Need suggestions for DVD format

[Mark Swanson]

Ok, I admit to some confusion when it comes down to burning a DVD in the best possible format. So I thought i'd ask...I have 45 minutes of camera footage of a music program that I'd like to edit and burn to a DVD. The raw video files are 1920x1080, and 30fps.
To get the best quality DVD out of that, what are the optimum project settings, and the settings I should use to burn the DVD? I have a feeling that I will learn a few things from your replies, and thank you.

[Terfyn]

Are you burning the DVD for a standard player or for a Blu-Ray player?

[lata]

Hi Mark
What version of Video Studio are you using?

A DVD disc has to use a compliant DVD Mpeg2 video file.
We are best in rendering/ creating that video file rather than letting the burner module do the job.
The quality of video depends on the data rate, (Bit Rate),

As a guide

for Mpeg2 8000kbps is top quality allowing us to burn a disc upto 70 minutes.
At 6000kbps we will get 90 minutes at high quality
And 4000kbps 120 minutes at VHS quality

Converting your 1902 x 1080 to Mpeg2 should use the same frame rate (30fps) and the same frame order (probably Upper Field)
Video Studio has suitable templates to do that.

First go to F6 ( Preferences) set Resample Quality to Best.
Adding your video to the timeline should prompt to match the video files properties, yes to that.
Share – Mpeg2 or DVD depends on the Video Studio version

The template that shows is the one you need, for me in UK shows as:-

MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Upper Field First ---assuming original uses Upper Field.?
(DVD-NTSC), 16:9
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 8000 kbps)
Audio data rate: 384 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)


For 45 minutes I would modify the template to use Constant data rate
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(DVD-PAL), 16:9
Video data rate: 8000 kbps
Audio data rate: 384 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

Once the file has been created play to check quality
Start a new project – Share Burn disc.
The burn process will start with Convert Menu
I always Create a Disc Image Iso file, play that to check quality, then burn Iso to Disc

Clear as mud

[Terfyn]

Perhaps it would be simpler to select DVD in Share.

[lata]

Hi

Well the Share options changed after CVSX6, hence my first question

It would make sense to mark the option as Mpeg2 / DVD.
But options are showing the video types not what they are used for, AVI, Mpeg-2, avchd, Mpeg-4 etc.

[Mark Swanson]

Thanks a lot, this really helps. I have the latest version, x9. I have worked a lot with the program and I am comfortable using it but I just have not burned many discs, I usually just render MP4 files for the web.
So, to be clear, I can just go ahead and create my video file at highest quality that I can, and then later when I burn a DVD I can insert it to the timeline and use the settings I want for the finished DVD. So now that you know a little bit more, is there an easy way to set up my project settings, since you know I use x9?
I don't have the Blu-ray plug in as yet, I haven't had any call to burn a Blu-ray disc yet. But your comments here will help me burn the best quality DVD I am sure, I am going to save this discussion. Thank you!

[lata]

Hi Mark

The burner module has the capability of creating the Mpeg2 file, process called “Convert title” however we recommend creating that Mpeg2 from the project. We can then burn a disc knowing that Convert Title will not happen, the original Mpeg2 file being used to burn the disc.

Ok this is what I do
1 / Complete editing MTS files and Share- same as original MTS properties. (same as First Clip?)
Note--- to burn any type of disc must use 25fps / 30 fps not 50p / 60p
Play the new video to check quality.

2 /Start a new project, Insert new video – Share – to Create Mpeg2
(F6)Make sure Resample Quality is set to Best.
Again play to view quality.

3 / Start a new project – add Mpeg2 to get Show Messages, yes to that,
Important -- now remove the video to clear the timelines
Project properties are set to your Mpeg2 properties.

4 / Share Create Disc – DVD

5 / top left of module, Insert Media- Insert Video – choose your Mpeg2.
You can add other Mpeg2 files provided the overall size is below 4.3 Gb to fit to disc.
For each file added a title is added to the menu.

6 / Bottom left for Project Settings – Do not Convert Mpeg files must be selected, should be by default,
Lower panel set Navigation Controls, how the movie reacts to being played.

7 / Create Menu

8 / last page, choose to burn a Disc Image not burn a disc, this creates an ISO of the movie which can be played using VLC Media Player, also plays menu.
The burn process starts with Convert Menu, there is no Convert Title as in first sentence above.

9/ Burn ISO to disc using Tools Burn from Disc Image.

The above is practically the same process for burning a Bluray.

You can test the above in a few minutes using a couple of short movies….

Hope that helps

[Mark Swanson]

Hey, thanks to all! I am very thrilled because I learned a lot from that. I tried it and it works a treat...thank you.