Serious DVD Architect problem.. video coming out too small

[Jeff_NJ]

Hey guys,

I have a serious problem that I can't seem to figure out. I shot a project in widescreen using my sony hc-1. Imported to vegas 7, and rendered as an mpeg2 using the dvd architect template.

I constructed the menu in dvd architect and imported the video. All settings in the preferences were for widescreen.

Th problem is, after I burn the dvd, I watch it on my tv, and its in widescreen, however it is a small viewing area on the tv. For example, it doesnt even go across the entire screen.

When I view the video in architect in the preview window with the safe guidelines on, it doesnt extend all the way to the edges. Is this a problem? Why is it telling me its 720x480 widescreen, but its coming out way smaller? The aspect ratio seems correct, but the video size is small.

On a side note, when I edited the video in vegas, in the preview window it appears widescreen, and the settings say so, however, the video does not fill up the entire preview window. I'm not sure if its supposed to.

I hope someone can help as I'm already past my deadline and am going crazy trying to figure out whats going on as I've made other videos before with no problems.

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

[GeorgeW]

Imported to vegas 7, and rendered as an mpeg2 using the dvd architect template.

Did you use the DVD Architect template, or the DVD Architect NTSC Widescreen template?

Regards,
George

[Jeff_NJ]

I used the NTSC Widescreen template. When I view the properties of the video, it even says 720x480 in Vegas.

I was wondering, in architect, do I need to use the tool to resize the video to fit the whole background? Ive never had to do that before, but I'm wondering if I messed up some settings or something.

Thanks.

Jeff

[GeorgeW]

In Vegas, what are your project properties? You should use the template for HDV

Regards,
George

[Jeff_NJ]

The vegas properties are dv widescreen 720x480. Why the hdv template? What is the difference?

Thanks for responding!

Jeff

[GeorgeW]

The vegas properties are dv widescreen 720x480. Why the hdv template? What is the difference?

Thanks for responding!

Jeff

What are you recording to your HC1? And how do you transfer the footage to your computer -- as DV .avi, or as the native HDV mpeg2 stream?

Regards,
George

[Jeff_NJ]

I shot in HD mode, and then capture the footage using vegas as the hdv mpeg2 stream, then render it all as an mpeg2.

In architect, I was able to use the crop tool to expand the video to make it appear the right size, but seems some quality was lost. Probably not the right way to do it I guess.

When I preview in architect, the menu is the right size... covers the entire preview window. The video however is well inside the safe zones...

Jeff

[GeorgeW]

I shot in HD mode, and then capture the footage using vegas as the hdv mpeg2 stream, then render it all as an mpeg2.

Since you recorded and captured in HD, then try using the Vegas Template for HDV. Then render to DVDA NTSC Widescreen -- you should get better results.

Try it on a small clip to see if it works...

Regards,
George

[Jeff_NJ]

Would this have anything to do with the fact that I used 3 diff sources of footage? I used two cameras using widescreen footage and one using regular 4:3. I would have thought even though not desireable, that it would just bounce from wide to 4:3 when those parts came in....

If this is the problem, could i reset the project to 4:3?

Jeff

[GeorgeW]

Well, you didn't mention the source footage is from 3 diff cams in your first post (I thought it was all shot with your Sony HC-1).

What are the other two camcorders, and what is the client expecting? About how much of each format do you have (example - 90% wide, 10% 4:3, etc...)

Regards,
George

[Jeff_NJ]

Yeah, sorry about that. 95% of the footage is wide.

I used the HC-1, another was the JVC GR-HD1, and the camera shooting 4:3 was a sony handycam. No specific demands on the clients part on this one.

Thanks for your help.

Jeff

[Jeff_NJ]

We've used the combo of the JVC and my sony before with no problems...

Jeff

[GeorgeW]

95% wide, and only 5% 4:3, I'd suggest keeping it widescreen, and either let the 4:3 pillarbox, or zoom in on the 4:3 to fill the widescreen (losing some off the top/bottom of your 4:3 footage).

Regards,
George

[Jeff_NJ]

Yep, I will do that, but why is the widescreen not filling the screen as it should? It does not even go across the whole screen.

When I preview the video either in vegas or architect with the safe zones on, I can see the video is not stretching as it should. And when I play it on my tv screen, it is widescreen, but small and centered in the middle of the screen.

Jeff

[GeorgeW]

I'm not sure what's going on -- try using a small clip from each of your sources in its own "test" project. Take it all the way through (i.e. edit in Vegas, create the widescreen mpeg for DVDA, and then Author the dvd in DVDA).

Do it for a clip from the HC1, then a clip from the JVC (btw, did you record in the JVC in widescreen, or in 4:3)?

Regards,
George

[Jeff_NJ]

The HC-1 and JVC were both in widescreen. Only the Handycam was in 4:3. I really appreciate your help. I will try your suggestion. Thanks.

Jeff