DVDA Mpeg 2 vs Vegas Mpeg 2

craftech wrote on 4/8/2006, 8:02 AM

I usually render to Mpeg 2 in Vegas 4 using the DVDA NTSC template for video then the same template for AC3 audio and open them up in DVDA 1 to author. I don't allow DVDA to optimize and recompress, just author.

I use a CBR of 8000 and AC3 at 193 kbps.

Since using Vegas to render the Mpeg2 file has been the recommended procedure around here for years I have never tried importing an avi into DVDA 1 and letting DVDA create the Mpeg2 file.

What exactly is the difference? Aren't they using the same encoder?
Is it the convenience of the marker (chapter) placement on the Vegas timeline?
Or is there a quality difference which is my main question?

John

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 4/8/2006, 8:40 AM

First, there is quite a diff in the quality of the newer revs of Vegas.
Second, Vegas can do a better encode if you are using VBR, but if your projects aren't lengthy, you might benefit from staying CBR. VBR is generally better, but not always.
It's extremely rare that we use DVDA to encode, simply because it has far fewer options. Why are you dumbing down your audio bitrate?
Theyre the same encoder, but the one in Vegas offers more options, and allows you some different preprocessing.
If you want to see exactly what the differences are, download some test charts, render in Vegas using VBR (you'll want to assign motion to the charts) and render them as AVIs as well. Then export the AVI's to DVDA and let it encode.
Finally, in DVDA, you'd want to start with a master file of 4:2:2, vs allowing Vegas' timeline to render straight to MPEG 2, avoiding the 4:1:1 master.

craftech wrote on 4/8/2006, 9:35 AM

Why are you dumbing down your audio bitrate?
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Sometimes space concerns. I incorrectly stated that I always use 192 kbps. I don't "always" do that.
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Finally, in DVDA, you'd want to start with a master file of 4:2:2, vs allowing Vegas' timeline to render straight to MPEG 2, avoiding the 4:1:1 master.
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What are the render settings for that in Vegas 4? I don't see a YUV option or a Sony DV option in the drop down list.

John