iDVD quality issue: encoding?

[briantology]

Ok, so I've read some stuff about the encoding in iDVD upon burning to a disk, but I still haven't quite figured it out. Whenever I hit 'play' and watch the preview, it looks good. But when I burn it, there is a loss in quality. I have the encoding set to Best Quality but that didn't help much as far as I can tell.
So is there anyway to burn the disk without the quality loss? Thanks.

 

[Redneck1089]

I have never experienced a loss in quality using iDVD, but I definitely experience some quality issues when I use Toast 8. The picture is very pixelated.

 

[theBB]

Ok, so I've read some stuff about the encoding in iDVD upon burning to a disk, but I still haven't quite figured it out. Whenever I hit 'play' and watch the preview, it looks good. But when I burn it, there is a loss in quality. I have the encoding set to Best Quality but that didn't help much as far as I can tell.
So is there anyway to burn the disk without the quality loss? Thanks.

Are you sure there is a loss in quality? It may just look that way if you are watching it on a big screen TV compared to the smallish preview window on our computer screen.

Insert the DVD into your computer, play with iDVD, but make the screen as small as iDVD preview window. How do they compare now?

By the way, how long is the DVD? If it is more than an hour or so, it may start compressing more.

 

[briantology]

The DVD isn't that long: there is a 15 second intro video (which is what I mainly notice because it's a graphic in motion) and then 3 videos about 4-5 minutes each.
And I have watched the DVD on my computer in the same resolution, it doesn't look as crisp as before it's burned. Here are two screenshots of the quality before and after burning:
Before:

After:

 

[Bogeyman]

Give it a whirl using the "Professional Quality" setting in preferences. (I'd like to know how it worked out because I usually use "Best Performance"[...and the acting doesn't get any better either... wah, wah, waaah])

 

[briantology]

Give it a whirl using the "Professional Quality" setting in preferences. (I'd like to know how it worked out because I usually use "Best Performance"[...and the acting doesn't get any better either... wah, wah, waaah])

Are you using iDVD '08? Cause I'm not... (I don't have an option for "Professional Quality")

 

[theBB]

The DVD isn't that long: there is a 15 second intro video (which is what I mainly notice because it's a graphic in motion) and then 3 videos about 4-5 minutes each.
And I have watched the DVD on my computer in the same resolution, it doesn't look as crisp as before it's burned. Here are two screenshots of the quality before and after burning:
Before:

After:

Hmmm, I see what you mean. It seems like your resolution stays the same, but the compression is making the objects look softer. It may be unavoidable as iDVD might be using a "consumer" algorithm for its MPEG2 compression so that it takes less time on "consumer" strength computers. On a CRT screen you probably could not tell the difference, but on an LCD up close it could be a different story.

 

[davidleon]

In iDVD '08: iDVD Preferences -> Projects -> Encoding -> Professional Quality

 

[huntercr]

Are you using iDVD '08? Cause I'm not... (I don't have an option for "Professional Quality")

In that case, you need to make sure you set the encoding to be "best quality" (If I remember correctly ) on the previous versions of iDVD. It's a toggle between "best quality" and "best performance" on older versions.

Also be sure that the file you are importing to iDVD is a DV codec .mov file.

BTW How do you have Motion, but not have Compressor + DVD Studio Pro? Nevermind, I won't ask. I guess Motion used to be purchasable separately.

 

[briantology]

BTW How do you have Motion, but not have Compressor + DVD Studio Pro? Nevermind, I won't ask. I guess Motion used to be purchasable separately.

I do have Final Cut Studio v1, but I honestly haven't taken the time to figure out DVD Studio Pro.

 

[Bogeyman]

Are you using iDVD '08? Cause I'm not... (I don't have an option for "Professional Quality")

Yup, sorry. I managed to confuse myself. My MBPro runs iDVD 6, but my Power G5 runs 08.

I've hardly touched DVD Studio Pro so I'm not qualified to comment on it. It seems a much more capable program though, and came with my Final Cut Studio 2.

 

[coldsweat]

As stated before, make sure you use the DV codec (HDV works well too)

Also you could try the 'Best Performance' setting & you could be pleasantly surprised. I remember reading on the apple forums that 'Best performance' uses far less compression than 'Best Quality' if the DVD duration is less than 60 minutes.