AVI vs MPEG2

[PZJM]

Hey folks,

I've got a question regarding video editing. I noticed that my project specifies mpeg2, however, my original files are AVI. Should I set my project settings to Microsoft AVI? The video I captured is from a high 8 dv camcorder (Canon).

Also, what is the difference between the 2? Will I notice a quality difference?

Thanks..

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Just read post "Suggested work flow by SJJ1805 for Video Creation". It looks like mpeg2 is what I want for an output. However, what is the deal with Microsoft AVI file? Is this what I should be editing?

Thanks again.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

If you are to create a DVD then your ultimate aim is to create a DVD-Mpeg2 file.

I use a Panasonic GS 400 camcorder, this uses Mini Dv-Type tape.
The data on the tapes are in the DV format. Dv-Avi.

The video is transferred to the pc via firewire using the capture process, notice I say transferred.
The data is NOT re-coded what you have is what you get. The original footage.

At some point this video has to be re-coded (rendered) to Dvd-Mpeg.

Rendering Avi to Avi results in little or no losses.

Rendering Mpeg to Mpeg on the other hand does show a reduction in quality. Whether this initial render is noticeable is debatable, but subsequent render will be noticeable.

As the source video is Dv-Avi it is best to edit using these properties.

Once your project is complete you have now to render (Share Create Video File)
If you wish to ¡¥export the video back to the camcorder¡¦ then you have to create DV.

If you intend to burn a DVD then render to DVD-Pal/Ntsc

The Bit Rate of the final file depends on the length of the video.
Up to 60 minutes use 8000 kbps.

Note :- if you set Show Messages when¡K¡K. From File ¡V Preferences
Your project properties should change to reflect the first compatible video file inserted to a NEW project. This will allow ¡¥Smart Render¡¦

Hope this Helps

[erock1]

PZJM,
very simply put, .avi is a format for uncompressed video. It's actually considered a "wrapper" but that's for another day
Your Cam being a digital Hi-8 records uncompressed footage. Ideally, you want to have VS capture in and edit in .avi. After all your capturing and editing is done, you then want to render (convert) this uncompressed .avi footage to the MPEG-2 format, which is the standard for DVDs. That's why the instructional you read indicates the MPEG-2 for your final output. Just follow the instructional you read and you won't go wrong.

Just look in the folder where your captured cam footage is. In .avi an hours worth of DV/.avi footage will be over 10GBs. After you render (convert) to MPEG-2, the size of the file will be about 4Gbs.

I hope that helps,
Erock

[Ken Berry]

erock -- I don't think his camera is a "digital high 8 dv" -- in fact I don't think there is such a beast... I think he has either an analogue Hi8 or a mini DV. So we have to know exactly how he is capturing from it.

PZJM -- can you tell us what the model number of your Canon is and exactly how you capture these .avis please? What do you connect your Canon to and what cable is used?

Also, can you right click on one of the captured files *within* VS please, either in the library pane or the timeline, and copy down all its properties here.

[PZJM]

I am using a Canon Elura 100 with a fireware for capturing. The reason I bring this subject matter up is because I do not see a reference to an AVI file when editing with Video Studio.

I'm not sure, but this may also be a problem. I downloaded the test version and like it so much that I purchase Video Studio 11 Plus. I am trying to use the projects I created within the test version with my newly purchased VS 11. However, I'm not sure if this is a bad practice.

Thanks.

[Black Lab]

erock -- I don't think his camera is a "digital high 8 dv" -- in fact I don't think there is such a beast... I think he has either an analogue Hi8 or a mini DV.

I actually use what Sony calls a Digital 8 (can't remember the exact model number) camcorder. A digital version of their Hi-8 cams. A bit long in the tooth, but still works great and has great picture quality (hope I didn't just jinx myself ).

[Ken Berry]

Black Lab -- it was the combination of digital + high 8 + dv that I was referring to. Yes there are digital 8s -- I have an excellent one which can play analogue 8mm and Hi8 analogue tapes back via firewire for high quality captures (Sony DCR-TRV480E). The Elura is simply a mini DV camera.

PZJM -- The reason you probably don't see a reference to AVI when capturing or editing is that when Video Studio sees your Canon, it automatically changes the capture setting to DV. But DV is simply a version of video which, like quite a few others, uses .avi as its file extension.

The easiest way of ensuring you maintain the same properties throughout capture and editing is to go to File > Preferences > General, and tick the box beside 'Show message when inserting first video clip into the Timeline'.

That way, next time you start a new project and drag your first clip into the timeline, you will get a dialogue box asking if you want the project properties to match those of the clip. You say OK and then you have identical project properties. That means that you will capture and edit in DV format, which is the best way of doing things.

After you do your editing, however, you need to convert this DV project into DVD-compatible mpeg-2 format. So you go to Share > Create Video File and select DVD. Depending on how much video is in your project, but if it is an hour or less, then you can use the default high quality settings for the conversion which include LPCM audio and a bitrate of 8000kbps.

Note also that after you produce your new mpeg-2, you go to File > New Project. Don't worry about giving your new project a name. The objective is just to clear the timeline of your current project.

Once that is done, you select Share > Create Disc > DVD. The burning module will open. Use the Add Media button at the top to insert your new mpeg-2 in the burning timeline. Then go to the middle of the three icons in the bottom left of the burning screen. There is a little box beside the words 'Do not convert compliant mpeg files'. Make sure that box is ticked (it usually is by default). That way, your already compliant mpeg file will not be re-encoded. Then build your menus and burn.

[Black Lab]

Gotcha.

[sjj1805]

erock -- I don't think his camera is a "digital high 8 dv" -- in fact I don't think there is such a beast... I think he has either an analogue Hi8 or a mini DV.

I actually use what Sony calls a Digital 8 (can't remember the exact model number) camcorder. A digital version of their Hi-8 cams. A bit long in the tooth, but still works great and has great picture quality (hope I didn't just jinx myself ).

I use a Sony Digital 8 so perhaps I can help demystify the confusion.
Before I had my Digital 8 camcorder I owned an Hi-8 camcorder.
The Hi-8 camcorder was analogue and recorded onto small cassette tapes.

When I upgraded to a Digital 8 Camcorder it records onto the same tapes.
They are sold under two labels,
Digital 8
Hi-8

They look the same, they are the same size and they cost the same.
Perhaps there is a difference. I tend to purchase Digital 8 tapes but still carry some of my old Hi-8 tapes around just in case I run out.

The recordings made on my older Hi-8 camcorder do not play on the Digital 8 camcorder or vice versa. The only thing that they have in common is that the tapes will record in either camcorder but must be played back in the camcorder that did the recording.

When I go on holiday I am normally part of a group of about 10, 2 of the others I go on holiday with also have Digital 8 camcorders, anything they have recorded will play in my Digital 8 camcorder.

I suppose you could say its a bit like a computers hard drive.
A hard drive will fit into a computer that has Microsoft Windows.
A hard drive will fit into a computer that has Linux.

Natively the Windows Computer will not read the Linux Material.
Natively the Linux computer will not read the Windows Material.

[Ken Berry]

My Sony Digital 8 will in fact play back both analogue 8mm and analogue Hi8 tapes recorded on an other camera...

[sjj1805]

Yes some camcorders will, it depends upon the software built into the camcorder, just like in my analogy about hard drives.
There is software available that will allow a windows computer to read a linux hard drive and vice versa.

The tapes are the same, what is recorded on those tapes is different.

[Ken Berry]

Yes -- it was only brought out by Sony a couple of years ago, which seemed a little strange in a sense given that Digital 8 is "old" technology -- but still enormously useful. If only VS11 could read from the camera when it is directly playing those tapes, as its predecessors still can. But I can use WinDV etc with it, so all is not lost...

[erock1]

When you're right, you're right. I stand corrected.
It has been a long time but it was a Digital 8 that I was referring to. I dug into my video storage treasure trove and came up with my old Sony TRV260, digital 8 cam. What fond memories I have of it. It was a wonderful cam, very good low light filming and it had the benefit of having a pass through feature that was so useful. It allowed me to use it to convert analog to digital. I just connected my VCR to it and captured with my PC. Yes, that was back in the VS6 days

[Ken Berry]

And what is more, you can still use it for pass-through if you want or you don't want to 'wear out' your mini DV camera using it for that...

[sjj1805]

Just to keep things clear from an all perspectives angle, not all Mini DV camcorders have pass through. Many have the option disabled due to international legal reasons - bit like DVD's having region coding.

Some Mini DV camcorders can have that re-enabled with software hacks but many others cannot and would require the camcorder to be dismantled and a soldering iron applied.

Just a point of note in case anyone is thinking of purchasing a mini DV camcorder - you need to check to see if it supports "Pass through".
My Sony DCR TRV255E does not.