DVD Levels

[maria]

0dbfs AFAIK

[starcrash13]

Originally Posted by maria

0dbfs AFAIK

Ouch! Search here and on the DUC. This has been discussed quite a bit.

Frank,
What level are you referring to? Dialnorm? Music? Peaks?

For film? TV show? Corporate video? Porno?

[AnAverageJoe]

So Does that mean it should be floating around the -3 and up dbfs range? What is dbfs exactly and How is it different from db?

[AnAverageJoe]

Originally Posted by starcrash13

For film? TV show? Corporate video? Porno?

Porno LOL Thats good one, but it may be true tho

[Frank S.]

Originally Posted by starcrash13

Ouch! Search here and on the DUC. This has been discussed quite a bit.

Frank,
What level are you referring to? Dialnorm? Music? Peaks?

For film? TV show? Corporate video? Porno?

I am referring to Peak levels for a DVD. It is an hour long documentary that will be on both Blu Ray and standard NTSC DVD. The dialnorm is -28, currently my peak is -3dB for the 5.1 mix. I was wondering if it is better to keep it at -3dB and up or to lower it. Obviously, the signal to noise ratio is better keeping it hot, but I want to make sure that there are no issues with audio at that level.

Previously all work I've done that has gone on to DVD has been done at another facility with a few exceptions. They usually use my broadcast mix which peaks at -10.

[maria]

Originally Posted by starcrash13

Ouch! Search here and on the DUC. This has been discussed quite a bit.

Frank,
What level are you referring to? Dialnorm? Music? Peaks?

For film? TV show? Corporate video? Porno?

I stand corrected

[philper]

Originally Posted by Frank S.

I am referring to Peak levels for a DVD. It is an hour long documentary that will be on both Blu Ray and standard NTSC DVD. The dialnorm is -28, currently my peak is -3dB for the 5.1 mix. I was wondering if it is better to keep it at -3dB and up or to lower it. Obviously, the signal to noise ratio is better keeping it hot, but I want to make sure that there are no issues with audio at that level.

Previously all work I've done that has gone on to DVD has been done at another facility with a few exceptions. They usually use my broadcast mix which peaks at -10.

What to the people releasing the DVD want? Is this your theatrical mix? There's no reason why the mix you have wouldn't work, although the networks wold think that the dynamic range is a bit in the wide side. Can you get a spec from anyone?

Philip Perkins

[Frank S.]

Originally Posted by philper

What to the people releasing the DVD want? Is this your theatrical mix? There's no reason why the mix you have wouldn't work, although the networks wold think that the dynamic range is a bit in the wide side. Can you get a spec from anyone?

Philip Perkins

The DVDs are being made for a clients that know nothing about any of this stuff. (Shocker.) I'm used to dealing with networks that want peaks at -10 or maybe -8. This is a theatrical mix, but eventually it will be broadcast as well. My broadcast mixes peak at -10 (stereo) and -8 (5.1). I've searched for generic specs for DVD authoring to no avail. The guy that is doing the DVDs is sort of new to it so I want to make sure I give him exactly what he needs. I figured that the mix levels were fine, I just want to make sure.

[starcrash13]

Frank,
Sounds like you're on the right track to me. I would agree with Phil that on paper it "sounds" pretty dynamic, but I could not make that judgment without seeing/ hearing the program. 27 or 28 is pretty typical for dialnorm setting on most DVD projects. I think you're fine.

[starcrash13]

Originally Posted by AnAverageJoe

So Does that mean it should be floating around the -3 and up dbfs range? What is dbfs exactly and How is it different from db?

That's a good question for the almighty Google. This is fundamental digital audio and it would behoove you to pick up a book, take some classes, or at least do a little internet research. Sorry if I sound like Mr. Smarty-Pants, but I'm actually being completely earnest. I urge you to look into it.

[Frank S.]

Originally Posted by starcrash13

Frank,
Sounds like you're on the right track to me. I would agree with Phil that on paper it "sounds" pretty dynamic, but I could not make that judgment without seeing/ hearing the program. 27 or 28 is pretty typical for dialnorm setting on most DVD projects. I think you're fine.

Cool. Yeah, there are actually only three places in the program where it hits that hot. (explosions) Most of the high peaks are -6; not too far off from the dialogue peaks.

Thanks for the input everyone.

[philper]

Originally Posted by Frank S.

Cool. Yeah, there are actually only three places in the program where it hits that hot. (explosions) Most of the high peaks are -6; not too far off from the dialogue peaks.

Thanks for the input everyone.

If your dialnorm is really 27 or so, and you just have a few peaks up that high then I think I'd let it go and figure the broadcaster's limiters will grab those places if and when the show airs. An indie thing like what I think you are doing doesn't seem to get hit w/ standards as much a project that is originated for a cable network like Disco or NG.

Philip Perkins