I have several videos that I have rendered a couple times adding sound and visual effects. I output them to DVD quality Mp2 files to save space. Now I want to put all on one DVD that is just over one hour. I used the best quality option in the dvd settings. I have noticed quality loss in finished product, especially on text. Was this a wrong method I used? Am I stuck? I do not have original source anymore, just the final mpeg2 files.

 

Thanks a lot.

 

Darren

When you re-render mpeg and add some global effects, you will be recoding all of the the video each time, even at the highest bitrates, so it doesn't lend itself to multi-pass rendering. FWIW, DV-AVI would be a better standard to use if you are going to go multi generation as it only compresses each individuall frame, and not groups of frames. (much bigger files, though) (sound of stable door being bolted)

As for adding further degradation when making a disc, it depends how many of your mpeg-2s you are trying to put onto a DVD. If it's less than around 67 mins (depends on standard and sound settings) then the files should "smartrender" and there will only be a minor quality loss around edit points. You should be able to spot smart rendering because it will be much quicker than re-rendering.

So, I'm afraid I think you are stuck 

If you even have the first generation, try going back and adding all the rest of your modifications in one go - then you will only have one re-render.

IMO you're probably stuck. Once you have the files finalized as Mpeg2, there's no way you can make them better.

In the future, it would be better to make your files in AVI, there's very little if any quality loss.

Don

jjn got ahead of me. I had to stop and answer the phone.

Thanks,

 

The Mp2's I have created look great...but when I am outputing them to DVD (about 65mins) that's where I am noticing a lot of loss. 

 

Darren

csrredcoat:

I have several videos that I have rendered a couple times adding sound and visual effects. I output them to DVD quality Mp2 files to save space. Now I want to put all on one DVD that is just over one hour. I used the best quality option in the dvd settings. I have noticed quality loss in finished product, especially on text. Was this a wrong method I used? Am I stuck? I do not have original source anymore, just the final mpeg2 files.Thanks a lot.   Darren

Just adding a little detail to Don & Jeff's very good advice, I suggest you read this excellent post from BittMann about AVI

csrredcoat:

Thanks,

 

The Mp2's I have created look great...but when I am outputing them to DVD (about 65mins) that's where I am noticing a lot of loss. 

 

Darren

OK, that's not what I was expecting....

See if you can look at the bit rates of the mpegs you are using, and the vobs created in the disc images.

If things are smart rendering, the Make Movie time should be noticably less than real time, regardless of CPU speed. If it is Smart rendering, there should only be quality loss arounf the edit points.

Where do I look to see the bit rates of the mp2 ad vob file? Thanks

I'm sure this is not an ideal solution, but what if I combine all my mp2's on a new timeline, output to AVI then create new DVD from that? Keep in mind my Mp2's look great when played back on PC. Thoughts? Thanks a lot.

I assume you mean Mpeg2 and Vob files? Try a program like Super C to get lots of info about files.

Just checking - you are using best quality when you make your DVDs?

sorry, you have already answered that

What you describe shouldn't really be required, as you are adding yet another re-code, all be it a small one.

What is the total size of the VOBs on your DVD?

The total size was 3 something gigs. I tried using Nero 9's dvd authoring app for the first time and the end result was perfect. No apparent quality loss on video or text. Just for the record, the mpeg 2 files came from Proshow Producer 3 in the form of photo slide shows. I then used Pinnacle to add music and some other effects, re-rendered back to mpeg2 for final videos that were then added to main dvd creation. I ran into quality loss only on the dvd creation in s12. But Nero was able to make dvd without any noticable quality loss. by the way, proshow producer was not able to recognize studio 12 mpeg2 files so that's why I ended up using Nero. Proshow does not have an AVI output option, only mpeg2. This was a learning experience. Thanks for all your help and input.