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I have files recorded from a recent vacation by my Nikon digital camera as M-JPEG, 640x480 pixels, 4/3 aspect ratio, 8460Kbps, 30 fps with audio LPCM codec, bit rate of 63Kbps, 1 channel, 7875 Hz sampling rate, 8bit resolution. I have other files recorded by my Panasonic SDR-S10 as NTSC MPEG, 704x480, 4/3 aspect ratio, 8902 Kbps, 29.970 fps, top field first, with audio MPEG-1 Audio layer 2, bit rate 256 Kbps, 2 channels, 48KHz sampling rate, 16 bit resolution. I also have still pictures with JPEG codec 2048 width x 1536 height, resolution 8. These specifications came from SUPER. Should I convert to a common standard using SUPER or have VideoStudio 10 Plus make the conversion? I need a basic strategy to combine these files into a video. Thanks for any guidance!
David

In the conversion process you need to consider first, the Field Orders used. The video produced by your Panasonic is the only one that uses fields. The others use a Frame based or No Fields.

Since you actually have only 1 type of video clip that uses a field order, I would stick with that for my project. Inserting the others into that project should not pose a problem. If your target project is to produce a DVD then the Nikon's video clips and the still images will take on the UFF (top field) properties for your DVD.

However if you're wanting to share your video clips on the internet, you should choose Frame Based. Computer monitors will only display Frame based, not interlaced or by Fields.

Next issue is the Frame Sizes. The Nikon uses a Frame Size that is smaller than that of your video clips produced by your Panasonic. So they will be enlarged, and will loose quality. You might best be able to retain some quality by only using those clips on an overlay track, where you can use them in a PIP (Picture in Picture). The PIP does not have to be a real small one, but perhaps ½ the screen size. Have the PIP clips overlayed on a nice animated or still background, rather than a solid black or other color background.

The Frame Rate of 30fps used by the Nikon's clips is only .03 faster than that of your Panasonic's NTSC Frame Rate of 29.97, so that should not be a problem. If there is audio included with those clips try to keep them joined with the video track. Splitting the audio could result in them getting out of sync.

Finally for the photos, you can try inserting them as is, to get the highest quality for any tight zooms. If you do not have any plans for zooming in on them, then you could resize them to the video project dimensions, using a photo editing program.

Once you are completely done with your editing I would recommend creating a video file (Share>Create Video File) first before jumping into the burning module (Share>Create Disc) to build and burn a DVD. Once you have a video file created, then clearing the time-line open the burn module, insert your newly created video file, and proceed on from there.

Ron,

1. Can you point me towards directions for doing Picture in Picture? I have VideoStudio10 Plus.
2. What would happen if I reduced the size of the 704x480 clips to 640x480? I'm making a DVD.
3. Should I convert files first using SUPER or let VS10plus convert them?
4. What audio format specs should I use?
5. How should I incorporate the still pictures? Intermix with video clips or make a slide show at the beginning or end?
6. This is only my 3rd DVD project, all fishing adventures with friends. They really appreciate them as a memory of the trip.

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm trying to learn.

Thanks again,
David E.

Hi David,

I have had many projects with mixed files and VS is pretty good at sorting it all out. I agree with Ron except that I would use both video types in the Video track, not use the PIP track unless you specifically want PIP.

The audio will all be converted to DVD compliant audio at the create DVD process so don't worry about that. You are however stuck with the original quality ie the 8kHz, 8 bit mono audio is still going to sound pretty average when it is converted to PCM or Dolby Digital but you can't do much about that.

As for the photos, it is up to you whether you want to have a slideshow as separate part of the DVD or intersperse them into your video (or both ). There is a slideshow area in the create disk module. I suggest to put a couple of photos into the video if you have some special ones. Use a bit of motion eg slight zoom in to add a bit of interest. Do not bother to downsize the photos - VS will do that when you render the DVD.

2. What would happen if I reduced the size of the 704x480 clips to 640x480? I'm making a DVD.

You would be making a rod for your own back! The international DVD standard does NOT include a frame size of 640 x 480. However, it DOES include 704 x 480 for NTSC DVDs. In other words stick to what you have. Anything which does not meet the international standard will need to be converted UP to that standard, rather than converting compliant video away from the standard. That would just mean a further conversion (and loss of quality) since the video you down-converted would need to be converted back up to the compliant 704 x 480 or 720 x 480...

1. Have a look through our Video Products Tutorials forum. There are several tutorials found there, however after searching we do not have one specifically for PIP.

PIP EFFECT

This short tutorial assumes user has knowledge of adding overlay tracks, and usage of the various attributes found on the attribute panel

• To create a PIP, you must first have at least 1-overlay track (which is a VS default).
• PIP or Picture in Picture effect is a very simplistic effect to achieve. PIP can be done by dropping a photo or video clip onto an overlay track. Once that is done you will see that it is smaller than any clip on the main video track, and that it appears on top.
• You can reposition the PIP clip by dragging it around. For more precise placement, activate the Grids by checking the box found on the Edit tab. Set the Grid line size in the Grid Lines Option dialog window, to suit your needs.
• Borders can be added to your PIP, by clicking on the Mask & Chroma Key button. It is found on the bottom right. The top setting is for adjusting the transparency of your overlay (PIP) clip.
• You can also apply Chroma-Key and Mask Frames to your overlay on the same tab. So instead of just having a rectangular photo, apply an ellipse Mask Frame to enhance it, giving it a more professional touch.
• You can choose to have your PIP Fade-In or Fade-Out. Clicking on one of the graduated bars found on the Attribute Panel, and beneath the Direction/Style will apply a fade. The Graduated bars having an arrow, provides a rotation effect, the image spins in or spins out.
• The Direction arrows allows you to specify the direction you want your PIP to enter and exit your video. The center is for static, or no movement.

Note that in VS, the stacking order goes from 1-6, 1-being the lowest layer above the main video track, while 6-being the top, above all other video tracks. So looking at the timeline, the main video track is the lowest, and everything else beneath it, is actually above it.


2. The frame size of 640 x 480 does not meet DVD Specs, so you would not be able to create a compliant DVD. Still image cameras that do record video, are geared for sharing those videos on a PC, or over the internet. So the frame sizes used may not meet DVD Specs.

3. If you follow my instructions above, VS10 will convert them, when you create your video file. Don't worry about the still images, as they are not video files to convert...

4. Depending on how long your video will run, I would use either PCM audio or Dolby Digital. PCM is an uncompressed format, providing the best audio quality, where Dolby Digital is a compressed format, but still provides a very high quality. I would use Dolby if you may be pressed for space on your disc. Anything 1 hour or less your could probably use PCM, much more, try using Dolby audio.

5. Incorporate them how you think your production should look. You can intermix some of them, and also create a separate video file, to use as a slide-show on your DVD. This would be a separate menu title on your DVD. I would gauge this on the number of photos to be shown. If you have a lot of photos, I would produce a slide-show, as too many photos mixed in the wrong fashion (meaning not balanced) may not be very appealing. I think you would need to become more familiar with the program, and how to match photos with beats of music, to really get a good balance for numerous photos.

Incorporating them as lets say a slide-show as a break in the video would also work. From a video clip cut to a matching image, which proceeds through a series of images, which at the end leads into the next video clip.

6. I'm sure that they will continue to appreciate them.


Don't be intimidated by the program, experiment and you'll find out that you can produce some real professional looking DVDs..

Thank you very much to everyone for the advice!
David E

I transferred my two types of video clips and still photos into VideoStudio10 plus, using the "import from mobile device" feature. I tried to make an ISO image, using the Top field first setting as recommended by Ron P. However, it stopped midway through. I tried various data rate settings down to 7000 kbps. I then switched to a frame bases setting. It made an ISO image, but the video quality was poor and the audio was not syncronized.
Any suggestions?
Thanks Again, David

Why did you use the 'import from mobile device' command? Why not just right click in the timeline and use the Insert Video and Insert Image commands? The danger with the 'import from mobile device' is that VS will be thinking you are importing, say, from a mobile phone which uses completely different video and image formats. And the import function will often seek to convert or at least adjust that incoming video or image to a format which VS can use more directly...

Can you also confirm that you followed Vidoman's suggested workflow and first converted the mjpeg's to DVD compatible mpeg-2? Did you then insert all the new and old mpeg-2, plus the still images, in the timeline and produce one single new mpeg-2 of your whole project. And did you do this before opening the burning module to prepare your ISO?

Ken,
Thanks for your comments.
1. No, I didn't convert the files, before inserting them into the timeline. I used the "import from mobile device command" because it worked well to quickly import the files in bulk to the library. I then drug the clips of choice into the timeline. I checked their properties in the timeline and they don't appear to have changed. They moved into the library too quickly for any conversion process, I think.
2. I think my Panasonic 704X480 files may be 16:9 instead of 4:3.
3. I tried to create a video file but it seems like it went through the 4:3 files, then the stills, then partially the Panasonic MPEG, before hanging.
4. I guess I didn't understand from Videoman's comments that I should first convert the mjpegs to mpeg-2.
5. Should I use Super to make this initial conversion?
6. I'm a beginner at this and really appreciate the comments from all on this Web board. It is a great resource and the reason that I am learning to use VideoStudio 10 plus. Is there any reason for me to upgrade to the newest version? I just want to make DVDs for friends and family.
7. I enjoy this learning process and want to become more proficient. Can anyone please recommend a book or books that will provide more knowledge about the technical aspects of video files, bit rates, different file types, the rendering process, using VideoStudio , and etc?

I am hoping for some advice. Especially for previous questions # 6 and #7.
Thanks Again,
David

#6 - Nobody but you really knows your wants and needs. Why not download the trial and give it a test drive.

#7 - Visit the tutorial section of this forum (link is under my signature).

delliott290 wrote:I am hoping for some advice. Especially for previous questions # 6 and #7.
Thanks Again,
David

For general info on video codecs and other technical aspects of video compression/storage use Wikipedia which is reasonably readable.