How do I Export 25P HDV from Media Composer to make a DVD?

[Stuart Graham]

Below are the settings I used to export 25P PAL HDV to 16:9 DVD from Media Composer 3 using TMPGEnc. I got pretty decent results but if anyone has any suggested improvements I would be very glad to hear them

First you must transcode the sequence footage since exporting a Quicktime reference file does not work in Media Composer 3. Transcode basically creates a new sequence and the associated video files – which will be in the new format. You can still edit the sequence after transcoding. This can lead to loss of audio but restarting Media Composer fixed this problem for me.

Transcoding

Put your sequence to be transcoded into a new empty bin as lots of files will be created within it
Ensure all your tracks are selected
R click sequence
Export…
Options
Select Consolidate/Transcode
Select the Transcode button
Tick the Create New Sequence box
Tick the Convert Video box and select DNxHD – TR 120 MXF (The Avid high def codec)
Use the default 50 frame handle length

Creating a Quicktime Reference File

For widescreen HDV exported from MC 3.

Selected 'export...' by right clicking on the new transcoded sequence and under options select:-

Export: Quicktime reference
Defaults: Digital Mastering
Flatten video tracks: ticked
Fill spaces with black: ticked
Render all video effects: ticked
Display aspect ratio was set to 4:3 square pixel (1440 x 1080)
- then check the 16:9 flag at the encoding stage
Audio format: WAVE
Sample rate: project
Sample bit depth: project
Use network media refs: unticked
Use Avid DV Codec: unticked
Color levels: RGB 601/709

Encoding Ready for DVD Using TMPGEnc

Open the Quicktime reference file in TMPGEnc
There are lots of headings under which you can select options…

Clip properties
Disp mode: progressive
Field order: should be greyed out
Aspect ratio: display 16:9
Frame rate: 25 fps

Format
DVD standard mpeg file
Video system:PAL
Encode mode: prioritise quality
Aspect ratio: 16:9 specifications
Rate control mode: VBR (average bitrate)
Audio format: Dolby Digital


Encode/bitrate Settings
Video size: 720 x 576 pixels
Lock video size: unticked
Average video bitrate (VBR): 7500 kb/s
Maximum bitrate: 7500 kb/s
Minimum bitrate: 3000 kb/s
Pass count: 2
Allow padding to avoid video minimum bitrate break: ticked
Limit maximum bitrate to 8000 kb/s: ticked
Audio bitrate: 224 kb/s

Video
Encode mode: prioritise quality
Size: 720 x 576
Aspect ratio: display 16:9
Rate control mode: VBR
DC component precision: 10 bit
Display mode: interlaced
Motion search precision: highest with error correction

Phew!