Question: Can I reder avi file on vegas 5 with chapters and then use it to create dvd on DVDA2? Will there be any loss of quality if so? ie, sound and video?
I'm asking because I hate to render twice in vegas5. 1) avi for backup and 2) for DVD
You'll do better if you render to MPEG 2 from the Vegas timeline, and take the markers from there. Then render your second file for archiving. You'll need to render twice no matter what, and Vegas does a much better job at encoding than does DVD Architect.
You can also batch-render them.
1. Render to AVI to backup to DV tape.
2. Render and encode to MPEG-2 for the video portion of your DVD.
3. Render and encode to AC-3 for the audio portion of your DVD.
If your source is entirely DV AVI (no still pictures, and no extensive titles), you can save some time, without losing any significant quality, by using the AVI file rendered in #1 above as the source for MPEG-2 encoding. Remember that when you create MPEG-2 from the Vegas timeline, you are both rendering (creating the new video from different video on each timeline, modified by various fX) AND encoding (changing from DV AVI to MPEG-2 format). If you have already done the rendering once, you can avoid doing it again by using the DV AVI file as the source in #2 above. However, you can lose quality doing it this way if your project includes something other than DV AVI files because the DV format has a restricted colorspace compared to MPEG-2. Once you render to DV, you lose this extra color. However, if your source is DV, then you are already operating in that lesser colorspace, and therefore nothing will be lost by rendering first to DV AVI.
You have to log in, yes. Click the "Read" button in the upper right of the tutorial description. If you've never logged in to the VASST site, you'll need to create an account. (free)
I don't agree 100% with the comment that Vegas renders "better" than DVDA. They use the EXACT same encoder. You have more settings to play with in Vegas and, if you know what you're doing and need those options, that's fine. However, DVDA by itself yields EXCELLENT results. The only question I ever really had with DVDA is whether it used cbr or vbr when encoding the video. At some bitrates, cbr is preferrable.
You're right. They use the same encoder.
But they have different processes in the way that the media is encoded prior to encoding. Additionally, Vegas does CBR and VBR as opposed to VBR only.
Not to mention that you have total parameter control in Vegas whereas you have none in DVD Architect.
Vegas offers 2 pass encoding, DVDA does not.
There are a few other differences as well. A Porsche and an Audi might share the same engine, but there are significant differences as to how those engines are tuned, no?
Easiest way to test this is just simply encode some motion test media, and compare the three finished vids.
I don't agree 100% with the comment that Vegas renders "better" than DVDA. They use the EXACT same encoder.
The two-pass encoding, found only in Vegas, makes a BIG difference when you are encoding video at low bitrates (which is necessary for encoding projects longer than 1.5 hours).
In addition, here is the advice, direct from Sony several years ago, as to whether you should encode in DVDA or in Vegas:
DVDA Workflow - Sony advice on whether to render in DVDA or Vegas