Grainy and Choppy DVD

[gowildside]

I have been researching this forever and not coming up with any solutions.

When I burn a DVD, to play in a standard dvd player, the DVD looks grainy and some choppy scenes in it (looks like missing frames...skippy). When i render this same project to MPEG-4, and then burn it as a data disc on a DVD, take it home and play it on the PS4 it looks crystal clear and what i want. This is a 46 minute video of an event.

I tried taking this same MP4 render video, brought it back into VS and added the dvd menu and chapters, burn to disc, and looks terrible again. I mean even the still photo as a background on the menu looks extra pixelated.

I know there is some data loss with dvd format compared to the HD standard we all expect, but side by side on the same brand of disk out of the same burner and tv setup, there is such a massive difference. I feel like i am missing some setting or doing something wrong, but i have tried so many different things i have lost track of what is going on anymore.

Original video is a combo of MP4, MOV, MTS, JPG, mixed with overlayed audio and music with graphics here and there.

I am using VS9.5, upgraded our video card specifically for this software as it would always crash, now only crashes occasionally....

I have looked through the forum for awhile and have seen others with similar issues but nothing has worked on this end yet. Any tips would be appreciated!

[canuck]

It doesn't matter what format, resolution etc your original has, it will all be rendered to standard compliant DVD video which is mpg. The best resolution for this is 720x480 for NTSC or 720x576 for PAL. The best possible bitrate to achieve the best quality is around 8000. If your settings are lower then you lose quality.

[gowildside]

I understand that, but why does it pretty much make it un-useable? I have all the settings designed for 720x480, and it looks terrible on the dvd. I have never had this much trouble with any video format before. I can make a 720x480 mpeg, leave it on the computer, do not add a menu or anything and it looks ok, run through and add the chapters and menu, and it all a sudden looks terrible again.

[canuck]

So what are the settings when you create the DVD? Are you using HQ quality? Is the DVD playback on your computer also "bad"?

[lata]

Hi

When you made the MP4 I assume you retained the HD settings, playing that as a data file will be good.
As you know downscaling to DVD format ( mpeg2 ) is gonna impact on quality, especially if your tv is large resolution.

It may be that the original video files are using Progressive (Frame Based) and when you convert to DVD Mpeg2 interlacing is used by default

Choppy skipping frames.
Try creating your own template, share Mpeg press the + symbol
From the general tab set Frame Type as Frame Based.

Your frame rate has to be 29.97fps for a DVD compliant video, if your originals are different maybe 24fps then there will be an impact on quality, as some frames will be added.

MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Frame-based
(DVD-NTSC), 16:9
Video data rate: 8000 kbps (use Constant for movie under 70 minutes, otherwise try Variable)
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

Now render the project using the new template.
Then play the new video to check quality

Burn a Disc....
Start a new project to clear the timelines, Share Crate disc, add your video here.
Using the new video burn an ISO file not disc, that will save on coasters.
When you hit burn the process should start with Convert Menu, no Convert Title, as you did that in ( Now render the project using the new template.)
Play using VLC Media Player to check quality.

Burn the ISO to disc using Tools – Burn Disc Image.


Basically MP4, Mov HD type video are more suited for internet playback not converted to DVD Disc.

[DomenicG]

I am having the same type of problem using Videostudio X2. Only thing is instead of a video coming from say like a video camera, I am taking a recorded show off of tv that i have recorded to a disc, uploaded it to my computer, edit out the commercials and then burn it to a disc. I don't know if I am using the right settings or not. Hope someone understands what I am talking about.

[lata]

I am having the same type of problem using Videostudio X2. Only thing is instead of a video coming from say like a video camera, I am taking a recorded show off of tv that i have recorded to a disc, uploaded it to my computer, edit out the commercials and then burn it to a disc. I don't know if I am using the right settings or not. Hope someone understands what I am talking about.

Check the Interlacing..........
You should use the properties of your video file as the output properties

I think the tv recordings may use Lower Field, Video Studio X2 may be using Upper Field.

1 / Using the Movie Profile Manager create your own template, using the Add function will copy the details of your video file.
2 / Otherwise set Show Messages from Preferences (F6)
When adding your video to a new project you get a message to match the project properties.

3 / Also Share - there is an option to use first clip, that should use your video properties

[DomenicG]

Sorry it's taken me a while but I would like to understand by what you mean using my video file as the output properties. Are you saying I should use the the video properties from the disc i uploaded before editing or something else?

[lata]

Hi

The video quality on disc is as good as it gets.
Once you have imported the video to VS using Import Digital Media, the clips will be Mpeg2
After editing using Share Same as first clip will create a new video file of your project using the properties of the original video file.

The new video clip can be played to check quality, should be same as original quality.
The new video file can now be used to burn a disc.

[DomenicG]

Should I do "Share Same as First Clip" first before I edit out the commercials or does it not matter? Just curious.

[lata]

Hi

You should edit the project removing the commercials, adding any features to enhance the project, maybe a title etc.
Then Share – Same as First Clip
Play the resultant video file to check quality.
If you render first then edit, you have to render again, additional renders will degrade the quality.

Burn a disc
Start a new project – nothing in the timelines
Share Disc – DVD
Add your new video file here.
Create your menu
From the last page – Create a Disc Image – deselect Create to Disc
The burn process should start with Convert Menu, if you see Convert Title then something is amiss.
This saves an ISO to your hard drive, play that file using VLC Media Player
If quality is ok, burn ISO to disc.

[DomenicG]

So If my project is 720x480 at 6380kbps after uploading, that is what I should use for my final settings after I edit my project?

[canuck]

So If my project is 720x480 at 6380kbps after uploading, that is what I should use for my final settings after I edit my project?

The bitrate you should use depends on the time length of your video project. What is it?
What do you mean by uploading? To where? Uploading means "moving" your video from your computer to some website just as "downloading" means the reverse

[DomenicG]

Most of my projects start out around 3hrs or so. I record sporting events off my tv to a disc and I take that disc and upload it to my computer through Videostudio X2 and edit out all the commercials, and by then, I am usually left with a project that is around 2:30 minutes to around 2:45 minutes.

[canuck]

A standard 4.3DCD can only hold 60 minutes of best quality video (a bit rate of around 8000). To put almost 3 hours of video on the same DVD, you would have to reduce the bitrate to near 5000 which of course greatly reduces the quality of the video,ie. you get a grainy & choppy video on the DVD. If you want to keep your source quality it would be best to split your video over 2 or 3 DVDs.