Need help on packaging files for professional use

[swankmaster_d]

This is a re-post, but I didn't get any responses in the first forum, so I'm trying again. Sorry for the duplication.

I regularly record the local news in my area (Chicago) because the non-profit organization I work for is featured frequently. Being that we're a low-budget, 3-person operation, I designated myself Chief Archivist long ago, and whenever one of us is interviewed by a TV station, I set Tivo to record, then transfer it, etc.

Last year, we did a highlight reel to use at our annual fundraising event. We had a lot of great footage, all thanks to Tivo. The HUGE problem was that it literally took the editors at the professional studio where we did this HOURS to import the video files into their Avid system. I explained that the files originally came from Tivo, then had been cut and reformatted into mpeg-2's, but even the production and editing staff seemed confused about the length of time their top-of-the-line studio system took in processing/converting the files.

So, same situation this year. I have a bunch of media files and the ability to save them as a number of different file types. What would you suggest?

I'm going to give the editors both copies of the files themselves, as well as standard Video DVD's burned at the highest possible quality, so at least there will be more than one option for importing.

I'd appreciate any suggestions or ideas. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!

Dan

[greg_burns]

I explained that the files originally came from Tivo, then had been cut and reformatted into mpeg-2's

What software did you use to do that? Converting to any other format than mpeg-2 is going to introduce video degradation I would think.

[swankmaster_d]

At the time (last year), I think I converted the files mostly using DirectShowDump and cut them using Easy Video Splitter (DoEasier). Some of them I'd edited and output directly with MyDVD 6. I don't remember any of the files importing easier than another.

Most of the video I have NOW I cut using VideoReDo, outputting it as MPEG-2 (though I still have the original Tivo files for many of the programs). I also have Pinnacle Studio 11, which is what I'd use for many final conversion. Video degredation hasn't been a major problem, with the exception of the programs I'd recorded at anything less than Best or at least High quality on the Tivo.

Am I better off trying to keep the Tivo file as close to original format as possible (simply remuxing to MPEG-2 at same audio/video compression)? I thought that's what I'd done last year, and while it eventually worked out, importing all the video into Avid (and it really wasn't that much) took over 8 hours. Needless to say, the editor was not enjoying the day of waiting.

Thanks again for your input.

Dan Sprehe
Chicago, IL

[swankmaster_d]

I got a response from the production staff at the studio where we're doing this work. She told me to just burn standard video DVD's of the Tivo clips at standard quality. I'm relieved to know exactly what I should give them, as the production/editing staff at this studio cringe when they think of or hear the story of last year's 8-hour import of Tivo-originated MPEG-2's.

Thanks Greg for responding and to all who read!

Dan

[greg_burns]

What quality level are you recording at on your Tivo? If you record at Medium to begin with the video would already be at a DVD spec; 352x480 (half-D1). DVDs are normally (720x480) D1, IIRC.

I guess what I am trying to say is, now you are going to be the one spending hours transcoding to DVD format. :p

[leswar]

I think they're telling you to hook up a DVR to the Tivo ouptputs and just
burn a disc as you go.