Making a DVD in IDVD with a project from FCPx

Question

Level 1

8 points

Making a DVD in IDVD with a project from FCPx

I've tried a number of things but have not been successful.

The first time I hit the "Share" button, I selected the "Export File" option. At the next dialog box just took all the default settings. The result was a very large SD file that didn't look too good in IDVD. It wasn't as sharp as it should be and appeared to be "jittering" during fast movements. I've tried different settings in the dialog box, "Settings" page, but with no success. The options are not explained in the on-line manual, or I haven't been able to find the explanation. I've tried setting the "Format" option to computer, "Codex" to H.264 Better Quality, Resolution to 640x480, but the background task that the computer performs doesn't seem to get above 9% (I let it render all night). I have about 96g on the hard drive. The flie size is only 1.8g. I've also tried re-booting the computer and FCPx.

Does anyone have suggestions? Is there a place where I can get an explanation of all of the option in the "Sharing/Settings" dialog box (Codex, Format, etc)?

Final Cut Pro X, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Feb 12, 2013 5:43 AM

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Answer 1

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Feb 12, 2013 6:08 AM in response to Navcat48

Share>Master File. If you created optimized media, seclect Pro Res 422 for your codec. If you didn't optiimize, export the same format as the clips.

Don't change the frame size.

Where did your clips come from? Did you shoot them? If so, what camera and with what settings?

Russ

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Answer 2

Navcat48 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 12, 2013 7:05 AM in response to Russ H

I'm not sure what you mean by "didn't optimize."

The clips came from a Sony DSR 250, via firewire. I had recorded a TV show into the DSR 250 (via composite-yellow/redwhite cable) onto DVCAM tape, then into FCPx and was using the video to practice editing.

I later realized that I may have used the wrong codec (on the first try), but when changed it, to get a 640x480, H264, FCPx doesn't seem to "render"(I'm not sure render is the correct term for FCPx) the file.

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Answer 3

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Feb 12, 2013 7:17 AM in response to Navcat48

Your camera shoots SD, DV 480i. No need to use optimized media. It should edit perfectly well as a DV project.

There is nothing to be gained by transcoding to h.264 unless you're delivering for the Web. And then you would let FCP reformat it automatically during export.

Your DVD may not look so hot because of the extra compression step to h.264. Or because you may be viewing it on your computer display and seeing interlaced artifacts.

Try a short clip in as a test in a DV project.

Russ

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Answer 4

Feb 12, 2013 8:27 AM in response to Navcat48

In addition to the comments made by Russ, I would suggest you get one or more DVD±RW discs if you haven't got them already.

Then you can make test projects under a couple of minutes long, which will encode and burn to DVD in less than ten minutes.

As you are using rewritable DVDs these tests will not waste any discs.

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Answer 5

Navcat48 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 12, 2013 9:43 AM in response to Russ H

The DV option produces a much better video, without artifacts.

Now, if I shoot in HD (1080i, I have a Sony NX5U) and want to produce a Standard DV using IDVD, do I use the DV codec when I want to output the project? I've tried the "Shared", DVD option and it works fine, but I do not like the inability to do anything with the menu. IDVD gives me the flexibility that I need. I also have Toast11Pro, but the authoring capabilities with it aren't as good as IDVD. I guess there isn't a product, which is similar to IDVD, but works with BluRay.

Also, I noticed that the chapter marker's text information does not transfer over to IDVD. The .mov files seems to have the information when I check it with Quicktime. Is this an incompatibility with IDVD or do I have some setting wrong?

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Answer 6

Navcat48 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 12, 2013 9:49 AM in response to Russ H

I seemed to have hit the wrong "This solved my Question" button. I meant to hit yours and now I do not see a way to retract it.

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Answer 7

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,089 points

Feb 12, 2013 9:49 AM in response to Navcat48

You output the master file. It doesn't have to be DV. Make sure chapters are checked on in the export module. Make sure chapters are turned on in the iDVD preferences. I did it yesterday and it worked.

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Answer 8

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Feb 12, 2013 9:52 AM in response to Navcat48

Just bring the DV file into iDVD. It should work nicely with that format.

I don't know the answer to your chapter question. When I tested this from Compressor several versions ago I recall it working. If someone else doesn't respond I'l do a quick test from FCP.

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Answer 9

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Feb 12, 2013 9:55 AM in response to Navcat48

No problem. I've received check marks in the past when they rightly should have gone to someone else.🙂

Russ

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Answer 10

Navcat48 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 12, 2013 10:27 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

I'm not sure that I understand your answer.

I thought that I needed to use the DV codec in order to be compatable with IDVD.

Are you saying that if I have a project with HD video, I do not need to use the DV codec in order to be compatable with IDVD?

My previous statement had said that the chapter text information did not transfer. The chapters do appear in IDVD, but not the text information. Also, the .mov file (made with FCPx) that I used in IDVD, does have the text information when I check it with Quicktime. So, I know that the .mov file has the text info, but when I bring it into IDVD, and look at the authored IDVD program, it is not there.

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Answer 11

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Feb 12, 2013 10:37 AM in response to Navcat48

Navcat48 wrote:

I thought that I needed to use the DV codec in order to be compatable with IDVD.

Are you saying that if I have a project with HD video, I do not need to use the DV codec in order to be compatable with IDVD?

Tom Wolsky said you don't need to use DV and (of course) he's right.

In my original reply I said use DV since that's what you shot.

If you had shot some HD format and had "optimized" the clips to Pro Res, iDVD would be happy with that too. And so forth.

I also said I didn't know the answer to your chapter marker question (which I do understand). And I can't test until later.

Russ

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Answer 12

Navcat48 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 12, 2013 11:06 AM in response to Russ H

Sorry Russ, I thought my reply was going to Tom. I understood your answer. I didn't completely understand Tom answer. I thought that he didn't understand my question.

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Answer 13

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Feb 12, 2013 11:15 AM in response to Navcat48

You're right…you did respond to Tom and I failed to notice that.

Russ

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Answer 14

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,089 points

Feb 12, 2013 11:46 AM in response to Navcat48

The codec does not have to be DV if you're exporting HD media. iDVD will make the disc standard definition. I don't why the chapter names aren't showing up.

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Answer 15

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Feb 12, 2013 2:38 PM in response to Navcat48

Just tested your chapter info to iDVD issue…and it did not work for me either. To be specific, iDVD recognizes the chapter markers created in FCP but while thumbnails also made it into the scene selection, the text was not displayed.

I then created chapters with markers and images with Compressor…and got identical results as the FCP test.

However, as you pointed out, the text is recognized by QT X.

Unless someone post results to the contrary, I would say it's a compatibility limitation between iDVD and the new generation software.

Russ

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