DVD Studio Pro/Compressor

I have just loaded an older version of DVD Studio Pro (3.0). From the same start up disk I also loaded
Compressor (v 1.2.1).
They both loaded just fine. When I "get info" it shows that they are indeed applications in my Applications folder.
DVD Studio Pro opens perfectly, but Compressor will not open no matter how nice I talk to it...
HELP>
Thanks,
Leon Carrere
[email protected]

Welcome to the discussions!
If you have the FCP HD disk you can send it in for the crossgrade to FC Studio...
http://www.apple.com/universal/crossgrade/
The older version of FCP HD and DVDSP 3 had an MPEG-2 converter in FCP (it's in Compressor in FCP 5)
In FCP HD Export Using Quicktime Conversion then select MPEG-2 from the menu. Choose 2-Pass VBR and have a max bit-rate of about 8.0
See this thread for more info about settings http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=616972&tstart=0

Similar Messages

Should I use Compressor 4 before sending over to DVD Studio Pro

I am making a FCP X movie and when it's finished I want to put it on a DVD using DVD Studio Pro. I have done this before but now I'm wondering if I should first export it to Compressor 4 and then to DVD Studio Pro. I understand that if I was puting it on YouTube or an iPod device I would need to Compress it however why would I need to go to Compresss 4 first if ultimately going to DVD Studio Pro? Would I get a better Codec quality then what I get from exporting in FCP X using their default Compression format i.e. Quicktime? Should I use an Apple ProRes Compression from Compressor 4? I guess I really don't understand the encoding quality options very well however I do want the best quality on my finished DVD. The DVD or Sequence is somewhere around 20 - 25 minutes if that makes any difference in your response.

This is (at least) a triple post. It's best not to ask the same questions multiple times in multiple forums.
Russ H

Final Cut Sequence to Compressor to DVD Studio Pro

Running latest FCP Studio apps. Have a sequence fully edited and mixed (via Soundtrack) and sent the file to Compressor for output to DVD Studio Pro to create the DVD. I used the H.264 for DVDPro compression template (H.264 for DVDPro - 120 min) setting as provided by Apple. The compression file worked like a charm. I have the file and it plays beautifully in QT player. However when I try to add the asset or import it into DVDStudio Pro it says it is in an incompatible format. What gives? Shouldn't the template know how to render/compress the movie if the template setting is supposed to be in DVDStudio Pro format? Scratching my head on this one. Any pointers would be of great help.
File particulars: 3 1/2 minute movie (film student project) that was sent to compressor as a sequence file. Encoder template is set up for MPeg2 format using 7.34Mbps Average Bit Rate/23.00Mbps for Maximum Bit Rate/2.0 seconds for Frame Sync and Multi-pass and Include PCM Audio are checked (all are the default settings as provided by Apple).
Message was edited by: William Lutes

That would be a reasonable except that when I used those preset settings the file was unplayable by Quicktime OR DVDSP. QTPlayer wouldn't play it (as it was unrecognized file format) and DVDSP wouldn't import it. So I am at a loss on how to use compressor with the DVD setting templates. All I need is to compress the 3.5 minute movie file in a format that DVD Studio Pro will import and allow me to build and press to a DVD for family members to watch. I should add that I exported (via the Quicktime option in FCP) a movie file and then brought it into DVDSP but when I built the DVD it encoded the movie file in a very weird way (strange flicker when close up shots played on screen). When I just tried to change the encoding settings (in DVDSP) to allow for the least amount of effect on my file (basically the movie is only around 500mb uncompressed so a 4.7 blank dvd has more than enough room) DVDSP encoding still encoded the file in the strange flickering artifact manner.
The project is basically a simple menu with two options one to view the 3.5 minute movie file and the second is a 5 min behind the scenes explanation of the project by the director. All together the project file in DVDStudio Pro is around 650mb. So, the question now becomes: should I be bothering with Compressor at all and if I eschew its use then what can I do in DVDStudio Pro's encoding to have the least effect on the movie file (which plays fine without any flickering artifact before DVDSP gets its hands on it to build the DVD).
Any ideas? Thanks for chiming in btw, I do appreciate it.

Motion 3, DVD Studio Pro 3, Compressor...fail to display interface

Macbook Pro C2D, Leopard OS X 10.5.1. All apps were running perfectly before this happened...
First, all the apps of Final Cut Studio 2 crashed on startup.
I recall that the last thing I did is trashing the newly installed trail version Aperture.
After checking the crashing log, I found the problem comes from Prokit.framework. I did a thorough search, the answer is quite clear that the Prokit.framework comes with Aperture 1.5.2 is a PPC version, it replaced the intel version that was in my OS. So the solution is replacing the PPC version back to Prokit for Intel. Finally I found some provided download links of Prokit for Intel. BUT..
All the Prokit online are extracted with Pacifist from either Tiger OS disc or ProAppRuntime4.0.2.pkg(from apple's website). So they are either version 3.1 or version 4.0.2. After replacing my Prokit.framework with version 4.0.2, all my FCS 2 apps except Final Cut Pro (but Log and Transfer inside FCP 6) stopped crashing but failed to display any interface. But the icons are in the dock.
So finally I cleaned up all the files related to Final Cut Studio 2 and Prokit.framework and did a fresh reinstallation of FCS 2.
Same thing! No interface at all.
At this point, I doubt if the Prokit.framework in Leopard OS disc is different. It's too bad that I'm traveling for a project and my Leopard DVD is not in hand. So I asked a friend using Pacifist to extract Prokit.framework and Browser.framework from his Leopard DVD and sent them over. Now I found that they are indeed different. The one from Leopard is version 4.1. I did a replace again. Now, Motion 3, DVD Studio Pro 3 and Compressor start up, but with black windows and a few images, and the menu bars are really weird. I guess I should install this two framework with Pacifist instead of replacing them with the extracted folders?
The last resort I guess is to reinstall Leopard? My dilemma if I don't finish my project, I have no access to my OS DVD, but I need to use FCS 2 to finish the project.
Has anyone run into the same situation? Any enlightenment will be appreciated!

I have just installed Leopard ans having problems with DDVDSPRO crasshing, can you please expand on how i may install prokit.framework and Browerkit frame work with Pacifist. I am not an expert please bear in mind!!
many thanks

Steps to exporting from FCP to Compressor/DVD studio pro

Hello,
I have just completed editing my video and would like to know the steps to exporting my video so that I can burn it on a DVD. I need help with the steps involved in exporting my project to compressor then to DVD studio pro.
Thank you for your help in advance!
p.s. on a separate note: I shot in 1080i and converted my raw footage to .mov format (640 x 480) to edit. Now that I'm done with editing, is there a way to bring the quality back up to 1080i?
Thanks!

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=12830379&#12830379

FCP Pro Res Super 16mm -- Compressor -- DVD Studio Pro (Nightmare Workflow Critique)

Hello,
I figured I post here rather than the DVD Studio Pro forum; I've posted on Creative Cow as well but haven't gotten any responses yet.
Before I mention my problem, I'd like to mention that I've tried several types of compression methods and bitrates and unfortunately, my disk still freezes in my player, generally around the same area.
(I have two, minute long clips with Smoothcam there).
I'll try to be as specific about my work-flow as I can and I've posted the photos of my FCP and Compressor settings below.
30 Minutes. Super 16mm.
2K DPX Scans -- > Graded In Color --> Pro Res 4444 23.976 --> Sent To Compressor --> Mpeg 2 + AC3 --> Build & Format With DVD Studio Pro
I set blue compression markers at the start of each Smoothcam clip.
I've recompressed my footage without Smoothcam as well - with the same end result.
I've sent my timeline to Compressor and used both the 5.5-7 VBR setting and the 6.5 CBR settings (with everything under Frame Controls set to the highest quality).
(I've also used the 6.2-7.7 built in settings with the ninety-minute high quality preset).
I am using Sony DVD-R disks. 16X/1X. When I play them in my PS3, the film freezes at different points in the first two-three minutes - then skips ahead exactly to the same point in my film - about halfway.
I've set Chapter markers and it skips to the halfway one; from there it plays fine.
1. I wanted to ask if I should maybe export my entire sequence first through FCP (an .mov file) and try Compressing that?
(I've done this and the result is still the same)
2. Should I set it to Pro Res 422 HQ first?
(I've done this and the result is still the same)
3. Perhaps I should just try to Compressor with the 90Min-HQ setting without changing anything?
(I've done this and the result is still the same)
4. Should I remove the Smoothcam?
I'm currently compressing the entire sequence void of all Smoothcam.
When I bring the files into DVD Studio Pro, I see under preferences that Studio Pro also has VBR settings. Do those have any effect on my DVD encode? There is no CBR there - only VBR set from 5.5-7.
5. Is there anything I'm doing wrong with regards to my workflow? There are several options that may be causing this; I'm not sure if its the progressive footage to interlaced standard definition disk, or modifying field dominance, gop structure, etc.
Any help would be greatly (that's greatly) appreciated.
Thanks!
-Boris

My first impression is you're trying to make this too hard...
You have a high quality timeline which is downconverted to 1080, no problem. Once rendered, SmoothCam
should not represent a problem. If anything, SmoothCam will reduce the sudden movement that can cause problems. Any scenes where you have a high rate of change per frame (like in an explosion or a background of leaves flapping in the wind) should be marked with compression markers.
Export as a QT movie using sequence settings (include markers for DVDSP) so you have a completed source file for compression. I'm not aware of anything that will improve the quality beyond what is in the timeline, so current sequence settings are fine. Test this for playback issues.
If you are having playback problems with the sequence after export and compression, the most probable cause is excessively high bandwidth requirements. Try using the DVD: Best Quality 90 minutes preset. It generally produces a very good quality product. Any attempt to increase the quality will likely increase the bandwidth requirements that are the probable cause of the skipping.
While Sony is a big name, their DVD substrate is only mediocre. If you think the substrate is a problem, switch to Verbatim or JVC/Taiyo-Yuden.
If you are dissatisfied with the quality of the Compressor output, look into the Cinema Craft encoding products.
Hope this helps.

DVD Studio Pro not playing back audio of asset converted from FCP via compressor.

I exported project via compressor:
File Extension: m2v
Estimated file size: 4.34 GB
Video Encoder
    Format: M2V
    Width: 720
    Height: 480
    Pixel aspect ratio: NTSC CCIR 601/DV
    Crop: None
    Frame rate: 29.97
    Frame Controls: Off
    Aspect ratio: 4:3
    Field dominance: Bottom first
    Average data rate: 3.6 (Mbps)
    2 Pass VBR enabled
        Maximum data rate: 7.5 (Mbps)
    High quality
    Best motion estimation
    Closed GOP Size: 15, Structure: IBBP
    DVD Studio Pro meta-data enabled
This took about 7.5 hours. I exported the audio separately as AC3. Finder plays it sound & pictures. Quicktime plays the video. DVD Studio Pro, when I drag the assets (video, audio) to the timeline editor, so I can play it in the viewer, it plays the audio the video is black. No setting in view or any other setting will get it to play the video. This project is due to ship today and I don't want to re import it if I don't have to.
I exported this project before the MPEG2 export as a Qicktime with .mov suffix. This plays alright, but there is artifacting around motion. I think this is due to low VBR, but don't know. Can ayone help?
Dix Moser
[email protected]
FCP Studio
PowerMac 1.8G 3G mem 250G HD
750 G ext. Firewire drive (where media is stored)

If I may chime in...
I'm a little confused on the "what plays what" part, but all that really matters is what DVDSP sees/plays.
I've worked on a system like yours and what I'd recommend is:
1. NEVER export via Compressor. It's just ungodly slow on anything less than a Quad. Export a self contained QuickTime Movie using the first export option and use that to feed Compressor.
2. Segment your output into manageable clips (I like 15-20 minutes) both to perfect the encoding and so you aren't re-encoding the whole show if something goes sour. It will all play fine as long as it's all in the same DVDSP timeline.
From what you describe, I'm thinking you're on an early version of Compressor that had A-Pack as the AC-3 encoder. This is no biggie, I mention it mostly to verify. Early Compressor was good too.
Make maybe a 5 minute piece to tune up. Just export as normal, then into Compressor. Your encoding values seem about right. Get the AV pair into DVDSP and it should play. I'm guessing that part of your problem is that the processor is fighting to handle the project size. Build the test clip project and look at it in DVD Player to view what would have been burned. If all looks OK, go for it. If not, bring back the results for discussion. This should be a snap, it's just a really big project. Keep your head up, I had a friend do a 225-minute disk on his G5...

M2v files from compressor will not play in QT or DVD Studio Pro

I have 2 hours of HD footage that I am trying to put on a DVD. I tried exporting the entire thing (twice) to an mpeg2 but the resulting file would not open and froze quicktime. I then tried exporting the chapters individually. Even though I tried this twice, only the first clip worked. I then copied each chapter into a new sequence in FCP and exported each sequence to Compressor. This time, I could only open one of the 15 or so files in QT, but I could not even import that into DVD Studio Pro (it said it was an invalid file type). I have been using all the same settings, so I am not sure why chapter 1 works fine everywhere, chapter 2 works in QT but not DVD Studio Pro and the remaining chapters do not work anywhere. Anyone got any ideas as to what to do/try next?

I know that it will take a while, but after two tries exporting the whole thing and the result not working, I broke it up into smaller, 10 minute sections hoping that the computer would be able to handle them better and if one is bad, it is easier to fix than re-doing the entire thing.
The Compressor settings I am using: DVD Best Quality 150 minutes with all the default settings except that I put stream usage at HD DVD. I have also tried using Fastest Encode 150 minutes, also changing the stream usage.
I exported 20 minutes with Fastest Encode and changed the file format to 'H.264 for DVD Studio Pro' and it worked, but it is a mov file that is much bigger than the mpeg2 (m2v) file.
I started the compressor to work on the remaining hour at night and then left it until the next afternoon, but when I came back, it said there were 60+ hours remaining, but FCP was counting off the frames. I left it for another couple hours, hoping that compressor was simply estimating wrong, but when I came back, it said there were 93 hours remaining until it would be done. I canceled it and restarted the computer.

Setting in compressor to DVD Studio pro

Hello
Need some help with compressor.
The matter is that I have a QT video ( Video Format: RLE. Codec ID: rle. 35min. Bit rate 226Mbps 720 x 576 PAL. Display ratio 5:4. Frame rate mode: variable. Frame rate: 25. 55GB. Bits( Pixelframe): 22,217. Audio 16 bits, 48 khz, stream size. 385Mb) which I want to burn in a DVDSP in DVD Studio Pro.
To do so I am trying to compress in compressor first.
I have tried with these setting: video CBR one pass 8 bitrate ( he first try was with 7, but almost with the same results= lines or pixels in the parts with camara movements), format: M2V 720 x 576 PAl CCIR 601 (16:9) Open GOP. GOP structure: IBP 6. Audio AIFF 16 bits, 48 KHz
To try to avoid lines in the moving parts of the video I also selected desenlaced filter (to convert to progressive), the result is pixels in the parts of the video when the camara moves...
I have selected CBR one past because I have read in several forums that is the best option in compressor, I have tried VBR with no goog results...
I used AIFF adio because the first time I used AC3, the audio of the video had an error. In addition there are space in the dvd as the video ony take 2,6 GB aprox.
So, my questions are:
1. What is the best solution to avoid this lines/ pixels in the part of the video with movements?
2. Do do think I am doing something that could be improve ( should I change some settings?)
3. Is it maybe to use VBR with compressor marks the best solution? Where are these marks in the compressor interface?
Thanks a lot, I will really appreciatte any suggestion
Sincerely,
jey

Hi Jerry,
To respond to your info request: my "settings" indicate my Editing Timebase is 23.98.
Moreover...
Editing Timebase: 23.98
1920x1080 HDTV 1080i 16:9
Pixel Aspect Ratio: Square
XDCAM EX 1080p24 VBR 35Mb/s
Quality: 100%
Audio: 48khz
Audio Depth: 16bit
Indeed, to achieve a film look I undertook the following steps in production and post...
shot 24p
shot with a Letus Adapter and Zeiss lenses
created an appealing depth of field where possible
avoided various "videofying" shots, like fast pans and so forth
crushed the blacks in color correction
used Nattress and adjusted the S curves in certain areas
I'm just wondering if I missed a step somewhere when it came down to designating the frame rate in Apple Compressor. When I saw the 29.97 frame rate designation in DVD Studio Pro, it surprised me. And then watching my movie on DVD (which is always a slightly difficult experience) I was really feeling like I was seeing an undesirable crisp video-ish feel that I hadn't seen before outputing to DVD.
obliged for the help,
Shanked

Are Compressor files compatible with DVD Studio Pro?

I am buying Final Cut Pro X and Compressor, but I am working on a school project that needs to be finished in DVD Studio Pro. Would the compressed files be compatible with DVD Studio Pro even though FCP7 and FCPX are not compatible?

Yes. Compressor 4 (or any version) will create the DVD-compliant files that are used in DVDSP.
Russ

Can I avoid re-encoding of .mov files with Compressor and DVD Studio Pro?

Hello,
I've had some projects banned at one of the tracking sites because my iMovie 6.0.1/iDVD 7.1.1 workflow involves re-encoding of the iMovie .mov file to MPEG 2 when authored in iDVD. I did some research, and was advised that I could get around the re-encoding by using Compressor and DVD Studio Pro instead of iDVD. But, when I import the iMovie file to Compressor for authoring in DVD Studio Pro, the result is another MPEG 2 file. So, am I missing something, or is there no way for me to avoid re-encoding with Apple video production tools.
Thanks for any assistance.

The simple fact that you have to encode your files into an mpeg-2 stream means that you're going to experience a loss in quality. Check the bitrate of your DV files. The max bitrate for all of the elementary steams (audio, video) on a DVD is 9.8mbps. So if your source has a higher bitrate than that... you're going to experience "lossiness."
However there are some tricks that I've read about that increase the overall quality of compression... and yes they are for windows. Check out AVIsynth and MeGUI... there is a learning curve to learning these tools though. I never followed through with it.
EDIT: Also forgot to mention that learning these things takes TIME. Quality encoding takes much longer than realtime.
You can also check out some higher quality mpeg2 encoders like cinemacraft and HC encoder, although the former costs $$$. The quality you get from these encoders are much better than what you have in iDVD and DVDSP/Compressor.

Quality of DVD Studio Pro using Compressor vs iDVD

Sorry to repeat the question below, which I have also posted under DVD SP...I thought that perhaps someone watching Compressor would also have input.
I have been trying to obtain a DVD output with DVD Studio Pro where moderate speed pans don't jerk. Oddly, I get better results using iDVD. The image in iDVD isn't as sharp, but the quality of movement (pans, tilts) is smoother. My program length is only 20 minutes and I have used compressor to encode outside of DVD SP. The compressor setting was for DVD, 60 mins, best quality. Why is it that a consumer software such as iDVD yields better results in this aspect? What am I doing wrong in DVD SP that results in less than professional results. All input appreciated. Thanks in advance

Pamela
hy is it that a consumer software such as iDVD yields better results in this aspect? What am I doing wrong in DVD SP that results in less than professional results.
You are messing around with Compressor settings . . . I guess!
Hope that helps !
Alberto

BEST HD QUALITY SETTINGS IN COMPRESSOR TO EXPORT TO DVD STUDIO PRO

I shot in HD, and edited with FCP. I am now trying to use compressor to make a DVD, but first I am trying to figure out what settings I should use in compressor to get the best quality for my DVD?? I wil be completing the DVD process in DVD studio pro.... Thank you!

Unless you have HD-DVD media and an HD-DVD burner, you are doing an SD DVD. As in, what most DVDs are these days (Blu-Ray and HD-DVD still being quite cost prohibitive on the user end). If you have standard 4.7GB DVD-R or DVD+R this is SD DVD.
As far as settings, depending on how many audio tracks you have and what format they are, I would take one of the two-pass MPEG-2 settings (e.g. MPEG-2 Best Quality 90 Minutes) in compressor, go to the Encoder pane -> Quality tab and raise the Average/Max bitrates. Set Motion Estimation to Best.
Keep in mind you want all your bandwidth usage (audio, video, subtitles, etc) to go no higher than ~9.5Mbps lest you run the risk of players choking.
If your HD source is real clean, even at the default 6.2 Mbps you should get great quality, but some extra bits in there will give more room to avoid artifacts...
Hope that helps.

Compressor footage crashes dvd studio pro 1.5

hi posted this a while back in dvd studio pro forum but there was no answers. I am still getting same problem so thought I would seek advice again.
I am after some advice after I encountered a problem using footage converted with compressor in dvd studio pro 1.5.
If I compresss footage using high quality encode through fcp with compressor option it causes dvd studio pro 1.5 to crash with unexpected error occured, about half way into building either disc or img file .
If I convert the footage using quicktime conversion and guessing bitrate then it works fine .
one thing I have noticed is that the m2v file has a timecode beginning 1 rather then 0 which it has if I convert using the other method, so maybe I have something wrong in compressor settings?
what would be an ideal setting for a 80 minute film?
I am using fcp 4.5, compressor 1.2.1 quicktime 7.0.3 and os 10.3.9
thanks

Hi Adrian
I'm wondering if your build is crashing due to a bitrate spike caused by Compressor - it's reknowned for this. In DVDSP2 and above you get a warning in the log when this happens, maybe 1.5 is somehow missing this. Quicktime's mpeg exporter is a much more stable encoder and doesn't suffer from bitrate spikes. Another thing to have a look at is your audio. If you're using the .aif file that Compressor or DVDSP creates it's a pretty high bitrate od 1.5Mbps. If you re-encode your audio using A.pack to Dolby 2.0 with a bitrate of 192kbps you'll give yourself alot more headroom even with bitrate spikes.
Hope some of this helps
Good luck
B

DVD Compressor setting for use in DVD Studio Pro

I'm trying to create a playable dvd that has using dvd studio pro. However I want to compress the .mov file using compressor first. I've tried several setting, ut I get the same blurry text and graphic results.
What's the best setting for a hi quality dvd, the same quality has professional dvds.
Thanks in advance for any help.

The best one you'll get with Compressor is DVD Best Quality 90 mins. Tweak it any higher than that and you run the risk of drives refusing to play the disc.
You can't make it look like a professional DVD because the pros don't use DVD Studio Pro. They use significantly more expensive software and encoding hardware, and the discs are replicated, not burned.

DVD Studio Pro/Compressor

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