HDV to DVD ... the best way to do this

[maniax]

Hi guys ! I am intrested in converting HDV to SD for DVD usage. Witch is the best way to do this ?

Curently I use Ulead video studio 11 to capture, edit and downconvert the video file, but i am not quite pleased with the DVD output quality...

I need a workflow that gives the best output image...

[sean90291]

Quality DVD burning is still shockingly byzantine. And it won't be fixed before DVD is a dead format (some higher-res disc like Blu-Ray will be the replacement technology).

In the meantime, I have struggled many hours to get a quality DVD burn, and it depends on many factors, such as which file format you use to burn from, which NLE you're exporting from, which burning software you burn from, etc.

I think you're probably losing a lot of quality by relying on Ulead to capture and edit your footage. You should be using an NLE. I use Avid. From Avid I export a QuickTime Reference file which Sorenson Squeeze can use to make a quality MPEG-2. Then I use Ulead Movie Factory to burn the DVD using that MPEG-2 file. The creation of the MPEG-2 file is important, and you often need good software to do it. I have noticed, however, that even Ulead Movie Factory will read/burn my QuickTime Reference directly without creating the MPEG-2 file in Sorenson first.

Anyhow, I suggest you need a better MPEG-2 creation workflow to get better quality DVDs...but prepare yourself for some long frustrating hours of trial and error--you might end up making more shiny coasters than quality DVDs for a little while.

[24Peter]

Anyhow, I suggest you need a better MPEG-2 creation workflow to get better quality DVDs...but prepare yourself for some long frustrating hours of trial and error--you might end up making more shiny coasters than quality DVDs for a little while.

Or you could just get Vegas 7. Capture HDV. Edit HDV. Output/render for SD DVD (DVDA4 template) And UR done. Beautfiul DVD's everytime... Anyone else like Vegas?

[Worley]

Love Vegas.

I've tried Premiere (still have PP2 installed) but it is slow, unintuitive, and I find the DVD authoring a little cumbersome. Encore is OK, but Vegas+DVD is more powerful. I like the way you can render DVD compliant files directly from Vegas (both MPEG and AC3 streams), and import them directly into DVD architect. I can't do that with Encore.

Adobe's strengths are the integration you get with Photoshop and Illustrator so you can create some stunning menus with little effort (so long as you're adept at editing with PH and AI).

But Vegas+DVD are easier, smoother, far more pleasurable to use.

[Lunchbox]

I use ULead DVDWorkshop 2 to author DVD. It's a very easy to use yet powerful DVD authoring program. I highly recommend it.

[BarnOwl]

I do this all the time with Pinnacle Studio 11 Plus with fine results. Just capture the film in the best HDV settings (1080 x 1920) and burn as DVD 720 PAL or NTSC, whatever your system.........

[lwm99]

I read that you get better quality using HV20 to downconvert and output in SD AVI than using software to do the down coversion.

[24Peter]

I read that you get better quality using HV20 to downconvert and output in SD AVI than using software to do the down coversion.

Not in my tests. And if I recall correctly, not in anyone else's tests either. Capture HDV from HV20 and downconvert (i.e., render to SD) in computer.

[Murrelet]

I came from Pinnacle 10.7 (which I liked, no complaints about it's function and reliability) to Vegas 7e with DVD Architect. It's early days yet, the learning curve is steep (reading and hunting the manuals over and over), but I'm very impressed.

What put me off Pinnacle was the constant upgrading, hoping the next version would work, and endless add-ons, capture cards, etc. which I've done since v6 (and have probably spent at least as much as the cost of V7). But like I was with PS 10.7, I'm getting comfortable with V7, as the advice here at hv20.com clears away the fog. So much dependable quality control.

That said, would I go back to Pinnacle, no. Would I recommend it for those that like the price range, absolutely, just be aware it's a money pit.

[bluegrass]

I came from Pinnacle 10.7 (which I liked, no complaints about it's function and reliability) to Vegas 7e with DVD Architect. It's early days yet, the learning curve is steep (reading and hunting the manuals over and over), but I'm very impressed.

What put me off Pinnacle was the constant upgrading, hoping the next version would work, and endless add-ons, capture cards, etc. which I've done since v6 (and have probably spent at least as much as the cost of V7). But like I was with PS 10.7, I'm getting comfortable with V7, as the advice here at hv20.com clears away the fog. So much dependable quality control.

That said, would I go back to Pinnacle, no. Would I recommend it for those that like the price range, absolutely, just be aware it's a money pit.

I'm exactly where you were and I'm thinking of doing the same thing. So you are beginning to think that the $529 investment in Vegas 7 is worth it and will pay off in the long run of creating better quality files?

Although I might not use it that much, I liked the fact that I could create HDV video on a standard DVD disk with 10.7 and as for as I know that is the only RLE out there that can. I am looking for ways that I can setup a ghosted image at the bottom of my video frame that will become part of the flattened video when I create the file. It will offer some security protection for any of my videos that get snagged and rerouted to YouTube without my knowlege. I keep forgetting the term for that. It's like you see on the television these days down in the corner.

[Murrelet]

Sorry Bluegrass, can't help you with your security protection, I'm just too new to it. However, the money was worth it to me. Go on ebay and knock about $100 off retail.

You should be able to write the cost, or a portion off, can't you? I'm doing it against my woodturning business. As soon as I get the WA I'll be able to tape the making of large commissions, I'll then burn a DVD which will go with the piece when finished and delivered. I'll probably want to do it in 24p, so Neo will be the next purchase. Did I say this was nothing like the Pinnacle money pit?