Can you change or convert project types in MF6

[Dobs]

I was wondering if it was possible to change between project types in MF6+. For example, if I have a VCD project can I change it to a DVD project or at least convert it into a new DVD project without losing too much of the work (in particular the slideshow that is setup)

[Ron P.]

You can not change the project from VCD to DVD, however you can use the Export Selected Clips option. In the Save As dialog press the Options button. Go to the Compression tab, and change it to NTSC or PAL DVD. Then export the slideshow clips to NTSC MPEG2.

Once that's done, start a new project, except this time select DVD, and then insert the MPEG2 video file you just created.

[Dobs]

You can not change the project from VCD to DVD, however you can use the Export Selected Clips option. In the Save As dialog press the Options button. Go to the Compression tab, and change it to NTSC or PAL DVD. Then export the slideshow clips to NTSC MPEG2.

Once that's done, start a new project, except this time select DVD, and then insert the MPEG2 video file you just created.

Thanks, that is what I thought. Migrating the video clips from one format to another isn't a big deal, however the slide shows are quite a bit more work, I want to be able to migrate all of my slide show images/settings from one project type to another (with hundreds of pictures along with the settings, that is quite a bit of work to do manually). Something to add on the wish list for the next version I guess.

[etech6355]

Dobs,
With MF in any of the modules you can export the slideshow to another format by going to "Export Selected Media -> Customize, select your formats and create the video. You can make dv-type1, dv-type2, mpeg files(vcd,svcd,dvd compliant), divx, wmv. Then use those file in it's compatible project.

EX: I'll export avchd from the avchd module and use those source videos to burn on a Blu-Ray Disk, because avc/h264 is compliant they are passed through the encoder, so I can use mixed formats on a Blu-Ray disk.

While I'm in the avchd module I can also export -> customize and create a dvd mpeg2 compliant video file, then use that video file in the dvd authoring module, it's compliant and also will be passed through the encoder.

[Dobs]

Dobs,
With MF in any of the modules you can export the slideshow to another format by going to "Export Selected Media -> Customize, select your formats and create the video. You can make dv-type1, dv-type2, mpeg files(vcd,svcd,dvd compliant), divx, wmv. Then use those file in it's compatible project.

EX: I'll export avchd from the avchd module and use those source videos to burn on a Blu-Ray Disk, because avc/h264 is compliant they are passed through the encoder, so I can use mixed formats on a Blu-Ray disk.

While I'm in the avchd module I can also export -> customize and create a dvd mpeg2 compliant video file, then use that video file in the dvd authoring module, it's compliant and also will be passed through the encoder.

Thanks. That will help quite a bit. It would be kind of nice to be able to export the slide show settings themselves so that I can edit it in the new project, but I guess I can always edit it in the old project and them re-import it in. Not as elegant, but does the job.

[Ron P.]

Yes I agree, not as elegant, however I think that's one of the key items that make it different than a video editing application. With VS you can save the project, and change the project properties. With DVDMF, the video files generally are already created, before inserting them.

It appears as if DVDMF functions on a template. When you first launch the program, you have to choose what format (SVCD-DVD) you will be using. Once you have that selected you can not change it, and still preserve everything you have done. At least not that I could find. I tried this by first selecting a VCD format, building a slideshow, saving the project. Then the only way I could gain access to that "project" was with the same VCD project settings.