Live video to DVD

[HolliB]

Hello,

We tape many live competitions and burn right to DVD - our set up is getting out dated meaning that
we are shooting digitally, but our DVD recorders only have S-Video/analog inputs... the conversion looks
awful on the new HD tvs.

We are ready to upgrade to HD - both cameras and DVD recorders.

I'm looking for the most cost effective way to record right to DVD without loosing quality.
We also need user friendly (easy) to use recorders and the finalizing time needs to
be fast as well. (is finalizing time the same on all machines?)

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks!

[minidv2dvd]

how fast do you need the end product and what are you going to deliver it on? to shoot HD and stay HD for the final product you will need to burn blu-ray discs or short blu-ray videos on dvdr discs. if you shoot in HD and want SD dvd there won't be a fast easy way to dvd that i know of. i shoot live events in HD, but need editing and encoding time before going to dvd. we take orders, and don't deliver anything at the event. i suppose small parts of events could be done on-site with a laptop and dvd duplicator but office space is usually lacking for us.

[HolliB]

Yep - that's kind of what we're in the middle of... we produce the DVDs on site and duplicate them right there for purchase. So yes, our turn around time is fast... and it's usually not fast enough for some parents.

We are worried that with Blu-ray - not all families would be able to view the DVDs on their regular DVD players. As of now... 99% of our customers can view our DVDs. The quality is driving me nuts though and was hoping that there is something out there that we don't know about. That is across the board easily viewable by everyone (or at least the majority).

Thanks a bunch!

[minidv2dvd]

if most customers only have normal dvd players, they won't play blu-ray discs of any kind, and you'd end up with a lot of unhappy people.

what are you currently using for cameras?

[MOVIEGEEK]

As was mentioned just use a SD camcoder and use a DVD but I would tell the customers to order them, that way you can take the time and do it right by transferring DV via Firewire.

[HolliB]

Thanks guys... yep, we do offer an ordered edited version (full quality) & an on-site version (not the best quality). We play the on-site version right there and people still tend to buy the cheaper, less quality version because they can "have it now".

Just thought there was something out there that we haven't come upon yet.
Thanks so much!

[vhelp]

Evening,

Actually, if your features include SD dvd, then you could prob enhance the quality a little more right there.

You say these are competitions. I take it that these are short runs, like a few minutes to maybe 15 minutes or so ?

I would consider changing your dvd recorder's encoding mode from VBR to CBR and set the bitrate to something like 9000 bitrate or slightly higher, but no more than 9800 because that is about the limit, given audio, too. Obviously you would keep the videos interlaced. These should improve the quality some more.

The other thing I would consider is to review your method of sending to dvd's. If you are incorporating a dvd recorder as the quick turnaround, then you might be able to try other units, remembering the suggestion above.

Course, after you've created your first dvd, that would serve as the master disc for feeding into a duplicator. No adjustments necessary--just pop it in and duplicate the same video quality.

-vhelp 5137