DV to DVD - Best Method

[chewyshaun@hotmail.com]

Hi, I am very new to converting dv to dvd, i currently use ulead video studio 7 but am not overwhelmed with the results i.e the images are a bit pixely. Is ther better software to use? what would i need to capture the video and convert it to dvd?

[edDV]

Hi, I am very new to converting dv to dvd, i currently use ulead video studio 7 but am not overwhelmed with the results i.e the images are a bit pixely. Is ther better software to use? what would i need to capture the video and convert it to dvd?

ULead VideoStudio7 should work fine but versions 8 and 9 fixed problems and improved features.

First, how are you "capturing"? You should be using IEEE-1394 (i-link) for DV transfer and the capture settings should be DV.
Second, for DV source (62min) adjust DVD encoding settings to 8Mb/s CBR for best results.

[chewyshaun@hotmail.com]

I am using the i-link cable and it captures at 8000kb but the output still looks a bit pixelated than i would like, it seems to give me the option of creating mpeg1 and mpeg 2, would this have an effect, i use the inbuilt software for burning the dvd, maybe i can increase the 8000kb to get a better output?

[44echo]

I am using the i-link cable and it captures at 8000kb

Ed was referring to encoding to MPEG at 8Mb/s constant bitrate (CBR). That's done after you transfer via IEEE-1394 and edit the video.

it seems to give me the option of creating mpeg1 and mpeg 2, would this have an effect

It sounds like your encoding "on the fly." If so, you'll want MPEG2 for DVD. There might be a template already using the correct settings for DVD. I use VS9, but have never used it for capture/transfer.

maybe i can increase the 8000kb to get a better output?

While quality is subjective, you should get nice video out of an 8Mb/s bitrate.

[edDV]

I am using the i-link cable and it captures at 8000kb but the output still looks a bit pixelated than i would like, it seems to give me the option of creating mpeg1 and mpeg 2, would this have an effect, i use the inbuilt software for burning the dvd, maybe i can increase the 8000kb to get a better output?

Let's try again, under Capture tab, in "Capture Settings" Did you select DV? If you did you will see a file about 13.5GB for one 60min tape transfer.

Realtime encoding to MPeg2 will not be "best quality". I only use that for TV captures and for it to work you need a very fast computer (>2.4GHz).

8000kbps CBR refers to the DVD encoding step.
Default is 7000kbps VBR which is not the "best quality" that you desire.

You make that change under "Project Properties" under File. Select "Edit" then under Compression, change Variable 7000 to Constant 8000 or 8500.

Camcorder video unless shot from a tripod is very shakey and will result in more motion artifacts in VBR mode.


PS: I see your CPU is an Athlon XP1900. That is not fast enough for realtime MPeg2 encoding. Even if it was, you would need at least version 8 of Video Studio to get the v1.4 version of the built-in Mainconcept encoder that properly supports realtime encoding. So make sure you have DV selected during "capture" so that the full DV quality is transferred. Then change project settings as described above before you author the DVD.

[pepegot1]

Use a good DVD recorder, a DVD burning program and a mpg editor like VideoRedo. VS 9.0 is also good, but sucks at mpg editing-good for other enhancement though. These programs, used in an as needed, combination are very effective. With VS 9 you can adjust color and sound intensity easily. VS 7 is a cripple next to the new improvements in VS 9.

[chewyshaun@hotmail.com]

Thanks for the help guys, i have updated my PC in the profile, I am using an athlon 2800+ barton with 1 gig memory, in the capture settings i set source as sony-msdv and the format as dvd, then in video capture settings i select dvd format which gives me an encoding rate of 8000 kbps, it auto selected VBR but i will try CBR, are these the optimal settings for capturing and converting from my sony camcorder?

[edDV]

Thanks for the help guys, i have updated my PC in the profile, I am using an athlon 2800+ barton with 1 gig memory, in the capture settings i set source as sony-msdv and the format as dvd, then in video capture settings i select dvd format which gives me an encoding rate of 8000 kbps, it auto selected VBR but i will try CBR, are these the optimal settings for capturing and converting from my sony camcorder?

Select DV Not DVD.

Version 7 isn't going to work well as a realtime MPeg2 encoder. Versions 8 or 9 will encode realtime but not at the highest quality that you say you desire.

To get best results you transfer the DV video to the disk, edit DV and then encode non-realtime at 8000 CBR. The MPeg2 encode takes place during the Create Disc phase.

[drag2f2f]

I'd recomend DIKO as this does DV to DVD, haven't tried this but have been using DIKO for avi to DVD and the results are great.