VS11 - Please help with Project Properties

tyran · Post by **tyran** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:20 am

I've just started using VS to capture and edit my DV files. I always enable "the setting of the project properties to those of the DV clips when first inserting them into the timeline". I always start my routine by dragging a clip from the library onto the timeline to set the project properties the same as those of the clips.

I've just bought an external (USB2) hard disk recently to store my DV files. When I drag a clip (stored on external hard disk) from the library onto the timeline, nothing happens. The dialog box does NOT pop up to ask me if I want to set the project properties the same as the clip.

Apparently, this only works fine when my captured clips are stored on my laptop's hard disk, but not the external hard disk.

I was just wondering if anyone has experienced this and could point me to the right direction.

I'm using Vista Home & VS11 Plus.

Thanks

Tyran

Post by **Ron P.** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:14 am

I also have an external USB 2 HDD, and just tried this. It still presents the prompt.

If your video clip does not have an audio track, for some reason the prompt does not function. This only works with the First video clip inserted. This includes if you have inserted video clips, cleared the time-line, and then insert another clip. VS will not prompt you.

It should prompt you otherwise.

tyran · Post by **tyran** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:41 am

I even tried with the same file on both the internal & external HDDs. The result was the same, no prompt from the external HDD & prompt from internal HDD.

I just can't figure it out.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:47 am

This is why I use Drive Caddies. I tried external hard drives USB and also Firewire. Both types gave me problems and I no longer trust them.

Theoretically the file reaching VideoStudio will be identical whether it is on an internal hard drive, external hard drive, network drive, USB stick or SD card. Perhaps there is a small hardly perceptible fault between your external hard drive and the computer such as the cable or the connections.

etech6355 · Post by **etech6355** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 3:24 am

It doesn't appear to me that the location of the source file affects this setting, but the format of the file does.

The prompt doesn't always work on some formats, ( transport stream format etc )
Your DV file is probably DV-Type2
If it was DV-Type1 you would get the prompt.

You can prove this by starting a new project and capturing DV-Type2.
Then start a new project and capture DV-Type1.
Type DV-Type1 capture will present the prompt after capturing while the DV-Type2 will not. Same with inserting these files into a new project.
On my VS11+ Vista installation I just captured DV-Type2 for 30 seconds and when pressing Stop no prompt appeared. I then stayed in the capture module and captured DV-Type1 for 30 seconds, after pressing Stop the prompt appeared. Guess you don't have to start a new project, the prompt will only appear once. There are probably a few IF's to this, like loading an existing project etc. Looks to me like in any new project the prompt only appears one time.

This is also very common if you used another program to capture High Definition in the Transport Stream Format.

tyran · Post by **tyran** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:45 am

If my files were DV type 1, is it ok to convert them to type 2? Does the conversion result in any loss of quality? It's not a good idea to have both type 1 & 2 files in one project, is that right?

I also have another question about saving trimmed clips. I often trim my DV clips or split a long DV clip into 2, then save the trimmed clips. I don't apply any other effects or filters, just trim the DV clips & save. Does this result in any loss of quality for the trimmed DV clips?

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 5:15 am

Yes it is OK to convert them but why would you want to do that?
The "Ulead" range of products works quite happily with DV type 1
DV Type 1 is where the video and audio are contained within one combined stream.

Some older products from other companies will not accept DV Type 1 and instead use DV Type 2 where you have separate audio/video streams.
Unless you are going to use one of those products there is no need to convert your type 1 to type 2.

Post by **Ron P.** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:46 pm

tyran wrote:If my files were DV type 1, is it ok to convert them to type 2? Does the conversion result in any loss of quality? It's not a good idea to have both type 1 & 2 files in one project, is that right?

I also have another question about saving trimmed clips. I often trim my DV clips or split a long DV clip into 2, then save the trimmed clips. I don't apply any other effects or filters, just trim the DV clips & save. Does this result in any loss of quality for the trimmed DV clips?

Type-1 and Type-2 in one project could be done, however to minimize the possibility of problems, I recommend keeping the properties the same.

Loss of quality for saving the trimmed clips? No, none at all. You're not recoding or converting them to another format, so there is no degradation.

I also agree with Steve, there is no need to convert the Type-1 to Type-2 with VS.