Need Some Advice (MPG Render) at DVinfo.net

Jerry Neal · April 14th, 2008, 02:57 PM

A client just provided me footage that was stored on his laptop. This was originally shot on a consumer-grade camcorder that saves its footage to a hard drive.

The files on the lap top have the ".MPG" extention. When I right click and select properties, the type of file says "Movie Clip."

I need to take this footage, edit it and then burn to DVD. Will rendering this to MPEG 2 further degrade the quality? What workflow will allow me to output this to DVD with the least amount of quality loss?

When I play the raw files in Windows Media Player they look fairly decent. However, they look a bit worse when I drag them to my Vegas timeline. Even with preview on best, the look much more grainy.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Jeff Harper · April 16th, 2008, 03:21 PM

I would think to do a two-pass render at 32 bit if possible. There isn't much you can do otherwise, unless someone else has an idea. You must render to mpeg 2 for DVD, so I just can't imagine any other options.

Jerry Neal · April 17th, 2008, 10:44 AM

What number should I type in to the bitrate window? The total length of this project is only going to be about 15 minutes.

Jeff Harper · April 17th, 2008, 10:55 AM

I would simply render to Mpeg2 DVD Archtitect Template then two pass, I wouldn't bother with changing the bit rate. The 32 bit setting won't really make much diff, but it won't hurt anything. You know that 32 bit setting is in the properties menu (drop down from the File menu) right?

I am NOT an expert, those are just the highest quality settings I know. I also know that raising bit rate can make DVD incompatible with some players or just generally difficult to read, without much if any benefit.

There is also the "best" setting, but I don't think that is beneficial unless you're using stills.

Good luck!

Jerry Neal · April 17th, 2008, 07:25 PM

Thanks Jeff, I appreciate the info.

April 14th, 2008, 02:57 PM	#1
Jerry Neal Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 121	Need Some Advice (MPG Render) A client just provided me footage that was stored on his laptop. This was originally shot on a consumer-grade camcorder that saves its footage to a hard drive. The files on the lap top have the ".MPG" extention. When I right click and select properties, the type of file says "Movie Clip." I need to take this footage, edit it and then burn to DVD. Will rendering this to MPEG 2 further degrade the quality? What workflow will allow me to output this to DVD with the least amount of quality loss? When I play the raw files in Windows Media Player they look fairly decent. However, they look a bit worse when I drag them to my Vegas timeline. Even with preview on best, the look much more grainy. Thanks in advance for your replies.

April 17th, 2008, 10:55 AM	#4
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	I would simply render to Mpeg2 DVD Archtitect Template then two pass, I wouldn't bother with changing the bit rate. The 32 bit setting won't really make much diff, but it won't hurt anything. You know that 32 bit setting is in the properties menu (drop down from the File menu) right? I am NOT an expert, those are just the highest quality settings I know. I also know that raising bit rate can make DVD incompatible with some players or just generally difficult to read, without much if any benefit. There is also the "best" setting, but I don't think that is beneficial unless you're using stills. Good luck! Last edited by Jeff Harper; April 17th, 2008 at 08:41 PM.

April 16th, 2008, 03:21 PM	#2
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	I would think to do a two-pass render at 32 bit if possible. There isn't much you can do otherwise, unless someone else has an idea. You must render to mpeg 2 for DVD, so I just can't imagine any other options.

April 17th, 2008, 10:44 AM	#3
Jerry Neal Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 121	What number should I type in to the bitrate window? The total length of this project is only going to be about 15 minutes.

April 17th, 2008, 07:25 PM	#5
Jerry Neal Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 121	Thanks Jeff, I appreciate the info.