Video Editing Newbie - Problems with quality.

magictorch · Post by **magictorch** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:08 pm

Hello Everyone.

I hope I am posting this to the correct forum but please point me in the correct direction if I am not.

I need some help with video editing on my PC. I am new to this and it's not going quite to plan.

I am using the following to create video/DVD.........

Sony Handycam DCTRV351 NTSC (Digital 8 Camcorder) with USB streaming.
Desktop PC
ULEAD VideoStudio 8, recording to MPEG.

I am in the UK, where the standard TV system is PAL.

I have just managed to get to grips with scenes, transitions, cutting, pasting, effects and creation of a DVD (with chapters !!! I have impressed myself !! LOL !)

The problem is, that my videos look out of focus or "blocky." I suppose you could liken it to you are watching a really old VHS tape that's worn out.

I have tried everything I can think of. The camcorder produces excellent quality if I tape directly from the camcorder to a PAL VHS tape. Likewise, if I connect it directly to the TV, the picture quality is fine.

It just seems to be when I stream it to my PC in order to create a DVD,that it ruins it. Is it to do with my camcorder being NTSC and attempting to "make it PAL" ?

Any advice you could give would be brilliant as I have a wedding video in production !

Thank you in advance !

Best regards

Jamie

bongoyvr · Post by **bongoyvr** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:22 pm

you are using USB streaming. you need to use firewire....a usb 1.1 is not fat enough of a cable to transfer all the data to your pc..

GET FIREWIRE.

jchunter · Post by **jchunter** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:24 pm

Jamie,
If you are capturing using the USB connection, the camera may have only a USB1 port, which can't hack video bandwidth. Try capturing using a Firewire port. You will also be able to control the camera from Video Studio.
John

magictorch · Post by **magictorch** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:57 pm

Thanks for the replies.

Does this mean that the camcorder has to have "firewire" capability ?

Can you please explain more about Firewire ? It's not something I am familiar with. i.e what do I need etc ?

Cheers !

Thanks again.

Jamie

bongoyvr · Post by **bongoyvr** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:11 pm

the sony is a digital 8 and as such should have firewire ...i think sony calls it ilink or something...

if you connected the camera to your pc via the usb bus than you cut your bandwidth in 1/2

you will need to purchase firewire cable.....and connect it to your firewire card in your PC ...if you do not have those 2 items you will have to buy them...

no decent camera shops near you? talk to salesman...or preferably a decent computer store

magictorch · Post by **magictorch** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 8:50 pm

That's brilliant - thank you. Have looked up some details on the net and looked at my camcorder handbook - makes sense now !

Thanks all who replied and for sorting the issue for me.

Best regards

Jamie

Post by **Ken Berry** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 10:20 pm

Make sure when you buy the firewire cable that you get one with a 4-pin (i-link) plug at one end, for the camera, and a standard 6-pin plug at the other end which goes into the computer.

MikeGunter · Post by **MikeGunter** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 10:21 pm

Ken Berry wrote:Make sure when you buy the firewire cable that you get one with a 4-pin (i-link) plug at one end, for the camera, and a standard 6-pin plug at the other end which goes into the computer.

Unless your computer is a laptop with another 4-pin plug.

Mike