DVD Rendering for a projector

[chris_man]

Hey guys, I'm new here. So, hello!

I'm working on an ongoing project for work which involves rendering DVDs featuring product videos. They are played back on projectors in the stores.

Can anyone tell me the best DVD setup for such a project? I've been experimenting with various different approaches, most recently high-quality MPEG2s, but I was wondering if there are any more optimal settings?

A lot of the time I've found that text on the video is quite wobbly, and I'm not sure why. The contrast can also be a little odd even though the projector settings are optimised.

Quality is the key, as it's on display in store. The projector is 1024x768... and I'm using Sony Vegas 6.0 for rendering/editing and DVD Architect 3.0 for burning.

Thanks!

[chris_man]

Anyone? Sorry if it's a random request...

[BJ_M]

the best set up would be just make the best quality dvd you can -- nothing much more than that .... if source is interlaced , stay interlaced ... if source is progressive - stay progressive.

use 0 IRE for projection , if it is a lcd projector or a cheap dlp, dont have any dark scenes at all !! make txt large and clear - use simple fonts ...

1024x768 is not real high res., but it is higher than dvd ...

[chris_man]

So there's no point in rendering the MPEG at 1024x768?

[Nelson37]

For playback from a standard DVD player, no, there is not.

Check out the "What Is" section to the left for DVD specifications.

Hi-res Xvid from a supporting player or PC playback might be a possibility for the higher-res video, but NOT a standard DVD player.

[chris_man]

Okay, I've read the what is section - thanks for that.

So if I rendered the MPEG 2 in vegas at 720 x 576, then burned to DVD in Architect at the same resolution there would be no loss in quality? This is essentially the highest quality I can get?

[chris_man]

The projected text is a little wobbly around the edges. It's black on white, and pretty large...

Does anyone know a way I can render the DVD to fix this, please?

[edDV]

If you want more detailed help, describe the sources and how they relate to the timeline.

Is the main source from an interlace camcorder track, or film, or is this animation or what? First the main timeline needs to be optimized for interlace or progressive depending on the sources.

Next, an encoder is selected to best match the edited timeline. The playout senario is also important. Will the projector be driven from a DVD player or a PC or what? If a DVD then 720x576 is your target.

Expect retail projectors to be low end, out of adjustment and rarely serviced. You need to keep it bright and high contrast so it will still work under these conditions.

I'm wondering how a projector is expected to work in bright store lighting in the first place? Plasma screens are usually used.

[chris_man]

I think plasma screens are going to be used in some of the newer stores...

Anyway, the original source is varied. Some of the material is from distribution videos, and is either in MPEG or VOB format straight from the original DVD.

The rest is from camcorder footage.

It's driven from a DVD player...

What can you suggest for these factors?

[edDV]

If you have already edited the material, stay with what you have (probably PAL 25fps, 50 field per second 720x576). Interlace will keep the camcorder motion smooth. A progressive project would need careful planning and tripod mounted film or a progressive camcorder as a source. Motion would need to be carefully managed using film shooting technique.

I haven't used the Vegas titler for PAL but it sounds like the jumping is due to the way the graphic is being interlaced. Maybe a PAL Vegas user can advise or suggest another title program.