DVD files VOB from quicktime and back

[Chris Westerstrom]

Hello there!

I just made a 24 minute movie in HDV that I exported making 'quicktime movie'
The File was 4.78 gbs and I burned off a dvd using iDVD.

There is another film that is to be put onto a dvd along with this one in another town, so I am wondering how to get it up there and what is the best way.

So far I opened the DVD with Mpeg Streamclip and 'saved as' on my desktop. I got a 1.35 VOB file that had my movie on it. I sent this to them but they can't seem to get their DVD program to recognize the file.

Now they are asking me for a quicktime file.
Well 4.87 is slightly too big for a DVD and will take too long to upload for me.

But I really want my video to be in max quality...in fact it's really important.

So how to I make a quicktime movie for them from here?

Do I go back to final cut and render out a quicktime movie using conversion?

Should I open the VOB file in MPEG streamclip and just make that a QT movie ?(if so, where should the slider settings on quality be? will 100% make the file bigger than the original VOB?)

Any help will be greatly appreciated as this is starting to get critical.

THanks!!!

[Jonathan Jones]

Hi Chris,
Probably not what you want to hear, but since they are asking for a Quicktime Movie, I think that is automatically where we want to start from.

Since you are seeking maximum quality, I think any use of your VOB file or iDVD created content is out of the question.

Even if you use the VOB file to generate a new Quicktime Movie file that conforms to the full size video file you sourced from, you'll end up with a new 4.78 GB file, but it will have already been compressed down to DVD format, and then re-expanded from that compressed version - thereby introducing a decrease in quality.

So go back to the start and send them the original 4.78 GB Quicktime Movie file you originally created your iDVD project from.

No, it won't fit on a standard single-layer data disc, so there are a few other options to consider.

How far away do you have to send it?

Do you have the ability to upload it to a file-sharing service and sending them a download link? (a frustrating proposition considering how long it will take for you to upload and them to download.)

If it was me, I would put the file onto a flash drive or portable hard drive and either transport it myself to the recipients, or have it shipped via overnight express to them.

Considering how long it may take to upload and download it through a file sharing service, it might just be faster to ship it overnight.

-Jon