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Popcorn Media man
Popcorn Media man
Participant
February 7, 2017
Question

Editing and output settings for DVD

  • February 7, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 1724 views

Hi all. Hope you're all good.

So - new to Premiere Pro, been using elements for a while, but want to upgrade, I think!

I am creating a DVD product from footage that has been shot in AVCHD format (1920x1080 - 50fps) and want to edit it down for DVD. My shooting process means that i use 2 cameras, one that does close-up work and the second is a wide shot (Dance Videos). I need to zoom in on the wide shot to a maximum of 55% (the maximum to be within the DVD 720x480 resolution) but need to be able to see the finalised product whilst editing. I do this so that my wide shot captures EVERYTHING, especially the edges where a tighter shot would occasionally miss something.

So - if that hasn't confused you - I have a few questions that id like some help with please...

I need to know how to set the project to be a DVD size, so when i'm editing I can zoom in on my content.

I need to know what the best render settings for DVD might be.

I need to know what DVD creation software is best for this purpose - with simple menus.

I need to know what the general feeling is on the best format to shoot in, as i suspect I'm not maximising my workflow.

I need also to know the best way to edit my content whilst keeping the video in sync, there is no timecode sync, so i sync in post and then cut what i don't need - there has to be a better way!

My cameras are Canon XA20's, and i also use a Go Pro Hero for some shots.

Thanks in advance for all your feedback.

Andy

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    2 replies

    S
    SAFEHARBOR11
    Participating Frequently
    February 7, 2017

    Hi Andy,

    I also shoot two-camera dance recitals, wide and close. I usually don't do any zooming in post, since I have the close-up shot already, so in that case I edit 1080p in a 1080p sequence.

    However, since you want to zoom the wide shot then you would want to edit in the lower resolution of SD to allow for zooming without quality loss.

    Choose a sequence of PAL DV Widescreen Progressive to edit in. When you place clips on timeline, right-click each and select Set to Frame. This will shrink the HD clips to fit the SD frame, but if you choose to zoom in at all, Premiere will use the extra HD pixels so that you are not blowing-up any pixels (up to 100%, beyond that you would lose quality).

    As for syncing...I try to look for a common event on both cameras. Might be someone walking onto the stage - I will find a frame when their foot hits a step, or when their hand comes up to brush their hair. Something that I can easily identify happening on both camera clips. A photographer's flash going off. The curtain just starts to part, letting light peek through. Anything like that.

    One you have it close, zoom way in close on timeline and compare audio waveforms. Try to line those up exactly. Once you can play footage and not hear any echo between cameras, then you have them synced. Sincerely hoping you did not stop recording between acts or you will have a lot of syncing to do! I record for 2.5 hours straight, so sync once at start of edit and then good for the duration.

    I don't use the multicam function - rather, I just put the wide camera on V1 and close on V2. I can quickly scrub through the V2 clip and the parts I don't want, I cut away and that reveals the wide "go to" shot beneath.

    As for zooming with Motion effect - if I want to blow-up a certain scene, I put Razor cuts at start and end of that portion, then that segment is treated as an independent clip, otherwise you are dealing with keyframes and that would be a nightmare.

    Once editing is complete, export as MPEG-2 DVD format, using appropriate preset like PAL Widescreen Progressive. You will need to adjust the bit rate for the export so that entire movie will fit the DVD. Use 560/minutes = bit rate, or use a bit rate calculator such as DVD-HQ : Bitrate & GOP calculator

    I would actually do both to make sure the results are similar - if you make one data entry mistake in the many input boxes on a calculator, messes up the whole works.

    For DVD authoring, use Adobe Encore CS6. Assuming you are using Premiere Pro CC, you can download Premiere CS6 and that includes Encore CS6. How to download and install Adobe Encore CS6

    Just keep in mind that if you edit HD video in an SD sequence, you cannot then export as HD (well, you can, but result will be poor SD quality). That's why I edit HD source as HD, then I have the options to export as HD or SD (DVD).

    Thanks

    Jeff

    C
    cvid01
    Inspiring
    February 7, 2017

    Edit your video normally using default sequences for your particular video, which in this case would be 1920x1080. After all editing is done, and you want to export it to DVD, export using the MPEG2-DVD setting. If you want to export to Blu-ray use the H264-Bluray setting.

    You need DVD authoring software and Encore is still available. See: How to download and install Adobe Encore CS6

    I know I haven't gone into much detail, but you have a start.

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