DVD Quality on Plasma TV

Question

Level 1

6 points

DVD Quality on Plasma TV

Hi All,

I have filmed and edited a 1080p video in FCPX and now trying to supply a DVD to my client. I have tried a wide variety of settings but the DVD looks plain old awful on a 32" plasma tv or laptop. It looks great on a 32" CRT TV.

The client has complained now 5 times and I have no idea what else to do. Can anybody recommend any settings which they feel are safe?

The movie is 1Hour 30mins so I have created H264 File and am using that in compressor to encode. The footage is 25fps progressive (filmed on a 5dmk3) and filmed at 1920x1080. I am using apple compressor to encode the movie.

I tried to use the following method http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwGN7_wcrqg but was presented with a quicktime error -0 20 mins into the encoding. I would really love some help here guys as the Blu-Ray looks fine, I just cant get it looking nice on a small TV which is just so frustrating

Thanks

Posted on Jan 30, 2013 1:51 PM

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Answer 1

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Jan 30, 2013 2:42 PM in response to Tman123

Are you talking about DVD or Blu Ray?

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Answer 2

Tman123 Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 30, 2013 2:47 PM in response to Russ H

DVD. I have given my client a Blu-Ray which looks perfect. I am now trying to encode the movie for them to watch on a DVD player but the quality is really bad almost unwatchable. I have used compressor 2 pass VBR with frame controls off and the file which was produced was virtually unwatchable.

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Answer 3

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Jan 30, 2013 3:22 PM in response to Tman123

Downscaling from 1080 to 480 can produce artifacts in MPEG compression, but it shouldn't look awful by any means.

I have had consistently very good results feeding Compressor HD files for DVD encodes. I use a Pro Res 422 master as my source file. I do turn on frame controls and set the re-size filter to Best.

My encoding settings are typically 7.0 Mbps CBR for 60 minutes. Because yours is longer, you'll have to set it at about 5.2 Mbps…or use dual layer media for a hogher bit rate.

With material shot on the Mark iii, I would expect good things from that workflow.

Hope that's helpful. Try encoding some short sections and test.

Good luck.

Russ

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Answer 4

Jan 30, 2013 4:30 PM in response to Tman123

You may also want to try and use dual layer DVDs, though I have had issues using those on my internal Superdrive. If you have an external BR burner, it should be better. The extra space will allow for a higher bitrate if you have a long movie. Can you provide your target settings Summary screen info? There might be something obvious there that someone here might notice.

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Answer 5

Tman123 Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 31, 2013 7:13 AM in response to Mark Garrett

Hi,

I am actually using a Dual Layer DVD for the long form movie and also using an LG External burner.

I have two videos the first is 15minutes and the second, 1hour 10mins.
Both on separate DVDS and both look pixelated

Workflow

Export the movie from FCPX using Share and select Pro Res 422 creating a High Res Movie.

Import the movie into compressor and use the following settings

Video Format

Format = PAL

Frame Rate = 25

Aspect Ratio = 16x9

Field Dominance = Progressive

Quality

One Pass CBR - 7.8Mpbs

Motion Estimation - Best

Gop

Gop Structure = IP

Gop Size = 6

Frame Controls = Off

The Output leaves the video looking extremely blocky with no smooth lines, almost like http://www.softize.net/wp-content/up...e_vreveal1.jpg

Watching the videos back on my own 21" monitor I would have to agree. When I play any Hollywood DVD the quality is amazing.

I understand they use the best encoders in the world but surely with the source footage I have I should be getting a better quality video.

I was looking at CinemaCraft only to read - IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT : WE have discontinued sale of all CINEMA CRAFT products, which promptly put that idea to bed.

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Answer 6

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Jan 31, 2013 7:25 AM in response to Tman123

Tman123 wrote:

Hi,

Gop

Gop Structure = IP

Gop Size = 6

Frame Controls = Off

Did you change the GOP settings, or did it default to those?

The only reason for NOT using Frame Controls is to save time.

Down-scaling from HD to SD (especially from 1080) is where things usually go awry.

So I'll repeat my advice: turn on Frame Controls and set the Resize Filter to Best.

Try a short section as a test.

Russ

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Answer 7

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Jan 31, 2013 7:53 AM in response to Tman123

Also, it would be helpful if you could post a screen shot of the Summary Pane in the Inspector of your MPEG2 target. You'll probabluy have to take two screen shots.

Russ

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