Converting/Editing DVD in FCP7

Question

Converting/Editing DVD in FCP7

I'm editing an actor's reel and I have a bunch of DVDs he gave me. I'm using Aiseesoft DVD ripper for mac to convert the dvd files into .mov files, but I'm not sure if I should convert them to HD video or SD video. I did a test and for some reason it looks like the HD video is a little bit better than the SD video, even though I'm ripping from a regular DVD. Is there really a difference in quality?

And when I imported both the SD and HD clips I made into FCP7 and exported them, the SD video has black bars on the sides, while the HD video only has them on the top and bottom. I'd like to know what's the best way to convert DVD files and what sequence settings I should use in FCP 7. Do I convert the DVD to SD or HD? And what sequence settings should I use in FCP? Thanks!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jul 24, 2012 10:14 PM

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Answer 1

Shane Ross

Level 8

43,110 points

Jul 24, 2012 11:38 PM in response to bobbydigital80

The DVDs are SD. Ripping them to HD is pointless.

Use MPEG STREAMCLIP (free) to convert them to DV/NTSC or better yet, DV50 or ProRes NTSC. Then use the same settings in FCP.

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Answer 2

Jul 25, 2012 12:11 AM in response to Shane Ross

Thanks, but when I try to open a DVD in mpeg streamclip, it won't open it because it's encrypted (I think). It just takes forever to load, and when it does, it just shows a black screen with choppy audio playing. Is there any way around this? Thanks.

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Answer 3

Shane Ross

Level 8

43,110 points

Jul 25, 2012 1:40 AM in response to bobbydigital80

You need to also install VLC to decode. If that doesn't work...Hadbrake to rip to H.264, then convert to ProRes. That's far from ideal, as you are compressing compressed footage twice more. Direct from DVD would be better.

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Answer 4

Jul 25, 2012 1:50 AM in response to Shane Ross

VLC or Handbreak can not transcode encrypted DVDs...

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Answer 5

Jul 25, 2012 2:21 AM in response to Shane Ross

Why rip to h.264 then convert to prores? Why not just edit in h264?

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Answer 6

Jul 25, 2012 2:45 AM in response to bobbydigital80

H.264 isn't an editing format. You'll have problems using it FCP 7. ProRes LT is your best bet to use in FCP for editing.

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Answer 7

Jul 25, 2012 2:51 AM in response to David M Brewer

Thanks. When I edit the dvd footage in a 640x540 timeline, the export creates black bars on the side of the screen. This doesn't happen when I edit it in an HD timeline (1920X1080). It looks fine with those settings. That's why I asked about converting the dvd to HD. Do you think that's a good idea? Or should I just convert the dvd into a regular SD .mov file and edit in a 640x540 timeline and zoom in so there's no black bars on the sides?

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Answer 8

Dec 26, 2012 12:46 AM in response to bobbydigital80

If the DVD is not ecyrpted (it should't be since you made it) then you need to download iMedia Converter Deluxe.

1. Run it and open up the video TS folder one the DVD and load the .vob file that has the clip that you want into iMedia Converter. (You might have to repeat this step a few times to find the correct .vob file to get the section of the DVD that you want).

2. Once the correct .vob file is loaded you will be able to preview all content, so you then scrub through the content and set the in and out points for the section of video you want to extract.

3 From the menu select export and export it in whatever format which FCP you want.

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