Apple and Macs?

[admin]

He converts to DV before burning his DVDs. Says this still takes a 1-1 time, but that's better than 2-1. Will also keep the quality greater than the drop with mpeg4.

Looks like quicker implies a quicker converter and a quicker DVD write time. Since your write time is probably limited by your DVD burner, let's stick to faster conversion methods.

He does this using an Apple mpeg2 converter (which you can buy from Apple for 25 dollars). Then you'll have to download the converter at squared5.com which is called mpeg streamclip.

He also believes Final Cut may have a converter within the program.

He's also heard rumors that FFMpegX may be a faster solution.

Stolen from another thread:
Hi Tom,

It's not a big problem.

FCP doesn't really like importing mpegs, mp3's gitter and the mpeg 2 doesn't seem to see audio and image as seperate.

What do is:

download this: >> http://homepage.mac.com/major4/

install it and then once installed:

drag your chp file into it and choose your output. I tend to convert it to DV and it comes out as a dv file to your selected location. I do a 2 gig file in less than a minute (2.7ghz dual IBM) so if you're on an intel it'll be super quick.

Anyhow, import that DV file into FCP and bob's your uncle and fanny's your aunt, your ready to edit to your heart's content.

Anything else, let me know and i'll try to help out.

Daps :D

[admin]

Orig posted 10/07

Kelly and all,

Thanks very much for the follow up. I HAVE been using streamclip to convert from mpeg2 to mpeg4, so that iDVD would accept the mpeg4. As noted, iDVD WILL accept mpeg2, but loses the sound.

So, I was on the right track there. But I WAS wondering if one of the numerous other options for converting would be faster, but not cost me much as far as quality.

In other words, I was converting from mpeg2 to mpeg4, just so iDVD would accept the mpeg4. But iDVD would also accept avi, dv, etc. but I didn't take the time to test how long a conversion took with each of these conversion options, and what kind of quality loss would result if one of them was faster.

So...it is a big help to know that DV is probably the better option. The next set of files I have to convert, which will probably be tomorrow, I will try it.

[admin]

Orig posted 05/08

Hi Helix,
I'm new to the forum - if I hear what you're saying correctly, you can simply burn the .mpg (mpeg2) file directly to DVD using a program called "Toast". Just drag the files from the CF card to your desktop, drag these same files from the desktop into Toast, & burn!

This won't allow you to create chapters, but it minimises encoding, and burns to DVD very quickly. I do it all the time!

If on the other hand, you need chapters - ie: you'll be "authoring" the mpg footage, then you'll have to follow the advice above, and use other programs like iDVD, DVD Studio Pro etc., and this means encoding to other formats like mp4, or /mov.

Hope this helps!

Steve