Print to DVD quality

[GreekTV]

Most of my final edits are provided to users on DVD-Video. I noticed that Edius 4 can burn a DVD right from the timeline and therefore save some time and trouble from having to export/import to external MPEG/DVD Authoring software.

What is the MPEG-2 encoding engine in Edius 4? Is it Procoder 3 (Ligos)? Or it's something else?

Typically, since my edits are short (ENG/EFP/Features), I will export to a .DV file (no recompression) and feed it to CCE-SP (Cinemacraft). My encodings are always at 9.656 Mbps CBR, and Audio at 192 kbps Mono. (The upper 9.848 Mbps limit of the DVD spec).

Has anyone done any tests to compare the "print to DVD" feature of Edius vs. Procoder 3 or CCE-SP? (at 9.8 Mbps CBR)

Because I'm extremely concerned about quality, I don't mind the trouble of having to export/import/encode externally, if I have to. I really don't mind about encoding speed. My only requirement is to obtain the best possible quality that the DVD spec can provide. (..or almost...without having to manually fiddle with the GOP structure that is...)

Thanks for any suggestions.

[plasma_video]

Dimitri,

I can't give you an exact comparison answer, but I can tell you that the DVDs I have made directly from the timeline have looked fine. I use 8mbps encoding with 192k AC3 audio and have not noted any quality problems.

There is a seperate issue with thumbnails in a created menu not matching the chapter points exactly, but the quality is great.

I typically burn DVD-RWs first and check them on several DVD players to make sure they are OK before burning a DVD+/-R.

Tom

[GreekTV]

Tom, Thanks for your input. I forgot to mention that I'm not using any menus. I turn menus off - and make the DVD play upon inserting it in the player.

The DVDs I make are for Broadcast use... and the last thing I want is to have a master control operator being lost in menus... with a remote control on hand. (although they transfer to DigiBeta or Hard Disk prior to Air)

My sole and only concern is video encoding quality at 9.8 Mbps CBR.

[plasma_video]

As a TV guy myself (engineering support), I appreciate your concern for the underpaid MCR operators!

Are your stations playing off of DVDs instead of servers?

EDIT: Missed the comment about "transfer to Hard Disc"

[pjsssss]

The encoder in Edius is different then Procoder. Either gives you great quality under one hour ( if you get into multi pass, low bit rate, PC is the way to go). The Edius one lacks any complicated authoring ability but for your needs should be fine.

I will say that I think your bit rate is a little on the high side but if your station plays it OK, I guess it is a moot point,

[plasma_video]

Pat, just noticed . . .

Did you move? I thought you were living a bit south of your present location.

[GreekTV]

As a TV guy myself (engineering support), I appreciate your concern for the underpaid MCR operators!

Thanks! I've been a MCR operator from 1997 to 2004 at Canal Vie (The French equivalent of "The Life Channel") Myself in MCR in July 2000. Pay was ok... $1/hr more on overnights... (notice broadcast clock indicates 4:35 am... LOL)

Are your stations playing off of DVDs instead of servers?

Quite frankly, I don't have the slightest idea what they do. But I seriously doubt they play the DVD directly, as it doesn't have Time Code or reference.

2 of my stations are in Athens Greece, 1 in Toronto Canada and 1 in Florida. All with Greek programming. (I'm in Montreal Canada). Before, I used to send U-Matic SP but lately I decided to switch to DVD and have them do the transfer to their in-house format.

EDIT: Missed the comment about "transfer to Hard Disc"

I meant recording to server.

I will say that I think your bit rate is a little on the high side

It's high to preserve quality, but within the upper limit of the DVD specification.
The DVD spec allows up to 9.848 Mbps (Audio+Video) combined elementary stream prior to authoring and up to 10.08 Mbps after authoring (Audio/Video/Subs/Overhead)

Are there any known incompatibility issues at high bit rates?

[STORMDAVE]

Not even Hollywood replicated DVD's hit the DVD specs...and remember, since we're using writable DVD blanks, there is more room for error (as opposed to replicated/stamped discs)...so I would recommend that you keep audio+video below 8mbps.

[iibw]

I'm shooting with the EX1 and make my dvds directly off the Edius timeline. The quality is very very good, better than when I used to transfer my files to a Mac and burn them on DVDSP. My data rates are 7 mb per sec for video, 256k per sec audio.

[Ingwe]

I would not suggest you use such high bit rates , I have done the test and found that disc with to high a rate do not play in a lot of DVD player, I found the best setting is 4.5mbs

[pjsssss]

It's high to preserve quality, but within the upper limit of the DVD specification.
The DVD spec allows up to 9.848 Mbps (Audio+Video) combined elementary stream prior to authoring and up to 10.08 Mbps after authoring (Audio/Video/Subs/Overhead)

Are there any known incompatibility issues at high bit rates?

Some DVD players have a hard time playing burned DVDs with bit rates this high. But if no one has compalined and you are only sending them to the same outlets each time, you may be OK. However, I agree with Dave and it seems to be the defacto standard to not burn bit rates higher than 8Mbps. I personally use 7800 with AC3 audio.

[pjsssss]

Pat, just noticed . . .

Did you move? I thought you were living a bit south of your present location.

Hi Tom,

I was about 45 minutes south of Cincinnati, but moved to Cincy about 2 years ago. I needed to be closer as my business meetings seemed to increase and with the way gas prices have gone, I am glad I did.

[bmaque12]

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