DVD Pro

I bought FCX for $99, upgraded to FCX HD for I think $99 because it came with Soundtrack and then spent another $99 for Soundtrack Pro. Because I own Soundtrack Pro it looks to me like I can get Final Cut Pro 5.1 for $199.
The only thing I really want from FCP is DVD Pro. I've worked with iDVD previously and was disappointed with the results (most notably noisy video during a dissolve). I've got a project in FCX HD I'm almost finished with and will be ready to make a DVD, actually several, and want it to look topnotch - and am wondering whether DVD Pro would give me $199 better results. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Hi Peter,
Great to hear that your dissolve effects are looking good!
Using keyframes & the opacity controls is actually quite easy. Just last night I did it for an extended ~1 min fade in at the beginning of a movie; took about 30 secs to do, and that's cause I was fooling around. If you want to explore further what I meant by overlapping the clips, let me know and I'll explain.
Reference movies should be your norm, and the nice thing is they are really fast to export, as you undobtedly saw yourself. The only reason you ever need to make a self-contained movie is if you want to move the exported QT file to another machine or you want to post it on a web server.
The reference movie only contains pointers to your FCE project file and all your clips & render files; as long as they are on the same machine you only need a reference movie.
A self-contained movie contains actual video, which FCE has to create from all your original clips & edits; that's why exporting a self-contained movie takes so long ... and it will be ~13GB per hour. Some people also believe there is a small degradation in quality too but I haven't observed it myself. Anyway, it's an unnecessary & time consuming step when you have FCE and iDVD on the same machine.

Similar Messages

DVD Pro Is EXREMELY SLOW and slow system

I am running DVD Pro Studio on a PowerMac G5 with 4 meg of RAM
It is painfully slow... the inspector freezes when I try to show shapes..
loading assets in stills (granted they are big files) is beyond painful
frankly I went to a mac to do just this..

... loading assets in stills (granted they are big files)
If your sytem is being slowed up by large graphics - which DVD SP doesn't like - try making them the right size first.
4:3 stills (with linear pixels) only need to be 768 x 576 pixels [PAL], or 640 x 480 pixels for NTSC, which should only require between 1 and 2 MB. Convert to 720 x 576 [PAL] TV pixels, or 720 x 480 [NTSC] TV pixels.

Help with Workflow FCP to Compressor then DVD Pro and Shaky footage

Hi, I am new to using a MAC and also to Final Cut Studio so if this question has been asked before or seems obvious then I offer my apologies.
I have a clip on the timeline which is a little shaky but I need to use it. I have added a SmoothCam filter and when I playback in FCP all seems OK however after sending to Compressor then eventually to DVD Pro the clip shows as being shaky again, almost as if the filter had been deleted in the Compressor. Could someone perhaps talk me through the correct workflow I should be using and maybe suggest where I am going wrong please. As I said this is my first attempt to author a DVD with FCP on my MAC.
The footage was captured on my Panasonic Home camcorder. The settings in my camera were set at 1920 x 1080 HG mode for High Definition.
In my camera user guide it refers to the images being based upon the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec so should I have set something similar when capturing into FCP.
Any advice would be welcomed.
Regards
Fred

Hi Mike I tried everything to try and resolve this one, I tried all combinations of field dominance. I also followed the recommendations from the Apple help to use the intermediate codec (search under AVCHD in the Help files) If I get anywhere I will mail you
Regards
Fred
PS I had some advice from another forum group who said to try and export a Quicktime movie into DVD Pro and not to send to Compressor, I will try that later and see if that helps.

I am unable to update my DVD PRO 4

I purchased DVD Pro with the Final Cut Studio Package. For some reason I am unable to update some of the programs. My computer keeps giving me an error message that states that I do not have that product on my computer. PLease Help!

Thank you for your Advice. I made sure that all of my Final cut Pro programs are in the Applications folder with their original names. I was able to udate every program except for DVD Pro 4.0.0
Please help
Randy

Status lights in DVD Pro

Just recently I have started having an issue in DVD pro. I complete a sequence in FCP save it export it as a Quicktime movie then open DVD pro import assets, and the two status lights next to the audio vieo files are yellow instead of green. I have been doing it this way for some time, and it has always worked fine, and the two little lights were always green until just recently. Can somebody tell me what might be causing this.
Thank You,
Bob Bowers.

Seeing how yours is a DVD-SP question, you might get more and better responses by posting in the DVD-SP forum: http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=952
-DH

Why does DVD Pro degrade the quality of my QT movies

SUMMARY
I have only been using Final Cut Studio for a couple of months, but have achieved good quality QT files for burning in DVD Studio Pro. Up to the stage of Compressor, the quality looks good. But import the files into DVD Pro and the image becomes blurred.
If there is anyone out there who may be able to help I will willingly go into the depths of detail.

Thanks for such a quick response to my posting. Being new to this kind of forum I wasn't anticipating such a quick reply. So ...
Details:
System info:
MacPro 2,1
2 x 3 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
4 GB Memory
ATI Radeon X1900 XT
Cinema HD monitor 1920 x 1200
2 x Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-112D
Mac OS X (10.4.11)
Final Cut Studio 2 - ( FCP 6.0.2, Compressor 3.0.2, Soundtrack Pro 2.0.2, DVD Studio Pro 4.2.1, Motion 3.0.2 etc., )
Adobe CS3
I am trying to create the best quality DVD I can achieve using the following mixed input media
1 avi Output from Camtasia Studio screen capture software which is captured "full screen" at 1024x640 by my client
(This could be output directly at 1024x576 by cropping before saving and can be QT mov format if necessary - however so far I have been converting to QTmov directly before editing the client files in FCP to add transitions not available in Camtasia Studio)
2 Quicktime movies created in Flash output at 1024x576 - these include digital images, Photoshop and Illustrator files
3 dv PAL footage captured 16:9 anamorphic
My workflow approach has been to edit in FCP, including sending to Soundtrack Pro Audio Project, then to export Using Compressor with the intention of importing the edited file into DVD Pro.
However the Preview in Compressor has shown disappointing resolution and I don't have the knowledge to choose the best settings. I have tried many combinations to the point that I have thoroughly confused myself.
At this stage I need a "guru" who can suggest the best settings throughout to achieve the optimum result.
In answer to your other question, the potential viewer is likely to be viewing on a PC using Windows Media Player or on a Mac using DVD player, BUT I also want the DVD to be playable on a set top DVD player.
I am viewing my production on my Mac monitor which as you can see above is high res.
Thank you for offering help. All advice (except jumping off cliffs etc.) welcomed

Final cut pro -dvd pro

How do I transfer my final cut pro project into dvd pro to be exported?

i can't get the firewire output to the beta deck. have an ADVC-110 media converter. so the setup is firewire (4 or 6-pin, have tried both) video/audio output of the mac, into the canopus, then from the red/white/yellow outputs there is a stereo pair of RCA cables with XLR adapters going to a Beta SP deck. I've gotten other signals in and out of the decks and input/outputs on the canopus. problem has definitely been narrowed down to the mac, or final cut pro. i've set every setting i can find to apple firewire but still can't get it. any ideas?...

IDVD vs DVD Pro

I posted this question on FCX forum but maybe its more appropriate here.
I bought FCX for $99, upgraded to FCX HD for $99 because it came with Soundtrack and then spent another $99 to upgrade to Soundtrack Pro. Because I own Soundtrack Pro it looks to me like I can get Final Cut Pro 5.1 for $199.
The only thing I really want from FCP is DVD Pro. I've worked with iDVD5 previously and was disappointed with the results (most notably noisy video during a dissolve). I've got a project in FCX HD I'm almost finished with and will be ready to make a DVD, actually several, and want it to look topnotch - and am wondering whether DVD Pro would give me $199 better results. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Not sure if I want to get bogged down with another hurdle. But getting FCP Studio for just another $199 is pretty difficult to resist.
At some point you really should give into the temptation if you feel there is even a remote chance to use any of those things.
As to your current project and deadlines, perhaps it does make sense to outsource it/have someone author it for you this time if the timeline is something you need to meet.

Went through setup for DVD PRO still not working

So I have done what are the protocalls that are appropriate for DVD PRO and the problem now is that I cannot drag my compressor file into DVD PRO.
It just bounces back to Finder or where ever else I find it. I give up don't know what to do now I am stuck. Thanks for everyones help. Also I still get the
incompatible format pop up-I am totally against a wall-do not know what to do at all.

I captured from mini-dv tape so I used dv 48khz or dv ntsc for my setup codec. I used send to in FCP to compressor. I used best quality DVD 90 minutes in Compressor. I am working with NTSC. I imported my compressed project clicking on asset. When I did this I get a box that pops up and says incompatible format.
Problem is I have no idea how to get a compatible format or what they are talking about since I followed the
correct protocol or at least it seemed correct to me. I know it is something I am missing-I just do not have the
knowledge to trouble shoot this particular problem. So that is where it stands of this moment.

DVD Pro problems

Hi All
I have a dvd pro 4.0.3 and ny macbook is intel. I can't encode using the dvdpro compressor and when I import an asset already compressed by compressor 2, the dvd pro time line doees't work. It starts but at the and the play head just dont stop right there, it just jump some frames before the end.
please help

Maybe the DVD Studio Pro forum could help more efficiently...
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=952
...unless there's something I don't understand in the question...

FCP to DVD Pro

I have been helping a friend who is using FCP 5.1.4 on a 1GHz G4 - with 2GB RAM running, slowly, Tiger. After finishing a project in FCP i want to Import it to DVD Pro. I have been changing this finished project file to MPEG2 and then importing to DVD Pro to make a DVD BUT - once changed to MPEG2 the 16:9 aspect of my clips in FCP become 4:3. Can someone give me a step by step of how to Import to DVD Pro from a completed FCP project so I can burn a DVD. please? Any answers much appreciated.
JB

Starting in FCP, export a quicktime movie from the completed finished sequence - using FIle > Export > Quicktime Movie . . .
When the pane opens up to save the export, make sure you are using Current Settings, and "Make movie self contained" needs to be checked.
Once it has exported, open Compressor and compress the file using the appropriate DVD settings from the Compressor DVD presets.
Once the seperate Video and Audio files have been compressed, open DVD Studio Pro and import the Video and Audio files from Compressor by using File > Import > Asset.
From there you should be good to go to add your menu, etc, and burn your DVD.
MtD

DVD Pro 4 upgrade to FCP Studio?

Hi
I have DVD Pro 2 on my Mac and can buy a v4 upgrade which gives me the chance to get the FCP Studio from Apple store.
My question is: What do I need for the upgrade to the Studio version?
Point is, I have DVD Pro 2 installed on my Mac but the v4 I will get from a friend in Australia, which the physical shippment will cost more than the whole software.
Is it enough when he will send me all the serial numbers which are with the (original shrinkwrapped) software or do I need to install the software to be able to install (or order) the FCP Studio upgrade?
Thanks a lot Wolfgang
G4 933 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

You need the actual instal disc itself - as Apple ask for it to be sent back as proof of purchase. You don't need to install the software, though. I would get him to send you the DVD and serial number stickers only.
Be aware that the Studio upgrade dosn't include any printed manuals, just electronic .pdfs.

File size in dvd pro

I have a file which after compressor is 560 mb. When I bring it in dvd pro, it shows up as 2.4 gig.
Does anybody knows why is that.

Then you have to:
1. Burn the disc, because 2.4 GB is ok.
2. Take a look at how you use your asset. Do you really need to use it four times?
Every time you add an asset to a track, it will add to the size of your final DVD.

Re: project file size imported to DVD Pro

Finished project in FCP X. Compressed as Pro res 422 and imported into DVD Studio Pro. File was too big = 5.6 Gb. Went back into project and separated the video from the audio in all clips where the talking head was not visible (covered by other images). Deleted the video component in all clips. Recompressed with same settings and to my surprise, the file when imported back into DVD Pro appears to be the same size. Thought it would be MUCH smaller without the video component. Why didn't this change anything?
Thanks....Don Downs

Don
This workflow is wrong for DVD creation.
What you should be doing is:
export a QT file from FCP self contained with current settings.
take the QT file into Compressor and create an m2v video and an AC3 audio file
import those into DVDSP and author.

Can improve picture quality in Dvd Pro?

I just made my first DVD in DVD Pro! Just a simple DVD with first track start.
I am disappointed about the quality.
I took it from 2k clips, assembled them in FCP, exported to Compressor, choose (MPEG 2) best quality max 90 min (Footage is only 2 min) and burned it. I am a bit ashamed to give away so soft images.....I was told, a dvd con only hold SD and not HD.
Is there any way to improve the quality?
I shot it on 4k. But most dvds I have seen have a better quality.
Dorian

no, I have not looked at a TV. Don't even have one... haha.
Only monitors. But I see all other dvds on my computer monitor.
Well, of course, it is downgraded to 720x480. But is there a way to tweak the quality a little bit? I used already 2 passes setting, all others are default settings in Compressor.

Am I over-compressing with DVD Pro??

Hello,
I have a large project I've exported from final cut using compressor with two pass encoding. I drop the project into DVD Pro, create my menu, drop in a blank disc and simply hit the burn icon.
The final product shows artifacts that are not visible in the DVD Pro timeline. A friend suggested that I may be "over-compressing" the file (which may explain the new artifacts) by using compressor and then DVD Pro's "burn" option, which compresses the file again.
Is my friend correct?
If so, is there a setting in DVD Pro that allows me to burn the file that Compressor created without addition compression?
Thanks very much!
Scott

Hi Scott,
DVDSP will encode a video file only if it is not DVD compliant (meaning MPEG-1, MPEG-2, H.264). You can set the encoding prefs in the Preferences window.
If you encoded your video with compressor as, I assume, an MPEG-2 file, then it won't re-encode it.
DVDSP's "burn" option simply Builds and Formats your DVD. It has nothing to do with encoding unless you drop a non-compliant file in there, like a Quicktime .mov.
What type of encoding are you doing with Compressor? That will determine how your file looks.
I suspect that the file created from FCP and compressor is not DVD compliant and DVDSP is re-encoding it. This would explain why it looks better in the Simulator. It's using your original file, which hasn't been re-encoded.
Hope this works, Misho

DVD Pro

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