VS11 - Create MPEG file or use VSP file for final project

[sidbueddro]

I have typically used any VSP project files I create to burn to DVD. I notice that with VS11 Plus, there is an MPEG Optimizer Tool. Is there any advantage in quality of final output in creating and MPEG file and then burning to DVD, or using a VSP Project file.

(Original capture is from DV camcorder, with preferences set to DV, which I believe captures in AVI).

Thank you.

[lancecarr]

VS itself claims that you can simply use the vsp file for your burning stage. However, the general agreement on the board here is that while some have success using that method...many don't.
The more reliable method is to work on the project in the timeline until you are totally finished.
Then output to a DVD compliant MPEG2 file.
When that is rendered go to File and open a new project. The purpose of this is to clear the timeline.
Then go to Share and create the DVD using the previously created MPEG2 file.
The full suggested workflow is here:
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=20224

[2Dogs]

I have typically used any VSP project files I create to burn to DVD. I notice that with VS11 Plus, there is an MPEG Optimizer Tool.

I think the MPEG Optimizer is mis-named. It might be more accurately called the "Smart Render Indicator". It shows green areas where the video will not need to be re-encoded, and red where re-encoding will take place.

Is there any advantage in quality of final output in creating and MPEG file and then burning to DVD, or using a VSP Project file.

I don't think there is any advantage, but only actual tests would confirm this. A recent post raises the nasty spectre of audio out of sync issues resulting from Smart Render.

With your workflow, however, with DV avi clips on your timeline, the only Smart Rendering that will occur is when you insert your whole project mpeg2 file into the burning module, when following the suggested workflow.

If you've already been successful working with your vsp files in the burning module, you could continue to work in that way. The suggested workflow doesn't significantly increase the amount of time required to go from camcorder to finished DVD, however, though it might result in an extra 4.35GB of hard drive space being used.

Thank you.[/quote]