VS10 Convert step problem

[bradwell77]

I have been using VS7 for some years now and got used to it's liitle quirks & foibles. I have become fairly well acquainted with terms Frame Base, bit rates etc.

Having recently trialled and bought VS10 I am now starting to use it in earnest - and the first project is that holiday in Tenerife in July. Having captured all my DV to VS10, edited the files into MPG format, created a slideshow of JPEGSs, I then start to Create Disc....

I seem to have become the latest to come across the Convert Step error...and I'm sure I'm not the last.

My system is an Athlon 2000+ running XP Home, 120 HD (36Gb free), 512 RAM. Pioneer DVD-RW DVR108 v1.20.

I capture on DV using a JVC GR-DVL367 using Firewire. The AVI format of the resultant files is Microsoft AVI - Open DML, 25fp/s, video compression DV Encoder Type 1. Audio is PCM at 48,000 kHz, 16 bit, Stereo.

My initial mistake may have been to create DVD-PAL files out of these with a video property of MPEG-2 Lower Frame First, 24 bits, 720x256, 16:9, 25 fp/s, variable bit speed (8,000). The Audio is LPCM.

Now I would rather not re-capture the files (I still have the tapes), is there anything I can tweek to burn a DVD so my grandsons can see themselves in the pool? I have tried changing the project properties to LFF and UFF - no luck - still that pesky error message.

PS Hi and thanks to Steve who helped me through the evaluation stage with some advice on audio/video synchronisation of MPEG-2 files.

David cadd

[Ken Berry]

All of those properties, both the captured DV and the converted DVD-compatible mpeg-2s, sound absolutely fine. (I am assuming here that you are indeed capturing using 16:9 as the format.) And with the mpeg-2 properties in particular, you simply should not be receiving a 'convert step' error message at all since no conversion should be occurring! (I assume you have 'Do not convert compliant mpeg files' checked in the middle of the three icons which appear in the bottom left hand corner of the burning page. It is normally checked by default.)

The only thing that I can think of is that, in that same icon, the burn properties in the pane above the 'Do not convert...' checkbox, do not match what you are trying to burn, and thus a conversion is being forced. Have a look at those properties to make sure they match your mpeg-2 properties, and if they don't, then use the Change MPEG Properties button immediately below that properties pane to ensure they all match up.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi David

When you say Convert Step Error, is this within the Burn process module?

You seem to be following the correct procedures, your comment (My initial mistake may have been to create DVD-PAL files) This is not a mistake and should be part of your work flow.

1 / capture to Dv (You indicate a ratio 16:9 for widescreen, is this correct.)
2 / edit your project ( your project properties should be the same as the capture properties)
3 / Share Create Video File ( to the Mpeg Settings you have indicated)(up to one hour)
4 / Start a new project ( make sure the project properties match the video file)
5 / Share Create Disc (add your video made in 3 above.)

As Ken has mentioned your properties have to match, otherwise VS will render the whole video.
Even with the properties matching VS 10 seems to indicate a render but is only for the menu. The main video should not render again.

Read My Quick Guide to Dv-Avi from the link below

Trevor

[bradwell77]

Thanks Ken, thanks Trevor.

Problem solved.

I forgot the Golden Rule of VS, learned over many years of working with VS7 and then carelessly forgotten when experimenting with newly acquired VS10. ALWAYS CHECK THAT THE PROJECT PROPERTY SETTINGS ARE THE SAME AS THE MPEG-2 YOU WANT TO CREATE, AND THAT THESE PROPERTIES MATCH THE BURN SETTINGS.

Then once you have checked them, save the Project and CHECK AGAIN.
In my case The Project Preferences AND the burn properties were 4:3 video. All changed to match 16:9 and everything went through fine.

Will now go back and read a few tutorials and not assume that knowledge learned with an earlier version of VS will necessarily apply to newer software!

David

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi David

Glad to hear you fixed the problem.

If you intend to work with 16:9 widescreen you can set this ratio as default. When you start a new project it will default to 16:9.

This is done from the initial start up screen.

From preferences select Show Start-up Screen.
Restart video studio
Select the 16:9 option.

Have a look at 16:9 A look at Widescreen’ from the link below.

Hope this is useful
All the Best

Trevor