Apple Final Cut Pro 7 - Manual (Page 1784)

Stage 2: Encoding Your Video and Audio to DVD-Video Compliant Formats
Video DVDs require that all video and audio conform to DVD MPEG-2 specifications. Both
iDVD and DVD Studio Pro automatically convert any media files that are not compliant.
This means that you can export a standard QuickTime movie from Final Cut Pro and
import it into your DVD authoring application, and all encoding and conversions are
handled for you automatically.
DVD Studio Pro accepts video and audio encoded by other applications, such as
Compressor. Using an application like Compressor allows you to precisely control
compression quality while maximizing use of disc space on your DVD.
Stage 3: Authoring Your DVD Title
This is the phase when you create DVD menus, tracks, and slideshows using your
DVD-compliant media assets. Both iDVD and DVD Studio Pro include templates and tools
to create professional-looking DVDs with minimal effort.
Stage 4: Building and Burning Your DVD
Once you have authored your DVD, you build (or compile) the files and then burn them
to a DVD disc. Both iDVD and DVD Studio Pro make this a one-button process.
For detailed information on preparing video and audio sources and planning your DVD,
see the documentation that came with DVD Studio Pro or iDVD.
Video for Standard DVDs
All standard DVD video must be MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 encoded, using DVD-compliant frame
dimensions, frame rates, and bit rates. Larger frame dimensions and higher bit rates result
in better video, but at the cost of larger files.
When preparing video and audio for use on DVD, always use the highest quality settings
available. Any flaws in your media can be exacerbated by MPEG compression on DVD. If
you use high-quality source materials, you’ll get high-quality results.
Here are some guidelines to help you maintain high quality:
• Capture and edit your video at the frame dimensions that you will use on the DVD
(typically 720 x 480 at 29.97 fps for NTSC or 720 x 576 at 25 fps for PAL). DVDs also
support anamorphic 16:9 video. For more information, see
“Working with Anamorphic
16:9 Media.”
• When saving video material to a QuickTime movie file, you should use the native codec
of your source material. If you are creating footage from scratch, specify no compression
(which requires a lot of disk space) or use a high-quality compression codec such as
Apple ProRes 422. This provides the MPEG encoder (including those internally used by
iDVD and DVD Studio Pro and external encoders such as Compressor) the best-quality
video to start with. Recompressing already highly compressed video results in a
noticeable increase in visible compression artifacts.
1784 Chapter 107 Exporting Sequences for DVD