A couple quick questions about Maestro

[Bahnzo]

Here's the steps I use when authoring in Maestro....

After encoding the m2v file, I run two pulldowns...the progressive and then the drop frame with progressive.

In Maestro, put the progressive on the timeline and import chapters, replace with the drop frame video and import the subtitles.

My first question is: do I leave the drop frames on the timeline and simply sync the audio, or replace it with the progressive and sync?

And why is the drop frame video always a tad longer (5-10 secs)? That troubles me.

[damnim]

I have yet to get drop frame encoding to work. Even when using pulldown the time is always off. What it is I don't know and don't fuss with it any more.

I just encode at 29.97 with a 3 pass in cinemacraft and I'm done with it. No more sync problems, chapters not importing correctly problems.....problems, problems.

I have tried believe me and being very picky as to what I produce I can't see any difference in 3 pass encoding in 29.97 to encoding with pulldown options. 8)

[VidGuy]

I just wrote my own quicky tool to do the conversion. It basically "lies" about the timestamp, because doing the double pulldown and import is just too much of a pain in the rear. Basically, the tool just modifies the timestamp in the *.son file to be 29.97/30 smaller to make up for the dropped frame. Works like a charm.

If you want the tool and/or source code just PM me with an email address and I'll send it to you.

[damnim]

I appreciate your gesture very much!!

However, I have developed a system of video processing that works for me so until something radically changes in the DVD world I think I'll stick with it.

Thanks very much again!!