Workflow to DVD

Hi all,
I have seen this question in various forms on the posts, but I haven't found an altogether full solution, so forgive me for being redundant:
I am creating an animation in Motion which includes panning, scanning and Basic 3D rotation of high resolution images and text. Some of these images themselves include text made in Photoshop (which, while not ideal, helps me guarantee their placement).
The animations are imported into a Final Cut Pro sequence originally shot and set up as DV-NTSC (I import the .motn files directly). The final product will be shown on DVD (made in DVDSP) and needs to look as good as possible.
Now, a lot of various workflows have resulted in artifacting on the DVDs - even as the quicktime outputs look nice. Articfacting occurs especially around text, both inside the premade images and around those made in motion.
SO... my question is: From Motion through FCP to DVD, what's the best flow through to guarantee these guys will come out well?
I have recently heard this:
1. In FCP, copy original sequence into animation sequence.
2. Output to quicktime file
3. Using compressor, compress to MPEG-2 (ah, but which MPEG2?)
4. Import to DVD-SP
5. Burn
So I'll try that today. But anyone have another sample workflow? Trial and error on my end is driving me nuts. I've spent a week trying different flows.
Best,
Casper

Anything I make in motion I export using the Animation codec set to Millions of colors or millions+ if I need alpha with "best" selected. I'm working in FCP in uncompressed NTSC. Once done I export using the animation codec as above and then drop that QT into DVD studio. Everything looks great except for animations I use on the menu's. For some reason I have to export them as MPG's to get them to look decent. Even then they're still not perfect. I've changed my rendering in preferences and screwed around a lot with the menu's but it still falls a tad short. Stills work fine. I have a decklink card and atto scsi raid, so not sure if every system can go uncompressed but you could look at your options in the presets.
Lenny

Similar Messages

Best Workflow for Dvd studio Pro

I am looking to get the best possible workflow for dvd output. I currently just export my FCE HD project as quicktime movie NOT self contained. I then pull it into DVD Studio Pro 3 and after i do all the menus I build and burn the dvd. The image quality is good, but after reading alot of posts here it seems alot of people put their projects through compression before dvd studio pro builds the project. Should i be doing this?
Thanks.

Well, use the best encoder you can get your hands on. If you can budget for other encoders then maybe do that. Compressor will give you more control so its a good place to start,
-jake

My Personal Workflow for DVD Authoring in Encore

This is being posted, due to requests for workflow recs. from a few other threads. It is separate from those threads, but I will try to link to his post in those.
The DVD Specs. are quite strict on what is allowed, and in what exact form, in a DVD to be compliant with the standards set forth. However, there are some differences, other than image sizes, between NTSC and PAL. Depending on where you are, and where your DVD will be played, these can, and will, be different. Rather than type out a list of the specifications, Ill point you to: http://www.dvd-replica.com/DVD/dvdprimer-1.php for some reading and references.
That said, Adobe Encore can handle, on Import, more formats and sizes, than are allowed, by the DVD specs. In most cases, it will fit the Assets to DVD, but not in all cases. Also, some Assets are more likely to work, without problems, than are others. Rather than list all of the file formats, etc., that Encore can work with, Im only going to list a potential workflow, that has been known to work, with the least effort, for me. My suggestion is that if you have Assets that are different, you look into getting them into perfect compliance, BEFORE you bring them into Encore. This allows Encore to do, what it does best, create DVD Spec. DVDs for play on a television set through a set-top player, or on a computer through a DVD software player. This article will not address a lot of other possible inclusions, such as ROM content, interactive DVD, multiple Audio Tracks, Closed Captioning, or Subtitles. It also assumes that one is burning to a DVD and not to Blu-ray Disc, or another medium.
Most of the thoughts here come from a few sources, the prime one being Jeff Bellunes book, The Focal Easy Guide to Adobe Encore DVD 2.0, by Focal Press, ISBN 0-240-52004-1. Other sources are Adobe Press Classroom in a Book for Encore, and various articles and discussions from the Adobe User-to-User Forums, for Encore and Premiere Pro.*
There are many possible ways to acquire Assets (the actual Audio and Video files that you will use), and I will not cover all of these, nor will I go into great detail on preparing your Assets for Encore, other than to say that its best to Export from your Non-Linear Editor (NLE), or convert with third-party programs, your Assets so that they are most likely to work in Encore. Your choice of NLE, or conversion program is totally up to you. There are freeware, shareware and commercial ware programs for all of this. Reading the various Adobe forums and other video production forums, plus a healthy dose of Google, should yield a whole toolbox of utilities. No one utility, from $50,000 authoring programs to freeware file converters can do it all. Like a good mechanic, you need the best tools for the exact job. Also, there are other DVD authoring programs, and some are less strict, than is Encore, about what they will and will not accept. Your final DVD may play perfectly, or it may not. Encore tries to assure that you will get perfect playback on as many different machines, as is possible.
Ill step you through my personal workflow, but you have to understand that this is not the ONLY way to do it. You also must realize that your exact needs might dictate that you do it otherwise. All Im giving you, is what has worked for me in hundreds of successful DVD Projects. It is based on trial-and-error, a lot of help from the regulars in the Adobe forums, Jeff Bellunes book and other resources. How you adapt this to your personal workflow, or your particular Project is up to you.
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To start, plan your Project from beginning to the finished product in this case, a DVD that can play on a TV, or on a computer, that is compliant with the DVD specs. I usually have edited all of my Video and Audio Assets, using Adobe Premiere Pro (PP), and Adobe Audition (AA). Any still Assets have usually come from Adobe Photoshop (PS), whether they are Menus, or Graphics of some sort. This allows me great flexibility in the creation and Export of my Assets. In a parallel universe, one might have a client, who hands them Assets, that have to be manipulated. One then has to find the right tools to get the Assets into a format that will work.
I plan each Project, and usually draw out a flowchart (not unlike the Flowchart Panel in Encore) in Adobe Illustrator (AI). This gives me the layout and navigation of the DVD, and lists all of my Assets, showing all of the links from Menus to Assets, often by way of Playlists, or Chapter Playlists. From this flowchart, I then create a list of all of my Assets, noting what form they are in, and also which ones will, or might, need some additional work.
Next, I gather these Assets from their location on my systems hard drive (HDD). There, I have built a folder hierarchy that differentiates the Assets type, Still, Menu, Music, Audio (associated with the Video) and Video. All are below my main Projects folder. As I have created these Assets, I have control over their form and format. All of my Video is an elemental stream (Video only no Audio, not muxed) in the DV-AVI format. All of my Audio is an elemental stream (Audio only no Video, not muxed) in the AC3 (Dolby Digital) format and is usually DD 5.1 Surround Sound. All of my Music (for Menus, etc.) is in AC3 format. All of my Menus are PSDs, and are either built FROM the template Menus in Encore, adapted for my needs, or are constructed in PS using the exact same conventions as the template Menus in Encore.
I have created a template Project in Encore, that has my normal structure in place. It is empty, except for a Bin structure, which lists my Assets: Video, Timelines, Audio, Music, Menus, etc.. This template has been saved from Encore (remember, its otherwise empty), and I Open it in Encore, and immediately Save_As, to my Project folder, with that Projects name. I use Save_As for two reasons, it leaves my template Project untouched and then locates my Project in the proper folder and is still in Encore on my screen. If I were to use Save_As_a_Copy, Id then have to Exit and Open that copy. My way automatically gets me to where I need to be, with my new Project (named appropriately) open in Encore. Im ready to get started.
With my Assets list in hand, I Import these into the pre-made Bins. First, I Import my Videos, as Timelines into my Timelines Bin. This brings in my DV-AVI Video files and creates a Timeline for each. When done, I split out the Video, into the Video Bin leaving the Timelines alone in the Timelines Bin. If I have any Video for my Motion Menus, I Import, as Asset, into the Video Bin, along with the Videos that were used to automatically create my Timelines. Next, I Import, as Asset, my Audio AC3 files into the Audio Bin. Same for Menus, as Menus, into my Menus Bin. Music AC3's are Imported as an Asset into the Music Bin. Should there be any Stills, that are not Menus (highly unlikely), they are Imported into a Stills Bin. Now its time for some drag-n-drop. Each Timeline has its Video on it, and I go to the Audio Bin, and drag the appropriate Audio file to its respective Timeline. Because I edited and Exported these files as elemental streams (non-multiplexed, or muxed), I know that they are EXACTLY the same Duration. Now, I set the appropriate Poster Frame for each Chapter/Timeline. To step back a bit here, I need to point out that I always edit my movies in PP, my NLE of choice, and keep each Chapter on its own Sequence. I Export each Sequence as a separate file (one Audio and one Video). I almost never use Chapter Markers, as each Chapter will be a separate set of Audio and Video files, and will have it own Timeline in Encore. The only times that I use Chapter Markers, is when I need some additional navigation within a Timeline, but that is not often. This is just how I edit. I will not cover other methods, but there are books and articles that discuss other ways. None is right vs wrong. They are just different, and this one is mine.
From my Flowchart Panel, I know if I will have a Video (with Audio) lead-in as my First Play. I also know exactly what my Menu structure will be. Most of my Projects have a Main Menu with sub-Menus for Scene selection, or other features navigation. I also know how many Playlists I will need, and create these. There is usually a Play All Playlist, as my Chapters are all on a separate Timeline. I seldom use a Chapter Playlist (similar name, but different than a Playlist). These are all stored in my Playlist Bin. Now, I can now start Linking my Assets.
In PS, I will have named my Buttons to correspond to the names of my Chapters (remember mine will be each on a separate Timeline, which have also been named appropriately). I leave the Button numbering, which is different than a Buttons name, in the same hierarchal order, #1 is the lowest on the Button Layer Set palette, with higher numbers in ascending order. Because my Buttons are already named, Ill take each Menu into the Menu Monitor and do a Ctrl-a (Select all) and makes sure that Sync Button Name is unchecked in the Menu Properties Panel. I do this for all of my Menu Buttons - heck, I have already spent the time in PS to create the proper Text Layer, and have changed the Buttons names to what I want them to be, why mess that up now.
With the Buttons, in all of my Menus and sub-Menus named appropriately, I can look in the Flowchart Panel and know exactly where I need to Link. One could almost do this blindfolded. Its here that I make sure that the End Actions get me exactly where I wish to go. Also, by using Playlists for things like Play All, I can set the End Action there.
Last, I address my Menus, regarding Motion. About half of my Menus have some form of animated Background. These are always non-muxed DV-AVIs (stored in the Video Bin). Almost all of my Menus will have Audio, in the form of an AC3 (stored in the Audio Bin).
Everything has been Linked, all End Actions have been set, nothing is left in the Orphanage, and it is time to Check Project. Oh, if I do have animations on my Menus, Ill Render Motion Menus and Preview them. I always leave all functions checked in Check Project and run it. I note any warnings, or errors, and go about fixing these. Ninety percent of the time, I only get the occasional warning, and it will be about End Actions. As these are only warnings, I note them to make sure that, in Preview, things function as I wish. There are almost never any errors, but if there are, I begin fixing them. Note: the Check Project function really only checks the navigation, as per the DVD specs. It does not check that your Assets are compliant. Since mine are, before they are Imported, this is never a problem.
Now, I Preview, and Preview, and Preview. Normally, I am able to leave Button Routing to Automatically Route Buttons, so I seldom have to worry about that. Also, since I either built my Menus FROM the Encore Menu Templates, or created them PER the Encore Menu Templates, I seldom have any Button overlaps.
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Workflow for DVD from HD+SD source...

Based on the lengthy so-called "single-field conversion" issues with iM09, I'm looking for some inputs on the best workflow to retain high quality for DVD distribution for mixed media - video shot with HD & SD camcorders..
Here's what I did:
A> Converted all the SD (720x480) MPEG clips to progressive using QT
B> Imported 480p MPEG clips into iMovie 9
C> Edited 1080i + 480p material in iM and exported using the HD preset. Previous tests I did confirmed no diff between the HD export preset (newly added in the latest update), and the QT custom export for 720p.
D> Imported the 720p file into iDVD and re-rendered to DVD format.
Resulting DVD video was good (not bad, and obviously nowhere near HD quality). Wondering if anybody else has a diff workflow they would like to share that minimizes the rendering steps for HD+SD material to retain good quality?
Thanks!
P.S. Unfortunately, I sold off my copy of FCE when I upgraded to iM9, otherwise iM9 XML --> FCE --> iDVD might have been an option.

function(){return A.apply(null,[this].concat($A(arguments)))}
shooternz wrote:
I dont get why one would need to scale down an HD sequence to an SD Sequence (in PPRO) first?
That must invoke "processing" for the scale and PAR and add the complication of letterbox or otherwise.
A Dynamic Link of the HD Sequence to Encore does the scaling automatically (and well) and the image retains 16:9 aspect.
A MPEG2 - DVD export file also does the scaling automatically and you import that into an Encore Project where no further transcoding is required.
Well try it and let me know how it compares for you, I would be curious what your results are. I have recently had to do a a slew of HDV to WS DVD with timecode window burns. It was taking so long when i was linking the hdv project to encore that i tried nesting the hdv footage in the WS NTSC project and it rendered faster for me so i stuck with it.
I assumed it had something to do with the GPU doing the scaling and with premiere rendering the video in SD rez faster then it can render in HD rez then scale it down for encoding in encore.

Need opinions for A to Z workflow for DVD

Here's what I've got to work with:
HVX-200p
CS4 Master Collection
The final product will be a set of 6 educational DVD's done in an interview format, so we're not talking about a movie or documentary type production.
I've been capturing at 720p60fps which comes into OnLocation at 960x720. I then put this into a PP DVCPRO50 720p60p sequence (has a pixel aspect ratio of HD Anamorphic 1080-1.333). I use lots of 1980x1080 HD clips and sometimes some lower resolution clips for slides, etc., some rendered in AE, and scaled to frame size in the PP timeline. All live footage is shot against a green screen and I use AE to chromakey the background using Dynamic Link. Once the editing is finished, I export with AME MPEG2-DVD, max render quality (basically Jeff Bullune's workflow). Here are the settings:
I put the exported file into Encore, build a disc image and burn it to a disc using ImgBurn.
Thing is, I think the final product looks pretty good. In the end, I just want it to look the best it can.
Jim Simon says that DVD can only hold 30 or 24 fps material, so am I doing overkill? I tried capturing at 720p30p and customizing a sequence to match, but I don't like the way it came out in PP or a test output to mp4--ghosting/trails. Isn't 24fps more of a movie-like quality?
Jeff Bellune says it's easier for PP to deal with 60 fps footage in a 30 fps sequence.
Agree? Disagree? What would you change?
Also, if there's an article or thread on this that I was unable to find, I would be grateful to be referred to it.
Thanks.
Paul

If it's all ending up on DVD, I'd just shoot in standard DV format. Make things simple on yourself.

Workflow for DVD

Hello -
I have 1:57 mins. of video that I exported from FCP (MOV) Self Contained.
Now to make a _GOOD QUALITY_ dvd. Do I take it to Compressor then DVD Studio Pro or straight to DVD Studio Pro?
Additional info:
-Imported Video to FCP from MINI-DV tapes
-Final destination = DVD
-Ratio = 4:3

Do I take it to Compressor then DVD Studio Pro or straight to DVD Studio Pro?
Do take it to Compressor, which offers you best presets and one that should be just right for you:
DVD best quality 150 minutes. The important thing is that Compressor will encode sound to ac3, which is perfect for DVD while DVDstudioPro won't and your audio could take just too much disk space.

Best workflow for DVD production

I need to create a DVD.
I have read that I can export my timeline to Adobe Media Encoder and use the DVD presets there. Is this good practice or are there better methods?
Thanks

Within Encore you can load the Adobe project file (*.prproj) as an asset. Dobble click in the Projects Pane and and navigate to your folder where you store your Premiere project files.

HD 720 24p workflow to SD DVD

I have an HVX200. I shot in HD 720 24pn, editing in 720 24p timeline, how do I see the output on a SD monitor in realtime in order to do color correction? I only have a fiirewire DVCam deck. I can onlt seem to see one frame at a time through my deck?
After editing in the 720 24p timeline, I tried select all and pasting into a DVNTSC (29.97) timeline. I can see the video in real time, but I got one frame gaps in my sequence. What do I do with that?
I've read that outputting through compressor is best workflow to DVD, but I would like to see it on a SD monitor first to color correct.
Confused

You cannot view DVCPRO HD thru a DV deck in real time. Nor will you see anything resembling accurate color. You will need an HD capture card and HD monitor. One cheap option is the Matrox MXO and Apple Cinema Display.
http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ross_shane/MXO.php
If you have a MacPro, you can look into the Decklink Intensity and then an HDTV.
After editing in the 720 24p timeline, I tried select all and pasting into a DVNTSC (29.97) timeline. I can see the video in real time, but I got one frame gaps in my sequence. What do I do with that?
Don't do that. Why are you doing that? When you copy and paste clips of one frame rate into a sequence of another frame rate...that happens. So...don't do that.
I've read that outputting through compressor is best workflow to DVD, but I would like to see it on a SD monitor first to color correct.
Well...you can do it the way you are doing it, but the colors won't be accurate and you can only see one frame at a time. Unfortunately you cannot route the signal thru the camera like you can DV...so you are still looking at needing an HD capture card and HD monitor or TV. Or MXO/ACD.
Shane

Best workflow to get good DVD from edited HDV

I have created a beautiful Blu-ray disc using the follwing workflow:
1. HDV tape
2. PE4 to edit.
3. PE4 output HD 1080i 30 creating mts files
3. Unwrap mts files to MPEG2 files with MPEG streamclip
4. Author and burn a Blu-ray disk using a group of these files using TMPGEnc AuthoringWorks 4
Results are great.
Now I need a workflow for DVD's. Simply having PE4 output to NTSC DVD Widescreen instead of HD 1080i, yields very poor results. I have read there are interlace issues and PE is not good at down conversion.
Is there some other path using PE4 or some other software operating on the output of PE4 (for example the HD 1080i MPEG2 files)?

Well from comments from over on Muvipix it would appear PE7 does a better job of exporting to standard definition DVD. A few folks have done comparisions and concluded that with PE7 the quality of burning a standard DVD from a high definition timeline is the same as using the downconvert in camera that Steve recommeded.
Also CS4 is reportly better at down converting to standard definition compared to earlier versions. I use Vegas Pro and get good results, although I dont do many down conversions as I mainly use a high definition workflow from import to export/burning.

FCPX - Compressor - DVD Authoring Workflow - Help

What is the best workflow for DVD creation using an iMac.
We are shooting HD video on 2 cameras. We import the AVCHD folders into FCPX. In order to work real time we turn on Proxy. We then send to compressor to create an MOV file with AAC audio as shown below. We then use Sony DVD Architect or about to try Adobe Encore for DVD authoring as we need to create a PLAY all and chapters for all 26 scenes of the video. There are 2 acts and each is about 45 minutes long.
Import of the raw video is about 20 minutes, import into FCPX is long (never actually clocked it). Export from FCPX to compressor is zero. Compressor to MOV is 14 HOURS (7 Hours per act)! Use in DVD authoring program is zero but export is another 3 hours???
(Compressor export settings - video was shot at 1080i 1280x720
File Extension: mov
Estimated size: unknown
Audio Encoder
          AAC, Stereo (L R), 48.000 kHz
Video Encoder
          Width: (100% of source)
          Height: (100% of source)
          Pixel aspect ratio: Default
          Crop: None
          Padding: None
          Frame rate: 30
          Frame Controls: Automatically selected: Off
          Codec Type: H.264
          Multi-pass: On, frame reorder: On
          Pixel depth: 24
          Spatial quality: 53
          Min. Spatial quality: 25
          Key frame interval: 24
          Temporal quality: 50
          Min. temporal quality: 25
          Maximum data rate: 20.972 (Mbps)
Compatible with Mac

First, I need to say that I still do 90% of my work in FCS. Although I'm intrigued by FCPX and using it more and more, I have a whole lot of learning ahead. There are a lot of people on the FCPX boards who are using it as their primary editor…and you may get more informed advice over there.
But to your workflow questions, I think I would see if your system can handle optimized media (Pro Res) rather than Proxy. I just did a two camera shoot and had no trouble cutting in Pro Res – with the media on a FW 800 external drive. Then I followed my usual workflow: after finishing, export as a QT movie with current settings so that I have a Pro Res master that I can bring into Compressor to re-purpose for DVD, Web, Broadcast, Mobile Devices.
As to your specific DVD needs, you probably already know that Compressor can output DVD's with a simple menu that respects chapter markers that are set within Compressor (not FCPX). So there's only one encode: Pro Res > MPEG 2 plus AC3, which processes fairly quickly. Fair warning: there was a recent poster in this forum who had a boatload of trouble with a long video and over 20 chapters. I have not encountered those problems myself, but I don't believe he ever found a fix for his.
If you require a complex menu, then probably Encore is the way to go unless you have access to DVD Studio Pro. I would imagine that Compressor's markers would be recognized by Encore, but I'm not positive. They definitely are recognized by DVD Studio Pr – and for that matter, iDVD.
BTW, you state the video was shot 1080i…what is the significance of 1280X720? You know that all DVDs are 720X480.
Good luck.
Russ

Importing mpeg2 and video quality of final DVD

I had a company create an mpeg2 file from a master for a dvd project I'm authoring. I'm not sure what format the master is on, I'm guessing BetaSP but it is something other than a DV format which is all I can handle. When my client saw the finished DVD I authored he was unhappy with the video quality, it is noisy/grainy. I told him I that is how I received it from this company (the company houses all of my client's masters) but he said his master was of higher quality. So we asked the company what the deal was and they are telling me these two things, both of which I don't believe.
My client had sent them the check disc (an authored dvd) I sent him and I sent the mpeg2 file back to them. They claim that the video quality is worse on the check disc because when you author a DVD it transcodes the files when it creates the vob files. Now the mpeg2 file imported into Encore fine and Encore defaulted to it being "do not transcode". So encore as far as I know definitely did no transcoding. Is there any validity to what they are saying? I don't think so.
They also claim that for optimum video quality I should've requested the master be transfered to DVCAM (dvcam I can indeed handle). So they are saying going from the master to dvcam to mpeg2 would be better than going from master to mpeg2. That makes no sense to me. If the master is DigiBeta, going from digibeta to the lesser quality dvcam and then to mpeg is the best route? Now way right? It seems to me that THEIR mpeg2 encoder just isn't any good.
Any thoughts would be appreciated (so I can argue my case).
thanks
Ryan

I agree with Joe.
DVCAM from DigiBeta is no quality increase at all. If anything (depending on the digibeta) you're dropping quality. You're certainly not gaining anything.
Correct workflow for DVD Authoring with DigiBeta masters is as follows:
1 - Transfer from DigiBeta to NLE Workstation.
2 - Edit as required
3 - Export from workstation to final version*
4 - Create DVD - and the biggest difference is going to be what is used - and
i how
it is used - to do the MPEG-2 encoding that the DVD application will require. MPEG encoding is not a matter of bashing out a PRESET from a menu. That will
i never
give the highest quality. MPEG encoding is every bit as much an art form as the shooting, cutting & producing of the film in the first place, and is a skill that takes both time & experience to learn properly.
NB.
* = This has been a bone of contention for a while now. It is often recommended to go to DV AVI as the interim format, but for absolute highest possible quality, this is not really true as DV AVI (DVCAM) is a compressed form, albeit lightly. Some prefer a more filmic look to their footage (which DV will never give you).
It's all swings & roundabouts. The final Master (for us) is usually a 10 bit Blackmagic type file, or an uncompressed AVI file. Expect to see around 40Gb/hour in this form, even more with a 10 bit file. Does going to 10 bits make a difference? As long as you do not have your NLE set to 8 bits, you bet it does!

The optimum DVD authoring/rep/dupe for 100% of consumer playback success

I'm needing to know from the pros in here the best workflow for DVD creation. We're doing a national distribution of a DVD (5000 first press) and want to ensure that this DVD will play in all players as well as auto play in those players.
Or at least have a 95% success rate. I'm not sure what is "acceptable loss" when it comes to mass distribution.
Things like what software is used to author...what format is presented to the replication house...what kind/brand of DVDs are best used to replicate to...and so forth.
Any ideas which will lessen the odds of problems down the line from our customers?
Thanks in advance!

Hey David! Let me address your points here so you can get a better understanding of what we're doing:
+So I take it you have this; written/story boarded, shot, donuts, color corrected, edited, properly formated. blah blah and blah. And you ready to go to dvd.....+
You are correct. Like the thread title basically implicates, need help with playback success. Not creation of a master.
+So this dvd will be in all the; bookstores, Walmarts, Blockbusters, Starbucks so on and so on... Your going to need more than 5000 for a national distrubtion.+
Nope...this is a DVD that is distributed among all the sports centers in the country. We're an athletic/fitness company. I think I have good enough product knowledge of what we sell to know a quantity to forecast for first runs. All coffee houses and blue light specials can get their own DVD to sell. lol
+I would be happy with 25%. I could retired... Wait a sec I am retired.+
Not with us. No time to retire as well.
+Pay someone to author the dvd for you.+
We are paying someone else to do this for us. Money is not an issue and not a cheap hillbilly deal. It also doesn't hurt to be armed with a little knowledge and understanding of the process before embarking on that journey. Enter the discussion groups.
+Why on earth would you burn this to dvd. Have the dvd pressed.+
Didn't I say "pressed" in my posting? I don't know a lot about this, but I know enough to know that much. Success rate is very important.
+It might (and will) cost more for the software, dvds, dvd replicators, cases, printed inserts and headaches will probably cost you more than to hand over the material for the dvd to someone to build the dvd and then sending it to the replicators.+
You are correct. Again...we're not doing the job. A "Pro" lab will. Sounds like you assumed we were tackling the job from start to finish. But there are good and bad houses out there I'm sure (as with anything else you farm out these days) so a little understanding of what to ask these places of their methods/procedures might save ourselves some money and headaches down the road.
*Well, the same question goes folks...any more tips?*
Thanks for playing David! I appreciate your advice and tips..

How to export to dvd studio pro

I have a saved final cut pro project but i cant drag it into dvd studio pro.
says incompatible format. This method works file in i movie
help

Just by reading the info provided in the original post, I'm assuming that they're trying to drag the fcp project file into dvdsp. The main thing to understand here is that iMovie and FCP are two completely different programs which work completely different. Final Cut PRO is exactly that, a professional editing application, where iMovie is a consumer level editing app. In order to really understand how FCP works is to read through the manuals.
As for the proper workflows for DVD authoring, I'd recommend this site:
http://dvdstepbystep.com

Installed 10.6.8 Server Combo Update, but can't update Server Tools to 10.6.8?

Hello all,
I installed the 10.6.8 combo update for my xserve earlier today. I also need to update the server tools to 10.6.8 since I am trying to create a new NetInstall image from a .dmg that is running 10.6.8.
The server tools update has always shown up in the past in Software Update, but I didn't see it this time around so I went and found what looks like the download link for it: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1403.
Anyway, I get it downloaded and go to install it, and it says my Server HD does not have Mac OS X installed, and it will not install the update.
I have the 10.6.8 Server Tools installed on my imagebuilder, but it isn't setup with the right workflow and it would be a hassle to get that going.
Has anyone else had any problems getting the 10.6.8 server tools installed on their xserve?

@m.mills: I'd be interested to see what your workflow looks like for your image using the 10.6.7 SIU on 10.6.8 Server? I have been struggling trying to get NetInstall or NetRestore to work using this tool. For NetRestore, it tries to install on the MBP, but fails after a minute or two with this error:
Unable to set '10.6' as boot disk: The bless tool was unable to set the current boot disk."
I am using the 10.6 retail DVD as source. I have a very basic workflow:
* source DVD 10.6
* Enable Automated Intall; install to volume name: 10.6, erase before installing
* Apply System Configuration Settings - (apply computer name and local hosts setting)
* Add 10.6.8 combo pkg
* Create image
I also have a machine running 10.7 Server and have successfully created a 10.7.2 image, but 10.6.8 has been giving me fits. It would be nice if I could create a 10.6.8 image on the 10.7 server. Is it possible to do this?
Any Help is appreciated.
thx

Does turning off modules speed up Lightroom 4?

Hi All,
It seems that in Lightroom 4 you have the ability to turn off individual modules by right clicking on them and unchecking whichever ones you don't use. I'm wondering if when modules are unchecked, does that increase the speed or performance of the system?
I recently upgraded to LR4 from 3 and definitely experienced a major slow down. That being said, when I uncheck everything except the development module, the sluggishness completely disappears. Is turning individual modules off actually helping performance? Can anyone else confirm this? I've posted on a few other forums and haven't had a great response. Thanks!

Actually, in another thread this topic came up and I'll post my results below...
The posts above are correct, simply "right clicking to turn off the modules from the title bar does not disable them.
I have had significant performance gains by actually removing the modules altogether from the Lightroom program folder.
Your mileage will vary.
My original posts come from this thread : http://gsfn.us/t/2qqr8
I've made slight edits for context.
When I removed the modules, I started from scratch.
I simply uninstalled LR4.3, defragged, reinstalled, updated, moved the modules i dont use, rebooted.
I then used this link for the How To : http://www.slrlounge.com/boost-lightroom-4-performance-by-hacking-the-lightroom-modules-li ghtroom-4-workflow-system-dvd
It's insanely easy.
I followed the standard Adobe recommendations for lightroom that you can search for in "help".
I started Lightroom with one of my (large) existing lcat files (11k images) and regenerated absolutely everything at 1:1.
Ate dinner, played the Xbox, ignored the phone... had family time for a while.
right now,
it opens bullet fast into library.
it's 10 seconds to move from library to develop. film strip scrolls bullet fast- but at super low Rez and takes 3 seconds to load the "highrez thumbs" - once I stop moving the strip (12 thumbs wide)
When an image is clicked they open to "fit" within 3 seconds. Choose 1:1 and its 5 seconds.
switch to library again and it's 1-2 seconds and a redraw of the image - filmstrip unchanged.
choose an image at 1:1 and its a 3 second wait
"Fit" is immediate. awesome
these times flex a second either way depending on image content.
scroll film strip and it behaves the same as above - but not jerky like it used to be (up till today's efforts).
LR4 is way faster than LR3 like this.
==============
--- I then read another person's post relating to my earlier posts and decided to do a test :
==============
put modules back.
20 seconds to start.
I don't change the image shown.
change to develop 30 seconds
5 seconds to "refresh" same image same setting of "fit"
change to 1:1 6 seconds
lower to fit 2 seconds
back to 1:1 2 seconds
film strip jerky on develop
thumbnail refresh same speed
change to library - 3 seconds
I'm still in 1:1
film strip "less jerky" - only a slight lag
3 seconds to load a new image as 1:1
1 second to change to "fit"
1 second back to 1:1
with the one main image chosen in library, mouse wheel scroll is pretty darned quick, low Rez "fit" with 1 second refresh when you finish moving
10 seconds to go back to develop in "fit"
5-6 seconds for subsequent photo choices in fit
1:1 is ten seconds
scrolling the 1:1 is so jerky you have to use the mouse "hand"
exit
move - book, layout, print, slideshow, web
delete win prefetch references for a clean start, reboot.
wait for windows to realize its a computer and settle down.
start Lightroom, same lcat.
it remembers I was in develop and reopened in 5 seconds with a "fit" image
cool actually - program loads and displays image all in 5 seconds, in develop.
change to 1:1 2 seconds
can actually scroll 1:1 with mouse only small lag
film strip back to new normal (fast and smooth)
change to library immediate
back to develop 1 second
new image 2 seconds on fit
1 second to 1:1
new image 1:1 2 seconds
so yeah
module disable worked for me
my pickle?
I have to test each one at a time to point adobe as to which is the issue...
*sigh*

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