Output to DV Format

DV format is the highest-quality, most compatible format on both the Windows and Macintosh platforms. I produce DV files for a number of purposes, including the following:

• when rendering a video file to input into a separate DVD authoring program.

• when producing a video file to input into a separate encoding program.

• when producing a video file to input into another video editor for additional processing.

In most Windows programs, you produce a DV file by first selecting the AVI format and then choosing the DV encoder. DV files are very tightly controlled to maintain compatibility between computers and camcorders, and the only encoding option you typically can configure is the audio sample rate, which can be either 32kHz or 48kHz. I always set my camcorder to capture 48kHz audio and produce my DV files at that sampling rate.

On the Mac front, both iMovie and Final Cut (Pro and Express) have presets for outputting to DV format. These make it simple to produce DV files for any of the three purposes identified above.