VS10+ Questions and problems

[jimmythebook]

I am new to the ULead products, and have searched the forums for a few hours trying to find answers. Unfortunately there is so much info it's hard to find what you need. Plus, relatively simple threads get very complicated and difficult to follow unless you're doing exactly what someone is asking about.

So, here are the few questions I have. Hopefully someone can help me out. I'm ready to buy, so if you're a ULead enthusist here is your opportunity to bring another into the fold!

#1. Right now I am using the trial version of VS10+. I am trying to find some software that can do 3 things: edit my videos (both DV-AVI and ripped DVDs), burn them to DVD, and put them onto my iPod. So far as I can tell, VS10+ works well for 1 and 2. Unfortunately the third has limited options in the trial version, although I can see that both MPEG4 and H264 are supported. Can anyone tell me if you have full control over the options (width/height, bitrate, etc.) on these outputs with the full version? I'm concerned the only options are the default ones loaded by VS10+. I'm a control freak, so I need to have the ability to change these as I see fit.

#2. I use DVDDectrypter to rip DVDs to my hard drive. These resulting files have been usable by a number of different programs (VirtualDub, Cyberlink, etc.). When I try to import them into VS10+, the entire file doesn't import, it stops short. I've only tried one movieso far (Star Wars I), which consisted of 4 different VOB files. The first 3 worked fine, the last only imported about 2/3. But these very files have worked in other programs just fine. If this program can't import the entire VOB, it's no good to me.

#3. Audio sync issue, which is one of the more difficult things to look into. Evertime I find a good thread to read about this, it starts to get specific about how files are converted, go from MPEG-AVI, so on... and they stop being any good to someone like me. I capture TV using a Dazzle, and like to edit those quite a bit. I imported a few of these captured files of cartoons for my daughter. I cut out from the beginning and end (no commercials) and put about 4 back to back. When I burned the DVD, audio was out of sync. Again, if I can't count on this to be able to do this simple task, no good. It looks like there is a lot that goes into this problem, I'm looking for someone who does this type of thing to ensure me that my $100 will get me what I need here.

If anyone can let me know how the full version works on these it would be very helpful. I've trialed other programs like Cyberlink and Pinnacle, but really like the VS10+ interface and options. But at $100, I'd like to know before burning the cash. I've trialed a number of programs, all which have their ups and downs. This looks to be my solution, if I'm confident it can handle these 3 tasks.

Thanks for the help!

[Ron P.]

Hi Jimmy, welcome to the forums..

I don't know if I'll talk you into or out of purchasing VS10+..

1. You should be able to edit in DV-AVI and MPEG2. However as you have read, MPEG2 can be real tricky to do much editing. This is not unique to Ulead VideoStudio. There are numerous articles written about the risks of editing MPEG video. Unless the program is written to specifically edit MPEG then it is risky to do so. Womble is one program that is written as such. You do have control over the resolution (height and width), bitrate of your video files. However keep in mind, that to burn a DVDs you must meet several criteria. That also is not a Ulead specific item. DVD is a standard, and will only accomodate video that is written to that standard. VS allows for most all the popular formats.

2. Ripping DVD's is thought of as in commercial DVDs. If these are copy-protected, then you are on your own. VS was not designed to circumvent macro-vision or any other copy protection. One thing that may be causing you troubles with the trial version is Dolby audio. Since Dolby is fee based, it is not included with the trial versions, however is fully available, both 5.1 and AC3. VS can import VOB files from DVDs.

3. Your audio sync is a result of editing MPEGs. As stated in #1, this is not something that is specific to Ulead programs. There are those that have and still do, successfully edit MPEGs without suffering the sync issues.

So there you have it. Worth your $100 or not...

[maddrummer3301]

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[jimmythebook]

Thanks for the info. I am under the impression that copying DVDs to a computer for my personal viewing is perfectly legal, much like doing the same with a CD. The law-breaking comes when you distribute or sell that info. But we'll keep the legal stuff somewhere else and I appreciate the sensitivity, so I'll stop using the term "ripping" and will also stop asking questions about my work on commercial DVDs and will keep it to my home movies.

I appreciate the answers, and will throw another at you. I had taken some videos of my daughter and compressed them into a DIVX codec. When I imported that file, VS read it just fine. I then tried to output it to an MPEG4 file. I left it last night, and 8 hours later it was only to 7%. Based on this, I'm looking at a time of about 4.5 days. Why is this? Is is the codec? Are there other codecs that I should try to stay away from? I've got quite a few more camcorder tapes I need to use again, and storing the raw footage is about 100G.

[jimmythebook]

[quote]One thing that may be causing you troubles with the trial version is Dolby audio. [/quote]

I'm pretty sure the VOB I was using was AC-3 audio, but I'm guessing that Dolby can be encoded to AC-3.

Does the trial version have a limited time on Dolby? Or just not supported all together? I wouldn't see how that restriction would allow 1 hour 45 minutes to load and play properly with audio, but cut off the last 45 minutes.

[Ron P.]

Your correct that it shouldn't import any Dolby audio. That was just one possibility that came to mind. Many people try using video that has Dolby audio, with the trial versions, and don't know that since Dolby is fee based, most all makers of NLE's remove that from the free versions. They don't want to pay for something then give it away. Well in fact they are not allowed to distribute it without charging.

While DivX is one of the supported formats in VS 10+, it is a highly compressed format. The more compressed the format, the less likelyhood of successful editing. It has to do with the compression algorithms. Like in MPEG2, you have I, B, P frames. The "I" frames are the only full frames, the B and P are not, and are dependant on the I-frames. So if you cut where the B or P frames need information from the I-frame, and can not get it, because you just cut it out, it is forced to recreate something from nothing.

While you are able to edit such highly compressed formats, that are intended for distribution, not for editing, be prepared for errors and as you are learning very, very long encoding times.

[CycleWriter]

Thanks for the info. I am under the impression that copying DVDs to a computer for my personal viewing is perfectly legal, much like doing the same with a CD. The law-breaking comes when you distribute or sell that info.

Not to intrude on your sidestepping of the issue, but you are mistaken. The law allows you to make a copy of copyrighted material for the purpose of backup or archive. That is understood to mean a 1-for-1 copy. Technically, it does not allow you to disassemble, recompile, edit or otherwise change the original material for your own purposes. Of course, no one is going to knock your door down for something you do in the privacy of your home, but my point is that most commercial programs often will not facilitate doing something that is illegal. There are a number of programs that will make exact copies of even copy-protected materials, but extracting a VOB from a commercial DVD in order to allow editing or repackaging is probably not within the intended scope of VS. That it worked at all for you was probably a fluke, but it certainly isn't an intended feature.

[jimmythebook]

First, I appreciate all of the help. This is a great forum, and very helpful for people like me. Those of you that reply with information, please keep it up!

There are a number of programs that will make exact copies of even copy-protected materials, but extracting a VOB from a commercial DVD in order to allow editing or repackaging is probably not within the intended scope of VS.

Understood. I'm obviously not that schooled on the laws, I guess I was more basing the premise on audio, and that as long as I bought a copy of the actual DVD I could watch it in any way I wanted. I would agree that I'm probably not going to get any visits, which is good. But my only purpose is to transfer DVDs I already own onto something else to watch other than a DVD player. I do appreciate the clarification.

While you are able to edit such highly compressed formats, that are intended for distribution, not for editing

Is there a codec other than uncompressed AVI that edits well in VS? I've got hours of home movies I'm eventually going to start editing and putting together. When I uncompress the files, the sizes are absolutely enormous! Is there a good encryption that will edit well? Not many options (MPEG1/2/4, Divx).

I was minutes away from purchasing the full license, and decided to try one more thing. I have a Dazzle video capture device, and tried to capture using VS. When I tried to capture the first time, I got an error. The second time, the program terminated. Any ideas as to whether or not my video capture should work? This isn't make or break, but it would be nice to know.

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[Ron P.]

If at all possible capture to DV AVI, which will take up about 13 gig per hour of video. Full uncompressed AVI produces the huge file sizes of 65 gig per hour.

If you are able to capture/transfer to DV, do all your editing, then create a DVD compatible MPEG2. This MPEG2 will then be used to burn to disc.

If you can not capture to DV, then capture to MPEG2. Make sure all your properties (project and video file) match. While I'm a proponent of DV capture and editing, I do realize that editing MPEG2 is possible, but tricky. The end result for both is DVD compatible MPEG2.

If you have the means to capture via Firewire, then DV should be what is used. Other devices such as the Dazzle do not provide for this. I too have a Dazzle thing somewhere, I don't believe I've made it to the garbage can with it yet. My opinion only...Junk. One of the best to use is Canopus Procoder, a little pricey though. Several people use one of AdsTeck's devices.

[jimmythebook]

Home movies from the camcorder will be easy, since it's miniDV and uploads DV AVI files directly. No problems there.

As for captured stuff, it looks like putting multiple MPEG files one after the other works fine. I'm not sure if this will eventually cause an out of sync condition, but I would hope I could at least put clips together without causing issues.

If you are able to capture/transfer to DV, do all your editing, then create a DVD compatible MPEG2. This MPEG2 will then be used to burn to disc.

Based on this, my best bet is to put the clips together and output the project to a DV file. There looks to be 2 DV encoders, one that does PCM audio and the other that does a DV audio. I'll stick to PCM, since it's uncompressed and tought to screw up. Hopefully this output DV format (in an AVI container) is either the DV AVI format you're referring to, or at least similar enough to allow for editing. The good news is since it's not doing much encoding, it goes fairly fast. I'm going to do some standard edits (removing sections). After the editing, I can do the share to DVD and that will put into an MPEG2 for me, and let me make a few chapters as well.

It's a good plan, hopefully this will work well. For once, maybe something will go right.

[maddrummer3301]

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