FCP and DVDs

Hi guys,
I've used FCP to edit our indie-film (28-minute, dramatic short), exported it to Compressor for MPEG-2 High Quality Encode, and then burned a master with DVD Studio Pro. We had a very reputable duplication facility burn 200 discs for film festival distribution.
I'm now getting occassional users (not all) complaining some DVDs 'stutter', skip or freeze at different points during viewing. When I get the DVDs back from these users and play them on my DVD player, I have no problems. My player may be a better quality than some others.
Can anyone give me some advice on this?
Thanks.

What you should do is try to find the lowest bitRate that give acceptable results and also make sure that you are Dolby/aPac the audio. In general the higher the total rate of audio and video and the closer you come to filling a disc to the brim, the more chaances of stuttering/playback issues (more so on duplicated discs as oppossed to replicated discs)
Yes 6.8 is the bitRate.
You may want to check these threads out for more information where for some details about encoding and some things to keep in mind for compatibility
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2212949&#2212949
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=2215134#2215134

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Keynote / PP to DVD (via FCP and DVD SP)

This is going to sound weird, but I have been working on this for a while.
I know FCP and DVD SP pretty well. I have a Powerpoint presentation (170 MB or so), 2 hours long. The person who did the PP presentation is not that great a designer, but it's basically Text with some graphics / picts.
I exported all the slides (over 100 of them) as TIFFs (highest quality, 720 x480.
Imported them into FCP. I did a 2 hour audio recording in Logic and imported that into FCP and line up the audio.
All looks good.
Until an export, I have tried all type of FCP tricks I know. Like setting the Compressor setting in FCP to a higher codec, like Animation, Apple ProRes 422.
The QT looks fine as a small window, but when you double the size or go Full Screen, it looks horrible.
What gives? It just seems like once you go to DVD (Standard Def 480 lines) it just looks like crap as a movie, on a TV or on an LCD.
In Keynote or PP, when you present, it seems both KN and PP have some technology that auto up rezzes the slides so it looks great fullscreen on a 23" ACD, or 30" ACD.
I may just save in Powerpoint as a "Powerpoint Show", with audio attached to each slide, this seems like the best bet to get the best resolution.
I am not sure this can be done as a movie and then put onto DVD, but perhaps it can be done HD with HD resolution.
Can one uprez the TIFFs to HD rez (1080) in Photoshop or some other plugin (i know we did this with SD clips a few years ago with a plugin from a company in canada).
Then do an HD project in FCP (Apple ProRes 422) and then use Compressor as H.264, that would have to look pretty good.
Of course it would only be file based, unless one burned to Blu Ray, but who the heck has Blu Ray players, still not that common.
Message was edited by: macguitarman
Message was edited by: macguitarman

Thanks for the no reply, no help, great.
I figured it out, stay away from FCP for this,
Use Powerpoint and Keynote 08, then use iSpring (Pro) (Windows, Parallels or BootCamp) to export PPT file (with mp3 audio) to a Flash (swf) file. Plays great in any web browser with Flash plugin, or Eltima or other Flash / SWF player

Fcp and dvd studio incompatibility

hi i'm using fcp and exporting for dvd studio pro and the codecs it is exporting is different but i havent changed the settings. sometimes it is h264 and others mpeg 2 can anyone help as the latter is recognised by dvd studio but the former isn't. i know i could use compressor only not having much luck either!

Export your project using Quicktime Movie> Current settings (not Quicktime conversion)
Take that file into Compressor and apply the DVD preset that describes your project. This will yield m2v and ac3 files that can be brought into DVDSP.
x

Getting mpeg2 component through fcp and dvd studio

hey guys~
i checked on the quicktime website saying that i could upgrade my mpeg2 component if i have fcp or dvd studio. how are you suppose to get the upgrade..
Thanks.

You are probably reffering to the QuickTime MPEG 2 Component. I think it's part of Compressor now, so there's no need to upgrade something.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301493

FCP and DVD Pro burning glitch

Last week I created two files of a 2 1/2 meeting - making 2 files of 1 1/4 hours each. I successfully burned both on to two different DVD's and they both played on computers and DVD players. I did note a typographical error in the titles and repaired that and then went to burn the new file.
The new DVD will only play on the computer and not a DVD player.
I have now run disk utility to see if that will help.
Here's the process I follow:
export to quicktime movie to qt folder. The settings for this are:
"current setting" (Instead of default) When I scroll through the settings there are no settings chosen.
The icon for the exported quicktime movie is not the icon I usually get when doing this process.
When importing the movie to DVD Pro the movie does not appear in the qt folder and it will not import. I can drag and drop onto the DVD Pro window and get the above results.
The file will burn in DVD Pro but will not play on a DVD player.
The files are stored on an external 1.4 TB hard drive.
Thanks for any solutions
Tom

Delete all render files associated with the sequence in question using the Render Manager found in the tools menu. OR select all clips in the timeline window, and right click to UN enalbe them then re enable them. After the following, then just do a couple of undo's to reconnect the sequence to the renders.
Then with the sequence selected in the Browser, choose file/export/using compressor. Select your preset there for the MPEG you need to make.
This will result in the best DVD you can make with Apple's software, and also keeps any render files out of the equation... they can be corrupt at times, and cause problems later.
Jerry
Message was edited by: Jerry Hofmann

Importing a Quicktime H.264 movie into FCP and DVD SP

Hi,
I am curious why when I import a Quicktime H.264.MOV file into FCP it always makes me render (just the audio) when I place it on the timeline. Also when I try to import it into DVDSP it says that it is an incompatible file.
I know its an odd question, so don't ask me why I am doing it backwards.
Thanks to anyone that can help!
Gary

Hi David,
Thanks for your help. These projects are legal video stuff and I usually pause every hour and a half for about 10 minutes. (so I can put each segment on separate DVDs) I am feeding a video signal into a stand alone DVD writer AND into my Mac (I need to make a redundant recordings in case anything goes wrong). The problem with my stand alone DVD writer is to put in accurate chapter markers is a pain. Also it has a rather bland DVD setup menu which looks poor. So basically I am trying to take a video source from my camera and have it do the compression on the fly. I want to write my DVD in DVDSP because it has a ton of formatting options, and chapter markers are much easier to place.
Basically I am looking for the absolute quickest way to write a DVD without having to bring it into Compressor.
Thanks again for your time!
Gary

Creating BITC DVD with FCP and DVD Studio Pro

Ok so here's my question:
I've created a sequence with BITC, and now I want to export it to DVD studio pro so I can burn it to a dvd. I've been exporting as a quicktime movie, at DV PAL Anamorphic res. When I bring it into DVD Studio as an asset, it has to re-encode.
Can I drop one of these steps - ie. how do I export from FCP so that the resulting file does not need to be re-encoded in DVD studio.
I'm sure this is really very simple, but it's going to help me a lot - I have several (10-15) hours of footage to do this with. Thanks in advance...

export the file as a QT not self-contained use current settings
luanch Compressor, drag and drop the QT file on to the window then encode to get
M2V video and AC3 sound file
import those into DVDSP

FCP to DVD and making movie file smaller

Hi Guys
I have a project I made in FCP, it is HDV 1440x1080 and it is one hour long. I have exported it as a 'make movie self contained' quicktime movie and the end result is 12gb and it says the dimensions are 1920x1080
I have dropped it into compressor and submitted it to make a 90 minute DVD, it's doing it's think now but will take about 2-3 hours it seems, is this right or is there a quicker way?
Also I dropped the movie onto an external HD and copied it over to my laptop but when I try to play it it says it is unable to play because it doesn't recognise it. Now it is a quicktime movie I converted from FCP and I have quicktime 7 on my laptop so why will it not recognise it?
I have dropped the self contained movie into Mpeg Streamclip as I want to make it smaller and into something that I can put on my HD and then play on my laptop, what should I convert it to? or is there another way I can export the project out of FCP that will make it a smaller file and one I can put on my Harddrive to then play on my laptop?
Thanks for any responses
Mich

> will take about 2-3 hours it seems, is this right or is there a quicker way?
An hour of footage as HDV? Yeah, this is normal. Even if it was ProRes, it would still take a couple hours.
>Now it is a quicktime movie I converted from FCP and I have quicktime 7 on my laptop so why will it not recognise it?
Don't have FCP installed on that laptop do you? The HDV codec (and XDCAM and DVCPRO HD) that FCP uses, captures too and exports, ONLY comes with FCP. DOn't have it, and the computer cannot see the file.
>I want to make it smaller and into something that I can put on my HD and then play on my laptop, what should I convert it to?
H.264. Use the QT 7 STREAMING options in Compressor

Choppy video in FCP and upon export to QT

I have been working with DV for years and recently upgraded to the Panasonic HMC150 (AVCHD). Whenever I worked with DV in FCP, there were little stutters in the video when playing a panning shot at normal speed, and I always assumed this was just a limitation of working with DV. Once I exported this footage to DVD or DV Tape, everything was smooth. The problem persisted whenever I would make a web video (either with Flash or MP4).
You can see some samples here of what I mean:
http://lastcuthomes.com/videos/3242MeadowlandsLane/
and
http://lastcuthomes.com/videos/1030HamiltonAve/
Now that I have my AVCHD cam, the same problem remains. Keep in mind that, I, as a camera operator am not doing these stutters and don't have Parkinsons! All of these videos appear just fine on DVD or on tape. The issue is with FCP and it's exporting.
The current method of exporting I have now is making the final video into a full QuickTime file from FCP. Then I will either encode with On2's Flix Pro or with QuickTime Pro into an mp4 file.
Has anyone been able to solve this issue? Has anyone else had this issue?
Thanks!
Ted

Bump- anyone?

Is there a deus ex maquina for the hashed over HDV- DV conversion issues in the temples of FCP and Compressor??

I want to create a good quality SD DVD from 1080i/60 footage (20 minutes duration) from a Sony ZiU camera (mini DV tape) using FCP and Compressor. I can't do it. My hair has fallen out, but I don't want to throw in the towel.
I have imported the same footage with different FCP presets. The video quality in FCP is excellent.
But once I send the footage to Compressor. I end up with video exhibiting gradations of the following: blurry, jagged edges, jerky movement, darker color. Poor quality especially if a subject (kids playing football) runs fast.
The QT conversion process in Ken Stone’s article (May, 2008/updated in Jan, 2011) provides the most helpful information in getting a quality SD DVD. (Quality means looking as good as SD video DVDs). Except for the fact that the DVD is widescreen, the better quality alternative may just be to stick with the old 4:3 shooting, editing, burning methods that I’ve used for years. Unless of course, I am missing something. Hence my appeal to the knowledgable.
FYI Equipment/software: MAC Pro (OS 10.6.8); ATI Radeon HD 4870; terabytes to spare on 2 internal hard drives; FCS - FCP 7.0.3, Compressor 3.5.3, DVDSP 4.2.2. All applications are on Drive 1. FCP project files, scratch and other setups are on drive 2.
My current settings in FCP appear below. What's wrong here? Better alternative? Or it just may be HDV should not go to a SD DVD.
CAPTURE PRESET: HDV - APPLE PRORES 422
DEVICE CONTROL PRESET: Sony HDV FireWire
VIDEO PROCESSING Render 10-bit material in high precion YUV
I now send the Sequence to Compressor I've tried various settings, and the split screen preview in Compressor reveals on the right side the jaggy, blurred, darker video. Same shows up after submitting; and of course if I try to burn a DVD in DVDSP. I've followed Stone's Aug 31, 2009 article on Compressor 3.5. I experiemented with changes here and there without success (like changing field dominance of even selecting DV NTSC, etc).
If you got this far, thank you. And I really could use the help.
Sorry.Presets: Apple Pro Res 422 1440x1080 60i 48 kHz, HDV- Apple ProRes 422, Sony HDV FireWire. Capture Preset: HDV-Apple ProRes 422; Device control Sony HDV FireWire. Sequence Settings: 1440x1080 HD (1440X1080) (16:9), PIixel HD(1440x1080), Upper/Odd, 29.97, Compressor Apple ProRes 422. Message was edited by: Richard Fera

Michael,
Thanks for the helpful comments. Two tactics today helped. Where ever field dominance was indicated I made sure "upper/top" was the same everywhere throughout FCP and Compressor. That almost eliminated the jagged edges. Also, in the easy setup, I selected Apple ProRes 422 as the format, using HDV to ProRes HQ - Sony -1080i60. Sending direct to Compressor rather than through QuickTime conversion also help produce a clearer, less dark picture.
I'll try your suggesstions especially adding compression markers. I'll check back with you on results.
Thanks

HD from FCP to DVD Studio Pro...Help!

Looking for opinions in getting the BEST possible Standard Def DVD from a Final Cut Pro sequence containing heavilly effected HD DVCPro P2 footage.
My sequences settings are:
Frame Size: 960 x 720
Aspect Ratio: HD (960x720)(16x9)
Pixel Aspect Ratio: HD (960x720)
Editing Timebase: 23.97
Compressor: DVCPRO HD 720p60
Video Processing: Rendering in 8 bit YUV
I of course have Compressor and DVD Studio Pro 4, but have not gone from my HD sequence to SD DVD yet with quality results. I'm not concerned with time just highest possible quality so that it holds up well on HD televisions.

I just finished a 15-minute HD 1080i project in FCP that used AJA's DVC PRO HD 1080i 29.97 codec. I tried to make a self-contained QT movie and send it to compressor using the settings you suggested. Unfortunately, it came out with a lot of moraying and the detail around subjects eyes were pixelated.
Is there another setting you would recommend for going from 1080i to a Standard Def DVD?
thanks.

16:9 problem from fcp- compressor- dvd studio.

Using Compressor 1.2.1
I shot mini-dv(xl-2) in 16:9 mode.
I tried using the widescreen Compressor preset but when I import the my assets to DVD studio 2.0 the aspect ratio is squished to 4:3. Using the display tab I changed it to 16:9, looks fine. But when i try to simiulate, it doesn't work and there an off black 4:3 box in the middle of the 16:9 simulation box. burning does the same. both do not play.
My presets are marked for 16:9.
dvds of the project, burn fine using the best settings of fcp Conversion and DVD studio, but i'm having problems going through Compressor first.
Any ideas?
fcp 4.5, compressor 1.2.1, dvd studio 2.0

fcp 4.5, compressor 1.2.1, dvd studio 2.0
Are you really using DVD Studio Pro 2.0 There is a 2.0.5 update available. You also want to make certain that you have updated to the recommended Pro App Support package.
What aspect ratio do you have set in the simulator preferences (4:3 Letterbox, 4:3 Pan & Scan, or 16:9)?
Also, note the following from the DVD Studio Pro 2.0 help file (PDF):
"The most common error is to letterbox your 16:9 video assets before bringing them into DVD Studio Pro or QuickTime MPEG encoding systems. Once a 16:9 asset has been letterboxed, it becomes a 4:3 asset with black bars along the top and bottom of the video image. If you flag letterboxed source video as 16:9 video when encoding it, you will have problems when you play it back later."
That sounds somewhat like the problem you are having. Have you reviewed the "Preparing Assets" section in the DVD SP help file?<small><hr width="75%"><small>If this suggestion helps in any way, a confirmation or acknowledgment would be appreciated, since that would also help others who may be having the same difficulty. Do for others as you would have them help you.<center>Thanks for sharing, Waymen.</center></small>

Finishing From FCP to DVD STUDIO..... should it be really simple????

I'm trying to find a way to to editing my DVD with surround because i'm more of a logic user
and i so all my surround editing and everything in logic
but for some strange reason i'm finding it had to take my project from FCP to DVD studio
to do all the chapters and menus and all the other things you get on most DVD
i know iDVD is the easiest way to go
but its limited abit
so can anyone give me a tip on how to import or open a FCP project in DVD stuido without exporting FCP project as DV or Movie and importing it into DVD studio
thanks in advance
stash

If you want it to be simple and don't need surround, just export a reference movie of your timeline from FCP and import that into DVDSP.
A reference movie is quick to export, as long as your timeline is rendered. It also doesn't take up much space, as it's simply a reference to all your render files.
Once you bring that into DVDSP, it will compress it and you can add your menus from templates, add chapter markers, and burn.
Those of us who do critical work prefer to use Compressor because it allows us control over every setting of the compression process and we can tailor our compression to the project at hand. But for ease of use, just import that reference movie into DVDSP and burn.
Also, set DVDSP to encode in the background, not encode on build. That way it will start compressing as soon as you import the file, so it's working while you're working on menus, etc. Otherwise it won't start compressing until you hit burn.

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)

What are the main differences in features between FCP and FCE?

I'm buying filmmaking equipment for my teenage son, who has shown himself to be serious about getting started making shorts. One big decision (regarding costs and $$$ allocation for other system elements such as the computer and camcorder)is whether to get Final Cut Pro (studio version) or Final Cut Express. He has used Final Cut in several camps and film school programs. Feedback will be most appreciated!

FCP can't be bought by itself, however Final Cut Studio includes Color, Motion, and DVD Studio Pro.... FCE will not edit any format except DV and HDV. FCP will edit most every format. FCP is keyframeable, where FCE really isn't. There really is a ton of difference between the two apps. FCE has no media management, has fewer effects, etc... One's an enthusiasts' program and the other (Final Cut Studio) is a full professional suite of software... it's certainly worth the difference, but might be more than you want to spend. FCE is a subset of code taken from FCP, so learning it will help with learning FCP... the interface is nearly identical.
Jerry

FCP and DVDs

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