LAFCPUG: DVD FAQs
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What brand of DVDs should I use?
From Greg Kozikowski
Those of us with active Quality Control processes pretty much figured this out already, but it's nice to have independent verification. We were pleased to find that Sony full coat white tops use the same data coating and ID as the shiny tops unlike some other manufacturers that burned us.
Find the best and most reliable choices on DigitalFAQ.com
Why do my DVDs play on my computer but not on a DVD player?
From John Foley
Many times this question is asked by new DVD authorers. It is generally the bit-rate chosen to encode from Quicktime to MPEG-2 for inclusion in DVD Studio Pro. Lots of folks think the fastest bit-rate has got to be the best quality for a DVD.
The reason the process is called encoding is because there is also a decode process involved in playback. MPEG-2 is a very highly compressed format and needs help playing back each frame of video. While your computer is capable of decoding just about any frame rate, the DVD player you use is not.
The trick is to encode at the slowest bit-rate that gives you an acceptable picture (especially during transitions). As a general rule anywhere from 5.0 Megabits per second (Mbps) to around 6.5 Mbps is good. Remember this however - the faster the encode the bigger the MPEG-2 file size. This can be critical when you are trying to put 2+ hours onto a single-sided (DVD-5) disc.
The indications that your DVD Player can't handle the content is pixelating or skipping frames of video during playback.
How do I put chapter markers in my DVD?
From Jude Cotter
Read this tutorial by Ken Stone : Compression and Chapter Markers
How do I get my DVD into FCP?
Q. How do I get footage from a video DVD to use in Final Cut?
From Jude Cotter
A. Copyright disclaimer. It is illegal to use other people’s work without their express permission and, in many cases, payment.
Yes, but I DO have permission. Really!
OK. Just letting you know.
OTHER most likely answer
A. There are a number of third party applications that can convert the files on a DVD to FCP editable footage. Some favourites are :
• DVDxDV
Other things that could help:
• In some cases you can also connect a DVD player to your deck and capture straight into FCP via the ‘non-controllable device’ setting.
But what about the copyright protection? I really, really, really do have permission.
Still more things that could help:
• Mac The Ripper
