Good Morning:
Saturday, I did a point and shoot for a client of a seminar. We turned the camera on and an hour and 8 minutes later, we turned off the EX-1. Now I have over 16GB of video that the client wants to put on a DVD.
First, I don't think that will fit on a DVD. Second, do I have to input this into FCP and export as QT movie?
He asked me to shoot the seminar then decided to do the DVD. This was certainly not in my fee and I have told him so. He has an on staff graphic person who is doing some movie conversion for the web for him. I don't know the platform or capabilities of the system, but I do know they use Mac. If I gave them the files directly off the card, they would have to have a program that could read the files and a system that could edit these files into a usable movie. My guess is at best they have iMovie. So, the questions are: Can the one hour completed movie be put on a standard DVD? If I gave them the materials to edit and transfer themselves, what would they have to have in house? Any other direction or suggestions you may have are welcomed and appreciated.
Thanks,
Phil

You won't have any trouble creating a 1 hour DVD that will be playable on any player. If your client wants the files transferred to a DVD disk, then you are right, the capacity is just 4.7gb. There are many authoring applications that will create your footage to the DVD format, do a google search. I use Encore for both DVD and BluRay authoring.

Phil, you don't mention the format...SD or HD? If SD, then Compressor can certainly compress a 1 hour show for DVD. Another option might be to split it into Part A and Part B.
If he wants footage only, I'd burn to BluRays and of course charge for it. Never fails that a client comes back and wants more than originally bargained. Is he gonna now sell these copies?

One hour seminar for web? The guy is nuts.

Patrick McLoad

I would simply have them buy a HD or supply you with one. Put a copy of the whole card on it and give them a link to download the XDcam transfer app.

Here is a link:
Sony : XDCAM & XDCAM EX Software Downloads : United Kingdom (http://www.sony.co.uk/biz/content/id/1237478847715/section/broadcast-tools-xdcam)

If they then can't handle it have them hire you to do the job. They do need the XDcam codecs, only available with FCP 6&7, to work on the files.

Phil, with the greatest respect I'm devastated by the lack of accurate information you've received here.

Vincent is absolutely spot on.

I suggest the 16Gb of shot material has to be edited, if only to the point of a fade in at the beginning and a fade out at the end. Then it has to be authored which prepares it for a DVD - 60 minutes easily fits on a DVD at the highest quality regardless of whether it was shot HD or SD. If it was shot HD and the client wants to release an HD product it must be authored for Blu-ray.

It's as simple as that.

But on the creative side, Patrick is right, an hour seminar for the web?

Hi Phil
This is a great opportunity! You get to learn how to make widescreen DVDs from your HD footage *and* get paid for it. Nothing better than when I client decides they want more.... easy upsell. I would make up a quote ASAP, get the job, and then figure out how to do it. As others have said, it's not that difficult, it just takes time. Once you've edited the seminar you can "send to Compressor" directly from FCP. You'll use Compressor to create the MPEG-2 video & Dolby AC3 audio files that are needed for burning a DVD. You can make them widescreen or "regular" full screen center-cut DVD, depending on what your footage is. Then you can create the DVD in DVD SP or in Toast or other simpler programs.
I've just done my first widescreen DVDs from HD footage shot on my EX1R. Very happy, looks terrific.

"I would make up a quote ASAP, get the job, and then figure out how to do it. "


Keith... That reminds me of a commercial for FedEx.

A guy tells the client, "I can do that. I can do that. Yes, I can do that."

When the guy gets off the phone he says, "How do I do that?"

:-)

Always keep in mind that a good reputation can be lost if you fail to deliver. Have a plan B - just in case you have problems.

Thanks to all of you for your sage and most helpful input. The job is done and the client is very happy. We have another shoot Tuesday. Plus, the client is buying lunch!

Cheers,

Phil