Cant use MPEG-2 in IDVD?! What to do?

[homer20001]

I've been struggling with idvd in that I've got a project that runs about 90min. The quicktime file was too large for the dvd so I compressed it using compressor to an MPEG-2 using the "90 min - high quality DVD" setting in the drop down menue. Now it seems idvd will not accept the compressed version. How do I get these longer projects on disk via idvd??? Thank's to anyone and everyone who might be able to shed some much needed light.

 

[road dog]

you can't... unless you are willing to give apple another $20 for the mpeg2 decoder piece for quicktime... idvd doesn't like mpeg2.

toast 7 would accept this just fine.

 

[homer20001]

Is MPEG-2 the best way to go?

Thankls for your help. I'm a little new to the DVD authoring thing. Is MPEG-2 the best way to go as far as preserving video/audio quality? There are so many choices on those drop-downs. I'm wondering what combination most people use to vield the best possible results? Thanks again for your help.

 

[Counterfit]

video DVDs ALWAYS use MPEG-2, so you don't have a choice. Try to find a good compression setup, and find the balance between space (running time) vs. quality.

 

[homer20001]

Is there a standard?

Thanks for that. I was wondering if there's some kind of general standard people follow depending on the length of the piece. Like a 60min piece would call for certain compression settings vs. a 90min, 120min etc. I suppose this question assumes I'm using a standard single layer DVD also. Thanks again.

 

[balamw]

I suspect this will change in iLife '06. There are many devices e.g. DVD camcorders and DVD recorders that natively produce MPEG-2. Adobe Premiere Elements 2.0 just added support for DVD camcorders and MPEG-4 recorders...

Use the new Media Downloader to import video, audio, and still images from virtually any device, including DV and DVD camcorders, unprotected DVDs, digital still cameras, MPEG-4 video recorders, and cell phones.

B

 

[homer20001]

Thanks a bunch Apple

Wow, so the deal is there's really no way to work with projects of any length on idvd?! I just spent over $2500 on my G5 box. If I do get this $20 fix for quicktime, should that solve these issues and enable me to produce high quality DVD's using idvd? Is it downloadable from the Apple website?

 

[jaw04005]

iDVD is a consumer DVD authoring application, and not designed to create full-scale projects. Most consumer videos are short (usually under 30 minutes) of a child's birthday, holidays, etc. You need a full-scale authoring application such as DVD Studio if you intend to work with large projects. If you can't afford DVD Studio, you may be satisfied with Toast 7. It will handle MPEG 2 along with DIVX and other formats. The MPEG 2 plug-in from Apple is playback ONLY. You can't compress or edit movies in QT with the MPEG 2 plug-in. I would purchase Toast, it's around $50.00 after rebate.

 

[kgarner]

Actually iDVD is designed to work with DV formatted video. It allows you to imprt the raw DV footage from iMovie and create your DVD regardless of the size of the file itself. Then when you click burn iDVD will compress it down to MPEG2. All you need to worry about in iDVD is the runtime of the video and the size of other things you want to include. Don't convert the video yourself, let iDVD do it for you.

Edit: you can create DVDs that are 2hrs long if you don't mind lower qulaity or 60 mins if you want the higher quality. If you have a Dual-Layer burner you can get 2hrs at high quality.

 

[balamw]

Actually iDVD is designed to work with DV formatted video.

Yup, and that's what makes it not a typical DVD authoring application. Most of those already want the video in MPEG-2, and just allow you to add titles, menus chapter points, ... Or they provide import filters that will allow you to import video in various codecs and bitrates.

In general, when working with video, you need to try to be unconstrained by HD size, and keep the files uncompressed until the absolute last minute. i.e. buy an inexpensive extenal hard drive if you don't have enough space on your internal drive.

BTW. This app claims to fill the gap in going back from MPEG-2/DVD to iMovie compatible DV. It is $25 for home use, but seems more flexible than the QT plugin. http://www.dvdxdv.com/DVDxDV.overview.htm

B

 

[homer20001]

Looks like I'm trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. I'll definitely look into DVD Studio Pro. Thanks to all of you for responding.
You guys have a great community here. Well worth the donation and then some.

 

[indiekiduk]

no luck! dvd studio pro 4 can't import mpeg 2 movies either. You need to demux (extract the video) to m2v using streamclip, then you can import that file as an asset. Import the audio seperately as well.

Since studio pro doesnt have any menu templates I dont think its worth using it to make simple dvds of existing mpeg 2 files. The menus in Toast are a bit rubbish aswell.