: By: Derek Moran; In: FAQs; Published: 21 March 2012; Last Updated: 02 September 2022

Q: How do I render a video in Vegas Movie Studio suitable for using in DVD Architect Studio ?

Answer: The best way is to use the pre-prepared templates that are already in Vegas and to do a Manual Render. There are two main ways you can use to make a video suitable for a DVD.

*Please note that the core instructions in this article will also work for Sony Vegas Pro and DVD Architect Pro users.

Method One

The first method I have made a video tutorial for already, where I show how to use the inbuilt "Make Movie" button that is located in the top toolbar of Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11 and 10. This is a semi-automated process where Vegas will render your video using an inbuilt template and then send the rendered video directly to DVD Architect Studio 5.0, ready to be turned into a DVD. This should be the easiest way to make a DVD, however if something goes wrong it can create a lot of confusion for a new user because often it is hard to find where your video has ended up on your computer. This normally leads to the new user attempting to re-render the project over and over again, going round and round in circles until you just give up and wish you never started.

Method Two

The second method is by far the easiest way in my experience to prepare a video for use in DVD Architect Studio 5.0 or DVD Architect Pro 5.2. Just to make everything absolutely clear, I will now show you with screen shots the full process & workflow from beginning to end.

Step 1 - Create a New Project in Vegas and set your Project Properties for Making a DVD

There are actually two ways you can start a New Project in Movie Studio Platinum.

a) You can use the New Project Wizard which will set your Project Properties to MATCH the Output Properties of your Rendered Video. Which means what you see in the Preview Window is exactly what you will see in the finished rendered video. This is an easy option for brand new users who maybe feeling a little overwhelmed. The instructions for this method start just below here are are labelled: Intructions for Starting a New Project - Method A

Example: If you are using/importing 1080p HD Video, Movie Studio will make the Preview Window 720x480 or 720x576, the same as what the rendering settings will be at the end.

b) The 2nd way you can start your DVD project, is to ingnore the New Project Wizard and MATCH the Project Properties exactly to the Video Files you are about to Import into the Project. The advantage of this method, is that it can make it easier for Movie Studio to play back the video files smoothly during editing, because it doesn't have to change the properties of the video. Setting the video properties for DVD production, can be left until the rendering stage right at the end. The instructions for this method are a little way down the page and will be marked: Intructions for Starting a New Project - Method B

Example: If you are using/importing 1080p HD Video, Movie Studio will make the Preview Window 1920x1080 during the time you will be editing your project. Only at the end when it comes to the rendering stage, will you then actually select a DVD Template like 720x480 or 720x576.

Instructions for Starting a New Project - Method A

Set your Project Properties in Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11. For this example I will be using Version 11, but if you are still using Version 10 you should have no problems following along.

make-dvd-1

make-dvd-2 Settings for NTSC users

make-dvd-3 Settings for PAL users

At this stage you can jump straight to Step Two if you have just used the New Project Wizard shown above. If you skipped using the wizard then you will have to set the Project Properties manually by following Step Two that follows.

How to manually set and check the Project Properties for making a video suitable for DVD Architect Studio 5.0

make-dvd-4

make-dvd-5 Blue Arrow shows NTSC Template and Red Arrow shows PAL Template - both for Widescreen Video Production

make-dvd-6 NTSC Settings

Make-DVD-7 PAL Settings

make-dvd-8 Audio Settings for PAL and NTSC users are exactly the same - always use 48,000Hz for DVD Making

Instructions for Starting a New Project - Method B

If you would like to start your project by simply MATCHING the Project Properties to the Video Files you will be using in your project, then do the following.

Import you Video Files into Movie Studio.

Press button to open the Project Properties window.

make-dvd-31

Now press the button that the red arrow is pointing to in screen shot below.

Navigate to one of the Video Files you just Imported and select it - OK

The Project Properties will now be matched perfectly, which will give you the smoothest playback in the Preview Window while you are editng.

make-dvd-32

Step 2a - Rendering the Video and Audio Files

When making a DVD you always render the Video and Audio components separately. The International Standard for making a DVD requires that you use MPEG2 video codec for the Video Component and Dolby Digital AC3 for the Audio Component. So when rendering a video that is going to be sent to DVD Architect Studio 5.0, you have to do TWO separate renders. The most important thing when doing this is to name both files EXACTLY the same and make sure they live in the same folder. The only thing that will be different about them is the file extension.

Follow the screen shots below to see which templates to choose for your two separate renders.

Update for Movie Studio Platinum 13 users

If you are using newer versions of Movie Studio like Movie Studio Platinum 13, the Render As function has been replaced with Make Movie. So to start rendering your video and audio files, go to Make Movie/Save to Hard Drive/Advanced - now you are in a similar Render As window as previous versions of the program.

To save Project Markers in version 13, you need press triangle next to Render Options to reveal further control settings. The first screen shot below is from version 13 and then all screen shots that follow are from older versions of program.

Make DVD 33

make-dvd-9 Press "Render As" icon from toolbar or select it from the Project drop down Menu.

make-dvd-10 Notice that in Version 11 I have selected the "Video Templates Only" filter.

make-dvd-11 Red Arrow shows NTSC Template to select and Blue Arrow shows PAL Template to select.

make-dvd-12 When rendering of Video has finished, just press CLOSE and then prepare to render the Audio file.

Step 2b - Second Render for Audio file only

Make sure you de-select "Video Templates Only"

make-dvd-13 Choose Dolby Digital AC-3 Stereo DVD

make-dvd-14 When rendering of Audio file is finished you can select CLOSE.
You are now finished with Vegas Movie Studio. Remember to Save your Project which just saves the actual project files and does not create any videos.

Step 3 - Boot up DVD Architect Studio, Create New Project and Set Properties Corrrectly

Now that you are in DVD Architect Studio 5.0 it is time to Create a New Project with the Wizard, set your Project Properties and tweek a few Preference Settings ready to make your DVD Project.

Make-DVD-15 Start New Project Wizard

make-dvd-16 Settings for a Widescreen NTSC DVD

Make-DVD-16-5 Settings for a Widescreen PAL DVD

make-dvd-17 Now select Properties to get these set properly

make-dvd-18 This is what your Property Settings should look like for NTSC users if you are burning to a Single Sided Disc.
If you are a PAL user your resolution will say 720x576 (PAL).

make-dvd-19 Go to Options in the top toolbar and select Preferences.

make-dvd-20 If this is the first time you have ever used DVD Architect and you want to make Widescreen DVD's, then you must change the following setting now.

Step 4 - Importing your Rendered Video from Vegas Movie Studio into DVD Architect Studio 5.0

make-dvd-22 Right-click on top of "Untitled" in the Root Directory for the DVD and select "Insert Media"

make-dvd-22-5 Now I am going to show you the Path to where your Vegas Rendered Videos lives.
Start in your DOCUMENTS Folder and then follow the next couple of screen shots.

make-dvd-23 Choose which Version of Vegas Movie Studio you are using.

make-dvd-24

make-dvd-25 If you used the New Project Wizard in Vegas Movie Studio to start your Project, then you will have these Automatic Folders created for you.

make-dvd-26 Select your Video.mpg file
You don't have to worry about importing the Audio file because DVD Architect Studio will automatically import and match it up for you.

make-dvd-28 Delete the Broken Green "Link - Most recent menu"
Then drag your Video file "My DVD Project" onto the Menu 1 screen

make-dvd-29

make-dvd-30 Your Disc Root Directory should now look like this.

This is where this article now ends.
To learn how to create features within your menu and to burn the actual DVD, I suggest you now watch some of my other Video Tutorials on how to make DVD's.

If you want to skip to Previewing your DVD and then Burning it right now, then press the "Preview" button in the top toolbar of DVD Arhcitect right now and then press "Make DVD" and follow the prompts to burn your disc.

All the best :)

How to make a Basic DVD Part 1 using Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10 & DVD Architect Studio 5.0
How to make a Basic DVD Part 2 using Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10 & DVD Architect Studio 5.0
How to make a DVD with MENUS Part 1 using Sony DVD Architect Studio 5.0
How to make a DVD with MENUS Part 2 using Sony DVD Architect Studio 5.0
How to Add Chapter Points to DVD and BluRay Discs using Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11 and DVD Architect Studio 5.0

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Mike · 12:48 27/03/2015
I have Sony Movie Studio 13. Not Platnum, not Suite, not Vegas. The question is this. I am able to create and render from my video cam. However, I have to use a separate burning software as there doesn't seem to be a built in burning software in the Sony Movie Studio 13. In watching your U-Tube presentation, there are some tabs and buttons that I don't even have. One is the button that gives the option to burn your rendered project. I am using a separate software, but it seems a bit ludicrous that Sony would not have this option built in.
p.s. The Movie Studio 13 was a gift so I had no choice. However, it still cost $50.00 + . Thanks for any answer you may have. I just want to know for sure. Thanks for the great tutorial Mike
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  Derek
  
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  · 13:10 27/03/2015
  
  Hi Mike
  
  Movie Studio 13 is only a very basic video editor - personally I do not recommend this version for anyone to use. It is designed for making quick videos with no fuss. I have never made a tutorial with this version of the program. All my Movie Studio tutorials are made with Platinum versions.
  
  You need [b]Movie Studio Platinum 13[/b] if you want to make videos. MSP13 includes a much larger range of tools & features and also comes with [b]DVD Architect Studio[/b]. Sony's website clearly states what the capabilities of each program are. If you want to make DVDs and Blu-ray discs you will need to upgrade to the Platinum or Suite version. Because you already own Movie Studio, you qualify for discounted upgrade pricing. At the bottom of this page, I have a link to discount pricing in box with blue border.
  
  [url]https://www.moviestudiozen.com/free-tutorials/sony-movie-studio-platinum/521-beginners-guide-movie-studio-platinum-13[/url]
  
  Regards
  Derek.
  
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Ted Cornish · 17:14 26/09/2014
Hi Derek, My system is Movie Studio Platinum 12 Suite and being in Australia, am a PAL user. I have a two part question: 1) I want to do a basic, still-images slide-show project and render it to a file on the PC hard-drive as opposed to creating a DVD. In this case I need to project it direct from there via a Data Projector. I am unsure on the correct Project Property Settings and would value your advice.
2) I am a very new user of DVD Architect Studio 5.0 as part of the Suite. Can you explain the difference between 'Themes' and 'Backgrounds' as they appear to have the same purpose apart from the display of buttons on the 'Themes' selection. Considering am in later years, your tutorials have been a God-send. Thank you, Ted
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  Derek
  
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  · 18:23 26/09/2014
  
  Hi Ted
  
  First to answer the question you emailed me.
  You have not done anything wrong when you posted your comment.
  When you use the comment section and forum on Movie Studio Zen, you will get email notifications to let you know when someone has replied to one of your messages.
  The email will have a link to direct you back to the website, so you can reply [i]here[/i] if you wish.
  A copy of your [i]first message[/i] is always emailed back to you. This is done to check and make sure the email address you provided is real. It is a way to make sure you are a real person and not a spammer. If your email was fake and bounced back to me, I would then know to delete the original comment from Movie Studio Zen.
  
  1. If you are making a video for a projector, I suggest you use one of the Internet 1080p render templates. Read/watch this tutorial:
  [url]https://www.moviestudiozen.com/free-tutorials/sony-movie-studio-platinum/441-how-to-render-1080p-video-movie-studio-platinum-12[/url]
  I always think it is best to use the Match Media function when setting up a project. Then you can render it to different output types if required. In your situation make it 1920 x 1080 Progressive. If you need further help with this, please post question on the forum and then I can send you some screen shots.
  
  2. Themes have extra information saved with them. A better name would be "templates". So they have [b]button[/b] information saved with, but you won't see the button styles until you actually add a video onto the Menu.
  Backgrounds are just backgrounds.
  You can replace any background with something else, like a still image.
  
  Regards
  Derek.
  
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Ken · 05:47 03/06/2014
Hello Derek,

Thanks for your advice, the video turned out very well! This programme is really something to get to grips with!
I used to edit 16mm film. . . This programme is not at all intuitive; I never would have finished my film without your help! (and Mark's bitrate calc.)

cheers,
Ken
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  Derek
  
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  · 12:06 03/06/2014
  
  Glad to help Ken.
  Eventually you will reach an "a-ha" moment and everything about the program will suddenly make sense and feel very natural.
  Regards
  Derek :)
  
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Mim

Member
· 17:31 28/05/2014
Hello Derek, thank you for the tuts on Vegas 13. I found them very enlightening and have purchased my update just today.
My request today is for some advice regarding rendering for DVD. I have done your tuts and the ones from Vegas (several times) and render with DVD architect6 templates as per instructions - 2 separate streams for video and audio (mpeg 2 WS pal) and ac3 audio. What I find however is that when the program goes to burn the DVD it says that lots of things aren't optimized and insists on re-rendering the video. When I check the DVD both on computer and TV ( I read the comment below) there is alot of shimmering going on. Could you tell me what I may have missed here.
Thank-you and regards,
Miriam
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  Derek
  
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  · 23:50 28/05/2014
  
  Hi Miriam
  
  Firstly, you must make sure that your [B]Project Property[/B] Settings in DVD Architect [B]match[/B] exactly the Properties of the Videos your rendered with Vegas Pro. So before you start importing videos into DVD Architect, use the New Project Function and set Properties to Widescreen PAL settings.
  This is the most common mistake people make. They may render to PAL settings, but have DVD Architect set to NTSC settings instead, or vice versa. When this happens, DVD Architect thinks it has to convert the video.
  The other problem people have is trying to fit a Video that is too long onto a single disc. If it is too big for the disc, then it will say it needs to be optimized, which will re-render it. I have already made a tutorial which explains what to do in this situation.
  [url]https://www.moviestudiozen.com/free-tutorials/dvd-architect-studio-50/493-how-to-compress-a-long-video-onto-a-dvd[/url]
  I don't know what you mean by shimmering. I would have to see this for myself so I could know what you actually mean.
  There are two Settings back in Vegas you can change that should improve your image. Before you render your video, right-click all Video Clips on the timeline and go to [B]Switches[/B].
  Set to [B]Disable Re-sample[/B] and turn ON [B]Reduce Interlace Flicker[/B].
  Now re-render your video. Make sure to delete your first video before you start or name the new video something slightly different - so you do not get the old one mixed up.
  
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nick · 00:52 19/05/2014
I am putting 7 shorts on a DVD. I rendered these a long time ago in HD 1920X1080-60p but rerendered the finished videos (as I no longer have the Vegas projects of them) manually as you specified above. But based off of Architect's preview (which is switched on to best quality) it seems like it loses quality when I do this. Is this normal and is there a way to keep the HD quality? It also seems to get interlacing problems.
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  Derek
  
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  · 13:02 19/05/2014
  
  DVD's only use Standard Definition 480i MPEG2 Video to encode too - this is an International Standard that has been used since day one. If you want to keep your HD files, then you must burn Blu-ray discs. Blu-ray was specifically invented for 720p and 1080i video.
  You cannot rely on the Preview Window in DVD Architect to indicate the final quality. It is very complicated, but basically DVDs look best when viewed through an actual TV and not a computer monitor.
  Here is a tip for you: Buy a box of DVD-RW [B]re-writable[/B] discs. Then you can burn test DVDs and check them out through your actual DVD Player connected to a TV. You can re-write over these test discs many times. This is exactly what I do myself.
  
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frankmlucas

Member
· 02:06 26/04/2014
In the screen capture captioned "Blue Arrow shows NTSC Template and Red Arrow shows PAL Template ...", what are the other two NTSC templates? Why the frame rate difference (23 vs 29) and what's "DV 24p"??
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  Derek
  
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  · 02:18 26/04/2014
  
  The only templates you should really be looking at in the Year 2014, are the ones I pointed to.
  Templates that DO NOT have [B]widescreen[/B] in the name, are the old 4:3 Aspect ratio templates we used when everyone had a glass cathode ray TV.
  24p (23.976) is 24 frames per second video.
  If your video camera can shoot in 24p mode, then this is the setting to use.
  24p is the same frame rate that all Hollywood Movies traditionally shoot in.
  
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Alejandro · 12:47 12/09/2013
The default DVD Architect NTSC Widesreen mpeg2 preset renders at 6 Mbps but the default project properties in DVDA is 8 Mbps for video. When I burn the disc, will it be at the rendered 6 Mbps for video? I am burning a DVD for a streaming site and they want it at 6.5 max for audio and video combined. How do I make sure I stay under the 6.5? Do I lower the DVDA project properties to 6.0? (It looks like under optimize disc, my video actually rendered around 6.3).
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  Derek
  
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  · 13:33 13/09/2013
  
  The Default MPEG2 render settings use Variable Bit Rates - Max, Average and Low. Every DVD you have ever bought uses variable bit rates.
  MPEG2 is not really used at all for Streaming Video - this is the wrong format. Video for DVD is also Interlaced Video, which is totally wrong for the Internet. It must be Progressive Scan instead. If you are sending a video file to a website that is going stream it, then you should be using Mainconcept AAC/AVC .mp4 or Sony AVC/MVC .mp4.
  I suggest you use one of the Internet Templates like Mainconcept. Inside the Video tab settings, you can switch to CONSTANT Bit Rate and set exactly to 6.5Mbps.
  [url]https://www.moviestudiozen.com/free-tutorials/sony-movie-studio-platinum/436-how-to-render-720p-video-movie-studio-platinum-12[/url]
  
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