Need guidance

Hello everybody. Im new to the forum and to fcp x. I am compiling a DVD video for the boys baseball team. I have captured the video clips on my sony hd, I will also include pics. the files have been converted from m2ts to mp4. The music was converted.from mp3 to aiff. I am trying to keep it at 30min. when I started the project I set it at 720. I have compressor 4 & encore. What would be the next steps after im done with the compilation. I would like a grate looking video with chapters and a menu.

I have done research but I read a lot of horror stories. Some say use compressor, idvd, dvd pro.

Thank you for your help.
Working on a
Mac pro
Snow lep
14gb mem

You converted Long-GOP to Long-GOP? Ugh...

Anyway, you're looking for standard def or Blu-Ray DVDs?

What would rec. me to convert the m2ts file to?
Its going to be standard.

Thx for your reply.

Ok if connect my cam to fcp x it converts the m2ts files to mov. Would that be a better file or should I cont. with the mp4s?

The .mov files are probably also .mp4's since that is what your camera is converting your footage to. The .mov is simply telling you that the video codec is wrapped in a quicktime container.

If you are importing these files into FCPX, select to optimize the media to prores 422 and the .mov files will be converted to a more editing friendly format.

EDIT: I did see that you said you converted the files to .mp4 (and not in camera) so disregard that comment, but the same still holds true for optimizing .mp4 (.mov) to prores.

Do NOT convert to MPEG-4. It's not a framework used in FCP.

What and how would u recommend me to transfer my files to fcpx. The method I used was tranfered from tge cam to my laptop using the sony provided software, it gave me m2ts files. I then put the files on a ext hd, transfered them to the mac. I used iskysoft to convert to a fcp rec. file. It converted them into mp4 files... Did I go about it the wrong way.
I am half ways done with the project.
Thx for all ur help.

What's the cam? What kind of camera is this exactly? Sony makes hundreds of models that shoot dozens of different formats. Do not use iskysioft. Do not convert to MPEG-4, but we cannot tell you what to do or how to do it without knowing exactly what this stuff is to start with.

I am using sony HDR-SR10

thanks for all your help

Should i convert them to H.264 HD Video if so what should i use to convert?

Why take a super-duper compressed Long-GOP format and transcode it to another super-duper compressed Long-GOP format? That just has generational image data loss written all over it.

Convert to ProRes, be done with it.

That's an AVCHD camera. You plug it in and in FCP use the import from camera function.

Ok so after im done editing and all that great jazz what would be the workflow for a great looking dvd with cjapters and dvd menu...

What DVD authoring software will you be using?

You'll most probably want to Send To Compressor to get the best quality files to author with. And that means learning Compressor. You want standard definition DVD or Blu Ray?

I have compressor. I also have encore cs5. I will be going with standard DVD. Or what authoring software would you recommend?

You don't have many other chances than using Encore. There's series of tutorials in the Holy Cow Library: library.creativecow.net/video-tutorials/adobeencoredvd

Depending on how deep you really want to go, Toast 11 Pro from Roxio is a really nice and affordable solution, too.

But since you already have Encore, yes, that's the way you want to go.

Wanted to mention Toast for anyone else reading this who may not have Encore already.

Sorry for my questions but thank you all for taking the time to help a newbie out. If you guys have any other suggestions please post them thanks