Pioneer DVR-320 DV->DVD Quality?

[akrako1]

Howdy! I just finally got my first DV camcorder.... I'm preparing to transfer my first DV footage to DVD, and I'm wondering the best way to do it...

option 1: use firewire input on Pioneer DVR-320, and let unit convert DV->mpeg2. Record on DVD-RW's, pop into computer, reauthor, menu, etc... Time for converting DV to DVD: estimate close to realtime

option 2: use winDV or something similar to import DV to computer. Cleaning up enough space to fit 2hrs of DV footage might be a pain, but doable. Convert AVI to DVD-mpeg2 with TMPGEnc Plus 2.5 (settings cranked up for quality - 2pass vbr, slow motion search precision, 10bit comp. prec., etc). Time for converting DV to DVD: geez... a day?

I wonder what the end result difference will be between the two methods? Using my DVR-320 will surely be the easiest and quickest way to go, but will the quality suffer? I do have a HDTV, so artifacting can be more apparent. I'm assuming the DVR-320 will process it with CBR, but I really don't know...

Thanks for any feedback!

[guns1inger]

Do you want to edit the footage, or just transfer and reauthor ?

If you do want to edit it, how extensively ?

[akrako1]

mainly just transfer and reauthor. Most of the footage is live music performances, and only needs some chapter marks, start/end points.

[gshelley61]

For transferring DV to MPEG2 and doing simple editing and re-authoring, it is difficult to beat the speed, convenience and image quality of a good standalone DVD recorder. Software encoding methods take too long.

For hand held camcorder footage, use one disc per 60 minute DV tape to avoid encoding motion artifacts (macroblocking). If it is steady cam or tripod footage, you can push it to two hours per disc.