Convert Mpeg-2 to DV

Scott Jeffries · Post by **Scott Jeffries** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:03 pm

Hi,

I've just joined this board after purchasing VS last week, and existing messages on this board proved very useful while I was using the trial version.

Now, my question - I understand from searching this board, and the Internet, that's DV would be an ideal source to work from when creating new projects in VS, unfortunately I only have a miniDVD camcorder. Would there be any advantage in converting the mpg's into DV before using them in VS? I understand that the quality of the DV will only be as good as the mpg's, but would having DV as a source enable VS to create better quality transitions, titles, overlays etc, instead of using the mpg's directly - or would I just be wasting time & HDD space? I'm thinking if VS has individual frames to work with, DV, instead of i-frames, b-frames etc in the mpgs, then this might make a difference.

thanks
Scott.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:18 pm

The problem with converting your MPEG-2s to DV-AVI is you then have to convert back to MPEG-2 if you intend to burn to DVD. MPEG-2 is a lossy format and the re-rendering could cause a loss of quality. But how much is in the eye of the beholder.

If I were you I would experiment to see which method works best for you.

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:25 pm

Hi Scott

And welcome to the forum.
I think its a waste of time and resources to convert the mpeg to DV.

Editing Mpeg video has improved in recent years and shouldn¡¦t really give you a problem.
I would edit the existing video give, it a go and see what quality you get.

As a Guide:-
You need to change the project properties to match the video files.
After editing, create a video file of the project using-- Share Create video File ¡VSame as first Clip.
Start a new project¡XShare Create Disc¡XAdd Video File.

Hope this Helps

DVDDoug · Post by **DVDDoug** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:05 pm

I agree with Trevor. If you don't have any trouble, go ahead and edit the MPEGs. If you do run into problems, conversion to DV is a good work-around if you are able to make the conversion without any issues.

Some MPEGs seem to cause more trouble than others, and I assume it has something to do with the encoding. It may turn-out that VS is completely happy with the files from your particular camcorder.

Scott Jeffries · Post by **Scott Jeffries** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 2:01 am

Hi,

Thanks for the advice, to be honest I'd forgotten that once the mpg was converted to DV it would have to be converted a second time back to mpg for the DVD, and the further lose of quality. I'll stick with the mpg unless I run into any problems.

thanks
Scott.