Some Project Property questions

[Berzelius]

I finally have a camcorder, admittedly a cheap and cheerful one - a Panasonic SDR-S7 and as I'm about to attempt my first project using it there a few questions that I would be grateful for the answers to.

The files produced are MOD files. I understand that these are essentially MPEG-2 files, and VideoStudio 11 Properties seems to agree - it describes them as MPEG-2 Video, Upper Field First.

The Video Attributes given are 24 Bits, 704x576, 16:9.

In Project Properties/Edit/General I assume that I should set the Display Aspect Ratio to 16:9.

Should I also set the Frame Type as Upper Field First to agree with the file properties?

What should I set for Frame Size. Should I leave it as what appears to be the default 720x576 or should I change it to 704x576 to again agree with the file properties?

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

You should try to match your project properties to your video files properties.
The default aspect can be set from the start screen.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi
Go to File Preferences and set Show Messages when inserting first video
Start a new project
Insert your video, if the video is compatible then VS will show an info window, prompting you to match the project properties.
If you get that far, select details, view the right panel, these are your video properties.
Paste them to the forum
Then select Yes/ok
Your project properties will match the video.

[Berzelius]

Hi
Go to File Preferences and set Show Messages when inserting first video
Start a new project
Insert your video, if the video is compatible then VS will show an info window, prompting you to match the project properties.
If you get that far, select details, view the right panel, these are your video properties.
Paste them to the forum
Then select Yes/ok
Your project properties will match the video.

Amazing! It makes you wonder what other obscure features are buried in the depths of VideoStudio.

I did as you suggested and there it was, everything I asked about and a little bit more, all done at a press of the button. The details are:

PROJECT PROPERTIES
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Lower Field First
(DVD-PAL), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 8000 kbps)
LPCM Audio, 48000 Hz, Stereo

VIDEO PROPERTIES
MPEG files
24 bits, 704 x 576, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(DVD-PAL), 16:9
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 9510 kbps)
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
MPEG audio layer 2, 48 KHz, Stereo

I checked in Project Properties and the changes were all there. Many Thanks.

[Ken Berry]

For the record, 704 x 576 is of the of the designated frame formats compatible with international DVD standards.

[Black Lab]

It's not obscure if you read the manual.

When you capture or insert your first video clip into the project,
VideoStudio automatically checks the properties of the clip and your
project. If properties such as file format, frame size, etc. are not
identical, VideoStudio automatically adjusts the project settings to
match the clip's properties. Changing the project settings to conform
with clip properties allows VideoStudio to perform the SmartRender
function.
Tip: The above message box lets you change the project
properties to be the same as the first video clip inserted into the
Timeline. To toggle between displaying and not displaying the
46 Corel VideoStudio User Guide
message box, select or clear Show message when inserting first
video clip into the Timeline in the Preferences dialog box.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Berzelius
That¡¦s great, the properties you have are to be used throughout.
The only one that may need changing is the Video data rate.
This controls the size of video file.
As a guide:-
8000 will allow 60 minutes per dvd (4.3 gb)
6000 will allow 90 minutes per dvd (4.3 gb)
4000 will allow 120 minutes per dvd (4.3 gb)

Once you have completed the editing you will know the length of your project.
If over 60 minutes---reduce the data rate in project properties (I use 6000 constant, just my preference)
If under 60 minutes no changes.

To burn the disc you have two options:-
1/ Render, share--create a video file---using same as project properties, the resultant file being under 4.3Gb.
Use the file in a new project to create disc. (no additional render)
2/ Share create disc, rendering will take place here.

All the best

[Clevo]

I'm going to throw a bit of a spanner in the works.

I have used this in the past.

I'm currently working on a project that I know the final file will be for widescreen TV DVD

The video I will be working with is 4:3 and I have several dozen stills to incorporate.

In this situation my project settings are for 16x9, this gives me a 16x9 preview pane to work with. I'll then use the 4x3 footage in the overlay track and push it to one side of the screen giving me some space to run some stills on the other.

So, in some situations the Project properties don't necessarily have to match the the video file you are using.

[2Dogs]

Hi Berzelius
That¡¦s great, the properties you have are to be used throughout.
The only one that may need changing is the Video data rate.
This controls the size of video file.
As a guide:-
8000 will allow 60 minutes per dvd (4.3 gb)
6000 will allow 90 minutes per dvd (4.3 gb)
4000 will allow 120 minutes per dvd (4.3 gb)

But note that your camcorder uses variable bitrate - so you may be able to fit 60 minutes of footage recorded at the highest quality setting onto a single layer DVD.

As a general rule, in order to maximise picture quality, you should try to maintain video properties, otherwise you will be re-encoding the video. The video will always be re-encoded at transitions, when you use video filters or add titles, however.

Your S7 has three recording modes - and it might be worth you trying them all out to see if you get better quality, say, from making a long project in SP mode, which uses a video bitrate of about 5000kbps, or from using the best XP mode and using VS to re-encode that at 6000kbps or whatever is needed to fit the project onto a single layer DVD.

I would tend to shoot in XP mode all the time.

I would guess that the LP mode, which drops the video bitrate to 2500kbps would probably result in noticeably lower picture quality.

With an 8GB SDHC card, which you can find fairly cheaply these days, you can shoot about 100 minutes of video using XP mode. You should treat yourself to a couple of suitable 8GB cards! You'll probably need an SDHC card reader to go with them, but there are combo offers from online sellers.

Rather than being a "cheap and cheerful" camcorder, I think you've bought a very compact and very usable device - and it's convenience alone will probably cause you to shoot more video!

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Clevo

The reason for keeping the properties the same is to help VS in the rendering process.
By using smart render the process time is reduced significantly.
Changing the Bit Rate for instance would effectively disable smart render as every frame would need converting.
When we perform more intricate editing then the render may be applied to every frame.
Working with a 16:9 and 4:3 mix would probably require a full render. But the remaining properties, the bit rate, frame order, etc would normally remain as original. You are effectively converting your footage from 4:3 to 16:9.
But I do take your point and understand your comments.
When working with Mpeg editing it is best to keep the properties as original where practical.

[Clevo]

Completely see your point too Trevor (and the others).