DVD software ? for Nick Burns

[mj-hi-yah]

Hi!

Looking for Nick Burns (SNL) computer dude/dudette who may have experience in DVD burning software compatible with XP. I work in Vegas Video for my editing, and am looking for a software that will allow me to set up a start-up menu with chapters that can be controlled from that menu on the DVD. If you have used any of this software what do you like/dislike about it?

Thanks,
MJ :asian:

 

[Akula]

What sort of budget might you be looking at, because they can range from a $50 program like Pinnacle's Instant CD/DVD version 8

to

Upgrading Vegas to the Vegas+DVD Production Suite (upgrade from version 5 runs $300.00) from Sony Pictures

to

Sonic's MyDVD line from $30.00 to $100.00

Personally, I've used Sonic's software previously, and have really enjoyed to progress the product line has made in the last few years.

 

[mj-hi-yah]

What sort of budget might you be looking at, because they can range from a $50 program like Pinnacle's Instant CD/DVD version 8

to

Upgrading Vegas to the Vegas+DVD Production Suite (upgrade from version 5 runs $300.00) from Sony Pictures

to

Sonic's MyDVD line from $30.00 to $100.00

Personally, I've used Sonic's software previously, and have really enjoyed to progress the product line has made in the last few years.

Hi,

I'm still working in Vegas 4.0 and from what I've read - don't need the features in version 5 for what I'm doing at this point. I love Vegas, but have a couple of issues to keep in mind. It's hard to know which way to go here, so I was hoping to hear from people who have used some of these products. So thanks for responding!

For one, I have a friend constantly telling me I need to start working in Adobe Premiere. The special effects he's created there are awesome, so it's tempting! Aside from the cost I hesitate, because it's another thing to learn, and I'm getting really comfortable working in Vegas. I'm strictly amateur at this point, but would love to move out of the negative income base to pay for all these fun toys. So I'm not sure if I want to invest too big just yet in anything that might not be compatible should I make the change to Adobe. Do you know if Vegas+ DVD works with projects created in Adobe or Ulead or any other editing packages? If I stay with Vegas I think I'd like the fact that both products are from Sony for interfacing purposes, service etc., So I think if there is compatibility vith the Sony product and others, and it's fairly easy to do, the money is not the biggest issue.

Also, my burner came with a lite version of Roxio (I think version 7), but I'd need to upgrade that to do the chapters and all. Have you ever tired Roxio?

As I stated above ease is an issue right now. I'd like something that is not such a huge project to learn. Vegas took a whole lot of time to get the hang of, and there's still a lot more I'd like to start doing, but I don't want complicated software for burning. I feel like the projects already have taken so much time (as you probably know a labor of love :inlove: though) that I just want to "make the burning happen" I have a friend that got a Dazzle and spent a ton of time on tech service calls to India and was very frustrated by the service...so I think ease of use may be top priority. Did you find Vegas+DVD easy to use? Have you ever worked with any of the others?

As far as Sonic's My DVD Line, do you know what company makes that? Since Sony took over Vegas I'm wondering if that is a different company altogether. Pinnacle sounds familiar, is that also an editing package? I was thinking it might be better to avoid another one of those, and just look for a DVD building package that worked universally.

If you have time let me know what you think.

Thanks,

MJ :asian:

 

[mj-hi-yah]

One more question. Do you have any knowledge of Encore DVD 1.5 that's made by Adobe? I have no idea of the cost.

Thanks,
MJ :asian:

 

[Akula]

First off, good luck on your future endeavors - this is a wide and interesting field to play in and work in.

When talking about what editing program to use, just think of it as a tool to get to your end product, sometimes it will not always be the same program. For me, when I'm doing most of my projects, I use my favorite editing program, In-sync's Speed Razor. It's quite powerful and flexible, but fully setup, you're looking at around $2,000 for the software alone, not bad actually when you consider what it can do. For items that need a quick hit, or produced as a very short stand-alone clip I'll use Adobe's Premiere. At other times, I've used Final Cut, Vegas, Edit, and many others. Basically, what I'm getting to is that once you are comfortable with a package, like you with Vegas, you will find it easier to sit down with a different editing system and start working. If you're happy with Vegas right now, and don't feel any sort of limitations, no need to worry about switching just yet. Premiere does have a wider market reach, but think of it this way - if Vegas wasn't a program that would be able to keep up with more well known names, Sony Pictures probably wouldn't have invested in the company.

With respect to getting to make a DVD, for most cases, once you render out the proper files, in the proper format, out of your editing system, pretty much any DVD authoring package will be able to read them. Some are a little more picky than others, so you may have to get into the supporting material to check out the proper bitrate, format, audio....

I have tried Roxio before, and lets just say that I know a lot of people that swear by it, and also about the same number that swear at it - I'm somewhere between those two extremes. Personally, I use Ahead's Nero for pretty much all of my burning, both CD and DVD. Most "Lite" or "Limited Edition" software you get with burners, video cards, or whatever are just to give you a limited functionality to whet your appetite, and prompt you to upgrade to a better version.

I haven't used the Vegas+DVD version, but from the specs on thier website it seems that the interface would be fairly straight-forward to use, and it can help you create pretty much anything you can imagine.

As far as I know, Sonic is its own company, and have been around from about the first time DVD burners hit the consumer market, and they are a general consumer line, low to upper mid range. Pinnacle is another company with a wide range of products, including a very nice editing package, and is more mid-line consumer to professional level. Again, however, once you render out your files, ready to burn your DVD, then pretty much any authoring program will be able to see them.

 

[Akula]

Sorry, meant to hit the preview button, and hit the submit - oh well.

Continuing...

Adobe's Encore DVD program is a very serious DVD authoring package that will run you about $550.00 from them direct. If you follow the link above, you can download information sheets, watch a tutorial and so on. I haven't used it yet, but I'm sure it's on the horizon. You can download a demo that will work for 30 days and give you a taste, but the download is 84Mb, so unless you have a broadband connection, or plenty of free time....

By the way, who if Nick Burns?

 

[mj-hi-yah]

By the way, who is Nick Burns?

LOL :lol: Nick Burns was the computer guy character from Saturday Night Live...quintessential computer tech who knows it all, finds most people to be DUs (dumb users) who never bother to read the manuals. I think it's relatable and funny if you are a tech person, and if you are DU like me it's funny in an ignorant way. :lookie:

First off, good luck on your future endeavors - this is a wide and interesting field to play in and work in.

Thanks! I love it! It is definitely challenging to learn all of this and so much fun to do! :boing1: It really helps to keep me creative. I'm not sure if I want it to become a second career or not, it's just very rewarding work. I get a lot out of seeing people's reactions to what I've done with the footage they are in - it's the best! I wonder sometimes if it would feel less that way (fun, rewarding) when you have to do it for a living, so for right now it's all play. You sound like you have lots of experience with it all. I can't believe how many programs are out there to choose from. Almost as many of those as there are Martial Arts! Is this your career? What kinds of projects do you do?

When talking about what editing program to use, just think of it as a tool to get to your end product, sometimes it will not always be the same program. For me, when I'm doing most of my projects, I use my favorite editing program, In-sync's Speed Razor. It's quite powerful and flexible, but fully setup, you're looking at around $2,000 for the software alone, not bad actually when you consider what it can do.

I've never heard of this one. Ooooh, just too many choices sometimes. I agree $2,000 is not a lot if you need it for business. If one day I take that path I'd probably take out a business loan and get the best of it all. Also, I am sure you are right if I get more into it I will be able to make the transition to other programs more easily.

if Vegas wasn't a program that would be able to keep up with more well known names, Sony Pictures probably wouldn't have invested in the company.

I was thinking similar thoughts about it.

With respect to getting to make a DVD, for most cases, once you render out the proper files, in the proper format, out of your editing system, pretty much any DVD authoring package will be able to read them. Some are a little more picky than others, so you may have to get into the supporting material to check out the proper bitrate, format, audio....

This is the fear...the word proper...and the reason the Nick Burns' of the world are so appreciated... There is so much to know, for this reason I may just stick with Sony for the compatibility factor for the time being. It took so long to learn Vegas and now I just want to burn stuff...ugh at the thought of having to figure out something else - it's not appealing, right now anyway.



Here's another question for you...my project is like 7.4 gig...it won't all fit on one DVD what do you do with large projects like that? It runs about 35 minutes long, but I hate the interruption of having to change discs while people are in midview. Since this one is for personal use (for my black belt thesis) I was considering putting it back onto a digital tape and showing it through the camera. Then I thought maybe I'd make copies for people onto DVDs...

I have tried Roxio before, and lets just say that I know a lot of people that swear by it, and also about the same number that swear at it - I'm somewhere between those two extremes. Personally, I use Ahead's Nero for pretty much all of my burning, both CD and DVD. Most "Lite" or "Limited Edition" software you get with burners, video cards, or whatever is just to give you a limited functionality to whet your appetite, and prompt you to upgrade to a better version.

Somewhere buried on my system I may have Nero (not sure which version) I had problems with cd burning using it (probably another lite version)...it wouldn't track the tunes in the order I wanted them. It was frustrating so I gave up on it. I'll have to see if the version I have does DVDs. Does Nero allow you to burn a DVD with chapters and chapter titles?

Adobe's Encore DVD program is a very serious DVD authoring package that will run you about $550.00 from them direct. If you follow the link above, you can download information sheets, watch a tutorial and so on. I haven't used it yet, but I'm sure it's on the horizon. You can download a demo that will work for 30 days and give you a taste, but the download is 84Mb, so unless you have a broadband connection, or plenty of free time....

I have broadband it's just finding time to try it out before the trial runs out. Lots of times I'll download stuff and then get sidetracked before I get a good chance to try it out. Did you ever notice thirty days pass real quickly?

Thanks for all of your advice it's been very helpful, and good to talk to someone who shares this interest.



MJ :asian:



BTW :ultracool scuba pic

 

[Akula]

I get a lot out of seeing people's reactions to what I've done with the footage they are in - it's the best! I wonder sometimes if it would feel less that way (fun, rewarding) when you have to do it for a living

When you do this from a work point of view, for me at least because it's my company, that effect is not diminished.

I can't believe how many programs are out there to choose from. Almost as many of those as there are Martial Arts!

Definitely - thinking of a strange parallel, you would have karate, kung fu, and so on just as you would have editing, post production, effects, 3D.... Then within, say karate, you would have Kenpo, Shotokan, Goju-ryu (apologies ahead of time for misspellings and/or improper usage) as you would have Vegas, Premiere, Speed Razor...for editing. Okay, that was a bit of a tortured parallel, so I'll move on.

This (video production) is a part of what I do. Essentially, my clients come to me and say they want XYZ done, and from there I provide everything that is needed for that particular project. Sometimes it's a basic written report, other times it's a video with a CD and printed materials and a web sitelet - hence, use the best tool for the job. Unfortunately, a very large percentage of previous projects are is covered by non-disclosure agreements and/or other vehicles, so I can't really get into specifics. Generally, they range from internal communications to public information projects, mostly from a documentary/editorial point of view. I've been careful to avoid the wedding/reunion video route, only because that's just not where I wanted to go.

If one day I take that path I'd probably take out a business loan and get the best of it all

Think of this here as a warm-up to sticker shock if you want to go here (the best that is). I just checked out Discreet's web site, and they are running a special right now on thier flint® and smoke® system pre-installed on a computer for the low price of $109,990.00. And yes, this is a low price for this system. Unless you're doing TV/Cable broadcast items you won't need to go here though.

my project is like 7.4 gig...it won't all fit on one DVD what do you do with large projects like that? It runs about 35 minutes long, but I hate the interruption of having to change discs while people are in midview. Since this one is for personal use (for my black belt thesis) I was considering putting it back onto a digital tape and showing it through the camera.

Offhand, this sounds large for a 35 minute presentation, you might want to check your compression/audio settings to make this smaller. A normal 4.7Gb DVD should be able to hold much more that 35 minutes. When doing a larger-size DVD, keeping in mind my clients normally have the resources to pay for this, I get the CD replicated though a regular production house, and they have the equipment to easily deal with this, getting it on one disc. If you can't make it smaller, maybe consider just running the files directly off a laptop, in full screen mode. For a real impression, run it off a laptop, and throw the image through a video projector and fill up a wall.

The chapter titles,text, and menus are typically stored in the .ifo files generated through the authoring program. Include these in the burn information and it shouldn't be a problem.

Lots of times I'll download stuff and then get sidetracked before I get a good chance to try it out. Did you ever notice thirty days pass real quickly?

Yes, just about the time you start making good progress learning a new program from a demo, or even just getting used to an interface, you all of the sudden find yourself looking at 'Your trial has expired. Please buy the full version" I guess that's the whole point of a demo anyway, still frustrating though. Some demos I've used were even better because they didn't expire, they just took out some functionality, like being able to output your project.

Scuba pic - from Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. I was about 80 feet down, and the diver was at a depth around 60 feet. Great trip!

 

[mj-hi-yah]

When you do this from a work point of view, for me at least because it's my company, that effect is not diminished.

That’s good to know.

Definitely - thinking of a strange parallel, you would have karate, kung fu, and so on just as you would have editing, post production, effects, 3D.... Then within, say karate, you would have Kenpo, Shotokan, Goju-ryu (apologies ahead of time for misspellings and/or improper usage) as you would have Vegas, Premiere, Speed Razor...for editing. Okay, that was a bit of a tortured parallel, so I'll move on.

Not so tortured I got it!

Generally, they range from internal communications to public information projects, mostly from a documentary/editorial point of view. I've been careful to avoid the wedding/reunion video route, only because that's just not where I wanted to go.

Sounds interesting! I've come to appreciate watching documentaries! I can understand the wedding/reunion avoidance...I don't think I'd like that either. My favorite things to work on are sports videos. I love matching motion to music. It's very cool how with the right music it seems to work out and can totally change even otherwise boring footage if done the right way. I'd also love to one day make (just for fun) a short film ...comedy, horror, documentary anything...

Think of this here as a warm-up to sticker shock if you want to go here (the best that is). I just checked out Discreet's web site, and they are running a special right now on thier flint® and smoke® system pre-installed on a computer for the low price of $109,990.00. And yes, this is a low price for this system. Unless you're doing TV/Cable broadcast items you won't need to go here though.

:xtrmshock GET OUT!!! You're kidding!!! :lol: LOL ok, not looking to take out a second mortgage...

Offhand, this sounds large for a 35 minute presentation, you might want to check your compression/audio settings to make this smaller. A normal 4.7Gb DVD should be able to hold much more that 35 minutes. When doing a larger-size DVD, keeping in mind my clients normally have the resources to pay for this, I get the CD replicated though a regular production house, and they have the equipment to easily deal with this, getting it on one disc. If you can't make it smaller, maybe consider just running the files directly off a laptop, in full screen mode. For a real impression, run it off a laptop, and throw the image through a video projector and fill up a wall.

I was surprised it was so big myself, but it's only the second thing I've done so I wasn't sure what to expect. It's a lot of interview stuff, but there are also a bunch of generated media items and special effects. I rendered the project as an .avi file, but I still don't get all the compression settings. The first project was I think 20 minutes and was about 4 gig. Since it's not a rush job (no render time issues or anything) I was going for quality, and don't yet understand at what point you sacrifice quality for size.

A laptop would make my life so much easier all around, but *sigh*...still paying for the DVD burner...one toy at a time.

The chapter titles, text, and menus are typically stored in the .ifo files generated through the authoring program. Include these in the burn information and it shouldn't be a problem.

That's great I'll look for it. Thanks!

Some demos I've used were even better because they didn't expire, they just took out some functionality, like being able to output your project.

Good marketing strategy especially if you like the project!

Scuba pic - from

Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. I was about 80 feet down, and the diver was at a depth around 60 feet. Great trip!

Most :supcool: shot!

MJ :asian:

 

[Akula]

Some quick hits -

Sports are inherently fun to shoot, and once you build relationships with facilities/event directors/coaches, you can get access to areas other than the normal spectator areas, without having to be specifically 'press.'

Making shorts also works as a good exercise to work on your creative juices. When your're done, don't be too afraid of entering them into some local film competitions, you may be surprised.

The Discreet package mentioned previously, last time I saw it, ran for more than double the price listed in the previous post. In reality, a few studios/production houses that get this package, and then you can rent out time on those machines. That's the way to go. Also, Discreet makes other software the works really well with smaller productions - for fun, check out combustion and cleaner (really recommend both).

Now back to the DVD items -

When you render out the video files, the number of special effects/graphics/elements aren't really as important as they are when making the composition. The different layers are merged into one, so from the computer's point of view, its just one item (usually). When you bring the videos into your authoring program, it should try to convert them to another format like (MPEG2). The .avi format is a bit of a space hog on your hard drive and not really conducive to DVD - most authoring programs will try to convert this for you to a usable format.

Think of it this way, drawing a digital image parallel. When you working with a file in Photoshop or pretty much any image editing program, the application stores the information about each inidivual pixel, much like the .psd, .tiff and even .bmp formats. When you want to put that image on a web page, you want to make loading it faster. That's where the .jpg or .gif formats come into play. The .jpg format, instead of remembering what each individual pixel does, goes something like 'this shade of blue is very similar to this other shade of blue, so I'll just make them the same.' The compression setting for .jpg determines how far apart 'similar' colors are. By blending the information like this, the size of the file starts dropping, sometimes dramatically. Most of the time, this change isn't really perceptible unless you print really big, and you're right in front of it, or you compress so much it looks like someone drew it.

That's very similar to how the mpeg format works - you can compress it to a point where you get a smaller file, but don't really see the difference. As an example, I understand that if you have a satellite tv system like Dish Network, DirecTV and so on, you're actually recieving an mpeg2 signal, and its still good quality (actually better than my cable signal now). A normal DVD you would burn in your computer on a 4.7Gb disc, should be able to hold close to 2 hours, with this compression, without any noticeable drop in on-screen quality.

Go ahead and play with the different settings. Instead of trying your whole production on each run, pick a representative 5 second clip and render out using the different formats - try something like MPEG2 at 70% quality and see if you like the results, and check the file size. If you don't like it use different settings, and you will find a combination of you like, and a file size that will work for you. When you have your combination, render away the whole show. After all, it's your project, you should decide on the final appearance.

The previous was more of an exercise to let you see what the different settings do. Just keep in mind that most authoring programs will perform this step for you when you import the .avi into it.

 

[mj-hi-yah]

First let me say this is all very helpful! Thanks for giving your time here.

Some quick hits -

Sports are inherently fun to shoot, and once you build relationships with facilities/event directors/coaches, you can get access to areas other than the normal spectator areas, without having to be specifically 'press.'

I kind of think, like everywhere else in life, you need connections for those types of jobs...one of the trends I'm seeing here where I live is that colleges are requesting sports resumes from High School kids and the parents are paying pretty well for them. I'm not sure if that's what I want yet, but I might just start there and see where it goes.

Making shorts also works as a good exercise to work on your creative juices. When your're done, don't be too afraid of entering them into some local film competitions, you may be surprised.

Hee hee wouldn't that be fun? I wouldn't rule that out.

The Discreet package mentioned previously, last time I saw it, ran for more than double the price listed in the previous post. In reality, a few studios/production houses that get this package, and then you can rent out time on those machines. That's the way to go. Also, Discreet makes other software the works really well with smaller productions - for fun, check out combustion and cleaner (really recommend both).

The price is crazy! I considered checking out renting really good quality camera equipment for the short film stuff. That is also a budget buster.

When you render out the video files, the number of special effects/graphics/elements aren't really as important as they are when making the composition. The different layers are merged into one, so from the computer's point of view, its just one item (usually). When you bring the videos into your authoring program, it should try to convert them to another format like (MPEG2). The .avi format is a bit of a space hog on your hard drive and not really conducive to DVD - most authoring programs will try to convert this for you to a usable format.

This is very helpful. I definitely have hard drive space issues...I fill it as fast as I add it it seems. I have rendered lots of stuff into MPG2 format for sending to a friend via FTP. I can honestly say I don't notice a drop in quality. Someone told me .avi was the best, and I'm too perfectionist for my own good sometimes is all.

Think of it this way, drawing a digital image parallel. When you working with a file in Photoshop or pretty much any image editing program, the application stores the information about each inidivual pixel, much like the .psd, .tiff and even .bmp formats. When you want to put that image on a web page, you want to make loading it faster. That's where the .jpg or .gif formats come into play. The .jpg format, instead of remembering what each individual pixel does, goes something like 'this shade of blue is very similar to this other shade of blue, so I'll just make them the same.' The compression setting for .jpg determines how far apart 'similar' colors are. By blending the information like this, the size of the file starts dropping, sometimes dramatically. Most of the time, this change isn't really perceptible unless you print really big, and you're right in front of it, or you compress so much it looks like someone drew it.

I can relate to most of these formats and see the parallel, and it makes perfect sense, thanks!

That's very similar to how the mpeg format works - you can compress it to a point where you get a smaller file, but don't really see the difference. As an example, I understand that if you have a satellite tv system like Dish Network, DirecTV and so on, you're actually recieving an mpeg2 signal, and its still good quality (actually better than my cable signal now). A normal DVD you would burn in your computer on a 4.7Gb disc, should be able to hold close to 2 hours, with this compression, without any noticeable drop in on-screen quality.

LOL if it's good enough for "the dish" it certainly should do for my little project.

Go ahead and play with the different settings. Instead of trying your whole production on each run, pick a representative 5 second clip and render out using the different formats - try something like MPEG2 at 70% quality and see if you like the results, and check the file size. If you don't like it use different settings, and you will find a combination of you like, and a file size that will work for you. When you have your combination, render away the whole show. After all, it's your project, you should decide on the final appearance.

MPG2 is the only one I've ever rendered at but I never played with the quality..I'll experiment.

The previous was more of an exercise to let you see what the different settings do. Just keep in mind that most authoring programs will perform this step for you when you import the .avi into it.

If you render to MPG2 and then import it into the authoring program than does the authoring program accept it more readily, or does it not make a difference? I'm wondering when would you use .avi?

 

[Akula]

I considered checking out renting really good quality camera equipment for the short film stuff. That is also a budget buster.

This is a good way to go, it's better to rent a $15,000 camera than to buy your own and have it sit on a shelf a lot.

One camera to possibly plug in that won't break your budget is something like a nice, used Canon XL-1. For what you seem to be doing, this would serve you well, as you can also change lenses and get really good quality without going broke. When Canon released the XL-1s, they made some major jumps forward, and as a result, the people with the previous XL-1 traded up, there's some out there in fairly pristine condition. Another advantage with this camera is that it's physically larger - when you are on a shoot clients will sometimes expect you to show up with a larger camera than a smaller 'camcorder' size. Even though a smaller camera like the Panasonic AG-DVX100A will give you better quality picture, and better flexibility, the Canon XL-1 is more what they expect to see. For a lot of clients, don't even bother trying to explain the difference. In fact, a lot of larger cameras today have the same guts as a smaller one, they just put it in a bigger case, to allow you to change lenses, get easier control....

Someone told me .avi was the best, and I'm too perfectionist for my own good sometimes is all.

and

I'm wondering when would you use .avi?

What's best all comes down to what you want to do. When do I use .avi? Simply, I don't... in fact, I intentionially avoid it. Outside of the fact that Microsoft developed the .avi format, other reasons are that the format isn't as seamless across different platforms such as a mac, and I've also had problems in linux and even within different editing programs as well. Depending on usage, I'll usually go with Quicktime for Computer/CD ROM deployment, and Mpeg if output to dvd/tape. Sometimes the request will come in for a different format, but I usually talk the client out of it.

When bringing mpeg2 into an authoring program, the application simply has to do less work to get it ready to package up, thereby speeding up the entire process.

 

[mj-hi-yah]

One camera to possibly plug in that won't break your budget is something like a nice, used Canon XL-1.

.Yes I've heard of this camera. When the time comes I'll check it out.

Another advantage with this camera is that it's physically larger - when you are on a shoot clients will sometimes expect you to show up with a larger camera than a smaller 'camcorder' size. Even though a smaller camera like the Panasonic AG-DVX100A will give you better quality picture, and better flexibility, the Canon XL-1 is more what they expect to see. For a lot of clients, don't even bother trying to explain the difference. In fact, a lot of larger cameras today have the same guts as a smaller one, they just put it in a bigger case, to allow you to change lenses, get easier control....

People are funny huh? When I went to buy a vacuum a few years ago the salesman turned on all of the units for me. I could barely hear what the salesman was saying. I asked why the vacuums had to be so noisy, and he told me that they were made that way, because people needed to hear the sound in order to believe that the vacuum was really good at cleaning.

What's best all comes down to what you want to do. When do I use .avi? Simply, I don't... in fact, I intentionially avoid it. Outside of the fact that Microsoft developed the .avi format, other reasons are that the format isn't as seamless across different platforms such as a mac, and I've also had problems in linux and even within different editing programs as well. Depending on usage, I'll usually go with Quicktime for Computer/CD ROM deployment, and Mpeg if output to dvd/tape. Sometimes the request will come in for a different format, but I usually talk the client out of it.

Ok sounds very reasonable...

When bringing mpeg2 into an authoring program, the application simply has to do less work to get it ready to package up, thereby speeding up the entire process.

Very good! Thanks!

Thanks so much for sharing! I think my quarter's probably up for now, but I'd love to talk again sometime about all this. Really thanks for taking the time to explain all of this to me.:asian: If you ever do something that you can tell us about...I'm sure we'd all love to see some of your work!

 

[mj-hi-yah]

I'm dropping in to let you know that I rerendered the project as an mpg2 today, and it's amazing it brought it down to a very managable size (1 gig!!). I really only notice a difference in quality in the clips that I used from other sources. I did match the output aspect though when I first brought the clips into the project, but it's not too bad. It will definitely fit onto one disc, so thanks RC! I'll play with the burning :rpo: another day...

 

[Akula]

I'm dropping in to let you know that I rerendered the project as an mpg2 today, and it's amazing

Glad to hear it.

A quick thought regarding your comment about clips from other sources. Are these other sources a different size than the regular NTSC standard? If they are smaller, and you needed to scale them up to fill the screen, maybe make a generic mask in Photoshop or other imaging program of choice, and then in Vegas, put the video in your project at a smaller size, and use the mask to fill in the dead space (this is also a great place to put captions, information...)

If you ever do something that you can tell us about...I'm sure we'd all love to see some of your work!

I would actually like to, but in the foreseeable future, it doesn't look like a possibility. That's actually one of the things that helps retain clients - the confidentiallity of everything that goes on.

Let me know how the burning and viewing go.

 

[mj-hi-yah]

Glad to hear it.

A quick thought regarding your comment about clips from other sources. Are these other sources a different size than the regular NTSC standard? If they are smaller, and you needed to scale them up to fill the screen, maybe make a generic mask in Photoshop or other imaging program of choice, and then in Vegas, put the video in your project at a smaller size, and use the mask to fill in the dead space (this is also a great place to put captions, information...)

I think that the masking idea would have helped a lot a few months ago, but at this point I'm running out of time, especially since I could play with one clip for hours and not get bored of it - I just get lost in it all. Instead of doing that I used the event crop/pan feature to zoom in on the clip (say like if it was originally in letterbox version) they looked fine, a little loss in quality because of the zooming, but they look even a bit grainer after rendering the project in mpg2 format. It's ok though...nothing I can't live with, but if it was for a professional production I wouldn't be happy with the way it looks. I actually had a clip from my footage that I tried cropping and wound up with a black space on one side, and I was getting frustrated not understanding all of the cropping features so I made a caption and it looks relatively good, almost purposeful. In the future I'll try the masking it's a great idea...I've only done a little of that with the blur/cookie cutter feature to make a blurred face (not for this project) and it looked perfect! Very :ultracool !

As far as the NTSC standard goes, I'm not sure how to tell what a piece of media was originally sized at other than seeing when it doesn't fill the screen properly, so I'm just getting into the habit of matching the output aspect on any media that I'm not sure of, especially pics.

I would actually like to, but in the foreseeable future, it doesn't look like a possibility. That's actually one of the things that helps retain clients - the confidentiallity of everything that goes on.

Too bad, but totally understandable!

I have another question for you. Maybe you can give this one a shot...on a burning topic. Do you, or have you, ever burned any DVDs for use in another country? I got a DVD from a friend in France and it won't play on our DVD player, and I remember reading that my burner could be set for US or European use, and could be switched back like only two or three times and then it would be permanent. When I start my projects I use the defaults (NTSC ), if I were to make something for this friend in France, or any foreign country, is it the size the project is created in or the burner that determines viewing ability in a foreign country or both?

Let me know how the burning and viewing go.

You got it...Thanks!

 

[Akula]

I just get lost in it all.

Totally understandable. In fact, at times just for the entertainment value of it, I'll fire up my editing system and do whatever comes to mind. A lot more productive than a video game on the PC - although that happens too.

I got a DVD from a friend in France and it won't play on our DVD player, and I remember reading that my burner could be set for US or European use, and could be switched back like only two or three times and then it would be permanent.

If this DVD was a 'factory' production disc, then they are usually embedded with what are called region codes. Basically this lets the studios control the release dates of movies and DVDs. From thier point of view, if you are in Europe and want to watch a movie in a theater, the release date for that movie could be 2 months after the release in the US, where the DVD just became available. This keeps people from shipping the DVD to Europe, thus not cutting into the all important box office revenues. DVD players read this region code, and decide whether or not to play it. You can buy a multi-region DVD player. Here's a quick list of region codes

Region 1 - U.S., Canada
Region 2 - Japan, Europe, South Africa, and Middle East
Region 3 - Southeast Asia and East Asia
Region 4 - Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Anything south of the US
Region 5 - Eastern Europe, Former Soviet Union, Indian subcontinent, Africa, North Korea, and Mongolia
Region 6 - China

When you burn your own DVD, region or country codes do not matter.

If the DVD was a burn, then there is another factor at work here. Its the good old NTSC vs PAL system. There's another called SECAM, but I won't get into that now, but it's basically a PAL signal tranmitted differently, and it's also what France uses. The NTSC signal plays at a lower resolution, but faster frame rate than the PAL/SECAM signal. Unfortunately for us (fortunate for equipment makers) the three signals are pretty much incompatible. Sure you can buy players, and televisions that can see these signals, but for the average DVD, they usually only come in one flavor. One quick workaround is that if your media can be burned on both sides, make one side NTSC, and the other PAL (adjust project accordingly). Be mindful however, that because the PAL signal is a higher resolution, then your DVD files will be larger.

By the way, the DVD players in computers do read multiple regions, but 'lock' into a specific region if you change among different region's disks a lot. This is in part the computer industry caving to the movie industry, but if you do get locked, there are ways to unlock out there.

 

[mj-hi-yah]

Totally understandable. In fact, at times just for the entertainment value of it, I'll fire up my editing system and do whatever comes to mind. A lot more productive than a video game on the PC - although that happens too.

I don't think everyone understands this passion, but I totally love it...it's fun to experiment with all of the different media and FXs. It is more productive than video games I agree, but I do admit when it first came out I played all of the Leisure Suit Larry games by Sierra...hee hee:boing2:

You can buy a multi-region DVD player. Here's a quick list of region codes

Thanks for the codes and this is good to know.

When you burn your own DVD, region or country codes do not matter.

This I need to know...

If the DVD was a burn, then there is another factor at work here. Its the good old NTSC vs PAL system. There's another called SECAM, but I won't get into that now, but it's basically a PAL signal tranmitted differently, and it's also what France uses. The NTSC signal plays at a lower resolution, but faster frame rate than the PAL/SECAM signal. Unfortunately for us (fortunate for equipment makers) the three signals are pretty much incompatible. Sure you can buy players, and televisions that can see these signals, but for the average DVD, they usually only come in one flavor. One quick workaround is that if your media can be burned on both sides, make one side NTSC, and the other PAL (adjust project accordingly). Be mindful however, that because the PAL signal is a higher resolution, then your DVD files will be larger.

So let's see if I have this...if I burn something on my pc for my friend in France I need to use either PAL/SECAM signal when rendering the project in Vegas or whatever editing program I'm using?

By the way, the DVD players in computers do read multiple regions, but 'lock' into a specific region if you change among different region's disks a lot. This is in part the computer industry caving to the movie industry, but if you do get locked, there are ways to unlock out there.

This is probably what I was reading in my burn manual...a headache I'd rather avoid...

The DVD my friend sent is a short film he made and copied for my daughter because it's a Spy Kids theme, so I guess he'll have to render a new one using an NTSC signal so we can view it right? :lookie:

BTW if you don't mind saying (it's ok if you don't), what is your name?

Thanks,
MJ

 

[Akula]

So let's see if I have this...if I burn something on my pc for my friend in France I need to use either PAL/SECAM signal when rendering the project in Vegas or whatever editing program I'm using?

Yes, just make sure whichever you use, that your friend in France has equipment that can use that signal.

The DVD my friend sent is a short film he made and copied for my daughter because it's a Spy Kids theme, so I guess he'll have to render a new one using an NTSC signal so we can view it right?

Sounds like this should work.

 

[mj-hi-yah]

Sounds like this should work.

....cool thanks!