VCD problem from FCP to toast at DVinfo.net

Ram Nagarajan · January 31st, 2004, 08:51 AM

Hi all:
I'm having a little issue here generating a preview VCD of a rough cut. I generated a DVD from FCP via a Quicktime export to iDVD, and it came out just fine. iDVD has its limitations, of course, but the image was good, and the 720 x 576 PAL frame in FCP was properly unsquashed to its 768 x 576 size during encoding.
However, when I exported a different project through the 'Export Quicktime' command directly to Toast Titanium VCD - installing Toast gives you the option - I got a VCD, but the image is still the squashed 720 x 576 frame. Everything else on the VCD is fine, even the image quality is better than I expected for the file size. The image dimensions are the only issue.
Am I doing something wrong here? (any options unclicked or something?)
Ideas, anyone?
Cheers,
Ram

Sharon Fraats · February 2nd, 2004, 10:53 PM

For the settings did you choose

Image: Crop, Fill, or Fit?

Mode: Normal, Fast, Better?

Ram Nagarajan · February 3rd, 2004, 04:36 AM

I think I selected 'fit' and 'better'.
Should it have been 'fill'?
Best,
Ram

Sharon Fraats · February 3rd, 2004, 09:43 AM

I would Fill as I have not done it this way however I am remembering this from Studio Pro.

As for the setting Best that would be the right one.

I hope this works if you have problems again I'll try it on my end as to the settings. The only problem I would say it might be that it's PAL and I am not sure of the settings from Toast.

Ram Nagarajan · February 5th, 2004, 11:24 PM

Thanks, Sharon:
I'll try it with 'fill' and 'better', and hope things work out. I don't think the PAL/NTSC issue has anything to do with it, since (like I mentioned) iDVD works with the material faultlessly.
Let me know if you experiment and come up with anything! :-)
Best,
Ram

Sharon Fraats · February 6th, 2004, 12:17 AM

Just read an article as to not having any hidden files on a Toast DVD or VCD the one most mentioned is the file "DS.Store" as it contains the info as to the window that you open. However it affects the DVD or VCD in question.

From website:

http://www.reservoirmedia.com/dst.html

.DS_Store Terminator v1.0

DS_Store Terminator is a shareware for OsX that removes all .DS_Store in a selected folder. After the .DS_Store is removed, drag the folder to Toast™ or anywhere you want. (Remember don't open or move the folder! The .DS_store will be back)

Basically all the .DS_Store does is hold the information which controls the way the folder will be opened i.e. the shape and size of the window, the position of the window on the desktop and whether file, folder or icon view has been selected. If you were to delete the .DS_Store the folder would revert to the system default next time it is opened and a new blank .DS_Store would appear (invisibly).

Ram Nagarajan · February 6th, 2004, 11:55 PM

Sharon:
I get what you're saying; but logic suggests that this is not the solution to what I'm seeing on screen. When I play back the VCD on my DVD player to a normal 29" Panasonic TV, the image is filling the frame edge to edge - ergo, the DS_store file is not affecting the SIZE of the opened window. But WITHIN that window, the image is still squashed.
Still experimenting with various setting combinations. will post if my results improve - just hope I don't run through loads of CD-Rs in the process! :-)
Best,
Ram

Sharon Fraats · February 7th, 2004, 12:31 AM

I will look for the plug-in for you called "Forced Widescreen" as it will force your screen to the size you set.

Can't remember the website yet I will be right back....

January 31st, 2004, 08:51 AM	#1
Ram Nagarajan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New Delhi, India Posts: 107	VCD problem from FCP to toast Hi all: I'm having a little issue here generating a preview VCD of a rough cut. I generated a DVD from FCP via a Quicktime export to iDVD, and it came out just fine. iDVD has its limitations, of course, but the image was good, and the 720 x 576 PAL frame in FCP was properly unsquashed to its 768 x 576 size during encoding. However, when I exported a different project through the 'Export Quicktime' command directly to Toast Titanium VCD - installing Toast gives you the option - I got a VCD, but the image is still the squashed 720 x 576 frame. Everything else on the VCD is fine, even the image quality is better than I expected for the file size. The image dimensions are the only issue. Am I doing something wrong here? (any options unclicked or something?) Ideas, anyone? Cheers, Ram

February 2nd, 2004, 10:53 PM	#2
Sharon Fraats Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: chicago, ill Posts: 190	For the settings did you choose Image: Crop, Fill, or Fit? Mode: Normal, Fast, Better?

February 3rd, 2004, 04:36 AM	#3
Ram Nagarajan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New Delhi, India Posts: 107	I think I selected 'fit' and 'better'. Should it have been 'fill'? Best, Ram

February 3rd, 2004, 09:43 AM	#4
Sharon Fraats Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: chicago, ill Posts: 190	I would Fill as I have not done it this way however I am remembering this from Studio Pro. As for the setting Best that would be the right one. I hope this works if you have problems again I'll try it on my end as to the settings. The only problem I would say it might be that it's PAL and I am not sure of the settings from Toast.

February 5th, 2004, 11:24 PM	#5
Ram Nagarajan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New Delhi, India Posts: 107	Thanks, Sharon: I'll try it with 'fill' and 'better', and hope things work out. I don't think the PAL/NTSC issue has anything to do with it, since (like I mentioned) iDVD works with the material faultlessly. Let me know if you experiment and come up with anything! :-) Best, Ram

February 6th, 2004, 12:17 AM	#6
Sharon Fraats Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: chicago, ill Posts: 190	Just read an article as to not having any hidden files on a Toast DVD or VCD the one most mentioned is the file "DS.Store" as it contains the info as to the window that you open. However it affects the DVD or VCD in question. From website: http://www.reservoirmedia.com/dst.html .DS_Store Terminator v1.0 DS_Store Terminator is a shareware for OsX that removes all .DS_Store in a selected folder. After the .DS_Store is removed, drag the folder to Toast™ or anywhere you want. (Remember don't open or move the folder! The .DS_store will be back) Basically all the .DS_Store does is hold the information which controls the way the folder will be opened i.e. the shape and size of the window, the position of the window on the desktop and whether file, folder or icon view has been selected. If you were to delete the .DS_Store the folder would revert to the system default next time it is opened and a new blank .DS_Store would appear (invisibly).

February 6th, 2004, 11:55 PM	#7
Ram Nagarajan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New Delhi, India Posts: 107	Sharon: I get what you're saying; but logic suggests that this is not the solution to what I'm seeing on screen. When I play back the VCD on my DVD player to a normal 29" Panasonic TV, the image is filling the frame edge to edge - ergo, the DS_store file is not affecting the SIZE of the opened window. But WITHIN that window, the image is still squashed. Still experimenting with various setting combinations. will post if my results improve - just hope I don't run through loads of CD-Rs in the process! :-) Best, Ram

February 7th, 2004, 12:31 AM	#8
Sharon Fraats Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: chicago, ill Posts: 190	I will look for the plug-in for you called "Forced Widescreen" as it will force your screen to the size you set. Can't remember the website yet I will be right back....