DV vs DVD video

[bobbyfx]

Ok say I have transfered a DV file from my camcorder, done all the editing, and authored a DVD. After some time, I decide to edit the video again, but have deleted my DV because it's so huge. I would have to use the video from the authored DVD. However, since this is MPEG, it's quality will not be as good as the original DV file. Is MPEG more of a final format and is it more difficult to edit than AVI? Please help me find solutions as I am still new to this. I figure the best way is to keep the DV but I really cannot afford that much space.

[twodogs]

depends what you want to do. there are utilities to cut and join mpeg files, if that is all the 'editing' you want to do. reply with your plans for editing and take it from there...

[edDV]

Bobbyfx, you stated the issue correctly. I rerecord the original DV material back to tape as a backup. Soon we will have 50GB DVDRs that will make this job easier and maybe cheaper over time.

If you must extract the MPeg2 back from the DVD vob files, it can be done with demultiplexing software (e.g. VOB Edit and others) or with some editing programs like ULead Video Studio 8.

[bugster]

Keep the original DV tape, storage problem solved!

Or if you only want to keep the edited version, save that back to tape and archive that way.

Either way, no HD space need once the project is finished.

Oh and yes, mpeg is more of a final format and not as suitable for editing as DV.

[State Of Mind]

If you change your mind a lot and want to keep re-editing the video, keep it on your HD until you ready to take it to the final phase. Also, keep the original tapes labeled in a box under your bed or use the box as a foot stool or something. Heh.

[bobbyfx]

depends what you want to do. there are utilities to cut and join mpeg files, if that is all the 'editing' you want to do. reply with your plans for editing and take it from there...

Is it possible to do as much editing on MPEG as on DV? I don't mean simply cut/join, but other effects. Is Premiere Pro a good program to edit MPEG? Also, to those who said to keep the miniDV tapes: The whole point of burning DVDs is for me to reuse those tapes as they are quite expensive. However, if I keep the DV, is it better to do so on the tape or hard drive? Either way is costly for me. Thanks

[solarfox]

A program such as Premiere or ULead Media Studio Pro can apply effects to an MPEG clip just as easily as a DV clip -- though it does, of course, involve decoding and reencoding the section of the MPEG in question. (And if you only apply F/X to certain parts of the video, the programs should be smart enough to only reencode those sections that need it and just copy the unchanged sections verbatim from the source file to the destination.)

The whole point of burning DVDs is for me to reuse those tapes as they are quite expensive.

Expensive? I just did a quick Google search and found several places selling them from about US$3.00 apiece... where are you located?

[edDV]

depends what you want to do. there are utilities to cut and join mpeg files, if that is all the 'editing' you want to do. reply with your plans for editing and take it from there...

Is it possible to do as much editing on MPEG as on DV? I don't mean simply cut/join, but other effects. Is Premiere Pro a good program to edit MPEG? Also, to those who said to keep the miniDV tapes: The whole point of burning DVDs is for me to reuse those tapes as they are quite expensive. However, if I keep the DV, is it better to do so on the tape or hard drive? Either way is costly for me. Thanks

You are much better off editing in DV format . If it is necessary to edit in Mpeg with Premiere Pro, you need to add the $249 MainConcept MPEG Pro plug-in
http://www.mainconcept.com/mpeg_pro.shtml#standard

If you shop around you will find miniDV tapes for $3/ea.