Variable Bit Rate

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Ken

Thanks for the info, sorry to go of topic, but one query.
Looking at the images you posted there does not seem to be any way of manually setting the capture properties.

It seems as though you have to use one of the templates, is this correct, and is VS X2 the same?

[Ken Veal]

I went back to the Format drop down arrow again with the cam connected
and kept clicking on it, it changed colour and a box would show for a few seconds saying " select format"Eventually a list of formats displaid and
I was able to choose DV after more attempts.
The information now shows 720x576 DV type 1 Pal.
The source field shows as a Pansonic DV Device.
Clicked Options cog and the current profile is shown as DV Type 1 in the
Video properties box.
Without the cam connected the Device control box shows "none"
When cam is connected it shows"MS 1394 Device Control" and
supports MSDEV camcorder.
In device control options box "Panasonic" shows.......................
So, how am I doing so far ? Why did I have so much trouble selecting
DV.
Next question that arises is..........
I have some of my project from the 1st cam tape captued in DVD format,
before I add more captured in DV type 1 from the next tape...........what do I do next, have I got to change the DVD format in the project to DV type 1 if so how.....................................Ken

[Ken Veal]

Trevor,
I have not posted any images and I only have VS!!+ .......Ken

[Ron P.]

Kenneth looks like you're doing fine. The camcorder does need to be connected and turned on in playback mode for those options to be accessible.

I would not convert the MPEG-2 files you have previously captured to DV to edit them. Leave them in that format, and possibly edit them in a separate project than those with DV clips. You can if you choose, recapture those DVD/MPEG-2 clips to DV, and then all your clips will be in the same format to be used in the same project. This would be the least problematic..

I discovered a slight error with my earlier post of the screenshots showing that VS 11.5+ does not have an Advanced button. If you choose DVD from the format type, then the Advanced button is not there. However if you select MPEG, the Advanced button is present...

[Ken Veal]

I have already edited the DVD format captured files that are in the project, that is trimmed, deleted, mulitrimmed and applied overlays.Would I not get away with leaving them as they are? re capturing
and editing them again would be time consuming, but if that is the only option........... What problems would there be if I kept them as they are?
Would I be able to use batch convert to change the MPEG files to DV
or does that not apply here, I have never had to use B Con before
so dont know how it works or how to use it.....................Ken

[Ron P.]

Sorry Ken trying not to add confusion. Since you've already edited them, I would leave them as is, and not convert them to DV. With any clips that you capture as DV I would edit them in a new separate project. Once you have finished editing them, then go to share>create video file>DVD and render your project.

You could then use each as a separate title in the burn module, or start a new project, insert your MPEG-2 video files and render them to one file. However I would want to make sure that the properties were the same on each of them, and use Smart Render so that VS does not recode all of them, thus risking loosing some quality.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Ken

Glad to hear you are making progress and able to capture to DV.

I agree with what Ken is saying,
Eventually, when you have edited the DV type captured files they will be converted to Mpeg to allow you to burn to DVD.
It will be best to use the properties of the original DVD captured files for this conversion.
That way both video files will have the same properties.

At the moment we don¡¦t know what the DVD properties are.

If you use Tools--Make Movie Manager¡XAdd function you will create a template to the original captured DVD files.
Then you can use this template to Share-Create Video file.
If you need details of using the Manager see my Quick Guide below.

[Ken Veal]

The present mpeg files in the project properties are:
40KB MPEG 24bits 720x572 25fps Lwr field !st VBR7000
384 audio bit rate dol dig audio 48KHz duration 00.02.41.19
Will this work:-
Start a new project
Insert the edited MPEG files that have been rendered to a video file
Carry on from there in the new project that has the renedered video
files in it by capturing to DV
Use smart render
When finished create a video file from the project and burn the DVD
after ensuring all the project properties are the same.

How much time will a VBR of 7000 give me on the DVD ?

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Ken

There are a few ways to go.

1/ You can complete the Mpeg project rendering it to a single file using the same mpeg properties.
(Share Create Video File¡Xsame as first video)
In a separate project complete the DV captured files, editing and render that to a new video file, again using the mpeg properties.
You now have two mpeg video files that you burn to disc. (Share Create disc-Add Video)

Alternatively
2 / You can add your DV captured files to the original Mpeg project, edit this and then render to a single video file using the mpeg properties.
(Share Create Video File¡XSame as first Video File or as project settings, which should be the same.) Again you should use the captured Mpeg properties.

OR
3/ The first project is completed and rendered to a single file.
Add this file to the second project, the DV captured project. Complete the editing and render to the same Mpeg settings used earlier.

Again I recommend using the Movie Wizard to create your own templates.

Bit Rates

As a guide:
8000 kbps will allow for 60 minutes of video to a standard single layer DVD (full quality)
6000 kbps will allow for 90 minutes of video to a standard single layer DVD (very good quality)
4000 kbps will allow for 120 minutes of video to a standard single layer DVD (VHS quality)

So 7000 will allow for about 75 minutes. (minimum)
Ken how long are your projects/video files.?

I would advise that you keep the video file size to a maximum of 4 GB, this will allow a little space for the menu structures.
Above 4 GB and you are approaching the limit and may or may not fit. ( a DVD holds 4.3 GB)
So after rendering your project, check the size of the video files you are intending to burn.
If above 4 GB then you may have to reconsider your render settings. Over 4.3GB and you definitely will have to reduce the bit rate and re-render.

[Ken Veal]

Thanks for the quick reply Trevor.
Think I will go for your 3rd option.
Dont yet know the project final length
I am aiming to have just over an hour at the most on the DVD
Dont want to reuduce the bit rate any less then 7000
In the past a VBR has been advised, on reading Steves earlier
comments in this post , a constant bit rate is advised.
Am I going really going to get better quality using a constant bit rate
that would be noticable?
I have tried the 2 pass route before, rendering time was several times
longer and I could not detect any improvement. ...............Ken

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Ken

Variable bit rate really comes into its own on longer video.
It was developed to allow us to fit more footage to a disc and still retain quality.

If the video is under 70 minutes then there is no advantage in using variable.
I wouldn¡¦t even consider Variable 7000

Its a personal choice, and I opt for Constant. Usually at 6000.

When we refer to Constant the rate is generally a maximum value, where-as Variable is an average.

So 6000 constant is probably equivalent to 7000 variable. To complicated and clear as mud.

Ok Ken once you have completed the editing you will know the length and can then decide a bit rate.

[Ken Veal]

Thank you Trevor and eveyone who has helped me out with this post.This
forum has got me out of trouble so many times.................Ken