Using a different MPEG2 codec

[Tartulho]

Hi! I'm using VS8 and wanted to know if I can use a different MPEG2 codec (like TMPGEnc). If so, how can I do it? I burn my home movies on DVD (original files captured by a Canon PowerShot, bitrate ~6000Kb/s, 15 FPS, 640x480, MJPEG encoded) but wanted to try the features offered by other codecs (higher bitrates, 2 pass, rendering speed, ...).

Thanks,

-Tinoco

[MikeGunter]

Hi! I'm using VS8 and wanted to know if I can use a different MPEG2 codec (like TMPGEnc). If so, how can I do it? I burn my home movies on DVD (original files captured by a Canon PowerShot, bitrate ~6000Kb/s, 15 FPS, 640x480, MJPEG encoded) but wanted to try the features offered by other codecs (higher bitrates, 2 pass, rendering speed, ...).

Thanks,

-Tinoco

I would try to use the MS DV CODEC for editing within VS8.

Export movies as MS DV CODEC avi files. Those files can be encoded by any software and used for DVD movie making.

Mike

[Tartulho]

Ok, that can be a solution. But can I use another codec instead of Ulead's MPEG.Now codec? That way I wouldn't have to export to DV first and encode with another codec after.

--Tinoco

[Terry Stetler]

The best way to use an alternative encoder, be it MPEG, WMV, MOV or whatever, is to use frameserving software.

Frameservers appear in the export dialog as a new filetype, but when used they write a small proxy file to the HDD that appears to be an *.avi. This can then be loaded into the alternate encoder for processing.

Once this the editor is configured for export and the proxy file created you then load it into the encoder of your choice.

Once the encoder is started the frameserver then streams the video data from the editors timeline directly to the external encoder on the fly, whereupon it's encoded and written to the HDD as normal.

Very cool and no rendered intermediate file is necessary.

There are two frameservers for Ulead products, one commercial and one freeware. Both work with VideoStudio as well as MSPro and Cool3D.

Debugmode Frameserver (freeware):

http://www.debugmode.com/frameserver/

VideoTools VideoServer (commercial):

http://videotools.net/index.php?rub=gui ... 291feccaaf

VideoServer has a lot of high end features, but Frameserver is fine for casual use.

[MikeGunter]

Ok, that can be a solution. But can I use another codec instead of Ulead's MPEG.Now codec? That way I wouldn't have to export to DV first and encode with another codec after.

If you use the least compressed CODEC with which to edit, you'll have the best possible product when you encode to MPEG.

Mike

[Terry Stetler]

Ok, that can be a solution. But can I use another codec instead of Ulead's MPEG.Now codec? That way I wouldn't have to export to DV first and encode with another codec after.

If you use the least compressed CODEC with which to edit, you'll have the best possible product when you encode to MPEG.

Mike

The data transferred by the frameserver is the RGB24 used on the timeline, which means no losses between the timeline and the external encoder.

[Tartulho]

Tried both framservers (about 10 times each) and kept debugmode frameserver. VideoServer has more options and they can be set directly on CCE, but it's easier to do it on VideoServer

CCE didn't understood well some of the settings done on VideoServer (different ECL instructions on the .ecl file, maybe?) and I had to check them again on CCE and set the ones that didn't got understood.

With Debugmode I had always to choose my settings on CCE, so I created a profile on CCE with my settings and load it when I encode from debugmode frameserver.

In the end, I kept the Debugmode Frameserver for two reasons:

- VideoServer couldn't pass all the settings to CCE (and those settings were it's advantage against Debugmode frameserver)
- it is free

Also after uninstall VideoServer, the entry for it on 'Save as type' wasn't removed.

[dblml320]

I would try to use the MS DV CODEC for editing within VS8.

Export movies as MS DV CODEC avi files. Those files can be encoded by any software and used for DVD movie making.

Mike

So .. is there a way to change the output codec in VS9, without resorting to frame serving add ons?