slideshows fairly regularly with acceptable reuslts. Either we need to find something in your workflow, or maybe you do have too high an expectation. This may provide some insights into the complexities of a DVD:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=24485
Mike

Similar Messages

Need DVD Studio Pro - not Final Cut

I'm doing volunteer work for an organization that trains dogs for the disabled. All I need is DVD Studio Pro.... Why has Apple bundled it? The expense is far too high for someone who doesn't need the rest of the software. Is there any way to get DSP 4? Perhaps used?

On a Mac the only options are iDVD and DVD Studio Pro... unless you want to work in OS9 and can find (or afford) a copy of Sonic Fusion or Sonic Creator.
By far the best way forward is to try to find a copy of DVDSP on eBay, or to invest in the whole bundle...
On a PC the options are far more numerous, with lots of offerings from Sonic, plus Adobe Encore to get you started off. If you are looking for something a lot more sophisticated, then look at DVD Lab which is very reasonably priced and gives great access to the features of the DVD spec.

I need DVD Studio Pro and another app that can do .*** or .ssa Files

Are there any good Mac OS X apps (preferably free to cheap?) that will export .*** or .ssa files of my subtiles?

To answer the question of why retail DVDs look so good... because they have more money at their disposal. You don't really think these are compressed with a program included with a $79 suite? Or even DVDSP. Commercial DVDs typically use a hardware encoder. And they ain't cheap.
In any case, we would need a better defination than "looks like sh*t". Color? Transistions? Pixelated? What resolution are you using? Next, are you using any motion (Ken Burns effect) on the images. If not, you should, even if only a little. DV was developed for moving images, not stills. I create slideshows fairly regularly with acceptable reuslts. Either we need to find something in your workflow, or maybe you do have too high an expectation. This may provide some insights into the complexities of a DVD:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=24485
Mike

DVD STudio Pro won't let me delete stills. has brought in ALL my stills

Hi all. In need: DVD Studio Pro won't let me delete STILLS from palette. The minus sign is greyed out even with control-click and shortcut menu. As a result, the program goes through ALL my photos when looking for a cover for my dvd. Makes it impossible to put pix on cover of DVD (when played).
I should be able to DELETE these folders with 1000s of photos! The manual says so but the minus sign still stays greyed.
Also, not sure how it imported all of these in first place? i am currently keeping photos in i-photo, so ....?
Do I need to wipe out the dvd-studio pro and replace. [Of course I am in Rome and don't have that disc!]
HELP if possible is much appreciated.
best,
SoundFilm

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2230816&tstart=0

I am programming a DVD-Rom in DVD Studio Pro 4 and need to display and open pdf files, any suggestions?

I am programming a DVD-Rom in DVD Studio Pro 4 and need to display and open pdf files, any suggestions?

http://documentation.apple.com/en/dvdstudiopro/usermanual/index.html#chapter=22% 26section=9%26tasks=true

DVD Studio Pro Newbie Needs Help!

I have a presentation deadline approaching and I need help desperately. I created my presentation using Keynote 3 (800*600 slides) and exported it to a Quicktime movie using H.264 compression at 29.97 fps (high quality settings). I then proceeded to use iDVD 6 and imported the Quicktime movie and created a simple menu using the templates provided.
I saved the entire project as a disk image and used the DVD player to check the disk image file. The quality of the DVD disk image file looked nothing like the original Quicktime movie. The images and text looked blurry and unprofessional.
I've spend quite some time on the iDVD and Keynote discussion forums and can't find a solution to my problem. The conclusion I've come is that the mpeg-2 encoder that iDVD 6 uses is problematic.
I don't want to start using DVD Studio Pro but I will in order to preserve the quality of my original Keynote presentation. So here are my questions...thank you in advance for your help guys....I really need it:
- I plan on playing the DVD on a 42" Plasma display at a sales office and also distributing it to potential buyers. Are my Keynote export settings optimal for iDVD use? Should I be using H.264 @ 29.97?
- If I must use DVDSP then what export/compression settings should I use in Keynote to preserve the quality? Keynote doesn't give me an option to use mpeg-2. I have ffmpegX so I can encode different formats...just need to know the correct one.
- Keynote exports separate audio and video files. I combined them using Quicktime. Is it possible to use the combined file in DVDSP or do they need to be separate.
Thanks for taking the time to read this post. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you have any reading material pertaining to this matter please provide link.
~Eddie~
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

You can use a mov file that contains both audio and video. DVD Studio Pro will compress the mov itself. I am not overly familiar with the codec H.264 but either way its a codec that compresses the video, and if I am right that codec is used for compressing video to web based file sizes, which means heavy compression. When I create DVD material I use M2V format which is what DVD SP wants anyways so it cuts time and drive space in half. If you export an mov and import it into DVD SP, DVD SP compresses the file again which is M2V. Now you have two files, with twice the compression time. When creating M2V the only thing that you need o be aware of is the bit rate, which needs to be adjusted pending the duration of the video. Use 29.97 if you are NTSC and full frame rate, which you should be.
If you can not create an M2V file with associated aiff audio file, than export your QT file as uncompressed or as a QT Movie. The file itself will be huge but DVD SP will compress it properly.
I hope this helps

Need 101 course for DVD Studio Pro

I have a 5 minute rendered file with video in 1920x1080. I have it both passed through Compressor and as a 46 GB Quicktime uncompressed movie. I need to have this on DVD by mid June so I'm sort of in a rush. What would be the best and quickest way to learn how to use DVD Studio Pro for a very simple DVD, just a full screen photo with PLAY button and maybe some music and the movie itself? I would use iDVD but I was told it might not handle the HD. Then I'd need to know how to use iDVD.
I used to use DVD Studio Pro but when I upgraded I was no longer able to navigate the new interface (that and it's been a while).
I also dislike the templates in iDVD as well as DVD Studio Pro.
Thank you
Shelley

>I would use iDVD but I was told it might not handle the HD
You DO know that DVD is a standard definition format ... don't you? If you want to make a disc that will play in DVD players, it has to be standard definition content. Your HD footage will need to be downscaled to SD either in Compressor (recommended) or in DVD Studio Pro, if you let it do the encoding.
You can burn an HD DVD, but it will only play on later model Macs and a couple of (now obsolete) Toshiba HD DVD players.
Your other option for HD content on optical disc is Blu-ray.
-DH

How come my dvd studio pro 3 is not working properly with leopard? Need help!, How come my dvd studio pro 3 is not working properly with leopard? Need help!

I recently installed os leopard on my power MAC G5 and my DVD studio pro 3 application is not working properly as it used to be. I was unable to create motion menu and build the dvd properly. Then I deleted and reinstall dvd studio pro 3, but it did not solve the problems. What should I do?

I have a sneaking suspicion it won't work in 10.5.x, possibly because of the version of Quicktime...
System Requirements:
Mac OS X v10.3.2
733 MHz or faster PowerPC processor (G4 minimum) and AGP graphics card
256 MB of RAM (512 MB recommended)
20 GB available disk space
8 MB of video memory (32 MB recommended)
QuickTime 6.5
DVD drive required for installation
I think your going to need a dual boot Mac with 10.4.x on another drive or partition.

Do I need Soundtrack Pro, Motion 2, and DVD Studio Pro 4?

Do I need Soundtrack Pro, Motion 2, and DVD Studio Pro 4 to learn Final Cut Pro, or can I use the basic package and upgrade later?

can I use the basic package and upgrade later?<<</div>
What "basic package" are you referring to? FCP is only available as part of Final Cut Studio, which includes ALL of the apps you mention ... unless, of course, you purchase a used copy of FCP alone.
-DH

Novice DVD Studio Pro user - need few tips

Hi,
I've started with a task of creating a simple DVD with DVD Studio Pro 4. Task that has been shown a bit over my head for now.
Recently I created a DVD with iDVD and it worked nicely, but I wanted more hands on approach. I was supprised that DVD studio cant accept .m4v files and MPEG2 files. But in the program specs, in the Import FAQ section it says it can. So I don't know what video file to use.
Here are my biggest concerns when creating this DVD.
I have one menu. I have set a background photo for it, its 1920x1080 for 1080 HD video.
Should I go with max HD video, or use Standard Definition video instead?
I have already created my videos in m4v format. What do I need to do, so DVD Studio Pro 4 would read them? To mention this, I have converted them using VisualHub to MPEG-2, but DVD Studio Pro 4 refused to import them, clamming that they are not supported.
On that one menu, I want to have 6 buttons, that are actually a little pictures (stills from video, that I have already taken from video, and resized them in photoshop, and exported them as JPEG). How can I create buttons from those little JPEGS. One image for one button that will play one video.
In the end, I was thinking putting a little opening video before main menu showed. Video for about 5-6 seconds and then menu would show up. How can I do this? Is there some trick in Outline and Inspector that I should do? And also, what video (its tied with first question)?
I appreciate any help or reply. If you cant write everything down, please direct me to some tutorial or training video/site where I can get some answers.

You should be making m2vs (without audio in them, in other words not multiplexed) for SD DVDs (which is what you are going for it sounds like.) MPEG-4 is compressed so you wind up recompressing.
Use Pro Res to send out a self contained movie from FCP or send the timeline straight from Final Cut to Compressor an preset (or one that you make yourself.) I prefer sending out self-contained versions in case I need to re-rencode or want to make items for various formats.
Movie setting up Compressor is [here|http://www.dvdstepbystep.com/compressor.mov]
Now there are geenerally two types of DVDs - SD (which is pretty much everything out there, except for blu-ray and the defunct HD DVD) and the HD ones. SD discs will play on anything for the most part and you can use HD video in making SD discs. When converting from HD sources, set up Compressor to tweak frame controls for resizing to better. Make sure aspect is 16:9 and when you put in the track set it for 16:9 Letterbox, not 16:9 pan and scan or pan and sacn letterbox.
As to menus check [this thread out|http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11253338#11253338] for a real quick overview - sounds like you would probably want to composite the menu in Motion.
As to starting the movie, set the first play to the clip you want (which is a good idea in general - start with some video and not and menu) then set the jump from the track to your main menu.
Check out the bits and pieces posted [here|http://dvdstepbystep.com] there are alot of little things I put in there which can help you along and narrow down some things where you may have questions.
Also looking at the tutorials and manuals will also give you alot of the information, but the above should jumpstart you and help get you past some of the intial hurdles.

FCP to DVD Studio Pro exporting help needed - desperatey......

Hi.
Please help me if you can.
I am exporting a Quicktime movie from FCP for DVD Studio Pro 4. I chose the MPEG 4 option in the compression, make it best quality and bounce it. But when I look at the self-contained mov file, every time a person walks across the screen I am getting little lines on the light parts of the screen or a beating or sizzling effect in the dark parts. Basically it looks like everything is "alive" somewhat - objects like curtains seem to sizzle.
Can someone guide me in the proper choices to make when exporting from FCP to import into DVD Studio Pro? There is not an MPEG-2 or M2V option, and the MPEG compression breaks it down to MPEG-2 or M2v upon import into DVD Studio Pro anyway.
I guess I don't know how to get the best quality bounce from FCP, in order to have a file that is less that 4G in size. Can someone please advise?
There are no directions on exporting FOR DVD Studio Pro in the Final Cut books, nor was there a FCP prep covered in the DVD SP books.

Quick workflow from FCP -> DVDSP:
In FCP, File Export QuickTime Movie
Select DVD Studio Pro Markers in the Markers drop-down (leave other settings as is)
Save QT Movie to your preferred location
In DVDSP, import your newly-created QT Movie
(You may want to confirm your encoding settings - both in terms of bit rate and whether
you're encoding on build or have background coding enabled - prior to this step though)
Best Quality workflow:
In FCP, trash the render files for your sequence
From the Menu, File Export Using Compressor
Now, in Compressor, select the appropriate preset(s): DVD: Best Quality 90 Minutes - 4:3
Optional: Delete the AIFF setting completely
Select the appropriate destination(s)
Optional: For the Dolby preset, alter Dialog Normalization (under the Audio tab of the Inspector) to -31. In the Preprocessing tab, alter the Compression Preset to None
Click Submit
Once the encode is done, import the .m2v and .ac3 (and/or .aiff) files into DVDSP
It's only fair to tell you that since this produces (pretty much) the best possible quality from Compressor, it may take as much as 5x-10x as long as the 'quick workflow' detailed earlier. (Especially if you've set DVDSP to do a one-pass encode)

Do I need to reinstall DVD STudio Pro 4?

I have two problems with DVD Studio Pro 4 that apparently have no answers in the manual:
1) Some (many) of the Apple menu templates lose all of their graphics when I drag them onto the menu window. I might choose, say, "Frames Cover" and drag it onto the menu window, but instead of the graphics in the thumbnail on the palette, what I get is a box with a gray arrow where the drop zone is supposed to be, a white background, no colors, nothing. Some of the templates come over normally, but I am really limited in my choices - about 50% or more have no graphics when dragged or applied onto the menu window. Is there some configuration setting I don't know about to fix this?
2) Assuming I have one that comes into the menu window OK, the buttons do not display the active/selected/resting states when I click on the three little icons at the bottom of the menu window to see the display in each state. The buttons become "active" only when I click on them with the mouse, but I am unable to check their "state."
I burned a finished project to a DVD only to find that the buttons would not show a selected state with the remote control and so, of course, I was unable to select anything.
Very frustrating. I wasn't expecting stuff like this with the Mac which is new for me, it's reminiscent of Windows when I often had to reinstall software that was somehow corrupted.
Please help.
Barry

Thanks for the rapid reply. I went ahead anyway and deleted DVD Studio Pro 4 and reinstalled it. When I clicked on a template, the same thing happened. I tried every one of the templates and suddenly realized that the images in the thumbnails in the palette are just samples (including the color in some cases). I assumed that I would get an identical set of images that would then have to be changed. Pretty dumb, huh? I think what threw me is that the very first template I used is the one with the theatre curtain opening and closing, with the heads of the audience at the bottom - it's pretty detailed. I assumed that all of the others would be similarly detailed. OK, lesson learned.
The buttons are another matter. I just cannot get them to display their state. To answer your question about my "built" project burned onto a DVD, yes, if I press the "enter" button on my DVD remote, it begins playing a selection. I have a special problem with this particular DVD, as it contains the same movie four times: I was trying to determine the differences between an HDV movie exported as a 1920 X1080 format, secondly as a 720 X 480 format, thirdly as a 1440 X 720 format, and finally as a 720 X 480 anamorphic format. So in this case, I have no idea which of my four "results" is being shown on the TV as I don't know which is the default if that is the correct term. But yes, one of them plays, except I cannot choose it.
I have watched the tutorial included with the software countless times, it appears that all I have to do is select a button and then click on whichever of the three little "state" icons at the bottom, but it doesn't do anything. Only the mouse clicking on the button highlights the button, that doesn't help on a TV set. And it doesn't matter which template I choose, the "state" buttons do not work.
Barry

DVD Studio Pro 4 (a stand alone product)? Need advice purchasing BD authoring software

According to Wiki, DVD STUDIO PRO-4 came with the "creative suite" that was discontinued by Apple in 2006.
In 2003-2005 I used DVD Studio Pro-2. That was THEN.
Now I have now an overkill PowerMac G5, FCPX, and Compressor-4.   My question is what software can I purchase that will burn BLU-RAY disks and give me some menues like DVD Studio Pro?
Thanks
-Dale

Okay, I remember the days back in 2003 when using FCP4, DVD Studio2, and Compressor2 there was lots of hoopla about creating great videos -- then (at that time) Apple had no respectable DVD player software -- now (Lion) has DVD player.
In like manner, we have all this hoopla about FCPX, Compressor4, Motion5 --- and no Blu-Ray (BD) authoring software.   If Apple is worth its salt and has their marketing folks read these forums, seems like SOMEBODY would finally GET IT.   This is like building a Rolls Royce without a muffler.
Well, I've answered my own question.   I purchased TOAST-11 to read MTS files to discover it also authors BD. By clicking "create BD disk" you'll be prompted to purchase & download a $20 plugin.   Does a GREAT job with menus. Just drag your video & audio files (from compressor) and that's it.
BTY- all the "stink" around FCPX about not being able to import MTS files from disk (this is like building a Ferrari without a gas tank). Tom W gave a great suggestion to use a product called CLIPWRAP ($50). So I bought it (converts MTS to MOV without data loss).

Having a problem with audio in DVD Studio Pro with the finished copy

I am making a DVD of a clip I had transferred from a mini DV. All the audio was present when I transferred it. I had then turned it into an MPEG movie format (.mpg). When I play that clip there is audio. Then I compressed the file on Compressor. I selected the file format by choosing Apple > DVD > DVD: Best Quality 90 minutes > MPEG-2 6.2Mbps 2-pass (the clip was about an hour and 20min long) and compressed the clip. I then opened DVD studio pro, made a menu, and then added this new file (MPEG-2 6.2Mbps 2-pass). I burned the DVD and put it into my DVD player. The picture was great and everything worked fine except there was no audio. How do I get audio into this DVD? I have tried compressing my .mpg file into the Dolby Digital Professional 2.0 option that is under DVD: Best Quality 90 minutes, but when I try importing that into DVD studio pro it a message pops up saying "Incompatible format." It might also help mentioning that when I saw the file size on the Dolby Digital Professional 2.0 after compressing it, it said Zero kb. How would I get audio onto this DVD? I would really appreciate your help, I tried to be as detailed as I could. This DVD is for a family member and is urgent, so anyone who can help would greatly be appreciated. Thank you so much.
Message was edited by: rocco7070

If you don't want to go back and recapture the tape you need to understand that MPG files need to be "DeMuxed" to extract the audio. My recommendation would be to use the free MPEG Streamclip and then select your MPG to be Demuxed into an AIFF file. That AIFF file will then need to be converted to an AC3 file, similar to what you did with the video.

Recording standard dvd from completed FCP project thru DVD STUDIO PRO...

OH, kind geniuses...
it boils down to this...I'm very FCP friendly...production is done...I'm aware of "compressor" issue...one question tho
...is it easier to compress thru Quicktime movie or the
standard compressor functions when project is completed...
BOTTOM LINE...is it possible to crank out a standard DVD copy of a completed FCP project QUICKLY/ EASILY...thru
DVD STUDIO PRO? i've went thru the manuals for ALL, and am
affraid I'm reading T.M.I. into it... THE question..."is there a simple Wham-Bam-Thank You-Maam way to get a simple
DVD copy from a completed FCP project THRU, (the dreaded)
DVD STUDIO PRO??? I don't need to re-learn digital electronic theory...just crank out a gawl-dern DVD I can
present to a perspective employer that needs a FCP editor...
"much gnashing of teeth & lament",
thanks folks!
G. Tirebiter
mac G-5 Mac OS X (10.4.7) final cut studio

whoaohohohohohohoh nnnnnnneleeeee(a keith jacksonism)
silal..............
way too much info, amigo....I have one track (2min total...
including "live-type" graphics)....we don' have no marks....
we don' need no marks....we don' got to cho you any steenking marks!!!!! (Alfonso Bedoya from "treasure of Sierra Madre"..adaptation)...I love that guy/scene...back to the problem at hand...waaaay too involved it seems, my
friend....tho, I high 5 you for the extensive work & effort.
I'm lookin' for quick & dirty...did get a response that basically gives me that...still left out some "see spot run"
info that my "little grey cells" aren't absorbing...I'm
sure it's MY ignorance & comprehension skills that are in question here...I guess I wanna' get outa' th' gate & grab th' hole shot before I dial in my ride...like I said..."see spot run"....another try would be appreciated but not necessary...thanks for you're valuable time...
they're in.......everybody's eggs...
DOH!....
G. Tirebiter
mac G-5 Mac OS X (10.4.7) final cut studio

Do I need DVD Studio Pro?

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