Recital video from FCE to iDVD

This should be a simple task but I'm having so much trouble with it I barely know where to start with the questions.
I have 1 hour of recital video, recorded in SD 16:9. I brought it all in, let DV Detect set the markers, and have added audio and video transitions for effect.
My original intention was to export each performance individually, then import those into iDVD. But the problem with that is that every export option I try results in about 2 hours of waiting to export 1 4 MINUTE video clip! I wait 2 hours (or more), get a 1+ G file for 4 minutes of video. This is using the H.264 codec, exporting as NTSC 4:3 with letterbox (since iDVD doesn't seem to cooperate with the 16:9 ratio).
What am I doing wrong?
- What codec should I use (I can't seem to find this anywhere)?
- What should the output format be?
- Is this the best workflow? I read about exporting the entire movie, with markers, and letting iDVD create chapters automatically. Would that be a better technique? I'm assuming my edits and fades won't be an issue. I'm more concerned about the sheer size of this. My source file is 12.12GB (I captured the entire thing off the DV tape in one pass). And each 4-5 minute performance is ending up about 1+GB. I don't see how someone fits an entire 3 hour movie on 1 dvd with these kinds of numbers!!
Any help? Thanks.

I'm probably doing this totally wrong. In the timeline I highlighted just the section that I wanted to export - the first 4-minute performance. I included the video, audio, and 2 fade transitions in my highlight.
Then I chose File -> Export -> Using QuickTime Conversion.
I set format to "QuickTime Movie" and chose Options.
Under Movie Settings I set Video Settings to Compression Type = H.264, all the rest to their defaults (Frame Rate = Current; Key Frames = every 24; Frame Reordering is checked; Compressor Quality = High; Encoding = Best Quality; Data Rate = Automatic)
Under Size I set dimensions to NTSC 720 x 480 4:3 and checked Preserve Aspect Ratio using Letterbox. Deinterlace is unchecked.
Also on Movie Settings I unchecked Prepare for Internet Streaming.
Everything else is set to default. After 2 solid hours my little 4 minute clip was only 25% done!! Something ain't right.

Similar Messages

Exporting HD video from FCE to iDVD

I'm finishing my first project with Final Cut Express and want to be sure I'm exporting my video correctly for iDVD.
I imported my NTSC 1080i video to FCE using the Apple Intermediate Codec 60-frame interlaced setting. Edited the video and it looks good.
I've rendered the video and mixed down the audio. I then exported a QuickTime reference .mov file and added that to my iDVD project.
When I look at the preview of the movie in iDVD I'm seeing a lot of interlacing lines. Ouch! Will this burn OK or am I in trouble? When I watch the reference movie on my computer it looks fine with no interlacing problem. I'll be making a test burn this evening but the suspense is killing me!
Every reference I've found says to do this just as I've done. Did I miss a step? Is there something else I should do for HD material? Should I use QuickTime Conversion in FCE to make a standard def 16x9 movie and use that for iDVD?
I've made lots of DVDs from HD material in iMovie and never had a problem.
Thanks for your help!

Not sure about what settings to use, but wanted to remind you that iDVD has a Save As Disc Image option which creates a virtual DVD on your desktop. You can mount and play this on your Mac just like an actual DVD (using DVD Player). So it's a cheap and precise way of previewing your video in standard DVD format.
You'd Copy the disc image to actual media using Roxio Toast or Apple's Disk Utility. The only differences between the two videos would be the result of viewing on a different monitor/TV, or errors introduced during the copy/burn process (typically bad disks or bad quality disks).
John

Exporting From FCE to IDVD With Chapters How long

Exporting From FCE to IDVD With Chapters How long will the DVD hold??? if i have an hour and 40 minutes of HD footage all cut together with FCE and has been saved as a movie file, how many hours will IDVD let me burn to it?
if i run over the allowed amount will it say i need to drop quality, i am editing loads at the moment and dont want to get to the end and it come up with an error message. also will idvd include the chapter markers if i export with them?

Sure, no problem.
1. Go to Project > Project Info in iDVD.
2. Make sure "DVD Type" is set to a single-layer DVD.
3. Under "Encoding," choose "Best Performance." Is the arrow solidly in the green portion of the quality bar? If so, go ahead and burn your disc.
4. If not, choose "High Quality." Again, go ahead and burn your disc if the arrow is solidly in the green.
3. If the arrow still isn't in the green, select Professional Quality. If the arrow's in the green, burn your disc. If not, you'll have to delete some of the menus (scene selection, etc.) or menu content and check again. You should be able to burn up to 2 hours if you don't have a lot of other menu content.

Exporting HD video from FCE

Hi,
What would be the best process from the point of export (in what video format) to actually burning an HD DVD when exporting from FCE 4.0 without losing quality?
I have -
DVDSP 4.0
Compressor 2.0
IDVD 7.0
MacBook Pro Intel

CAn I export a Video captured and assembled in HD to a standard definition so it will fit on a normal >DVD?
Yes.
How to burn to a DVD with chapters etc?
You enter Chapter Markers into an FCE Timeline.
Try a search for details. Here's one;
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6597003&#6597003
You have to export the FCE Timeline using File >Export>QuickTime Movie.
If the Timeline is under 2 hours (single side, single layer DVD) it will work in iDVD with the correct settings entered in iDVD
iDVD also has to be configured to accept chapter markers.
Al

Export from FCE to iDVD, results in black border around movie

Here is the problem....
I have edited a movie in FCE where all of the footage is 1440 x 1080
I export it using: File -> Export... QuickTime movie
I choose "self contained" movie and "audio/video", plus "chapter markers" in the pop up menu.
I then take this into iDVD amd all looks ok in the preview, but once burnt to DVD, there is a large black border around the entire movie. It is almost like it is a smaller movie which does not fill the screen correctly.
Any idea why this happens and how to overcome this. When I lok at the exported movie from FCE- it is 720-x576 and not the full size- is this the problem?
Thanks for any tips.

Hi
Is it widescreen ?
Did You in Your browser window set sequence and material to anamorphous. To me it was a revelation that the Browser window was exstendably to the right with lot's of columns - and one of them was Anamorphous.
Did you start a WideScreen project in iDVD - First window that opens after You clicked Start a New iDVD project (top button). At bottom this new window You set 4:3 (SD format) or 16:9 for WideScreen.
In iDVD You also need to go up to Project and down to Projectinfo
then set 16:9 here TOOO !
Proportion - Change it to 16:9
When I go from FinalCut to iDVD - I do
FCE/P to iDVD
Several things
• How to go from FCE/P to iDVD
• Free space on Start-up hard disk
• Encoding
• Brand and type of DVDs used
• Burn speed set
• iDVD BUG
• Chapters
How to go from FCE/P to iDVD I do
• Disable Screen and Energy saver
• IMPORTANT --> FIRST in FinalCut - Mix Down Audio under Sequence Menu / Render Only / Mix-down
• Export out as a QuickTime .mov file
• Select with Mark - Chapter Mark
• Not as Self-Contained (not important but saves time and space)
• NO QUICKTIME CONVERSION (IMPORTANT)
This QT.mov file I import into iDVD from within iDVD.
Free space on Start-up hard disk
I set a minimum of 25GB (for Mac OS and iDVDs temp files)
Encoding
• I use Pro Quality encoding
Brand and type of DVDs used ( Important as cheap brands DO NOT WORK )
• I use Verbatim
• I use DVD-R
Burn speed set (IMPORTANT)
• I set down this to x4 (or x1)
iDVD BUG
• One can not go back to movie-project for any alterations and then go back to
the iDVD project. It will notice and ask You to either Up-date or Cancel. Neither
of them will work.
Medicine - Start a brand new iDVD project.
Use of Chapters
• I only use a to z and 0 to 9 in naming them. NO other symbol/letter !
• NO Chapter-mark at very beginning - iDVD NEEDS TO set this by it self
• No Chapter marks in or within two seconds from a transition
(Way around this last one - Export movie as QT full quality and NO Chapter marks
Import this into a new Movie-project and now You are free to set C-Ms where You want
them except at very beginning - still)
Material used to build movie
• video - I use streamingDV (or convert all other to this e.g. .mp4, .avi, .wmv etc)
• audio - I use .aiff 16-bit 48kHz or from Audio-CD (44.1kHz) - no .mp3 or direct from iTunes
• photos - I use .jpg - no .bmp etc
Problems - then Trash iDVD pref. file and run Repair Permissions - and have a re-try.
from post ??
May not be relevant, but I had the same problem with iDVD, where burned DVDs showed a green screen. It was cured by quitting Quicksilver and Quickeys as well as disabling sleep and screen-saving
Yours Bengt W

Exporting from FCE to iDVD

No matter what I do iDVD 09 quits with a "iDVD unexpectedly quit . . " message after exporting from FCE.
The movie has 12 chapters and includes chapter markers.
I have tried to rename file, repair permissions, delete plist prefs, save as disk image, have plenty of hard disk space but all with same result.
Any suggestions?
Doug

Hi Michel,
Here is what I did (and settings)
FCE 4.0.1
Mac OS X 10.5.8
QuickTime Player 7.6.2 (518)
Format: .mov
No Itunes purchased. Just converted one or 2 mp3s to .aiff format
Export settings from FCE:
Export: as Quicktime Movie
Include: Audio and Video
Markers: Chapter Markers
Make Movie self-contained: unchecked
Thanks!
Doug
All media stored on external hard drive but when I burn DVD I bring .mov file
onto my desktop.
Using standard DVD R disks from Staples

Interlacing? Exporting from FCE to iDVD

I have spent the last 2 months and many many hours working on this project for a banquet. I finally finished it late last night, and now I have spent the last 8 hours trying to make a DVD out of it.
I tried "export>quicktime movie" as well as "export>using quicktime" conversion. I import it into iDVD and burn the DVD and I get a headache trying to watch it on my TV or on my mac. anything with motion flickers and seems to have ghosts. from what I have been reading, this is interlacing?
Does anyone know how I can fix it? I have tried so many different things, (since this has come up before) and 5 wasted DVDs late, I still can't seem to fix it.
The Camcorder I used is a JVC EVERIO GZ-MG630RU. I imported all of my clips into imovie, exported as an XML file for FCE and Imported the iMovie XML into FCE.
If anyone knows how I can get rid of this problem please help me. I don't want to give 400+ people a headache for an hour!

Also,I took a few clips and edited the frames in corel painter 11 then exported them as .mov files. These clips all look fine. I guessing the way I imported the rest of the video into FCE is the problem but I don't have enough time to redo the whole movie so i'm looking for a way to fix it.

Poor quality of from FCE to idvd

Hello All,
We have used iDVD to burn our fce projects. This week we burned a reunion filmed mainly in doors. On FCE the footage looked fine as well as after exporting to QuickTime. Once burned on iDVD and played on a HD tv, the picture is extremely grainy. We switched the tv to standard screen which helps a little, but overall the quality is poor. Even the type on the chapter titles looks blurry. I tried changing the encoding preferences (in iDVD) to professional quality, but couldn't see much difference.
The original footage was filmed in hd and captured at 29.97 fps and hdv-apple intermediate codec 1080i60.
Any advice would be great.
Gobble Gobble,
Jamie

Jamie,
Please provide a little more information.
1) How long is your movie, that is what is the play time?
2) How did you get the movie to iDVD? The best way is to export the movie from FCE as a Quicktime Movie (not Quicktime Conversion). The close FCE and then open iDVD and then go get your movie from with in iDVD.
Also, I hope you realize you had HD material, but iDVD is Standard Definition. How good it looks depends a lot on how well your TV and your DVD player upscale.

Image Quality Issues from FCE to iDVD

I've been attempting to take a 16 minute video shot in DV to a DVD and have been disappointed with the results. Using Final Cut Express, I've tried every codec but have found the image quality to be quite a bit less than the original DV footage. Also having a difficult time retaining the original 4:3 aspect ratio of the footage, despite specifying NTSC 4:3. When converting the footage to a Quicktime movie, the quality of the movie appears fine when played back on the Mac, but degraded when the final DVD is burned. Haven't used iDVD much, so the issue may lie there, but it's hard for me to believe that such a relatively small amount of footage would require so much compression that the final DVD image would show this much degradation from the DV footage.
Is there some magic combination of codec and size that I'm missing when converting to Quicktime?

Your FCE Easy Set should be DV NTSC.
Your FCE Sequence Settings should also be DV NTSC.
Export a QuickTime Movie using Current Settings, Self Contained.
Bring that file into iDVD where it will be converted internally to MPEG 2.

Exporting HD video from FCE to Standard DV format

CAn I export a Video captured and assembled in HD to a standard definition so it will fit on a normal DVD? How would I do that? and then How to burn to a DVD with chapters etc? You probably gathered I am new to this and learning very slowly... But many thanks for any help! Floor

CAn I export a Video captured and assembled in HD to a standard definition so it will fit on a normal >DVD?
Yes.
How to burn to a DVD with chapters etc?
You enter Chapter Markers into an FCE Timeline.
Try a search for details. Here's one;
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6597003&#6597003
You have to export the FCE Timeline using File >Export>QuickTime Movie.
If the Timeline is under 2 hours (single side, single layer DVD) it will work in iDVD with the correct settings entered in iDVD
iDVD also has to be configured to accept chapter markers.
Al

Converting video from FCE for 5G

I am running FCE 3.0 and I have tried several times to export a movie using the built-in iPod video output format. iTunes accepts the movie but iTunes won't sync the video to the 5G iPod, stating it is not a compatible format. I use the following sequence: File/Export/Using Quicktime Conversion/Format pulldown: iPod (320/240). A 20 minute video takes 3+ hours to convert.
When I export the same movie to QuickTime and use QT Pro 7.03 and export the movie I can successfully move the movie to the iPod using iTunes. Plus, the format conversion only takes about 30 minutes. I have successfully converted 4-5 movies to the iPod format and have downloaded many more from the web, so I guess that iTunes & the 5G iPod are working correctly.
Is there a known problem w/ the FCE iPod format export function? or is there some other setting I am missing? or ....

James,
Thanx for the feedback. I think my problem is in my video. To make my troubleshooting proceed faster, I output only a 1 minute scene of the video using the same steps I described at the start of this thread (and as you describe). I took my 1 minute video, dropped it in to iTunes as before, connected my 5G and it synced over to the 5G. My 1:00 scene video transferred to the 5G w/o complaint. Go figure.
Now I have to incrementally add scenes, output it and see when it balks again. Ughhh.
If you are interested, there are some useful links in a similar thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1236025#1236025
Thank you,
Bill

Importing a movie into iDVD from FCE

I am perplexed. In the iDVD - Movies display, there are shown half a dozen movies. The other couple of dozen movie files which do appear in Finder - Movies are not listed in iDVD. Nor will the movies in Finder-Movies drag over to iDVD. I clicked on the yellow triangle which appears in the "insert movie" box in the theme, clicked 'import' and it told me iDVD does not support that action. So how do I get a movie from Finder-Movies into iDVD? I did not have this trouble with iMovie.
This is my first completed FCE movie. And things were going so well.

To import movies into iDVD you may use the File/Import/Video... command, after selecting the theme you want to use for the DVD menu.
If a movie in the Import dialog window cannot be imported, probably it has a non standard format, and for sure it was not exported from FCE. Any movie exported from FCE with Export/Quicktime Movie (the only correct method to get a movie from FCE to iDVD) may be imported into iDVD.
So I suggest you review the procedure you used to export from FCE and try again.
Piero

Import video from an idvd project DVD.

Is there a way to import video from a finished iDVD project on DVD back onto my G4? It was originally created in iMovie and I want to get it eventually into my iPhone. The DVD is the only copy, it wasn't backed up on mini DV.

Try MPEG Streamclip (www.squared5.com). Open the DVD in Finder and drag .vob files from the VIDEO_TS folder into Streamclip's window.

Best way to export from FCE for compression?

Hi again, folks!
I've read/learned that, when you plan to compress your video, you should ideally export from your editing program in the final resolution (size) that you want the video to be. Apparently this is because editing programs do a better job of sizing the video than do compression programs (such as Sorenson Squeeze, which does its best work doing only compression). What I'm wondering is this: When I export to QuickTime from FCE, I have two options, namely Export as a QuickTime Movie, or Export Using QuickTime Conversion (which allows me to save as a QuickTime or other format). So, my question is, if I Export Using QuickTime Conversion, does this actually "convert" the video to some 'bastardized' version of QuickTime, or does it just reduce the size? I'm asking because I don't understand why, on the one hand, FCE refers to exporting a full size video as simply "Exporting as QuickTime" while on the other hand (eg. when I'm lowering the resolution), it's called "QuickTime Conversion" (which is lumped in with a whole bunch of other output format possibilities such as .avi, mpeg4, etc).
I'm probably not being as clear as I'd like, but more simply put, why does FCE consider going from hi-res QuickTime to low-res QuickTime a 'conversion'?

One suggestion I received (just tonight) from another forum was to export the video from FCE, but not as a self-contained movie; this way (I'm told), the video is not being compressed or otherwise altered, and hence will give me the best results when I compress
The information you received on the other forum was half right and half wrong. The difference between a self-contained movie and a movie that isn't (known as a 'reference' movie) is NOT the quality; it's that the self-contained movie is an exact copy of what's in your Sequence while the reference movie only refers to the original media and renders ... it doesn't copy it. Since reference movies rely on the original media (and render files) for playback or when used in other applications (like Sorenson Squeeze), they will not work properly on any other system nor will they work if any of the original media or render files are moved, deleted or otherwise altered.
The quality of the two types is identical.
-DH

Best codec for export from FCE?

Heya, I'm sort of a newbie, so please be patient with me
I'm trying to export a video from FCE using QT conversion. I'm going to be putting it on Youtube. What is the best codec for export? I've always heard that H.264 is the 'best', but my videos have always been pale and washed out. I tried exporting using MPEG-4 video, and it's not washed out. Is H.264 better and I should just deal with the paleness, or does it not matter too much?
Thanks

All the Web video sites re-compress your videos. So it's generally best to upload high quality files – typically determined by bit rate.
My suggestion would be to export as a Quick Time movie at current settings. (Guessing that you edited an AIC sequence,)
If you don;t have MPEG Streamclip, do a search and download it. In Streamclip, open the file you exported from FCE. Export to Quick Time. For Compression, choose H.264 from the drop down menu. Don't change Frame Size. If your movie is interlaced, check De-interlace. Check the Limit Data Rate box and type in 12,000 if the size of your movie is1080; 6,000 if your movie is 720; 3,000 if your movie is 480.
Use the YT uploader and you should be good to go.
Russ

Recital video from FCE to iDVD

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