Convert MPEG-2 to AVI - image shrinks

[mkeyser]

Hi,

I am new to video editing, but have learned a lot from reading this forum thank you.

My Sony HDD camera records in MPEG-2. I wish to use FXHome's EffectsLab to had some special effects for the kids. EffectsLab will not work with MPEG, so I need to convert to AVI. From what I have read, this isn't recommended due to drop in quality from the conversion. I am willing to accept that limitation to trial the software.

Any how I have tried converting a small file in VS10. Everything appears ok, but the converted AVI is about 20% smaller with black bars on all four sides (as opposed to top & bottom). Aspect ratio is fine.

When starting VS I have the 16:9 box ticked. In the conversion tool I matched the frame rate (25); frame type (upper field first) & frame size (720 x 576) to the target file details.

I've played a bit, but nothing seems to solve the problem. I'm not really sure what to try next. Your suggestions would be appreciated.

Regards,

Matthew

[LGO]

I understand you to say that you are able to successfully get your MPEG-2 video onto your computer, but when using VS to convert it to AVI you're getting a smaller video image.

This might be one of those simple solutions you hit your head over when solved, so please excuse this obvioouos suggestion.

When you go to output the MPEG-2 you click on the "Share" button. Then you are presented with options for naming and format. Click on options to see further aspects that can be modified. It's here you need to check and make sure you have the same size resolution, etc. It's also here that you can specify the compression (aka "codec").

There is a lossless codec for AVI named "huffyuv" that you can install and download for free. Here's a link . . . .

http://neuron2.net/www.math.berkeley.ed ... ffyuv.html

Editing a huffyuv AVI and outputting to a huffyuv AVI will result in no loss of clarity, etc. When you've done all the special efffects that you want, as many times as you want, you can then ouput to DVD format.

A caveat . . . huffyuv AVIs will result in much LARGER files than an MPEG-2. You need to have acres (in your case, hectares? ) of free hard disk space to use huffyuv for videos of any length.

Good luck,

LGO

[mkeyser]

Thanks LGO,

You are correct, I can use the MPEG-2 without any problems. I have been doing the conversion from the top menu Tools|Batch convert. Following your steps from the share menu produced the same small video image.

huffyuv seemed to work just fine. The file size was considerably smaller than the uncompressed setting I had previously used.

Unfortunately the result is the same. This would suggest that it may be the project settings effecting the conversion. Alternatively it might have to do with the aspect ratio of the files I am using.

As mentioned in my first post the resolution is 720 x 576. But that (1.25) isn't the ratio of 16:9 wide screen (1.77). So I can assume that the video camera is adding the black bars at the top & bottom. Maybe this is causing problems.

Dropping the resolution to say 320x200 results in a larger picture (about 90% of the original) but the image quality drops a bit.

puzzled.

Matthew

[sjj1805]

Dont be confused by the frame size 720 x 576 it is the same for 4.3 and 16.9 Yes I know its confusing but they are the same.

If you're original material is 4.3 and you put it into a 16.9 project - the preview screen shows it as smaller.

1. Project properties set to 16.9


2. Same clip but project properties set to 4.3

[mkeyser]

Thanks Steve,

If the image in the preview screen is small, I assume it will appear smaller on my TV. I have yet to burn a DVD with this test videos, but the project preview seemed to show the image was smaller.

Below is a screen shot of the original video prior to converting.



This image is after converting to AVI at 720 x 576.


Regards,

Matthew

[Wolfgang van Ween]

I've tried this MPEG-2 to AVI conversion with short single clips, with project settings equal to the clip properties. The final AVI retains the size in pixels (720x576) but there's indeed a black frame around the video.

It's just a <20 pixels row on top and bottom of a 4:3 video, but quite a bit more on a 16:9 video.

Didn't find a solution either.... Sorry

Wolf

[mkeyser]

Thanks Wolf,

At least I know it probably isn't something I am doing.

I might try to find another converter.

Regards,

Matthew

[mkeyser]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I had started my conversions from the batch conversion tool, not aware of similar functions available in the share tab.

While experimenting I tried some of the standard conversion options under the Share tab. The converting to PAL DV 16:9 resulted in a good conversion. I can't see any decrease in picture quality, so I am happy. Unfortunately there are is very little choice in the options for this conversion. The file size is considerably smaller (about 10% of the uncompressed AVI), so I guess its compressed in some way.

I will keep experimenting, but its frustrating not know why.

Thanks again.

Regards,

Matthew

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Matthew

Ok

Before you convert establish if the original video contains borders.

Your first screen shot of the girl does not show anything I¡¦m afraid.

It could be a 16:9 video sat on a 16:9 project, but would view the same if it were on a 4:3 project.
The second looks like a 16:9 with a black border as part of the frame, but it could equally be 4:3 with a larger black frame.

Go to File Preferences and change the background colour.
Start a new 16:9 project, what you see now is a 16:9 frame, any black border are unused parts of the preview screen.

Drag the video to the overlay track to view a smaller version, any black borders here???????

View my guide from the link below.

Regards

Trevor