Videostudio 10+ Trial version question

jimboy · Post by **jimboy** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 8:01 pm

Still deciding on purchasing this product and I have a few questions.

When creating a DVD menu are there other font options available for the DVD titles? I'm looking for drop shadow in particular but I don't see that option when I change the font information.

When adding transitions between video clips while editing I loaded a dissolve. The dissolve looked more like a checkerboard pattern instead of a true mix between video clips. Does this software do a standard dissolve? Or did I selct the wrong thing? Does the trial version have full functionality?

I captured HDV video from my HVR-A1U Sony camera. The end result on DVD looks pretty good but the video has a slight "film" look to it. The motion isn't as smooth and fluid as normal video (same video captured but in DV downconverted mode from the camera). I this normal? I did try changing the bitrate to a constant 8Mbps but it didn't help. The only option during capture is Mpeg in the HDV mode.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 8:55 pm

When creating a DVD menu are there other font options available for the DVD titles? I'm looking for drop shadow in particular but I don't see that option when I change the font information.

Can't do it in VideoStudio. Remember, VideoStudio is primarily an editor that can do some DVD authoring. Ulead does offer other products that probably do what you are looking for.

When adding transitions between video clips while editing I loaded a dissolve. The dissolve looked more like a checkerboard pattern instead of a true mix between video clips. Does this software do a standard dissolve? Or did I selct the wrong thing? Does the trial version have full functionality?

What you are looking for is the crossfade transition. If the VS10 trial is like earlier versions then it probably is limited in some respects.

I captured HDV video from my HVR-A1U Sony camera. The end result on DVD looks pretty good but the video has a slight "film" look to it. The motion isn't as smooth and fluid as normal video (same video captured but in DV downconverted mode from the camera). I this normal? I did try changing the bitrate to a constant 8Mbps but it didn't help. The only option during capture is Mpeg in the HDV mode.

Have to defer this one to our friends who have already delved into HD

jimboy · Post by **jimboy** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 9:07 pm

Black Lab wrote:
When creating a DVD menu are there other font options available for the DVD titles? I'm looking for drop shadow in particular but I don't see that option when I change the font information.
Can't do it in VideoStudio. Remember, VideoStudio is primarily an editor that can do some DVD authoring. Ulead does offer other products that probably do what you are looking for.

When adding transitions between video clips while editing I loaded a dissolve. The dissolve looked more like a checkerboard pattern instead of a true mix between video clips. Does this software do a standard dissolve? Or did I selct the wrong thing? Does the trial version have full functionality?
What you are looking for is the crossfade transition. If the VS10 trial is like earlier versions then it probably is limited in some respects.

I captured HDV video from my HVR-A1U Sony camera. The end result on DVD looks pretty good but the video has a slight "film" look to it. The motion isn't as smooth and fluid as normal video (same video captured but in DV downconverted mode from the camera). I this normal? I did try changing the bitrate to a constant 8Mbps but it didn't help. The only option during capture is Mpeg in the HDV mode.
Have to defer this one to our friends who have already delved into HD

So you're telling me that Videostudio 10+ isn't that great for creating DVD menus? Do I also need DVD Moviefactory?

Post by **Ken Berry** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 10:39 pm

I use Movie Factory (now version 5) almost exclusively for myy authoring and it is certainly more sophisticated and flexible than VS10 in this regard. However, I am still not sure that you can do drop shadows in the menus. You would probably need the more upmarket DVD Workshop for that -- though others more familiar with Workshop, or indeed with developing your own menus using PhotoImpact, may wish to comment on this.

Incidentally, the Crossfade and Fade to Black transitions are normally found in the F/X folder of the Transitions.

jimboy · Post by **jimboy** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 11:59 pm

Ken Berry wrote:I use Movie Factory (now version 5) almost exclusively for myy authoring and it is certainly more sophisticated and flexible than VS10 in this regard. However, I am still not sure that you can do drop shadows in the menus. You would probably need the more upmarket DVD Workshop for that -- though others more familiar with Workshop, or indeed with developing your own menus using PhotoImpact, may wish to comment on this.

Incidentally, the Crossfade and Fade to Black transitions are normally found in the F/X folder of the Transitions.

In addition I'm comparing VS10+ with Roxio 8 and it seems strange that something as simple as a drop shadow can't be added to the font style. I don't consider Roxio more upscale either. It seems that the pre-made menus that popup when switching to "create menu" do have a drop shadow on the fonts. I just can't add my own.
I did figure out the difference between dissolve and crossfade, just my own stupidity.
Now if I can just get rid of that "film motion" look on my HDV video I might just purchase the software.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:50 pm

So you're telling me that Videostudio 10+ isn't that great for creating DVD menus? Do I also need DVD Moviefactory?

No, I'm just saying it can't do what you want. As I said, VideoStudio is an editor, not an authorer (?). With that being said, I think VideoStudio's authoring is very customizable (except for drop shadows

).