Highly pixelated playback

[mgagnon58]

I'm trying to create a project using some AVI files obtained from Home Movie Depot (digitalization of old 8mm film). Adding even just one AVI clip to the project, I'm unable to play the project - the display is highly pixelated (completely unviewable). If I play just the clip (vs the Project), the display is normal/fine. If I pause the clip during playback, the display returns to the highly pixelated output.

The AVI files are from Home Movie Depot, as provided on a hard disk drive. Some of the clip properties (for a single clip tested as above):

File Format: Microsoft AVI files -- OpenDML
File size: 699,394 KBytes
Frame rate: 29.970 Frames/sec
Duration: 188.922 Seconds
Data rate: 3699.61 kbps

Video
Compression: Panasonic DV CODEC -- type 2
Attributes: 24 Bits, 720x480, 4:3
Total frames: 5,662 Frame(s)

Audio:
Compression: PCM
Attributes: 48.000 kHz, 16 Bit, Stereo
Total samples: 9,068,259 Samples

Project Settings:

NTSC drop frame (29.97 fps)
Microsoft AVI files
24 Bits, 720 x 480, 4:3, 29.97 fps
Lower Field First
Panasonic DV CODEC -- type 2
PCM, 48.000 kHz, 16 Bit, Stereo
Output format (file, DVD, VCD, SVCD):

I'm using VideoStudio Version 9.0

Thanks in advance for any help/advice you might be able to provide.

[Ron P.]

Welcome to the forum,

Previewing in Project Mode is seldom smooth. Depending on your system, is just how smooth that will be. In Project mode, VS has to compile all edits done (filters, transitions, audio, titles) on the fly, which is big demand on your PC.

Your project and video properties look fine, except the Type 2 DV compression. With Type-2, the audio is a separate stream from the video. Most of the time, the problem occurs during capturing using the Type-2. However it might be more than your system can handle trying to put the audio with the video during preview in project mode. With Type-1 the audio and video are contained in the same stream.

Without knowing about your system it is difficult to rule this out. If you look at the top of this page for Profile, it's below the FAQ, and to the left of "You have no new messages", click on that and complete the System Information. That way all we need to do is click on the System button located at the bottom of your post to view your system info.

Using DV Type-2, you may encounter some OOS,(Out of Sync) issues too. Since the audio is separate from the video, when you cut and remove part of the video clip, the audio is not cut at the same time.

I recommend dropping your clip in the time-line. Make sure your Project Settings match your Video properties (which appear as though they do). Go to Share>Create Video File. Select from the menu Custom. In the Save as dialog press Options. In the Options dialog go to the AVI tab, in the top drop-down choose Type-1. Click OK back to the Save as, give it a name, press OK.

Now VS will render a DV-Type-1 video file. This will put the audio and video stream together. You will not loose any quality, and your original video clip will be preserved. Now use this Type-1 DV file to edit, and you should not have to worry about OOS, and it may help with performance during editing.

[mgagnon58]

Thanks for the reply. I tried your suggestion of saving the .avi file as Type 1, but VS9 crashes right at the end of the rendering operation. I see the progress bar moving toward 100% and then VS9 simply exits (no error code, not dialog box - just gone).

[lakewud]

Just curious...as have had my own problems with this dv type 2 - as you know! - But whats the benfits of having/using type 2 in the first place....what reasons do you need to have the audio etc kept separate?