[Rob661]

To iDVD users:

Is DVD video quality created using iDVD as good as commercial DVD or almost as good as the video you can see on your Mac with iMovie?
I assume it depends on many factors such as orginal video quality, etc, but I'd like to know if the end quality is the same as the original DV file and won't get degraded as it does in case of VCD/SVCD.

I tried to create some VCD or SVCDdisk (on PC), but gave up on these because it looks like a lot waste of time and energy and worthwhile to do it bacause the end result video quality was not so good(low resolution and pixlated and jaggy particularly in motion).

So, I'm wondering creating DVD disks using iDVD makes a lot more sense even the media cost is way high, but if you take into account of all the hassles, time and energy you have to put to create VCD/SVCD with still low quality result.

Your comments are appreciated!

[FD]

iDVD will create a DVD that looks a lot better than a VCD using the same source material. Even high bitrate MPEG-1(VCD) doesn't look as good as low to moderate bitrate MPEG-2(which is what iDVD encodes) not to mention better sound. As far as looking as good as a commercial DVD(I assume you mean movies and such) home video shot on DV won't look as good as 35mm film, but I think you would be happy iDVD and it is incredibly easy to use.

[HalfMoth42]

Say, FD, could you take a look at the "MPEG-2" topic that's near this one on the board? (The most recent post on it was today -- from me.) You may be able to help answer a question of mine... Thanx!

--brian f.

[Rob661]

Originally posted by FD:
<STRONG>iDVD will create a DVD that looks a lot better than a VCD using the same source material. Even high bitrate MPEG-1(VCD) doesn't look as good as low to moderate bitrate MPEG-2(which is what iDVD encodes) not to mention better sound. As far as looking as good as a commercial DVD(I assume you mean movies and such) home video shot on DV won't look as good as 35mm film, but I think you would be happy iDVD and it is incredibly easy to use.</STRONG>

Thanks for your comment, FD.

I think, now I would be much more confortable to give myself a go ahead to buy DP800 with SuperDrive in some time near future.

[SirCastor]

Originally posted by FD:
<STRONG> home video shot on DV won't look as good as 35mm film,</STRONG>

I think you mean 16mm. 35mm is used for shooting stills with consumer cameras. (On rare occasions you'll find studios shoot in 70mm. That's rare though.)

[FD]

No, SirCastor, I do mean 35mm film. I was making the comparison of source material to illustrate the difference between shooting home video on DV converted to MPEG-2 and a movie that was shot on 35mm film converted t MPEG-2.

[opallaser]

The MPEG encoder that ships with iDVD is a fixed bitrate encoder which means you cannot control the bitrate level. It encodes at the highest quality (9mbs) and is why you can only fit one hour of video on 4.7gig DVD. DVD Studio Pro allows you to adjust the level of encoding which means you can fit more onto a CD by varying the bitrate level. (This still isnt the same as multi-pass variable bit-rate encoder that varies encoding levels from scene to scene or frame to frame)The encoding time touted by Apple are for DV sources files. As FD mentioned DV will never look as good when compressed as 35mm film or even uncompressed video sources but will be much higher quality than a VCD.