Non-fluid video DVD from ASF video files, correct settings?

GregV · Post by **GregV** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:38 pm

Hello everyone,

This is my first time posting here and I need help creating a NTSC DVD out of 5 Windows Media video files.

They all have the same properties except their lengths vary from approximately 1 to 3 minutes.

My neighbor downloaded them from NASA, so he did not convert them from any other file format.

Their properties are:

File format: Windows Media Video

File size: 47,621 KB

Duration: 1264.972 seconds

Data rate: 314 kbps

Video: Windows Media Video 9
24 bits, 400x 300, 30.000 frames/sec

Audio: Windows Media Audio 9.1
44.100 KHz, 16 bits, Mono

Aspect ratio: 1.33:1.00

(These properties are horrible already, but the video is very fluid on my monitor while playing the original files)
---------------
The problem is that in the DVD that results from these, the picture is not very fluid, it looks more like video that's been shot in 15fps mode. Most noticeable when the camera pans from left to right or up and down.

What I do to create the DVD in VideoStudio:

I go to Share/Create Disc/DVD/Add media: Add the Windows Media Video files.
In Project settings: Lower field first, create my menu and then burn the DVD. The 'Do not convert compliant MPEG' files is ticked, but would that make any difference with these files?

Can someone tell me what they see wrong or missing here and what ahould I need to change in my settings?

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:30 pm

Welcome to the forums!!

First, you need to be aware, if you aren't already, that .wmv/.asf files are 'notoriously' difficult to manipulate. They were developed by Microsoft as display formats for computers and the web, not for editing and burning to DVD.

Second, your particular files, apart from that basic difference, are also widely variant from standard video DVD-compatible mpeg-2s in their frame size (400 x 300 where DVD-compatible mpeg-2s are 720 x 480 or proportional fractions of this). This means that any conversion that is done to make them DVD compatible will have to play around with this frame size. In addition, it will have to vary the playback speed down fractionally by 0.03 frames per second to match the standard NTSC speed of 29.97 fps. Not much, I know, but just another calculation and process which has to be carried out by VS in an already complex conversion procedure.

Third, when dealing with non-DVD-compliant formats, it is always advisable to first convert them to DVD-compliant mpeg as a separate step *before* you try burning them to disc. The burning process in itself is complicated enough without adding an immensely complex process such as that described above to the equation. You can use VS for this task, though experience on this Board tends to suggest that it will be a lengthy process which does not always end in success with wmv/asf files. Some people use a freeware program called SUPER for this. (As an aside, ticking 'Do not convert compliant mpeg files' is irrelevant since you do not have any mpeg files.)

So while still in the Editing module and with your video in the timeline, first choose Share > Create Video File > DVD. This will convert the files to mpeg-2. Then go to File > New to create a new project. Don't bother about a name since the objective is merely to clear the timeline. Then select Share > Create Disc > DVD and manually insert your new mpeg-2 files. The 'Do not convert compliant mpeg files' now becomes relevant since you are actually using mpeg files!

Finally, I am not sure what field order Windows Media uses, indeed if it uses any (by which I mean either Upper or Lower Field First). However, the sort of non-fluid motion you describe, particularly in panning shots, is typical of video where the wrong field order has been chosen. You are using Lower Field First and that is possibly wrong. My own inclination would be to use Frame Based, and see if that makes a difference.

GregV · Post by **GregV** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:55 pm

Ken, thank you for all the information you are offering in your post and welcoming me to the forum!

I will convert the ASFs to DVD-compliant mpeg individually with SUPER (great tip) and follow the rest of the directions.

BTW, I just found out that according to another video app. in my system, the original ASF files are 'Non-interlaced' and with a TFF field order, but I'll try Frame Based first. If that gives me no improvement, then I'll try TFF in the burn module.

This time I will burn the results to a DVD-RW, just to avoid yet another wasted disc and will post back with the results. Could be good information for someone else who might be trying the same crazy thing.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:18 am

according to another video app. in my system, the original ASF files are 'Non-interlaced' and with a TFF field order

Hmmmmm....

My understanding is that if it is 'non-interlaced' it would indeed be frame based. 'TFF' (Top Field First) of course is the same as Upper Field First in Video Studio, but that -- again in my understanding -- is interlaced. In fact, interlacing is what Field Order is all about... I am sure, though, that if I am wrong, someone will quickly jump in and correct me.

But yes, certainly if using Frame Based does not work, then by all means try UFF/TFF.

GregV · Post by **GregV** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:10 pm

Well, now I really don't know what to make of the TFF and non-interlaced bit, but I did make two more burns of the same material again just to try different settings.

It seems that no matter what field order I use in the burning module, the outcome is just as bad. It can ba watched, but at the risk of getting a headache.

As this is for my neighbors who asked me if I could convert these file to DVD format with a meny, I'll let the know what the results look like so they can decide if they still want the DVD or not...

Thanks again for all your help!

Post by **Ron P.** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:05 pm

For converting your video from one format to almost any other, try SUPER. It can convert DivX, Xvid, MPEG-4 even WMV, or ASF.

I took a short WMV file and converted it to MPEG-2, DVD compatible. The only problem I had was fluidness. At first I just used the MEncoder, however set the Frame Size, Frame Rate, and audio so that it would meet DVD specs. Wasn't good enough, so I tried again, and this time I got a fluid MPEG-2 file.

Here's the settings you need in Super:

For the fluid output file I selected:

ffmpeg, and then to the far right, I checked the Directshow Decode.

1.Output Source Container: mpg{Mpeg II}
2.Output Video Codec: MPEG II
3.Select output audio codec: mp2

Video Section
Video Scale/Size: 720 x 480 (you may need to check the more box to get to larger sizes)
Aspect: 3:2
Frames/Sec: 29.97
Bitrate: 6000
Options: Hi-Quality and 48k audio checked

Audio Section
Sample Freq: 44100
Channels: 1
Bitrate/kbps: 224 (you may need to play with this, as my clip didn't have any audio)

That's it...

Oh it is a little different program to work with. The menu is accessed by Right-clicking anywhere. Or there is a place towards the bottom, that states in Caps, "Drop a Multimedia file here..." you can drag and drop the files from an explorer window..

GregV · Post by **GregV** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:24 pm

Vidoman,

I tried your settings in SUPER and now I too get fluid video output that way with synchronized sound too.

This has been one heck of a prolonged project with lots of trials and errors even though the menu is super simple.

Now it looks like the neighbors will get their DVD after all. Time to call them once more before I make the final burn...

My thanks for your contribution and that of Ken Berry's, I'm glad there are so many knowledgeable and helpful people in this forum!