What RESOLUTION to use for pictures imported into DVD-making software?

Discussion in 'Video to DVD' started by LaraM, Feb 3, 2005.

  1. LaraM

    LaraM Guest

    Newbie here :)

    Here's the scoop. I am making a 15 minute DVD slideshow presentation using ArcSoft's ShowBiz DVD software. Essentially the movie consists of 150 pictures with background audio and I will burn the file as a "DVD without menus" when done.

    Can anyone tell me what resolution (size and dpi) that each JPG picture should be so that there is NO loss of quality/pixellation when shown on a TV or digital projector? It's also important that the resolution NOT be overkill either. ie: what's the best minimum resolution for digital pictures so that I can keep my file sizes down, while still having a good quality DVD movie?

    All help is appreciated!
     
  2. rebootjim

    rebootjim Active member

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    640x480
    Bigger is better.
     
  3. LaraM

    LaraM Guest

    Thanks for the response. That doesn't seem very big at all. Printed, that's only 2" by 1.5" at 300dpi?! I am a graphic designer and am used to much bigger files than that....you sure I won't have any loss of quality at that size?

    Cheers.
     
  4. rebootjim

    rebootjim Active member

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    Because a TV can only do so many lines of resolution, and can only scan a total screen so many times per minute, 640x480 is usually fine.
    I sometimes try for 720x480 to match NTSC aspect, but it doesn't seem to make a lot of difference.
     
  5. LaraM

    LaraM Guest

    Awesome! Thanks for your help.
     
  6. rebootjim

    rebootjim Active member

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    I must apologise.
    It seems, it depends on your authoring application.
    I found this (because you got me curious too):
    720 x 540 is 4:3
    You are designing on computer where we have square pixels. TV has rectangular pixels so in NTSC 720x480 is displayed as 4:3
    Therefore to be able to design WYSIWYG we work with 720x540 so a circle on monitor will appear as a circle on TV screen.
    If we work with 720x480/576 a circle designed on monitor will appear as ellipse on TV.
     

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