this is for a client, so I need to fix this problem if possible,

I digitized miniDV video in at 25DV, and then added a bunch of still images and titles. When I export the lossless file, all of the DIAGONAL EDGES ARE JAGGED! not crazy interlace lines, but just uneven diagonals. even the text and the still photos look bad. I cant figure out where the problem is.

When burnt to DVD, it looks a bit better on the TV, but still not good enough. the DVD menu i made looks GREAT but when the video plays, those damn jagged lines look so bad. its embarrasing!

my thoughts: it looks pretty jagged in the timeline as well, but I thought it would be better when I export. does it have to do with DV25 resolution as opposed to DV50? if i resize the video as an effect, does that mess it up? am i exporting the wrong aspect ratio?

Export settings: send to QT --> animation --> best (size: 720x480, field order: single field, color levels: 601/709, display aspect ratio: native dimensions (720x480)

im using:
xpress HD pro 5.0
Quicktime Pro 4.7.5

Dell Inspiron B130 Laptop
Intel Celeron M 1.50GHz
0.99 GB RAM
Windows XP Home Edition v.2002

www.markamontalto.com/jagged_example.jpg

DV25! 

for real? digitizing at DV25 is my problem? I don't remeber dv25 looking so bad...

can anyone else confirm that for me?

No, that's not caused by DV specifically. This  looks like your timeline is in draft mode (Green/yellow) possible?

Sorry, this is on export....

So , first thing I see is that you say you are using QT 4.7.5 (I assume you mean 7.4.5). that's way out of spec for a PC. You are supposed to be running no higher than 7.3.

Can you also tell us what export settings you are using?

Export settings: send to QT --> animation --> best (size: 720x480, field order: single field, color levels: 601/709, display aspect ratio: native dimensions (720x480)

im in green / yellow mode on my timeline.. i know just yellow is crappy looking but is there a straight up GREEN mode? maybe its something simple like that.

You get Green/Green if you have a Mojo. Doesn't affect export though. Your problem is the single field. It needs to be lower field first.

thats what i thought too, originally, BUT single field is the only thing that doesnt give me crazy interlace lines on the TV. I tried both odd and even fields first with disgusting results.

is this an indication of something I could have done wrong in the shooting process?

No, you can't not shoot DV25 lower field dominant.

You need to check your field dominance settings in both your Avid export settings and in the compression software that you're using.  Just be aware that if you compress interlaced media to MPEG-2 with the correct settings it may still show interlace artifacts when played on a computer.  When played on a DVD deck to an interlaced monitor or TV if correctly encoded it will look fine.