[Fmpro] Best utility to convert DVD to Quicktime?

[Edrums@aol.com]

Kevin, Hummie, Les...
I've been working on a number of features and shorts, recently, and have had 
a crash course in video fps, and conversion problems.   I use Handbrake on Mac 
(not as many programs seem to be avail for MAC).   There are "DVD rippers" 
out there that will copy a DVD to your drive, but not convert it - be careful.   
  

With Logic Pro (v7, haven't gotten 8 yet), there are some limitations 
regarding sync playback speed (24 - 29, and can be hard to find 23.xx).     I'm being 
very careful to have directors send me quicktime files at specific sync 
speeds whenever possible.   I've gotten mov files with FPS as low as 14.xx ,which 
is about 1/2 normal.   I believe it can be a low res file that has frames 
dropped out.      
For now, I always break up films into smaller scenes to avoid any sync drift 
problems.     Large files are generally too big, anyway, and can crash (for us 
smaller guys, that don't have 3 computers running!) I recommend to always get 
your master video with timecode burned on the scene itself, because once you 
cut it up to make a scene, you can lose the original timing.    On a recent 
short, I received no less than 3 versions of a short within 3 days, all with 
different starting points, and had to reset my music each time!   It was a 
painful.   
Getting a "2-pop" at the beginning (the little blips at the beginning of a 
movie that, I believe, were originally created for analog syncing) can also help 
to sync the music later, when you have to send the audio file back on it's 
own.   You can put the 2pop on your audio track (playback the dialogue track at 
the beginning only on your mix).   Make sure the director does not reset the 
2pop later, though!!     I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one trying to figure 
this stuff out!   It's amazing how many directors are confused about it.   

Hummie:   For the frame rate to change in mid-film seems pretty wierd.    I'd 
love to hear about that.

"Stems" - I've been hearing that from both directors and studios, regarding 
individual tracks.   I'm guessing it came from the video side, regarding their 
audio tracks. (music, foley, dialogue, etc.) 

A recommedation:   With Logic, I have been using Macprovideo.com for video 
tutorials.   You put the entire tutorial on your drive, and watch short videos 
about different subjects (like syncing video) while you are working on your 
project.   It has saved my butt a thousand times, and is unbelievably easier than 
any manual or help guide.     It is called "non-linear learning", and is set 
up in sections, database style.   Each video is a 2-3 minutes, which is great 
when you want to get to your answer fast, and you can fast forward! The very 
well done narration is set over the view of the program, so the video shows you 
how to make changes.   Get the bundle!   Excellent, a bit pricey, but worth 
every penny!   Huge recommendation.

Ed Hartman
edhartmanmusic.com


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