Apple Final Cut Pro 7 - Manual (Page 1787)

The ability of Final Cut Pro to natively edit HDV sources makes this workflow an attractive
way to create DVD projects using HD assets.
About MPEG-2 Video Compression
MPEG-2 is an internationally accepted compression standard developed by the Motion
Picture Experts Group (MPEG). MPEG-2 allows you to create broadcast-quality video files
and was designed to support high-resolution, high-bit-rate video. It is the video
compression format used for home satellite dish systems and high-quality video titles on
DVD. All DVD players contain the hardware required for MPEG-2 playback. For more
information see
“About MPEG Compression.”
Audio for DVD
In DVD Studio Pro, each DVD track can have up to eight audio streams. Each audio stream
is independent of the others—only one can play at a time. Each stream can have from
one to seven channels (as with 6.1–channel surround sound). Having multiple audio
streams allows you to include alternative language versions of the program, as well as
special features such as a spoken commentary.
Important: Do not confuse the way audio tracks in a Final Cut Pro sequence work with
the way audio streams in a DVD Studio Pro track work. A DVD player cannot mix multiple
streams together. If you want to have music playing underneath the dialogue, you must
mix the two in the audio exported from Final Cut Pro so that one audio stream contains
both the music and the dialogue.
Video DVDs support several audio formats:
• AIFF (uncompressed): Provides the highest-quality mono or stereo audio but requires
the most disc space. May cause problems with DVD tracks that contain multiple audio
streams. QuickTime, Compressor, iDVD, and DVD Studio Pro all are able to create suitable
uncompressed AIFF audio streams.
• Dolby Digital AC-3: Provides high-quality compressed audio. Supports from one to six
channels (5.1-channel surround sound), including standard stereo. Compressor includes
an AC-3 encoder.
• DTS: Provides high-quality compressed audio. Generally used only for surround sound
audio streams. Requires a third-party encoder and decoder.
• MPEG-1 Layer 2: Provides good-quality compressed audio. Generally used only for mono
or stereo audio streams. Compressor includes an MPEG-1 Layer 2 encoder.
When recording and editing audio, use a 48 kilohertz (kHz) sample rate and no
compression. This ensures the best quality whether you use the uncompressed audio on
the DVD or decide to use a supported compressed audio format.
1787 Chapter 107 Exporting Sequences for DVD