Recommended work flow and set up questions

[brodwidr]

Hi,

I've worked through the recommended work flow posted here, and the Jerry Jones tutorial, and I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. A couple of newbie questions...

1.) I notice that the workflows don't use the default settings for NTSC DVD. Is there a recommendation as to settings that are most likely to work on the widest range of commercial DVD players out there? I'm doing a DVD that I am going to give to a bunch of friends and I'd like to minimize problems. I want it to have the highest video quality that my mini-DV recorder is capable of, but I only need stereo sound, not 5 channel. I can't assume the people I give this to are going to have the latest and greatest DVD players.

2.) I have a two monitor set up on my computer; both are 19" computer monitors, neither is an NTSC. Can I get the full screen playback to work on one monitor while the rest of the UI stays on the other? I checked "dual head" in preferences but it doesn't seem to change anything. VS just ignores the other monitor.

thanks in advance. This is a terrific forum, by the way, and I thank you for answering my questions thus far.

- David

[Ron P.]

Hi David,

I'll take a shot at answering some of your questions....

I notice that the workflows don't use the default settings for NTSC DVD.

I looked at the "workflows" and am not finding and following by what you mean by the "default settings for NTSC DVD. The defaults if it were NTSC would be

Code: Select all

MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Lower Field First
(DVD-NTSC),  4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max.  8000 kbps) 
Audio data rate: 224 kbps
MPEG audio layer 2, 48 KHz, Stereo

This would be something that you would want if you are going to create a DVD. The Video Data Rate of course can be changed to fit more video onto the disc. It can be either VBR or CBR. The experience of several long time users have found other settings that should work most of the time, for the majority of the users.
MPEG audio layer, is a setting that you need to be aware of. For NTSC it should not be MPEG audio, but either LPCM or Dolby.

I only need stereo sound, not 5 channel. I can't assume the people I give this to are going to have the latest and greatest DVD players.

If you only need stereo sound then choosing Dolby AC3 will provide this. Both 5.1 and AC3 are available options with VS10+.

I have a two monitor set up on my computer; both are 19" computer monitors, neither is an NTSC.

You need to understand what NTSC and PAL are. I noticed that you indicate that you live in the US. If so then your TV and DVD, VCRs are most certainly NTSC. You are correct though, in saying that your computer monitors are not. NTSC or PAL does not apply to PCs. Here is a just one of many sources to help you better understand this: http://www.alkenmrs.com/video/standards.html

Can I get the full screen playback to work on one monitor while the rest of the UI stays on the other? I checked "dual head" in preferences but it doesn't seem to change anything. VS just ignores the other monitor.

While I do use an Nvidia card, it is somewhat different then yours. You will need to go into the Nvidia Desktop Manager to set it for displaying overlay content on your second monitor. I'm not sure how this would be done on your card though..

[brodwidr]

Thanks for your reply. Let me try to clarify my first question.

When you have a bunch of clips on the timeline, have finished editing, and you move on to "share>create video file", the drop down menu lets you choose an option such as "NTSC DVD(4:3)". But I notice that the recommended work flows posted here generally don't tell the user to select from the existing options on the drop down menu under "create video file". Instead, they tell the user to select "custom" and then examine the settings and make some changes in certain cases. My question is really this: If Ulead has provided a build-in choice for burning an NTSC-compatible DVD, why do most of the recommended work flows tell the user to go to "custom" and create their own settings? Is there a problem with simply choosing the default "NTSC DVD(4:3)" option from the menu? Or have the recommended work flows been written this way simply to get the user to understand the various choices they have and what they mean?

thanks

- David

[Ron P.]

David,

Either way is acceptable. The latter method of choosing "custom" allows you more flexibility in choosing bitrates and audio codecs such as Dolby, MPEG audio, and LPCM. This is beneficial for those that want to "squeeze" a lot of video onto a single disc. The templates are just that a template, that will provide you with the common settings to create DVDs. The Recommend Workflows, or Procedures are just recommendations that can guide you with varying needs. They are to enhance what is already provided by Ulead. You will find that over time you will find a workflow that fits your requirements, and works for your system.

[sjj1805]

For a 1 hour DVD on a standard 4.3 disc you would accept the preset options of NTSC DVD or PAL DVD depending upon your region.

If however you wish to include more onto the DVD - perhaps 2 hours worth of video, then you would customize the settings to allow for the longer duration.