MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 Clips in the same project?

[delliott290]

I just purchased a Panasonic SDR-S10 video camera recording MPEG-2 files (704x480 pixels) to an SD Card. I also use a Nikon 3700 point & shoot camera that takes Quicktime MPEG-4 (640x480) movies. I would like to combine these different file types with digital still pictures, into a DVD movie. I 'm a beginner with VideoStudio 10+. If I set the project properties to the 704x480, top field first, will Videostudio automatically convert the Quicktime files, or do I need to use a file converter, like Super, first?

[DVDDoug]

In theory, Video Studio should be able to handle it. But, you will have to try it to see if it works with the files from your particular cameras. MPEG-4 files cause trouble for some Video Studio users. (I've even had trouble with some MPEG-2 files.)

[Ken Berry]

The other complication is that many recent digital still cameras, including some Nikons, use the H.264 codec for their mpeg-4 video. Few people (if any?) managed to get that codec to work with VS10 -- though it is supposed to work with VS11.

If it is a more standard version (i.e. older codec) of mpeg-4, then I for one have had no trouble either using several mpeg-4 clips to produce another mpeg-4 video (though with minimal editing); or else converting it to mpeg-2 for inclusion in an mpeg-2 video. However, I did that as a separate operation rather than trying to get VS to do the conversion as part of the bigger process of making the larger mpeg-2 video.

The mpeg-4 to mpeg-2 conversion is complicated enough to warrant a separate operation. Quite apart from the different compression algorithms, the mpeg-4 frame size (640 x 480) is not part of the international DVD standard, so part of the conversion also includes changing the frame size to a DVD-standard one.

And if you have trouble, then use SUPER which should be able to handle even H.264 video.

[sjj1805]

Although the general advice is to aim to render once and once only, there are exceptions to the general rule.

If your mixing various source file types - depending upon the job in hand - it might in some cases be better to convert some of the files beforehand so that you are using one common file type.

The choice of which file type to choose will depend upon your intended finished medium and also what the majority of your clips consist of.
Suppose you've been on holiday with your trusty camcorder that records in DV(avi) and you want to throw in a small piece you've obtained elsewhere
(without getting into a debate about copyright).

Here you would probably be better off converting that small piece to DV(avi) to 'fit in' with the rest of your source material.

In another situation, you might have some of your family videos on VHS tape and are in the process of converting them to DVD and using an analogue capture device such as a TV card. Now the majority of your source material is in MPEG2 - Ideal for placing onto a DVD disc.
Perhaps a friend on the other side of the Globe who you met on that holiday - who is now a good pen pal - uploads his/her video of that holiday onto the web and has no issues with you using some of that material in your own video. Problem is that online video is in DivX or MPEG4.
Here you would now be better off converting your friends video to MPEG2.

A lot depends upon the length of the clips concerned and the various formats used. I have on a number of occasions mixed in some MPEG2 with DV taken from my camcorder, placed both file types on the timeline in their existing formats alongside each other.

One thing to watch with mix and match is Field Order. Most digital sources are lower field first, most analogue sources are upper field first. here you have to use your judgement. Depending upon the actual content of the clip you can sometimes get away with rendering with an incorrect field order - especially if the scenes are dark - perhaps taken at night - and do not contain much sideways movement with tall uprights such as lamp posts.

Remember the guidelines but don't be afraid to experiment. No two projects are the same. Where I work they call it lateral thinking.

[Clevo]

With VS11+ I've had no problems burning to DVD using acombination of Mpeg4, jpeg stills, mpeg2 and dv-avi pieces.

I needed to use a multiple overlay effect and because I didn;t have enough overlay tracks I had to create an mpeg2 then using that finished product as an overlay over a jpeg still + another overlay still and I had an dv-avi file later on in the timeline.

worked well for me.

[delliott290]

Thnaks all, for taking the time to reply.

[Ken Berry]

I guess the basic message is: try it and see what happens. That is what most of us have done over the years -- trial and error. It's a good way of learning. If it works for you, that is good. But if it doesn't, then you just try one of the other methods suggested here.