dv to mpeg2 archiving at DVinfo.net

Kiko Mera · May 15th, 2005, 04:07 PM

i want to archive tons of dv footage to mpeg2 to free up space. i want a library of clips i can just dump onto dvd, so mpeg2 seems to be the best choice as they will already be encoded. i am thinking of quality good for a 2 hour single layer disc. what compressor (sorenson, compressor, etc.) and settings would you recommend? i also want to create mpeg4 files for web. should i create these from the dv files? is there a program that can create mpeg4 files from separate audio/video mpeg2 files?

thanks

Craig Seeman · May 16th, 2005, 06:27 AM

In short, MPEG2 is NOT GOOD for archiving. It's heavily compressed. Your source tapes are your archive. You can autoassemble your project from those at a future date.

If you want to archive DV edit masters you can dump to DVCAM (higher resolution format if your material came from higher resolution source). If your master is under 20 minutes and DV you might be able to fit it on a DVD without further compression.

Kiko Mera · May 16th, 2005, 07:29 AM

thanks graig,

i will dump to dv tape for archiving.

using final cut pro 4.5, what is the best way to get footage back onto tape? print to tape? play from the timeline? and can i reuse dv tape or should i just buy new since they're pretty cheap?

thank you

Craig Seeman · May 16th, 2005, 07:41 AM

Source material should already exist on whatever your source came from.

Playing from time line is fine. You won't have matching time code though if going to DV but there's a utility that works with FCP and Sony DSR-11 that can help.

You can reuse DV tapes but I'd NEVER do that for professional work. You increase the chance of dropouts.

May 15th, 2005, 04:07 PM	#1
Kiko Mera New Boot Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 6	dv to mpeg2 archiving i want to archive tons of dv footage to mpeg2 to free up space. i want a library of clips i can just dump onto dvd, so mpeg2 seems to be the best choice as they will already be encoded. i am thinking of quality good for a 2 hour single layer disc. what compressor (sorenson, compressor, etc.) and settings would you recommend? i also want to create mpeg4 files for web. should i create these from the dv files? is there a program that can create mpeg4 files from separate audio/video mpeg2 files? thanks

May 16th, 2005, 06:27 AM	#2
Craig Seeman Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,841	In short, MPEG2 is NOT GOOD for archiving. It's heavily compressed. Your source tapes are your archive. You can autoassemble your project from those at a future date. If you want to archive DV edit masters you can dump to DVCAM (higher resolution format if your material came from higher resolution source). If your master is under 20 minutes and DV you might be able to fit it on a DVD without further compression.

May 16th, 2005, 07:29 AM	#3
Kiko Mera New Boot Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 6	thanks graig, i will dump to dv tape for archiving. using final cut pro 4.5, what is the best way to get footage back onto tape? print to tape? play from the timeline? and can i reuse dv tape or should i just buy new since they're pretty cheap? thank you

May 16th, 2005, 07:41 AM	#4
Craig Seeman Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,841	Source material should already exist on whatever your source came from. Playing from time line is fine. You won't have matching time code though if going to DV but there's a utility that works with FCP and Sony DSR-11 that can help. You can reuse DV tapes but I'd NEVER do that for professional work. You increase the chance of dropouts.