pixelation using handbrake + mpeg streamclip. What settings should I use?

[applebutterfly]

Hi there. New to this forum. I have 4 wedding DVDs (7 years old) that I am trying to rip to my mac (OS X 10.6.8). I want to then edit these in imovie (as thats all i have) and then burn the movies back on to individual dvds.

I downloaded handbrake (64 bit) and VLC (32-64 bit) and have ripped the DVDs to m4v format. I am then using mpeg streamclip to convert this to .mov files to import into imovie where I am doing the editing. The problem I am encountering is that the m4v and mov files are very badly pixelated.

I don't understand what I'm doing wrong. What's settings should i be using in handbrake and mpeg streamclip when ripping DVD to export to iMovie to edit and burn back onto DVD? I need optimum resolution so the end DVD is of professional quality.

I know how to rip etc, i just want to get the best results (is this even impossible). For example, with handbrake, do i use large file size/web optimised, what framerate (FBS), variable or constant frame rate, what should the bizrate be. With the picture settings, should it be the setting for anamorphic and modulus values? Also on the devices list on the right hand side, what should i be selecting (I want to watch the films on DVD on a 51 inch TV). With Mpeg streamclip, what compression codec should I be using? Apple intermediate? what is multi pass/B-frames?
Should I limit the data rate and if so to what value? should it be 100% quality? What should the frame size be and the frame rate? should i check the boxes for frame blending/better downscaling?

I dont understand any of these options. What I have ripped into imovies for 2 out of the 4 DVDs so far are such bad quality. Theres pixelation in every frame/scene.

Hope someone can help me, I'll forever be grateful.

[sanlyn]

Using a Mac is very limiting for what you want to do. You'd get the best quality by working in AVI, editing there and making other corrections you might need, then re-encoding and re-authoring to DVD at high bitrates. Most "editors" will re-encode the video after cutting; some of that re-encoding isn't so great, as you see. Other editors are not frame-specific: they cut and join only on key frames. If these terms and processses are a mystery to you, it might be a good idea to find someone to do the work for you. Rebuilding DVD's isn't impossible, but it's time consuming and tricky when done properly. Someone more familiar with Mac could offer more detail. Windows is far more flexible for extensive and even for simpler video work nowadays, but that might not be possible in your case.

[applebutterfly]

Using a Mac is very limiting for what you want to do. You'd get the best quality by working in AVI, editing there and making other corrections you might need, then re-encoding and re-authoring to DVD at high bitrates. Most "editors" will re-encode the video after cutting; some of that re-encoding isn't so great, as you see. Other editors are not frame-specific: they cut and join only on key frames. If these terms and processses are a mystery to you, it might be a good idea to find someone to do the work for you. Rebuilding DVD's isn't impossible, but it's time consuming and tricky when done properly. Someone more familiar with Mac could offer more detail. Windows is far more flexible for extensive and even for simpler video work nowadays, but that might not be possible in your case.

I am a quick learner and i understand what you are saying. I don't have the necessary software but I have the time to work around it. I have posted to other forums and they all suggest that handbrake and mpeg streamclip is the way to go, and that some quality will be lost. But I am going from what seems to be 100% to start off with originally to about 25%.

I dont know anyone who can do this sort of thing for me. I have 8 DVDs i'd like to edit and an idea that seems "simple" in my head is turning out to be almost impossible. I live in Buckinghamshire and have done a search and I cant find a 'DVD editor' (if thats what they are even called).

Is it worth me buying Final Cuts Pro and learning to use that to do these projects?

[sanlyn]

Final Cut Pro has quite a learning curve. Many people use Handbrake for a great many things, and they are usually pleased with the results. I have several editors and encoders, so I've never needed to use Handbrake. It can be optimized for various purposes. Other members will see this thread and offer more specific advice.

[Herve]

Hi there. New to this forum. I have 4 wedding DVDs (7 years old) that I am trying to rip to my mac (OS X 10.6.8). I want to then edit these in imovie (as thats all i have)

Which version of iMovie? iMovie5 or 6 (aka "iMovieHD") are great for YOUR purpose, more recent versions are not so good for you (they are made for HD purposes, but DVD is Standard Definition purpose)

PS: the processes will be:
- decode to a safe format for editing: conversion from an compressed file (MPEG2 from DVD) to an "uncompressed file" (e.g.: DV) => no real quality lose during this step.
- edit
- convert your final editing to MPEG2 (dutring this step you could have looses; conversion from uncompressed to compressed file)
Notice: Convert to DV first, is a needed step if you want to do an accurate editing. For a very basic editing, use MPegStreamCLip and just "trim some parts" (cuts will be allowed each "half a second", minimum trim is half a second too, no ability to add transition or sounds)

bye

PPS: …and forget "troll's advice" that doesn't know anything about Mac and video in general

You'd get the best quality by working in AVI

so the advice is: do not alter its contents but change its wrapper to …obtain better quality inside? great joke

Windows is far more flexible for extensive and even for simpler video work nowadays

great for you, bye

[sanlyn]

PPS: …and forget "troll's advice" that doesn't know anything about Mac and video in general

You'd get the best quality by working in AVI

so the advice is: do not alter its contents but change its wrapper to …obtain better quality inside? great joke

Windows is far more flexible for extensive and even for simpler video work nowadays

great for you, bye

Uh, no. You don't know what you're talking about. It's not 1984 any more. But, good luck to all concerned anyway.

[sanlyn]

PPS: …and forget "troll's advice" that doesn't know anything about Mac and video in general

You'd get the best quality by working in AVI

so the advice is: do not alter its contents but change its wrapper to …obtain better quality inside? great joke

Windows is far more flexible for extensive and even for simpler video work nowadays

great for you, bye

Uh, no. You don't know what you're talking about. It's not 1984 any more. But thanks for updating the app info for the O.P.'s benefit, and good luck to all concerned.

[applebutterfly]

Hi there. New to this forum. I have 4 wedding DVDs (7 years old) that I am trying to rip to my mac (OS X 10.6.8). I want to then edit these in imovie (as thats all i have)

Which version of iMovie? iMovie5 or 6 (aka "iMovieHD") are great for YOUR purpose, more recent versions are not so good for you (they are made for HD purposes, but DVD is Standard Definition purpose)

PS: the processes will be:
- decode to a safe format for editing: conversion from an compressed file (MPEG2 from DVD) to an "uncompressed file" (e.g.: DV) => no real quality lose during this step.
- edit
- convert your final editing to MPEG2 (dutring this step you could have looses; conversion from uncompressed to compressed file)
Notice: Convert to DV first, is a needed step if you want to do an accurate editing. For a very basic editing, use MPegStreamCLip and just "trim some parts" (cuts will be allowed each "half a second", minimum trim is half a second too, no ability to add transition or sounds)

bye

PPS: …and forget "troll's advice" that doesn't know anything about Mac and video in general

You'd get the best quality by working in AVI

so the advice is: do not alter its contents but change its wrapper to …obtain better quality inside? great joke

Windows is far more flexible for extensive and even for simpler video work nowadays

great for you, bye

I am using imovie 09, version 8.06.

I have inserted the mpe4's from mpeg streamclip in imovie and it is letting me add transitions etc.

I can use handbrake and rip DVD to mpeg 2 and then takes this into imovies (skipping mpeg streamclip). What settings to use for best quality?

How do i compress to DV?

Need to know what settings to choose, For example, with handbrake, do i use large file size/web optimised, what framerate (FBS), variable or constant frame rate, what should the bizrate be. With the picture settings, should it be the setting for anamorphic and modulus values? Also on the devices list on the right hand side, what should i be selecting (I want to watch the films on DVD on a 51 inch TV).

With Mpeg streamclip, what compression codec should I be using? Apple intermediate? what is multi pass/B-frames?
Should I limit the data rate and if so to what value? should it be 100% quality?

What should the frame size be and the frame rate? should i check the boxes for frame blending/better downscaling?

I dont understand any of these options. What I have ripped into imovies for 2 out of the 4 DVDs so far are such bad quality. Theres pixelation in every frame/scene.

[rumplestiltskin]

I'd forget Handbrake. Instead, use MPEG Streamclip to rip directly from the DVDs (assuming the content isn't DRM'd) to either DV (the native format of iMovieHD) or Apple Lossless Encoding (which works beautifully in Final Cut). Pass on newer versions of iMovie. iMovieHD is a free download from Apple if you already own any newer version of iMovie. If you can't find the link, PM me.

[pixel zombie]

If you are just doing simple edits and need only a simple menu you don't even have to use imovie or even convert to DV, you can extract the chapters of the DVD with YADE and then trim with MPEG Streamclip and use Toast to author the final disk.

[Herve]

I am using imovie 09, version 8.06.

all new versions have some automatisms "not made for Standard Edition" but DVD is SD (an earlier version will be better to -well- handle SD files)

I have inserted the mpe4's from mpeg streamclip in imovie and it is letting me add transitions etc.

you have DVD-VIDEO, so your videos part is in MPEG2 format/codec
you have 2 choices:
- convert to do an accurate editing
- do not convert and do an not accurate editing (and no transition, etc). MPSC will allow you these trims.
You used MPSC after a conversion (that's a 3rd solution , but I don't see any interest to do it)

I can use handbrake and rip DVD to mpeg 2 and then takes this into imovies (skipping mpeg streamclip). What settings to use for best quality?

best?
- recover an old iMovie version (you will find some -legally- onto the web)
- directly convert your DVD to DV with MPSC (forget Handbrake for this purpose: mp4 is not a compliant format with your input files = quality will be damaged)
- edit -in iMovie- the DV files from MPSC

How do i compress to DV?

MPSC does it (but remember, you will need an old iMovie version -or FinalCutPro X- to well handle these sort of stream)

Need to know what settings to choose, For example, with handbrake, do i use large file size/web optimised[…]

Handbrake produced a file for broadcasting (=much compressed). But what you need is an editing file. And settings for an editing file (DV here) are far easier: you live in UK, so you certainly recorded in PAL standard -> setting: DV PAL (720*576pixels, 25fps)
(and if you lived in USA, you have to chose DV NTSC=720*480, 29.97fps)
some tips: DV is fixed rate and fixed quality
so, too much settings / options for nothing here

You just have to make 2 choices:
- wich DV: PAL or NTSC (each one include a size, a range of colors, and a framerate)
- anamorphous 16:9 or not (no idea for you: the video have to be displayes as 4:3 or 16:9? …just play them and look, to define this setting)
All others settings have no interest with DV

What I have ripped into imovies for 2 out of the 4 DVDs so far are such bad quality. Theres pixelation in every frame/scene.

pixelation comes from HandBrake's compression (and -see above- for editing you don't need a so compressed file, just an editing one )

So, always keep the same settings for your output file (DV) than from your input one (DVD)
and set an iMovie project with the same settings too (so your chain process will be compliant)

bye

[_Al_]

iMovie is not capable to edit some uncompressed or lossless video?
Mpeg2 - DV - Mpeg2 is not ideal workflow. Mpeg2 - lossless or uncompressed - mpeg2 would give much better result.

[sanlyn]

Mpeg2 - lossless or uncompressed - mpeg2 would give much better result.

I believe that's what I suggested way back there, but Mac owners took offense at that one. Maybe you could make another suggestion.

[poisondeathray]

DV is lossy, but imovie isn't exactly meant to be "professional" software so it has limited support for different formats

You can use an (almost) lossless workflow by using animation codec at 100% exported from mpegstreamclip (which is lossless, but RGB lossless, not Y'CbCr - so at least there are no compression losses)

I agree with the comments about avoiding handbrake for this project

[rumplestiltskin]

MPEG2 is neither lossless nor uncompressed. It is a lossy delivery format. The key is to extract that mpeg2 from the DVD in a manner that preserves whatever quality is left. If you decide to use iMovieHD (v6), then that codec is DV-Stream. If you have FCP or FCExpress,then that codec should be Apple Lossless as it is compressed but only enough to make it manageable. It is, however, lossless (not losing anything more than what was already lost when the compression to MPEG2 took place so it could then be authored to DVD).

MPEG Streamclip will transcode a non-DRM'd DVD to either DV or ALE. Using Handbrake to accomplish any of this guarantees further loss of quality during the ripping.

Now, if you rip to very high bitrate H264/AAC in Handbrake, you might minimize some quality loss but this assumes you will then be editing in iMovie 7 or newer.

If you will simply be deleting some footage from the DVD and doing nothing with titles, MPEG Streamclip can do this and will, in addition, permit you to concatenate rip'd MPEG2 footage. The resulting file (probably a TS, IIRC) can then be dropped into Toast, for example, and authored; Toast should not have to transcode anything. I am not positive whether iDVD will also simply mux the footage instead of doing a complete transcode. I don't do DVDs any more.