Comments

BillyBoy wrote on 11/22/2003, 9:33 AM
Unfortunately DVD-A is bunded with Vegas so you can't buy DVD-A alone in spite of the fact DVD-A and Vegas are two seperate applications. So while there is a single version of Vegas, there is no single version of DVD Architect, you need to buy the Vegas/DVD Architect verson or upgrade to it.

Vegas makes compliant MPEG-2 files suitable for putting on a DVD. Therefore you can use ANY DVD Authoring program. A DVD Authoring program is what adds bells and whistles to the DVD menu on top of making the necessary image and overhead files.

You can use other applications to process the MPEG-2 files Vegas makes. Like Nero or Ulead's DVD Movie Factory.
MarcLAw wrote on 11/22/2003, 9:47 AM
Thanks alot for your help.

So to simplify things (for me!) I should just edit my project in Vegas, then what is the process - render it as a MPEG-2 file, then use Nero or Ulead to put it on to a DVD?

Thanks again Billy ...

Marc
BillyBoy wrote on 11/22/2003, 10:11 AM
That will work. Use the DV NTSC template (or PAL if you're in Pal land) and render as a MPEG-2.

Any DVD Authoring applicaion should be able to open it and finish for you. The one issue is if or not there will be a quality issue IF the applcation recompresses the video stream or not. Personally I think some make too big an issue of it. If you start with good quality digital source and use the included encoders and don't mess with the bitrate settings you shouldn't notice any quality loss unless you're one of those guys that sits six inches from the TV screen and "sees" things.


MarcLAw wrote on 11/22/2003, 10:19 AM
cool, thanks for all your help here - i really appreciate it.

I'm just shooting/editing a simple 15 minute film for company xmas party, shot on a prosumer DV camera. I noticed that I don't have the option to render as mpeg-2 in my vegas set-up. Am i ok just using mpeg-1 and copying it to DVD and showing it on my laptop with projector and good speakers? I'm assuming that mpeg-1 is probably fine for this?

Thanks again, billy.
BillyBoy wrote on 11/22/2003, 1:04 PM
Try a search in the Vegas forum for projector. I've seen several threads on what people have done. I haven't really followed that much so can't give specifics. I would guess if you're going to project on a screen on just a blank wall you may want to compensate a little by dropping down the brightness and increasing the contrast a little.

If you're starting with a MPEG-1, which is rather low bitrate its going to look rather soft. If the typical Xmas party I doubt anyone with notice.
wobblyboy wrote on 11/22/2003, 3:38 PM
Look at upgrade from Vegas to Vegas+DVD. Upgrade is $299 on Sony Website.
PeterWright wrote on 11/22/2003, 3:52 PM
MPEG1 will reduce quality.

If it's just to show a 15 min clip, why don't you put the DV avi back to a camera tape and project it with the camera?
MarcLAw wrote on 11/23/2003, 9:27 AM
Good idea - Can you connect a DV camera to a digital projector? Also, where can I get/buy a mpeg-2 plug-in? Is it worth it?

Thankg again for all your help.
PeterWright wrote on 11/23/2003, 7:27 PM
Most projectors have analogue in - s-video is best.

Vegas does include an excellent MPEG2 encoder - it has to be registered with Main Concept before first use, that's all.
pb wrote on 11/24/2003, 4:32 AM
even a schlocky program like MyDVD can make a decent disk with a Main COncept file. Never tried it myself but did see a disk made that way. Guy has Premiere 6.5 which apparently comes with main concept and he's used MyDVD for some time.
MarcLAw wrote on 11/27/2003, 11:04 AM
PB - Can I use MyDVD to convert my Vegas Video project to mpeg2? Or should I render the whole thing to AVI and then use myDVD to make a DVD from that