Dvd export - vexing problem

[Bob Hart]

This issue has been getting on my wick for a fair while. It is random and infrequent.


When exporting to DVD the disk or DVD-Video file on playback appears to have floating black levels or floating brightness levels. Sometimes it is in-your-face there, sometimes almost not apparent.

This time around, I have scaled the original image frame smaller in a black border as it is recovered lower res material and the "apparent" resolution improves when this is done.

On DVD playback of a second clip on the timeline, the black border floats between deep black and gray. It is not a good look and cannot go out to the client like that.

I suppose I could lay a four-point black matte around the frame but thought I would sound here for any clues first.

To make sure of things on a second try, I moved the clips up a track and laid black video on the lower track in the vain hope of keeping the black deep as one does with titles over black. Didn't work and I suspect laying a black four-point matte will come down to the same result.

If any one has a solution, it would be greatly appreciated.