Better workflow with AVI or Mpeg2

[vedder]

I just purchased Ulead 5.. I edit in Premier 1.5
is it best I export as AVI files, then import my AVIs to Ulead.
Or should I export as Mpegs..from Premier to Ulead.
Or does it no make a difference.

I love the product,, but Am having some unexplainable crashes..

I made a few DVDs using AVI files..

I.ve been trying to make more DVDs but keep crashing..
The only thing I did different is use a diffrent template background, changing it to fit my needs.. My importing an AVI as my background..

Please help.. have project due.... and this is driving me crazy...
Thanks

[sjj1805]

Edit in DV (avi)
Author in MPEG2

Therefore to prevent multiple rendering, capture (or transfer) to your computer in DV, Using your Video Editor (Premier 1.5) make your cuts, transitions, titles etc and then export to DVD compliant MPEG2.

Import that MPEG2 file into MovieFactory and do your authoring.

[vedder]

Thanks.. ill try the mpeging instead..

I just got a run time error.. any idea what may have caused this?

[heinz-oz]

Possibly a runtime error sorry, seriously though, how could anyone even attempt to guess a cause.

Since you need mpeg2 files for your DVD (beats me how you had some DVD with AVI files, unless, of course they were DivX or Xvid format avi's), Steve's advice is sound, export DVD compliant mpeg2 files from premiere and author in MF.

And, please, try to remember to use the necessary extension when referring to AVI. If I asked you to join me for a glass you would ask what's in it also, unless you know me well .

AVI is as decriptive as the term "a glass" or "a bucket", hope you get my drift.

When transferring video from a MiniDV camcorder to a PC via firewire, one does not get avi files, these are DV-AVI files as opposed to DivX-AVI, MPEG4-AVI etc.

[DVDDoug]

Thanks.. ill try the mpeging instead..

I just got a run time error.. any idea what may have caused this?

Usually, that's caused by a corrupt video file or a flaky format (i.e. DivX). At this point, it's hard to know what caused the corruption.

It's not always easy to tell when you've got a bad file. I've had a few corrupted MPEGs and they always played back fine... they just caused problems when they were re-coded or re-multiplexed (for the final DVD format).

[heinz-oz]

Thanks.. ill try the mpeging instead..

I just got a run time error.. any idea what may have caused this?

Usually, that's caused by a corrupt video file or a flaky format (i.e. DivX). At this point, it's hard to know what caused the corruption.

It's not always easy to tell when you've got a bad file. I've had a few corrupted MPEGs and they always played back fine... they just caused problems when they were re-coded or re-multiplexed (for the final DVD format).

The reason for that is, in all probability, the ability of DVD playing software to absorb a number of file errors up to a point. When re-coding the files, errors are errors and handled as such. That's another reason why I never copy a DVD I burned straight from the DVD. I back up my DVD folders and re-use these if I need another copy.

[vedder]

I though MF 5 automatically converts teh AVI to mpegs, while it burns.
Should I burn to disc, or creat an image file.

So if i use AVI you say do not use DV-avi.

[sjj1805]

AVI encompasses a wide variety of formats.
DV
Xvid
DivX
MPEG4
and perhaps a hundred others are all in a classification termed AVI.

Think of it another way. AVI - Non Lossy. Edit the file and the quality remains. MPEG2 = lossy. Edit the file and bits get discarded to keep the file size smaller. At first you will not notice any difference but if you render a second, third, fourth time and so on gradually the difference will be noticeable.

When performing editing on a video file it is best to have a non lossy format (AVI) as your source material. The most popular of these is the DV format. By editing I mean getting out your scissors and cutting pieces out, then your pot of glue and joining the bits together again, throw in some text in the form of titles or credits and so on.

Now you (With a video editing program) render that file to a DVD compliant MPEG2 file ready for your authoring program (MovieFactory) to create the DVD VOB files.

Here's another explanation.
The stuff in a MiniDV camcorder
is in DV format and you simply transfer it to your hard drive - it is an exact copy. No loss of quality here. Now do your editing (VideoStudio / MediaStudio are good for this) and create an MPEG2 file. - Thats your first render - very slight but irelevant and unnoticeable loss of quality.

Provided you have the bit rate and other settings correct, when you use your authoring program (MovieFactory / VideoStudio / DVD Workshop 2) then its almost as though the MPG files are renamed VOB (Ok thats a simplification) and so they are not rendered again and so no further loss in quality.

Obviously there is more to it than all this but in simple terms thats what happens.

Regarding your other point.
You can burn directly to a disc. Personally I prefer to burn to a hard drive folder. The advantages of this are
1. You can burn off as many copies as you wish with your favourite DVD Burning software.
2. You can give it a last minute check to ensure it's turned out the way you intended.
3. You can do further adjustments to the DVD Menu with programs like MenuEdit.