DVD-RW ..... Home Video ..... Quality Problems!!

[Kukabara]

Hi Guys,
I tried to put my MiniDV footage on DVD-RW using the following 2 methoods but both times the quality is similar to VHS, not very good, any suggestions?

1) Using TMPGen Plus (DVD Pal template, with CQ 100% and "Highest Quality" option) I encoded my captured MPEG-1 footage. Than using TMPG DVD Author, created the file structure and burnt it with Primo.

2) Again MiniDV footage captured and edited with Pinnacle Studio 7, video editing software and than coded to DVD compatible MPEG, than using TMPG DVD Author created the menus and file strucured than burnt with Primo.

Actual footage works great when I put it back on MiniDV through the firewire card and play with my camera back on the TV.

[Tommyknocker]

I cannot see where you actually captured your video as DV. I see where you captured as MPEG-1. Please clarify.

[Kukabara]

I actually captured it through firewire and it was captured as an AVI file than I did some editing using Studio 7 and output as an MPEG-1, than later recoded using TMPGen Plus to be DVD compatible.

[Tommyknocker]

So you went from DV-->MPEG-1-->DVD? That is two conversions. Have you tried Video Studio program? You capture the DV, edit it, then burn it to DVD. May help your quality issue since you will skip one conversion.

[Rogue3]

Sounds like you are losing quality because of re-encoding it, plus using Pinnacles built in Mpeg encoder is not very good.

Here are my steps and I get awesome quality (near original):

-Capture DV AVI in pinnacle
-edit
-export as DV AVI (don't export as mpeg)!
-encode to mpeg using TMPGen Plus (2 pass VBR 6000min, 7000avg, 8000max)
-de-mux the file using TMPGen Plus
-author

Using this methog I get 52.5MB/minute on my dvd.

[johnny quest]

That is your problem, you encoded from a dv avi to mpeg1 which is very compressed and low quality. You should have encoded straight to mpeg2 dvd compliant with the proper bitrates, etc.

I understand that you wanted to edit, but you should do that prior to encoding.

Hope this helps.

[Kukabara]

I tried that, I used Studio 7's built in encoder to encode to DVD compliant mpeg2 with 6000bitrate than used TMPG DVD Author to create the TS folder and burnt with Prassi, still the quality is not good. I'll try Rogue3's methood and see how we go ... meanwhile if anyone here used the Studio 7 and than burnt the footage of DVD, how it turned out and what programs / settings did you use.

[Rogue3]

The reason I don't use the built in encoder in Studio is because when I tried it the first time the video came out fuzzy, almost as if the tv was slightly out of focus. When I used TMPenc it came out much more crisp.

[Kukabara]

Thanks Rogue3, I'll try it out tonight and see how we go, but you're right about the fuzziness, I'm getting the same thing it's like the edges are all blury.

[Kukabara]

One more thing Rogue3, should I use the DVD Pal template with CQ or sould I use customized settings, if yes what should they be .... thanks, and after encoding just simply create the TS folder with TMPG DVD Author?, than burn?

[Rogue3]

I didn't use the template, I just closed the wizard and chose the avi file at the bottom (I assume you mean within tmpenc). I chose the video source (the audio should fill in automatically) and then chose system(video+audio).

In the settings, set it up accordingly (for pal, I used ntsc). The only thing I did was change the bitrate settings to what I listed above. I don't see any reason you can't use the project wizard for pal. I would experiment on a short video segment (3 minutes or so) that you did and play with the settings. That way you don't lose alot of time.

As for authoring, once I got the mpg file I split it into m2v and mp2 and used maestro for my authoring program. I don't think your authoring method will hurt your quality.

[Kukabara]

I do have Maestro and I think it's great, but now sure how to split the mpeg into m2v and mp2 and what program, plus how would you than creat menus and chapter points .... at present after using TMPGen Plus to encode to mpeg2 I was going straight to TMPG DVD Author where I could create menus, chapters as well as create the TS folder ....... which methood is going to give me better quality??

[Rogue3]

As far as authoring, I'm not sure which would give better quality. I've only used maestro. I create my menus in photoshop for maestro. The chapter points are created directy in maestro.

For splitting the file: Open tmpgenc plus and go to 'file/mpeg tools' and go to the tab 'simple de-multiplex' and thin click on run. It's really easy. Then just import the streams into maestro.

[Kukabara]

Hey Rogue3,
Thanks pal, it worked, I captured from DV to AVI, than edited my footage and output as an AVI. Used TMPGen Plus to encode the AVI to MPEG2, used TMPG DVD Author to create the folder and burnt with Prassi.

I use Maestro as well photoshop and I would try your methood, see how we go. Meanwhile thank you all you've been very helpful.
Cheers,
Arthar.