Comments ref User Recommended Workflow for VideoStudio

[bstansbury]

It's time for me to update my posts to this thread. After getting some very good help from people like Ken Berry and JCHunter, plus taking the time to read and understand the recommendations, I made several new DVD's using the correct procedures and I am very happy to say that it is really working as advertised. There are a few things that Ken and I agree should not be part of the "Recommended Process" such as the preview settings. We are going to stick with INstant Preivew mode and I'm not using the "high Quality setting either. I also found out that for the last 2 1/2 years I've had my Camcorder settings wrong for transferring DV to my PC. The audio was set at 16 bits, 38000 hz and I changed it to 16 bits, 48000 Hz, which is the audio rate needed to create a DVD. What this means is that in the DVD's I've created, my PC was asked to re-compress the aVI to high bit rate MPEG plus convert the audio to 48000, along with converting the audio .WAV file for background audio, along with Cool 3D avi introduction avi files, menus, chapters, etc. all at once. It is a wonder it doesn't crash every time I did this. I'm lucky I every got one to pass. Following the recommended process, with the project properties set correctly, the only thing the PC is doing when we say a "MPEG Video File", is to compress the file. Both DVD's were over 2 hrs in length and it took about 3 1/2 hours on my system to compress them. In the final step, loading the mpeg, matching the correct mPEG settings, and then "Create Disk" only took 3 minutes to build the VIDEO_TS folder, create the VOB files. I've said in other post, I don't depend on VS9 to get the capacity correct. I just get it under 8.5 GB in the first place (I do this in the Save Video File step), and once the VOB files are created I use DVD2ONE to compress the final Video into one DVD disk.

I also want to correct a problem I had in my initial "Save Video File" step that I mentioned in my first post to this thread. The window that opens in "Custom" in Create Video file and "Change MPEG SEttings" in Create Disks are different and I missed the additional "Options" button which will get you to the correct window. Just a dumb oversite on my part.

I do think the REcommended Process could be simplified and if I had the time I would work on it. However, I got started in Video a couple of years ago to save the 50-60 Analog video tapes I have into Digital and
DVD's. In the mean time I've had to make 3 new DVD digital productions and have only convert one years worth of analog. Along the way I've learn so much but still have so much to learn. There were times when my frustration level was so high I was ready to "Chuck" the entire process. I'm glad I've stuck with it.

I Hope this post helps someone else.

[Ken Berry]

God for you! Glad you stuck to it, and also posted back the results. It is indeed encouraging, even to us 'old timers' -- especially to see that we are indeed not just raving pedants!!

[CruzControll]

I may be new to this forum.. but when are these extremely long list of VS9 bugs going to be rectified?
Or are we supposed to pay for upgrades to VS10 to have access to functions already "sold" in VS9 such as "create disc"..?

It seems alot of your efort is consumed with re-actively educating users on how to navigate around software bugs as opposed to having
Ulead correct them.

thanks for the posts though, as we all need to know how to navigate through a bugy application.

I've sent numerous emails to "support" trying to meet deadlines for projects with no replies.. even from an automarted system.

[Ken Berry]

Unfortunately, none of us here have any connection with Ulead, and can't influence them in any way. But your own experience with trying to contact them is indicative of exactly why we are here and trying to help where we can...

[rtc2901]

Welcome to the world of video editing

No matter which product you choose, there are going to be bugs and problems. Video editing (in particular rendering) is one of the most resource-intensive tasks you can throw at your computer these days. And, given the variety of configurations, etc., it's a real challenge to produce a one-size-fits-all product.

Having tried several products comparable to VS9, I'd have to say that VS9 is pretty solid. It's very user-friendly and intuitive and you get a lot for the price.

There is definitely room for improvement but if you stick to the recommended procedures, you'll loose as little sleep as possible.

[blitzkow]

I first created a movie using the intuitive method. Then I tried your method. Not sure I understand why there's such a difference but things took a lot less time to run and the menu audio is fine also. The amount of space required was about half of what I needed doing things "intuitively".

[AmiMiajA]

Thank you so much fodr these helps I REALLY appreciate it

[tomreedtoon]

Your original Recommended Procedures have worked wonders. I stumbled through VS 7 SE, then upgraded to 8, and am now working with 9. However, nowhere did anyone teach the basics of capture and edit settings!

For those who wish to complain about the product, I only wish you had to deal with the broadcast digital products I use as a TV engineer. At least two of my bosses have had to join a voodoo cult and sacrifice chickens under a full moon to get the stuff to work even partially. Their next job step is to learn Japanese, so they can properly curse out the engineers who built the stuff and maybe get them to provide the promised product support.

Ulead's instructions may not be complete, but they are at least in English. And once you learn how to work VS, with these instructions, you'll find the program is remarkably stable and flexible.

[mghia]

Hi,
I have read through all 7 pages and do not see an answer to my question.
I am still using 7 SE which came with my BFG card. I did all updates and patches I could find.

Was able to burn an 53 minute video (2.5 Gig) captured as Mpeg2, using the procedure of the OP.
But this was without Menus.

So then I tried to follow his instructions that would allow to save the menu work.

At this point when I try the proceedure of loading the clip into the burn menu, I cna not get my work to show up. If I try to load the file "burn project.vsp" it tells me it is blank.

Now if I open 7SE and click open project and then go to Share and burn, my work is visible.

Nothing is in the time line.

I do get that "this will take a while" message. But without the menus I got that message and it still burned the disk.

I went back and matched the video settings as close to the clip as I could.

This capture was a bit on the low side. I did not notice that the defaults were 704x 480 at 25 fps. Bit rate is 1500 kpbs.
On the bit rate I could not set it that low so left it at "Constant 6000"

I did have frame based selected. But as I said it just burned at 4x on the same media with out the menus.

I tried saving an ISO file and buring from that with the same results.

So is there a way to get it to not crash after writing 1/4 of the disk? (error DVDR-DAO-SPTI-2A02-03-0c-00)

I am asking how I can load in my chapter menu work or save it so that I can follow the outlined proceedure which seems to work for burning without a crash. To repeat, if I go to the Share and then Burn menu, I can not "ADD" my VSP project in since it says it is empty.
But if I open it from the file menu and then click share the information is there. (So why is it empty?)

I am a little afraid of upgrading at this time. I have read quite a few posts that even with the latest people have similar problems.

Any advice is appreciated.

__________
AMD Barton 2400+(tweaked to 2GHZ)
1 Gig PC 2700 DDR
BFG 5900FX Ultra 256 MB
80 gig SATA with plenty of free space.
XP HOME with SP2

[sjj1805]

You shouldn't be trying to burn a VSP project. You should firstly create a DVD compliant MPEG file and then create your menu Driven DVD from that.

Steve J

[mghia]

Let me clarify:
The recommended procedure on Page 1 of this topic states:
"Optional step: You can save all yoru DVD menues by pressing "close" select File/Save As and name this project "brun project" or something like that. Then, hen you open this Burn project again and press Share/Create Disc, everything (menus, ed) shold still be there."

The only thing I can see that allow me to save it as when I do that is a VSP.

So where does he mean to open the file?
If I go to FILE >OPEN PROJECT and select my project that I saved as per the insturctions the time line is blank as well as the preview. It is empty.

AND YET if I click SHARE and Creat disk, All my menus are shown as well as the Mepg I captured. All plays fine in the preview .


SO the problem is that the burn fails with the error code provided in my post. I tried different settings to try to match the original file and made 5 coasters.

YET the file burned fine without the menus using the procedure on page 1 of this post using the New Project> SHARE>Creat Disk>add video recommendation.

So how do I save the menus in as a mpg before burning.
I repeat, if I open the project saved in the Creat Disk section, to preserve my menus how do I tie it all together to make the mpg before burning. As stated the project will open from the FILE menu but is blank and only shows the details when in the Create disk section.

[jchunter]

Mghia,
The purpose of the "BurnProject" is only to preserve your Video File selection and your DVD Menu selections. When you open it using File/Open project, it appears blank until you go to the SHARE tab.

I have a feeling that you are using the "Add Project" button in the Share tab to try to add your original project... You should only be selecting your final "compiled" video file of your first project. You did make a Video File, didn't you?

If you are getting the "Converting Videos..." message, something is very wrong. Do not proceed with the burn.

[mghia]

I am not sure how I can explain this better but I will try. Thanks for all your efforts.
1. YES I stated that I was not using the add project but had tried it when nothing else worked
2. Yes after I open the project from the file menu and then go to share the menu information is visible. This I knew already
3. You stated NEVER to burn a movie if you opened it from the file button. You also state to use the ADD file button in the Share/create DVD
4. I am not sure what you mean when you ask if I made a video file. I stated I captured as an mpg file. I wanted to add menus.
This is where I am stuck since the burn fails every time with many settings tried.

5. I burned this file without the menus fine.

SO what is the method to save the file with menus. When I try that, all I get is it saving the VSP which opens empty until I go the share section.

How do I save it, ,menus and all as a mpg if that is what I am supposed to do.

THANKS!

[sjj1805]

I think you are getting a bit confused so lets try and go through the process from start to finish.
The important rule of thumb is Never get Video Studio to do more than one thing at a time.

Step 1. Get your camcorder and film something.
Step 2. Open Video Studio's video editor, connect your camcorder and retrieve the video from it into your computer.
Step 3. Edit your video. Cut out unwanted items. Add Titles, background music etc.
Step 4. From the Share Tab select Create Video File. Choose one of the following (If you are in the USA and some other parts of the world change "PAL" to NTSC")
PAL DVD 4.3
PAL DVD 16.9
These two formats create a DVD compliant MPEG file on your computer.
Step 5. clear the timeline, quickest way to do this is select File | New project
Step 6. Go to the Share Tab and select Create disc.
Step 7. Select the Add Video button and now add the video previously saved at item 6.
Optional step.... Add/Edit chapter.
Step 8 click Next.
Now select one of the menu templates and make any changes you wish such as the Text titles, Background Picture, background music etc.
Step 9. Click next. Preview your Menu with the remote control at the bottom of the preview screen.
Step 10. click next.
Now decide if you are burning direct to a DVD, A Hard Drive folder or creating an Image file (Or a combination of all three)
Check the required/available disc space to make sure its going to fit.
If its too big either use the "fit and burn" button or if you prefer to do things yourself click the cog button at the bottom left of the screen and change the MPEG settings
Table of bit rate settings
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=12122
Step 11. click the burn button.

Steve J

[mghia]

This is frustrating.
I am not the one getting confused. I have explained the processes and have followed the recommended procedure. BUt it seems you have not followed or understood the steps to comment properly on this.
Telling to to GET MY CAMCORDER AND FILM SOMETHING just shows you did not read my posts. This has nothing to do with a camcorder.

Lets put it this way.
I am at your STEP 7- That is I have taken a SAVED MPEG opened it via the ADD button. I have then used the Share section to make menus/chapters.

I SAVED THIS work AS RECOMMENED AND DESCRIBED NOW MANY TIMES.



I HAVE PREVIEWED. I HAVE Gone as described to the last screen for burning and this is where the progam fails/

Can someone tell me what to do next ?
What I need is instructions one what to do after one saves the menu work. The only option I have is to save as a VSP/
SO if I need it as an mepeg tell me how one can go and make menus and SAVE THIS INFO and then later open it before the burn.

I just do not understand why you do not know what I am talking about since this is exactly what I read in the OP