Idvd (professional quality) vs DVD Studio pro quality difference

The Short question:
I understand DVDSP gives you much more control on menus on your dvd, but if I'm not concerned about additional controls, and only about preserving video quality, is it worth using DVDSP and possibly compressor or am I getting the same quality on less then one hour dvd's using 'professional quality' encoding with iDVD?
The long question:
I know this has probably been talked about many time, so I apologize.
I'm creating home movies with FCP from SD DV footage. Being Standard definition, I would like to preserve as much quality as I can when putting my movies onto DVD. Most of my movies, as well as DVD's are less then one hour.
I just went through the excellent Lynda.com tutorials on DVD studio pro by Larry Gordon. I understand DVDSP gives you much more control on menus on your dvd, but if I'm not concerned about additional controls, and only about preserving video quality, is it worth using DVDSP and possibly compressor or am I getting the same quality on less then one hour dvd's using 'professional quality' encoding with iDVD?
Thanks for your understanding.

Thanks guys for your reply. After finishing the tutorials on both DVDsp and Compressor. I think I'm sold. The flexibility is worth the extra effort. Actually after learning the interfaces, they aren't as daunting as I first thought. Compressor is dead easy and DVDsp is fun due to the control you have over your dvd. ALSO, using DVDsp over idvd has fixed a VERY annoying aspect ratio issue I have ever since using idvd. Where my DV 16:9 footage is being cropped to 4:3 on certain dvd players. I've battled that issue with no resolution for way too long. No problem when the DVD is made from DVDsp. I will miss the beautiful canned templates supplied in idvd, but I'm sure there are templates for DVDSP I'll be able to find. I'm sure templates are limited due to they expect you to create your own. I can deal with that.
Thanks again.
DVDsp is the way to go!

Similar Messages

Is there is a way to export the themes from iDVD to DVD Studio Pro?

OK...so here's what I'm trying to find out: is there is a way to export the themes from iDVD to DVD Studio Pro? Or can I build the project in DVDSTPRO and import it to iDVD to build and burn?
I've read several threads here and haven't come across my specific question. If I missed it, please copy me a link. Otherwise, I'd like to use the templates/themes in iDVD with my FCP project.
I was thinking about importing the project from FCP to iDVD. Then, I thought about the markers etc....
So, if anyone had an idea, tip or link, I'm all for it!
Thanks!
ron

Importing iDVD Projects and Themes
DVD Studio Pro 4 can import projects from iDVD 3 and iDVD 4. You can import an iDVD theme by using the theme in a project within iDVD and importing the project into DVD Studio Pro. When creating the project within iDVD, you do not need to use the final assets or make a complete project.
Note: DVD Studio Pro will not import projects from iDVD 1, iDVD 2, and iDVD 5. In general, iDVD needs to be installed on the same system as DVD Studio Pro. An exception is if you import an iDVD 4 archive project.
To import an iDVD project or archived project into DVD Studio Pro:
1 Do one of the following:
• Choose File > Open.
• Press Command-O.
2 Locate and select the iDVD project or iDVD 4 archive project in the Open dialog, then click Open.
DVD Studio Pro imports the iDVD project.
About the iDVD Project Import
When DVD Studio Pro imports an iDVD 3 or iDVD 4 project or iDVD 4 archive project, it has standard locations it looks for to find the assets and themes used in the project. This is especially important if the project uses custom themes.
The standard locations that DVD Studio Pro uses are (in this order):
• iDVD project bundle: This is the file created when you save the project.
• [user]/Library/iDVD/Favorites: This folder is located in your home folder.
• [root]/Library/iDVD/Favorites: This folder is located at the root of your disk.
• /Network/Library/iDVD/Favorites: This folder is on a network system specifically
configured by your system administrator for this purpose. (This is not the same as having a server networked into your computer.)
• iDVD application bundle: This is the iDVD application file that contains the default theme elements.
Note: When you create an archive project in iDVD 4, you can choose to include the themes and encoded files. For the best portability, you should include both options. This results in a larger archive file, but ensures you can take the file to any DVD Studio Pro system and import it without missing assets. If you do not choose to include the themes and encoded files in the archive file, those assets must be available in one of the standard locations.
If your project will have automatically-created chapter index (scene selection) menus based on markers embedded in the video, it can be easier to create these within iDVD prior to importing the project into DVD Studio Pro. This ensures the chapter index menus use the selected theme’s background and include arrow buttons to navigate between the menus.
Important: To ensure all iDVD menu elements import correctly into DVD Studio Pro, you must navigate to each chapter index menu within iDVD before saving the project. This is also true for any menus you add to your iDVD project by clicking the Folder button.
Issues With Importing iDVD Projects
There are some issues to be aware of when you import iDVD projects:
• If you import an iDVD project with DVD-ROM content, DVD Studio Pro does not update the settings in the Disc Inspector’s General tab to reflect the DVD-ROM content. You must manually select the DVD-ROM layout and choose the folder to include.
• When you create a slideshow in iDVD, you can add arrow buttons to each still to provide viewers with an additional method of jumping to the previous and next stills. These arrow buttons are not imported when you import an iDVD project into DVD Studio Pro. The viewer must use the Previous and Next buttons on the DVD player’s remote control to jump between stills.
• The button highlights used in iDVD may look different when imported into DVD Studio Pro. In most cases, the text in the buttons is set to be included in the highlight. Additionally, buttons that use an underline in iDVD will not have an underline when imported into DVD Studio Pro.
• When you import an iDVD project, you may find that the button that is highlighted by default on some menus changes. During the project import, DVD Studio Pro numbers the buttons on each menu and highlights button 1 by default. You can assign any button on a menu to be the default button in the Menu tab in the Menu Inspector.
• If you import an iDVD project that contains a drop zone configured as a slideshow and has multiple slides assigned to it, DVD Studio Pro only shows the slideshow’s first slide in the drop zone.
Source: +DVD Studio Pro User Manual+

IDVD and DVD Studio Pro

Is there a way to import a theme from iDVD into DVD Studio Pro? I want to use a theme on iDVD called Revolution, but in iDVD it only has one drop zone for pictures. I have seen this theme used with multiple pictures so there has to be a way to do it. I was wondering if you can somehow get that template into DVD Studio Pro for more customization options.

Importing iDVD Projects and Themes:
DVD Studio Pro 4 can import projects from iDVD 3 and iDVD 4. You can import an iDVD theme by using the theme in a project within iDVD and importing the project into DVD Studio Pro. When creating the project within iDVD, you do not need to use the final assets or make a complete project.
Note: DVD Studio Pro will not import projects from iDVD 1, iDVD 2, and iDVD 5.
In general, iDVD needs to be installed on the same system as DVD Studio Pro. An exception is if you import an iDVD 4 archive project.
To import an iDVD project or archived project into DVD Studio Pro:
1 Do one of the following:
• Choose File > Open.
• Press Command-O.
2 Locate and select the iDVD project or iDVD 4 archive project in the Open dialog, then click Open.
DVD Studio Pro imports the iDVD project.
About the iDVD Project Import:
When DVD Studio Pro imports an iDVD 3 or iDVD 4 project or iDVD 4 archive project, it has standard locations it looks for to find the assets and themes used in the project. This is especially important if the project uses custom themes.
The standard locations that DVD Studio Pro uses are (in this order):
• iDVD project bundle: This is the file created when you save the project.
• [user]/Library/iDVD/Favorites: This folder is located in your home folder.
• [root]/Library/iDVD/Favorites: This folder is located at the root of your disk.
• /Network/Library/iDVD/Favorites: This folder is on a network system specifically configured by your system administrator for this purpose. (This is not the same as having a server networked into your computer.)
• iDVD application bundle: This is the iDVD application file that contains the default theme elements.
Note: When you create an archive project in iDVD 4, you can choose to include the themes and encoded files. For the best portability, you should include both options. This results in a larger archive file, but ensures you can take the file to any DVD Studio Pro system and import it without missing assets. If you do not choose to include the themes and encoded files in the archive file, those assets must be available in one of the standard locations. If your project will have automatically-created chapter index (scene selection) menus based on markers embedded in the video, it can be easier to create these within iDVD prior to importing the project into DVD Studio Pro. This ensures the chapter index menus use the selected theme’s background and include arrow buttons to navigate between the menus.
Important: To ensure all iDVD menu elements import correctly into DVD Studio Pro, you must navigate to each chapter index menu within iDVD before saving the project. This is also true for any menus you add to your iDVD project by clicking the Folder button.
Issues With Importing iDVD Projects:
There are some issues to be aware of when you import iDVD projects:
• If you import an iDVD project with DVD-ROM content, DVD Studio Pro does not update the settings in the Disc Inspector’s General tab to reflect the DVD-ROM content. You must manually select the DVD-ROM layout and choose the folder to include.
• When you create a slideshow in iDVD, you can add arrow buttons to each still to provide viewers with an additional method of jumping to the previous and next stills. These arrow buttons are not imported when you import an iDVD project into DVD Studio Pro. The viewer must use the Previous and Next buttons on the DVD player’s remote control to jump between stills.
• The button highlights used in iDVD may look different when imported into
DVD Studio Pro. In most cases, the text in the buttons is set to be included in the highlight. Additionally, buttons that use an underline in iDVD will not have an underline when imported into DVD Studio Pro.
• When you import an iDVD project, you may find that the button that is highlighted by default on some menus changes. During the project import, DVD Studio Pro numbers the buttons on each menu and highlights button 1 by default. You can assign any button on a menu to be the default button in the Menu tab in the Menu Inspector.
• If you import an iDVD project that contains a drop zone configured as a slideshow and has multiple slides assigned to it, DVD Studio Pro only shows the slideshow’s first slide in the drop zone.
Source: +DVD Studio Pro user manual.+

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

Quality issues in iDVD - is DVD Studio Pro the answer?

Hi all,
I am having a problem producing a high quality DVD with iDVD. I know this is the DVD studio forum but I am wondering if I need to switch form iDVD to get the results I want. So, this is what I am doing in iDVD.
I am using 13 QT (.mov) movie files that were made using the "Best" quality setting. Their size is 720 X 480. I am using the "Professional Quality" encoding in the Preference dialog and the Project settings dialog. The theme I am using is Revolution. (This is all in iDVD)
I have burned a few DVDs (Memorex DVD+RW, 4X) and at first used the "Best Performance" encoding. It took about 20 min to burn the DVD. The results were too pixelated. Then I read about the other settings, and used the "Professional Quality". This higher setting took over 40 min to burn the DVD. Unfortunately,the results were not that much better.
Can someone help me to figure out what is wrong? I am looking to produce the crisp quality I see when I view the QT movie files (before I incorporated them into my iDVD project).
What I am thinking is that iDVD is not capable of producing the high crisp quality I am looking for and that DVD Studio Pro might be my answer. Or, could it be my QT movie files (thou they look great when I just play them on my computer in the QT player.
Thanks
PS: I posted a similar topic in the iDVD forum but no answers as of yet and I am on a strict deadline (aren't we all...lol)

You didn't mention that you were doing screen captures. That makes a difference. Camtasia is compressing your screen captures. All DVDs use MPEG-2 compression. So you are in fact double compressing your videos (which always results is lower quality).
To get better results see if you can get Camtasia to record uncompressed, or using the Animation codec at Best. This will result in a absolutely huge file, which is what you want. You bring that into iDVD for good results. Or bring it into Compressor and then DVD SP for better results. Or a third party MPEG-2 encoder like BitVice and then DVD SP for best results. Of course using anything other than iDVD will require a couple of weeks training.

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

Quality of DVD Studio Pro vs iDVD

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

Hal MacLean wrote:
Wow - wikipedia link is a superb article, but a tad geeky...
That is why I refused to understand it, I am not a geek and no one will convince me otherwise... even if every new application and computer released by Apple is like catnip for me

DVD Studio pro vs iDVD: DVD Quality?

Do the DVDs made by DVD studio Pro look better than those from iDVD?
I have very good looking HD videos, made in iMovie: which look quite good as QT movies, but quality deteriorates a fair amount when iDVD makes it into a DVD. looking for better DVD product. Will I notice a difference with DVD Studio pro. kinda expensive if doesn't improve quality of final product.
roger

If you use the default compressor built into DVDSP it will probably be very similar to iDVD.
If you buy Final Cut Studio to get DVDSP you will also get an application called Compressor that allows for very high quality HD to DVD compression if you customize the presets.

Compression quality: iDVD vs DVD Studio Pro vs others?

I am merrily editing along in FCE, and looking to eventually compress and burn onto DVD. Since I can use all the quality I can get, and don't have spare money (so what else is new?), I am wondering about the differences in compressing software. Is there a visible difference in the final product using DVD Studio Pro vs iDVD? Is there something else out there that is better than iDVD but doesn't cost as much as DVDSP? Any opinions or experience welcomed!
Thank you!

If your project is under an hour, iDVD will give you very satisfactory results (use the Best Performance settings).
You can create an up to 2 hour movie with iDVD but personally (with Best Quality), I think the quality begins to slide off a bit over an hour
DVD Studio Pro, with Compressor, gives you many more compression options. Compressor has lots more compression pre-sets and you can go in and tweak bit rates, single or double passes, etc. You can do that inside DVD Studio Pro as well. Overall, Studio Pro just gives you a lot more options and control.
Roxio Toast is a relatively cheap (around 80 bucks Cdn) piece of software that will compress your FC movies. You are way limited in terms of things like menus and chapters but compression wise it does a fairly nice job ... again, you don't have the versatility of iDVD. With Popcorn, it will allow you to cram a big movie onto a single layer DVD but the quality begins to hurt
Personally, no matter what you use, two hours is the reasonable quality limit for a single layer DVD

Compare output quality with DVD Studio Pro 3 and iDVD 08?

Can anyone one tell me if there is a difference in output quality between the new iDVD 08 and DVD Studio Pro 3. I have not bought DVD Studio Pro 4 as it is not available as a separate purchase. I am wondering if I should bother with iDVD 08 if the output is the same or less than Studio 3.
Thanks, Ed

I'll add this. I came to the forum this evening on this very subject. I have been using IDVD for years producing promotional DVD's that have been lauded by all my customers. I recently popped for FCP and DVD-SP to improve the quality of my productions. Yet, here I am, trying to figure out why DVD-SP is delivering terrible artifacts on high speed movement in the video. This is regardless of the settings for the encoder. They're better at the higher settings, but they're still there. Now I think (hope to find a different answer here on the forum) I have to encode with Compressor, re-import the track and re-link all 80 of the chapter links. The same video showed absolutely none of these artifacts when encoded in iDVD. The finished product looked identical to hooking up my miniDV camera to the television. The flexibility of menu construction in DVD-SP is amazing, but Apple needs to scrap the fancy built-in encoder and just use whatever is working in iDVD.

DVD STUDIO PRO 4 TEMPLATES QUALITY

Is there anyone out there that uses DVD Studio Pro 4 without problems. When using the templates both the text and stills are grainy or pixelated. As a test I created a movie and stills in FCP imported them into DVDSP, the movie quality superb, the text and stills for the menus - rubbish. I then used the same content in iDVD - perfect menus. It is really annoying when you invest in Pro software and the results aren't as good as you get with a freebie!
Is there something obvious I am doing wrong?

fairpaul wrote:
Is there anyone out there that uses DVD Studio Pro 4 without problems. When using the templates both the text and stills are grainy or pixelated. As a test I created a movie and stills in FCP imported them into DVDSP, the movie quality superb, the text and stills for the menus - rubbish. I then used the same content in iDVD - perfect menus. It is really annoying when you invest in Pro software and the results aren't as good as you get with a freebie!
Is there something obvious I am doing wrong?
Can't tell from your post if you're looking at your DVDSP project on your Mac or you have finished the project, burned the DVD, and are watching it on a tv set top box.
To answer your first question, yes, I have no such issues with DVDSP4, I use some of the templates but not many, I usually change the typefaces, though. I have never used iDVD so I can't tell you if the results are superior in that product.
bogiesan

Video quality bad when compresed from final cut pro to dvd studio pro. HELP

Hello,
I have a dvd project im working on and first i tried the video that i captured from final cut to just use in dvd studio pro but that didnt work. then i used the compressor and used the 60min high quality video and that looks even worse. what do u suggest i do?

You must get to know what these settings do to be able to use Compressor. Try using a 10 second test of your video file and encoded at different settings to get a feel for how compression works.
Min 4 and peak at 7, a difference of 3 between min and peak is a good start at CBR, but you must test.
Just like using a video camera, if you use the same exposure setting all the time, most of your pictures will be unuseable, either too dark or too light.

I'm a bit confused. Since my original camera format was 720/60p, and I converted the footage to Pro Res422 in order to edit in Final Cut Pro 7, should I convert back to a higher quality format before sending the file to DVD Studio Pro?

I'm a bit confused. Since my original camera format was 720/60p, and I converted the footage to Pro Res422 in order to edit in Final Cut Pro 7, should I convert back to a higher quality format before sending the file to DVD Studio Pro? If so, which Compressor codec is best to use in order to preserve the original 720/60p? How do I maintain the highest quality?

No...ProRes is a high quality format. Finishing format. Many TV networks take that as a final deliverable.
BUT...DVDs aren't high definition...they are SD. You cannot make a 720p60 DVD with DVD Studio Pro. Any DVD you make will be SD...720x480. The only HD DVD format out there is BluRay, and for that you need a BluRay burner.
As for making a high quality DVD...using the BEST QUALITY settings in Compressor will work:
#42 - Quick and dirty way to author a DVD
Shane's Stock Answer #42 - David Roth Weiss' Secret Quick and Dirty Way to Author a DVD:
The absolute simplest way to make a DVD using FCP and DVDSP is as follows:
1. Export a QT movie, either a reference file or self contained using current settings.
2. Open DVDSP, select the "graphical" tab and you will see two little monitors, one blue, one green.
3. Select the left blue one and hit delete.
4. Now, select the green one, right click on it and select the top option "first play".
5. Now drag your QT from the browser and drop it on top of the green monitor.
6. Now, for a DVD from an HD source, look to the right side and select the "general tab" in the track editor, and see the Display Mode, and select "16:9 pan-scan."
7. Hit the little black and yellow burn icon at the top of the page and put a a DVD in when prompted. DVDSP will encode and burn your new DVD.
THATS ALL!!!
NOW...if you want a GOOD LOOKING DVD, instead of taking your REF movie into DVD SP, instead take it into Compressor and choose the BEST QUALITY ENCODE (2 pass VBR) that matches your show timing. Then take THAT result into DVD SP and follow the rest of the steps. Except you can choose "16:9 LETTERBOX" instead of PAN & SCAN if you want to see the entire image.

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.

Pixelated, low quality text in DVD Studio Pro

Is it normal for the text in DVD studio pro to be pixelated and low-quality once you burn a project and enter full screen mode (is this because it is not vector-based)? Is there a *better definition/resolution setting* without going into HD which is not compatible with all machines? how can you get better quality line definition?
and most importantly..can you apply this setting to the project once it has been created?
thank you for your help

buttons are have jagged edges and are little play triangles, just the standard shape for play...
..I spoke to someone today who said ts pretty impossible to get defined edges unless you have a super-expensive post production suite...right?..and something to do with anti-aliasing
any way round this 'jagged edge' issue or is it actually the program has this 'poor resolution'in accordance with you mac capabilities?
p.s. sorry about my language...as you guessed Im pretty computer-lingo-illiterate...so please answer plainly if you can...thank you ever so much...I think we might be getting somewhere...or at least to a point

Idvd (professional quality) vs DVD Studio pro quality difference

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