Using Canon HV30 and want to transfer HDV to DVD. I have 80 miniDV tapes and am using Sony Vegas software. ?

Question

I'm new at this and don't quite understand the render process... there are so many options. Basically, I just want a DVD that will play on DVD player to view on an LCD TV, and I want to preserve the highest HDV quality possible. Also, is there a stand-alone burner like the Sony MC3 or MC5 that can do this quickly? I bought the MC5, only to find out it only does DV, not HDV. So I am using my computer, but it takes hours for every tape, and I have almost 80 tapes! I used to transfer from camera to DVR, and then burn to DVD, and that is only real time plus about 20 minutes for the DVD. The problem is that I lose a lot of quality.

So my question is first, what settings will I get the highest quality burn at using Sony Vegas 7.0 or 8.0, and is there an easier/faster way than transferring through the computer, while maintaing the HDV quality??? Thanks!!!

Answer 1

Why don't you buy a Hard Disc Drive recorder with DVD recorder built in and do it that way. That's what I do - the computer route takes too long.

Of course, if most of your recordings are standard definition DV rather than HDV high definition it won't matter that your DVDs are standard definition. Record to the HDD first and then tidy up each recording before making the DVD internally. It saves a load of hassle.

Answer 2

I'm sorry to have to say this, but there is no faster way.

For capturing, there is an option for "batch capture" on many NLEs, but I have not found this much faster....it actually screws up more on batch capture, so it's probably safer to capture in real time.  

As for DVD burners, I'm sorry again, but there is no faster way to burn, even by purchasing external DVD burners. If you wish to cut down on burning time, your best option would be to downconvert the video files to standard definition....I know, it seems like a waste of HD, but I have my reasons:

   (1) Sure, you can put HD video on your average DVDs. Afterall, it's just memory storage. However, you will NOT be able to playback in High Definition on a standard definition DVD player....so that in itself is a waste of space and time

   (2) There are actually benefits for mastering in SD (other than time and space). If you look at a vast majority of television shows, only a few broadcast in HD, but most shoot in HD and master in SD. Why? cuz HD mastered in SD looks better than SD itself. Of course, you lose resolution, but you retain most of your color saturation, and dynamic range. And I don't know about you, but I'm quite content with the quality on my DVDs, which are all standard definition.  

Actually, I believe you need to downconvert to SD anyway to burn (unless it's a Blue Ray burner of course). Even if it doesn't say so, the computer will usually automatically downconvert to MPEG-2 files (I believe it's MPEG-2, at least.....)

If you are absolutely dying to see HD quality video on your TV, your only options would be to either purchase a BlueRay burner (kinda expensive at the moment), OR you could always re-export your finished product from Vegas back to your camcorder on miniDV tapes via the same firewire cable....that's probably the best way. There should be an option in Sony Vegas, like File>>Export to Tape.

That way you retain HD resolution, and you can play it back on the TV by hooking up your HV30 to the TV via HDMI cable (you can find some cheap ones that are just as good as the $100 Best Buy ones).  

Well, I hope that helps a bit. And sorry I didn't have something more positive to say.....good luck!!!

Answer 3

Quick answer: No.  (sorry!)

DVD video is a standard definition medium, so there is no way (faster or not) to truly "maintain the HDV quality" without going to Blu-Ray or some sort of non-standard DVD.

I don't have Sony Vegas, but for the best results on a DVD (you'll get 480p, sometimes called EDTV, instead of 480i), set your software for progressive scan when encoding, set your DVD player for progressive scan when playing it, and use the component outputs of the DVD player to hook up the HDTV.  The MPEG2 encoding bit rate can be set higher (at the expense of time available on the disc) to eke a little more quality, but the resolution is still going to be 720x480 pixels (NTSC) on a DVD that will play in a regular DVD player.