Questions on a variation of the instant event DVD service at DVinfo.net

Reg Gothard · May 18th, 2012, 06:44 PM

Can anyone help me with recommendations for the following?

I have an opportunity to shoot a live sport event in July. The deal is that I shoot a number of competitors from their announcement to their exit. Each competitor is a separate clip.
The event is approximately 2 hours long.
I would then have around two hours to produce three copies of a DVD that the host venue can play on their TV systems.
I shoot on EX1s. I'd use a single camera for this gig.
I've never tried offering an "instant DVD" service before - all my gigs involve editing back at base.
I edit using Vegas 9, and usually author DVDs using DVD Architect 5. I have a 10 way duplicator (which is overkill, but it'd do the extra 2 copies...)
I'm pretty sure that 2 hrs isn't long enough to render to MPG2 in Vegas, then prepare and burn in DVD Architect.
From my very limited knowledge of instant DVD recorders, they require a continuous data flow - the stop-start nature of this event doesn't lend itself to burning direct from camera to DVD. (Is this correct?)
Is there an alternative workflow that would get the EX1's MP4 files into DVD-ready format in the time available? What other equipment would I need? Have I forgotten to ask any questions?

Any and all suggestions welcomed.

Eric Olson · May 19th, 2012, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reg Gothard

Any and all suggestions welcomed.

If you record in DVCAM mode how fast does Vegas render on your computer?

Dave Sperling · May 26th, 2012, 12:40 PM

I have a standalone home vhs / DvD recorder that will allow me to play back directly from the camera into it's video input and hit record. One of my clients likes to walk away with a reference DvD, so I do this for him. It treats all the clips played back from the camera as a single video event (records straight through). This is a real-time process, so to make three copies this way might take a while.
Another way to approach it might be to shoot multiple cards, and have someone doing the rendering for it clip by clip. Thus by staying ahead of things you could get it done quickly. DvD Architect has a 're-use renders' function that allows you to prepare parts of a dvd in advance, and it won't have to re-render them if they don't change. The actual burn cycle from dvd architect is very quick, so once the master files are created the multiple disk burns go surprisingly quickly.
If you're using Vegas / Architect, make sure your computer is nice and fast. (My desktop Alienware is about 6x faster rendering than my notebook).
You might also look at an external record option like a NanoFlash to record files to a format that will essentially not need to be re-rendered for the dvd -- I've heard this is possible but haven't tried this one myself.
One key question is the finished length of your DvD. if it's going to be 30-45 minutes it sounds do-able. If you're trying to create a 2 hour program I'd think you'd be stretched.
Whatever you do, definitely try doing some testing first...

May 18th, 2012, 06:44 PM	#1
Reg Gothard Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Okotoks, Alberta, Canada Posts: 50	Questions on a variation of the instant event DVD service Can anyone help me with recommendations for the following? I have an opportunity to shoot a live sport event in July. The deal is that I shoot a number of competitors from their announcement to their exit. Each competitor is a separate clip. The event is approximately 2 hours long. I would then have around two hours to produce three copies of a DVD that the host venue can play on their TV systems. I shoot on EX1s. I'd use a single camera for this gig. I've never tried offering an "instant DVD" service before - all my gigs involve editing back at base. I edit using Vegas 9, and usually author DVDs using DVD Architect 5. I have a 10 way duplicator (which is overkill, but it'd do the extra 2 copies...) I'm pretty sure that 2 hrs isn't long enough to render to MPG2 in Vegas, then prepare and burn in DVD Architect. From my very limited knowledge of instant DVD recorders, they require a continuous data flow - the stop-start nature of this event doesn't lend itself to burning direct from camera to DVD. (Is this correct?) Is there an alternative workflow that would get the EX1's MP4 files into DVD-ready format in the time available? What other equipment would I need? Have I forgotten to ask any questions? Any and all suggestions welcomed.

May 26th, 2012, 12:40 PM	#3
Dave Sperling Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tinton Falls, NJ Posts: 780	Re: Questions on a variation of the instant event DVD service I have a standalone home vhs / DvD recorder that will allow me to play back directly from the camera into it's video input and hit record. One of my clients likes to walk away with a reference DvD, so I do this for him. It treats all the clips played back from the camera as a single video event (records straight through). This is a real-time process, so to make three copies this way might take a while. Another way to approach it might be to shoot multiple cards, and have someone doing the rendering for it clip by clip. Thus by staying ahead of things you could get it done quickly. DvD Architect has a 're-use renders' function that allows you to prepare parts of a dvd in advance, and it won't have to re-render them if they don't change. The actual burn cycle from dvd architect is very quick, so once the master files are created the multiple disk burns go surprisingly quickly. If you're using Vegas / Architect, make sure your computer is nice and fast. (My desktop Alienware is about 6x faster rendering than my notebook). You might also look at an external record option like a NanoFlash to record files to a format that will essentially not need to be re-rendered for the dvd -- I've heard this is possible but haven't tried this one myself. One key question is the finished length of your DvD. if it's going to be 30-45 minutes it sounds do-able. If you're trying to create a 2 hour program I'd think you'd be stretched. Whatever you do, definitely try doing some testing first...