Best DVD Quality?

mrmusic

Newbie Joined: Oct 06, 2009 12:44 Messages: 41 Offline

Solved by

Oct 13, 2009 11:29

Hello fellow forum users: I am preparing to create a DVD with about 30 minutes of finished material. I am confused about what format creates the best finished DVD? Would that be MPG-1,2,4, AVI, or H.264 AVC? I have never heard of that codec, but in a rough attempt to try that last night, PD8 locked up after giving me a weird video source message.

Without addressing the lockup issue at this time... which is the best quality DVD way to go? I am making a family video into the DVD for one of my wife's bosses, will be charging him for it, so it needs to be good. Thanks

James Dotson

Senior Contributor Location: Tennessee Joined: Aug 24, 2009 20:40 Messages: 3066 Offline

Oct 13, 2009 12:27

For DVD you want the MPEG 2, DVD HQ setting. __________________________________
CORNBLOSSOM

Robert2 S

Senior Contributor Location: Australia Joined: Apr 22, 2009 05:57 Messages: 1461 Offline

Oct 13, 2009 17:43

If you want the best quality and the person you are making it for has either a Blu-ray Player or has a fairly big computer screen I would burn it to a normal DVD using AVCHD.

I have tested my HD videos to normal DVD and AVCHD with AVCHD at 1920X1080 and the difference is night and day. Now I don't know how it would turn out using SD video but HD video really benefits. My youtube channel====> http://www.youtube.com/user/relate2?feature=mhsn

Andrew - Wales, UK

Contributor Location: Wales, UK Joined: Jan 27, 2009 19:16 Messages: 545 Offline

Oct 13, 2009 18:05

It depends on what you are working with. If the source video is in high definition and, as Robert has already said, the person you are making it for has a Blu-ray Player or PS3, then I'd be tempted to go down the AVCHD route. The better quality is worth it! If you are making a 30 min video though, you might need an 8.5gb DVD.

MPEG2 DVD-HQ will obviously give you the best standard definition option, plus the disc can be played on any player.

I've just provided a friend of mine with two copies of his son's Christening. One DVD version in standard definition, and an AVCHD DVD in high definition. He doesn't have a Blu-ray Player/PS 3 but intends to in the future so his AVCHD DVD copy will certainly be used!

I'd give them a copy of both myself!

Cheers,

Andrew Alienware Aurora ALX R4 - Intel i7-4820 4.2 GHz - 32GB DDR3 RAM - Crucial 512GB SSD - 1TB Seagate HDD - 3TB WD Green HDD - 4TB WD Green HDD - MSI NVIDIA GTX 1070 8GB

Sony HDR-PJ810 and HDR-PJ530

mrmusic

Newbie Joined: Oct 06, 2009 12:44 Messages: 41 Offline

Oct 14, 2009 11:07

This is the originator of the inquiry.... by way of a side bar question... does anyone know what to charge for a boxed finished 32 min DVD? The author of the footage didn't know squat about making a video, ... spending tons of time letting it run, pointed at the ground, .. his feet, this and that, so I have spent a ton of time editing all of that out. I know that's not his problem, but mine, .. still I don't want to price myself out of a future job. But it will be labeled, in a glossy full DVD case, with lots of effects, a new Smartsound track for every scene, etc. Any ideas anyone? Thanks

ynotfish

Senior Contributor Location: N.S.W. Australia Joined: May 08, 2009 02:06 Messages: 9977 Offline

Oct 14, 2009 12:45

Hi mrmusic -

Andrew, Robert and Jaime have offered you a few options. Your choice really depends on what the receiver wants/needs.

It's not really the role of this forum to advise on business matters, but if I was just starting out in semi-commercial video production (and still learning the ropes) I wouldn't be charging much. Cover your costs. In a sense, you've been "paid" by the learning you're doing.

Cheers - Tony
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