We recently captured our first video project using VS-8 from an analog camcorder-52 minutes worth. The program worked great in producing the final DVD. We're very satisfied. But I have a few questions to maybe do things better or differently next time:
1. What's the best format to capture in? I used AVI, but it created a HUGE
file: about 83 gigabits!!! Can I set the CAPTURE SETTINGS to MPEG,
and still open and edit it successfully with VideoStudio Editor? Will this
allow me to easily burn it to DVD later?
2. Before burning this project, we created and saved it as an MPEG-2. But
I can't seem to open it up and edit it in VS-8, only the VSP file we
originally worked with(the huge one). Is there a way to save this huge
file as MPEG and be able to edit it with VS-8 so we can delete the huge
VSP file and get the hard drive space back?
Thanks for any advice you can offer,
GlennG
capturing a movie & later creating a video file of it
Moderator: Ken Berry
-
jchunter_2
GlennG,
1) If you have a fast computer (>2.6 GHz) with lots of memory (1GB) and free hard drive space you can probably capture directly to mpeg2 and save a lot of disk space and time because mpeg2 is the format you will need for your DVD.
I absolutely recommend that you read the post entitled "NEW USERS READ THIS FIRST..." and follow the first link to the Recommended Procedure for avoiding Video Studio bugs.
2) You can import your project video file into the library and then drag it into the timeline, where you can perform some other edits. However, for complete editing, you should use your original project because it will show the transitions, text, etc. as editable objects and the video file will not.
BTW, it is the AVI file that is huge - not the VSP file.
1) If you have a fast computer (>2.6 GHz) with lots of memory (1GB) and free hard drive space you can probably capture directly to mpeg2 and save a lot of disk space and time because mpeg2 is the format you will need for your DVD.
I absolutely recommend that you read the post entitled "NEW USERS READ THIS FIRST..." and follow the first link to the Recommended Procedure for avoiding Video Studio bugs.
2) You can import your project video file into the library and then drag it into the timeline, where you can perform some other edits. However, for complete editing, you should use your original project because it will show the transitions, text, etc. as editable objects and the video file will not.
BTW, it is the AVI file that is huge - not the VSP file.
-
GlennG
follow-up response to help
Thanks for the response. I tried to set the video options like the first suggestion on the NEW USERS READ THIS FIRST link. On the CAPTURE SETTINGS tab, I selected MPEG for the FORMAT choice.
Then, I went to the CAPTURE SETTINGS tab's OPTIONS, and then VIDEO AND AUDIO CAPTURE PROPERTY SETTINGS. Next I chose the CAPTURE tab, selected MPEG at the top, but I never could get the correct options like the NEW USER LOOK HERE FIRST link showed unless I selected DVD at the top instead of MPEG. So I chose DVD and then chose ADVANCED at the bottom. This gave the MPEG capture properties of:
NTSC drop frame(29.97 fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 720x480, 29.97 fps
upper field first(I use analog camcorder)
DVD-NTSC, 4:3
video data rate(variable(mac 8000 fps)
audio data rate 224 kbps
MPEG audio, 48 kHz, stereo
I also checked the CAPTURE plug-in after this and VS-8 had correctly changed it to the MPEG type.
Back on the CAPTURE tab main screen however, it changed the FORMAT I chose originally from MPEG to DVD(probably because I'd later selected DVD on the VIDEO AND AUDIO CAPTURE PROPERTY SETTINGS).
I left that alone, and then captured a short video from my analog JVC camcorder. After adjusting the soung level during capture to make sure I didn't get too hot a level and sound clipping noise, it seemed to work fine. I didn't try to do any editing to what I captured. I assume that'll work, though. Correct? I checked the file in Windows Explorer, etc., and it was MPEG-2. It looks like making the capture format DVD on the CAPTURE tab, and then the ADVANCED settings options shown above, simply tweak the captured signal to be displayed later on a burned DVD. Right? The DVD format on the CAPTURE tab evidently selects MPEG-2 with the optimized settings to be viewed on a DVD-video.
JCHUNTER, thanks again for your help. Does this look OK to you?
I appreciate your help!
GlennG
Then, I went to the CAPTURE SETTINGS tab's OPTIONS, and then VIDEO AND AUDIO CAPTURE PROPERTY SETTINGS. Next I chose the CAPTURE tab, selected MPEG at the top, but I never could get the correct options like the NEW USER LOOK HERE FIRST link showed unless I selected DVD at the top instead of MPEG. So I chose DVD and then chose ADVANCED at the bottom. This gave the MPEG capture properties of:
NTSC drop frame(29.97 fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 720x480, 29.97 fps
upper field first(I use analog camcorder)
DVD-NTSC, 4:3
video data rate(variable(mac 8000 fps)
audio data rate 224 kbps
MPEG audio, 48 kHz, stereo
I also checked the CAPTURE plug-in after this and VS-8 had correctly changed it to the MPEG type.
Back on the CAPTURE tab main screen however, it changed the FORMAT I chose originally from MPEG to DVD(probably because I'd later selected DVD on the VIDEO AND AUDIO CAPTURE PROPERTY SETTINGS).
I left that alone, and then captured a short video from my analog JVC camcorder. After adjusting the soung level during capture to make sure I didn't get too hot a level and sound clipping noise, it seemed to work fine. I didn't try to do any editing to what I captured. I assume that'll work, though. Correct? I checked the file in Windows Explorer, etc., and it was MPEG-2. It looks like making the capture format DVD on the CAPTURE tab, and then the ADVANCED settings options shown above, simply tweak the captured signal to be displayed later on a burned DVD. Right? The DVD format on the CAPTURE tab evidently selects MPEG-2 with the optimized settings to be viewed on a DVD-video.
JCHUNTER, thanks again for your help. Does this look OK to you?
I appreciate your help!
GlennG
-
tsaugey
MPEG capture advice
Glen,
The 8000 kbs variable bitrate/ MPEG audio is a good choice for videos around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. The quality will be high. You adjust this down to 6000 for 1.5 hours or 4000 for 2 hours but quality will be lower. One thing you might encounter with MPEG capture from a capture device- video files look fine when played on the computer but lose audio sync when burned to disc (especially on longer movies). This is because ULEAD will create VOBs out of your MPEG then burn to disc. If there are small errors and dropped frames in the MPEG2, it will become a problem while converting to VOB. Most capture cards have this problem to some degree. There is a progam called VideoReDo ($49) that will correct most of the MPEG errors before you convert them to VOB without having to re-render them. It also works as a quick commercial remover for movies captured from Cable TV.
You will have to experiment with capture bitrates to keep quality high and files below size limit without resizing. If your edited VOBs exceed the DVD-R size limit, you can quickly "shrink" them with a program called DVD Shrink (freeware). One more thing- LPCM audio is more compatable with older DVD players than MPEG audio but uses a lot of space on the disc. If the MPEG audio plays fine with your family's DVD players, go for it.
Good Luck!
The 8000 kbs variable bitrate/ MPEG audio is a good choice for videos around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. The quality will be high. You adjust this down to 6000 for 1.5 hours or 4000 for 2 hours but quality will be lower. One thing you might encounter with MPEG capture from a capture device- video files look fine when played on the computer but lose audio sync when burned to disc (especially on longer movies). This is because ULEAD will create VOBs out of your MPEG then burn to disc. If there are small errors and dropped frames in the MPEG2, it will become a problem while converting to VOB. Most capture cards have this problem to some degree. There is a progam called VideoReDo ($49) that will correct most of the MPEG errors before you convert them to VOB without having to re-render them. It also works as a quick commercial remover for movies captured from Cable TV.
You will have to experiment with capture bitrates to keep quality high and files below size limit without resizing. If your edited VOBs exceed the DVD-R size limit, you can quickly "shrink" them with a program called DVD Shrink (freeware). One more thing- LPCM audio is more compatable with older DVD players than MPEG audio but uses a lot of space on the disc. If the MPEG audio plays fine with your family's DVD players, go for it.
Good Luck!
-
THoff
MPEG Audio is only part of the PAL DVD standard, but not NTSC. If you are able to play MPEG Audio NTSC DVDs, consider yourself lucky.
LPCM is supported by both standards, as is AC-3 Dolby Digital, though the latter will require appropriate decoding circuitry in the DVD player. These days, practically every DVD player does have this.
LPCM is supported by both standards, as is AC-3 Dolby Digital, though the latter will require appropriate decoding circuitry in the DVD player. These days, practically every DVD player does have this.
-
jchunter_2
Tsaugey,
Sorry, but I must disagree that analog capture devices are the cause of the Audio/Video sync problem.
I have captured a lot of analog video and burned a lot of DVDs with perfect sync when played in the TV set. Later, (a few months ago), I burned another DVD from one of the same projects, with the same captured video, and the audio preceded the video by about 2 seconds.
Clearly, there is a problem somewhere in Video Studio because the only changes that I made were to install the 8.01 update. (I had also installed XP Service Pack 2 but it is difficult to see how this could affect A/V sync.)
IMHO, VS8.01 has an A/V sync bug that needs to be fixed ASAP!
Sorry, but I must disagree that analog capture devices are the cause of the Audio/Video sync problem.
I have captured a lot of analog video and burned a lot of DVDs with perfect sync when played in the TV set. Later, (a few months ago), I burned another DVD from one of the same projects, with the same captured video, and the audio preceded the video by about 2 seconds.
Clearly, there is a problem somewhere in Video Studio because the only changes that I made were to install the 8.01 update. (I had also installed XP Service Pack 2 but it is difficult to see how this could affect A/V sync.)
IMHO, VS8.01 has an A/V sync bug that needs to be fixed ASAP!
Last edited by jchunter_2 on Sun Dec 19, 2004 3:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
jchunter_2
Glenng,
It looks as if the Capture section of the Recommended Procedure could use a bit more "how-to" detail - but you worked it out and I think that you are on the right track.
Yes, you can edit mpeg in Video Studio 8.01 just fine. Make sure that you stick to the recommended procedure about PROPERTIES. Become a fanatic about properties, especially when burning, and you will be a happy camper.
As for the comatibility-quotient of Mpeg vs. LPCM audio, I don't have a strong opinion either way. Mpeg has always worked for me and all the DVD players that I have used. In any case, you can change the audio properties later in the edit process easier than changing video file properties (e.g., if you capture with a low video bitrate property, you can't make the picture sharper by increasing the bitrate later.)
It looks as if the Capture section of the Recommended Procedure could use a bit more "how-to" detail - but you worked it out and I think that you are on the right track.
Yes, you can edit mpeg in Video Studio 8.01 just fine. Make sure that you stick to the recommended procedure about PROPERTIES. Become a fanatic about properties, especially when burning, and you will be a happy camper.
As for the comatibility-quotient of Mpeg vs. LPCM audio, I don't have a strong opinion either way. Mpeg has always worked for me and all the DVD players that I have used. In any case, you can change the audio properties later in the edit process easier than changing video file properties (e.g., if you capture with a low video bitrate property, you can't make the picture sharper by increasing the bitrate later.)
-
tsaugey
A/V sync problem
THoff,
You have the right to disagree but I spent a lot of time dealing with this issue of A/V sync in captured MPEG. Files I create by rendering from DV always work fine. Even after re-rendering MPEG2 with VS8 they work fine. If I capture from my ATI All-in-wonder, there will be sync problems- period. This may not be true of all capture cards or other hardware but it seems to be a hot topic on several web forums. While the problem could indeed be with ULEAD's creation process in VOBs, other software including Pinnacle and Videowave do the same thing. For me there has only been one solution. Re-render the captured MPEG (disable "SmartRender") with VS8 or "fix the MPEG file with VideoReDo which is much faster. If you never have these issues with your MPEG captures, may I ask what you are using for the captures?
You have the right to disagree but I spent a lot of time dealing with this issue of A/V sync in captured MPEG. Files I create by rendering from DV always work fine. Even after re-rendering MPEG2 with VS8 they work fine. If I capture from my ATI All-in-wonder, there will be sync problems- period. This may not be true of all capture cards or other hardware but it seems to be a hot topic on several web forums. While the problem could indeed be with ULEAD's creation process in VOBs, other software including Pinnacle and Videowave do the same thing. For me there has only been one solution. Re-render the captured MPEG (disable "SmartRender") with VS8 or "fix the MPEG file with VideoReDo which is much faster. If you never have these issues with your MPEG captures, may I ask what you are using for the captures?
-
THoff
I occasionally capture using NVIDIA-based video cards to AVI files with Huffyuv compression, but I primarily use a Canopus ADVC-300 to create DV AVI files. In both cases I then transcode to MPEG2, either using Canopus ProCoder, or using Ulead Videostudio.
I don't want to tell people to stop procedures that work for them, but I do want to clarify what the DVD standard says. If you are interested in compatibility because you will be sharing your creations with others and not just playing the DVDs on your PC or standalone DVD player, you should note the restrictions placed on DVD contents.
I don't want to tell people to stop procedures that work for them, but I do want to clarify what the DVD standard says. If you are interested in compatibility because you will be sharing your creations with others and not just playing the DVDs on your PC or standalone DVD player, you should note the restrictions placed on DVD contents.
-
david reece
if you are PAL MPG audio is support on DVD as well as PCM and AC3.
My personal preference until VS8 was to capture and edot as MPG_Audio or MP3.
Since VS8 synch problems have crept in.
To fix i capture as DV.AVI with LPCM Audio. i then edit my movie and create an MPG from it using
8256 kbps
vbr
24 bit color
PAL DVD 720x576
Audio 48000 mhz PCM(default)
lower field
i then transfer my video to DVD WS2.
In this part of the program i set my template to High Quality AC3.
I then check my video matches the template.
On the final burn the video isnt converted at all and kept at 8000 kbps with audio set at 256 bps. All that gets converted is the Audio of the video.
I find that this works perfect.
However if i capture as MPG2 direct it plays perfect on my PC. If i then put this onto a DVD out of synch str8 away!
I dont think that MPG audio is the panacea it once was with VS7.
Also you need consider if you create your video with just PCM audio you will get a much shorter video to your disc as the audio takes up a heck of a lot of space, hence why i now use the AC3 codec thru DVDWS2.
The AC3 codec is available as a package bundle from Ulead.
My personal preference until VS8 was to capture and edot as MPG_Audio or MP3.
Since VS8 synch problems have crept in.
To fix i capture as DV.AVI with LPCM Audio. i then edit my movie and create an MPG from it using
8256 kbps
vbr
24 bit color
PAL DVD 720x576
Audio 48000 mhz PCM(default)
lower field
i then transfer my video to DVD WS2.
In this part of the program i set my template to High Quality AC3.
I then check my video matches the template.
On the final burn the video isnt converted at all and kept at 8000 kbps with audio set at 256 bps. All that gets converted is the Audio of the video.
I find that this works perfect.
However if i capture as MPG2 direct it plays perfect on my PC. If i then put this onto a DVD out of synch str8 away!
I dont think that MPG audio is the panacea it once was with VS7.
Also you need consider if you create your video with just PCM audio you will get a much shorter video to your disc as the audio takes up a heck of a lot of space, hence why i now use the AC3 codec thru DVDWS2.
The AC3 codec is available as a package bundle from Ulead.