FCP Workflow to DVD

[Gordon Brookes]

Hey all.

This is my first experience with RED footage and I am running into an issue with exporting the final sequence to DVD.

Here is our workflow:

Sequence is 2048x1024 ProRes 444.
I exported it using quicktime conversion to ProRes 444 as a self contained movie.
I take the self contained ProRes 444 movie into Compressor and export it using DVD Best Quality 90 minutes.

When I view the finished m2v file it looks like crap, its flat and the colors are completely off and its noisy. I have attached a file that shows the m2v file vs the original.

When I look at a commercial DVD there is no noise compared to my m2v export. Is Compressor the issue here? Or I am doing something wrong along the way.

The color issue I altered by changing the color sync to SMPTE-C. When I ran that file through I did not lose the color like I did with the first file, but it was still noisy. Any thoughts how I can match the quality of the professional Hollywood DVD? Should I be adjusting the frame controls is Compressor? The movie is only 3 minutes long.

[Noah Kadner]

Have you color corrected everything for REC709 color and gamma space in Color- that would be a good place to start.

Noah

[Gordon Brookes]

I will check with the person who did the coloring.

But on the subject of quality do we need to use a different m2v encoder then Compressor?

We have a few night shots and we lost a lot of detail in the compression, it comes out very blocky and splotchy when I look at the DVD on TV.

I have Frame control turned on, with all settings on Best.

I tried using a demo copy of BitVice to see how that looked. It did look a little better on the computer I have to see how it looks on my TV at home.

Do you think I will have to spring for something like CinemaCraft Encoder MP to get the desired compression?

http://www.omni-cinemacraft.com/

Thanks for your help, I have generated close to 50 m2v files and it is driving me insane.

[jimhare]

Hi Gordon,

We all wrestle with this to one degree or another. First of all, yes, Compressor is fantastic for the price, but can't really compete with high end encoders.

Your best bet may be to bring a tape master to a professional facility. They have invested hundreds of thousands to get the quality you desire.

At home, I use a high end Sonic Solutions SD-2000 but also use Compressor a lot of the time, mostly for convenience.

[Scott Brown]

Try BitVice - we've used it for several years now and get great results.

Scott

[Noah Kadner]

It's not night and day- if you have properly graded footage Compressor will do a fine job. Personally I've always found Bitvice mucking around with gamma too much. If I *really* wanted top end MPEG-2 encoding, I'd send a ProRes clip off to someplace like LaserPacific and have them run it through a hardware encoder- that's where you really see the difference $100K on an encoder makes.

Noah