changing file size

ggg · Post by **ggg** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:34 pm

I went to create disc>DVD. I added a VSP file. The size was 1.61(1.73)GB. I then added another -size 2.28 (2.45)GB. Total was now 3.79(4.07)GB. When I tried to burn this it kept hanging up at 13%. I then tried to reload and start over. The 2nd time I added the 1st file it is now 3.45 (3.70)GB by itself. When I deleted that and only added the 2nd file its size was now 4.38(4.70)GB. The times never changed. The 1st is 51 min., 6 sec. The 2nd is 1 hour, 7 min., 9 sec. Which of these sizes are correct? Why did not get the same size each time?

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:48 pm

It all depends on the bitrate you were using. Generally, with 8000 kbps you can fit about 1 hour of very good quality video on a standard DVD. 6000 kbps will give you about 1.5 hours of decent quality, and 4000 kbps will give you about 2 hours of VHS quality video. So to burn your 2 projects to disc you will need a bitrate of about 4000 kbps to fit the approx. 1 hour and 59 minutes to a standard disc.

From the numbers you posted it sounds like you used different bitrates between your first and second attempts.

ggg · Post by **ggg** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 4:01 pm

How does one change bitrates? I didn't do anything differently. If you will tell me how to do so, I will check this. Where do you change bitrates? Is this done in the editting step or create disc step? It sounds like something that could be useful in the future. I just open the video studio editor>tools>create disc>dvd. I then added the VSP files that I had earlier edited and chaptered.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 4:08 pm

Please read From Camcorder to DVD with VideoStudio

ggg · Post by **ggg** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:05 pm

Thank you for your help. I started reading the link that you sent but it led me to ask more questions. I am using ADS Tech DVD Express with CapWiz to capture VHS tapes to a video file. This is the only part of a package that included ULead Movie Factory 3 that I used to use with Windows XP. The MF doesn't work with Vista. The question is: I can't get VS Pro x2 to recognize the capture device. It connects with an USB cable. Is this why? Is there anything that I can do in order to capture with X2?
I haven't gotten to anything about bitrate yet in the tutorial so maybe I will read it later but why would the bitrate change each time that I opened a file? Again thank you. It always amazes me when the forums are more helpful than the support people at the mfr. They couldn't even help with menus when the only thing required it turned out was to hit the dropdown box to get menu templates that allow 9 chapters per page.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:34 pm

Generally, USB is too slow to transfer video. Can Firewire be used with your device?

You can try capturing with Microsoft Movie Maker. Once the files are captured to your pc you can then import them into VS.

Do you have a camcorder? Some have what is called pass-thru which enables you connect your VCR to the camcorder and have the camcorder digitize the signal into your pc. If it doesn't have pass-thru you can always connect your cam to the VCR and actually record to the cam, then transfer to the pc.

ggg · Post by **ggg** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:04 pm

I tried an experiment. I opened a file while in edit mode. I then went to create disc>DVD. The file was 1.61(1.73)GB. I started all over and went from edit mode to create disc>DVD. I then added the same file. According to bar at the bottom that file was now 3.45(3.70)GB. I am still reading the tutorial but so far it seems that I can only change bitrate by changing the recording medium (AVCHD<DVD<VCD or SVCD). My camcorder doesn't have pass thru but I have a 1394 socket on the computer. I will have to get a new cable to use it tho. The cable that came with camcorder hooks up via an USB port. Think that using an 1394 port will get x2 to recognize it?

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:18 pm

Hi

It would help if we knew the make and model of your camera.

If you do Share Create Disc with video content in the timeline, then you are effectively adding a VSP/a project to the burner module.
The program will re-code/render your project to burn the DVD.
It will use the settings under the ¡¥Options Cogwheel¡¦ to achieve this. (Mpeg properties for file conversion.)
You can edit these settings.
By reducing the bit rate you will reduce/control the file size.

You may be best to create the video file from the edit timeline using Share Create Video File. You control the properties and the final file size.
The resultant file being used to burn your DVD. This option would not require the render in the burner module.

ggg · Post by **ggg** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:17 pm

Sorry about the delay. My camcorder is a Sony DC220. I tried to burn a DVD both by going thru the share tab and the edit tab. Made little difference. It did get 99% done once when VS quit working. All that meant is that a DVD is ruined. The next 2 times it just started looping after less than 50% done. When I reduced the bitrate to 2 hours it should have worked. According to the bar at the bottom of the screen I have a video of 1 hour, 58 min and 6 sec. By going to SP the file size is 2.somethingGB. I still get those 2 different GB sizes for the same file depending on how I open it. It takes 3 hours or more to burn (according to the one that got 99%). Is this normal for VS? The old movie factory 3 seemed to take a lot less time.

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 1:33 pm

Hi

There is two distinct work flows to consider.

First you can do Share Create Disc, this will render / re-code the project to create a temporary video file, saved to the Create/Burn folders.
You select the conversion properties under the ¡¥options¡¦ cogwheel.
The temporary files being used to burn the DVD.
If you have problems with this method you should use the second option as corel's Knowledge Base suggests.

The second option is to create a video file first. You select the conversion properties either by using a standard template or using your own or using the ¡¥custom¡¦ option.
You give the file a name and save location.
The completed video can be played on your pc to check quality.

Then
From a new project you Share Create Disc¡XAdd Video¡Xadding your new video file.
Create your menu.
There will be no further rendering as the video is a dvd compliant file.
When you finally hit the Burn button the progress bar should indicate Convert menu
If it shows Convert Title then the video file is being converted/rendered. Not what you want.

Please read my guide to DV-Avi, will give you the order of my workflow.

Capture (You would import files from your DVD camcorder as Mpeg 2 files)
Edit
Create Video File
Start new project ---Share Create Disc----Burn new video file

ggg · Post by **ggg** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 2:23 pm

Trevor, I think you have pinpointed the problem but I need help on how to fix it. I am recording the VHS tapes into a MPG file. The screen on capwiz says that it is a mpg2. I then open it in VS and edit,chapter and menu. I save it but it is saved as a VSP file or "project". I am guessing from what you have said that this is where my problem starts. As time allows I reopen the VSP file, check my editting, make changes etc. and have tried to burn. Everytime I have seen that it is converting the video of the title during the burn process. I very rarely have the time at one stretch to do it all. I think that from what you have said I need to somehow keep this file as a MPG at all times. I did try the share>create disc before but that still tried to render it ("convert title"). Obviously it was still in the vsp format. I will read your tutorials and try again. Thank you! PS I started reading your tutorial and it starts off capturing from a DV camcorder. How about from VHS tapes as an mpg2 file? VS doesn't recognize my DVD express via USB hookup. I would like to capture using VS if possible just to keep everything in one program.

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 2:42 pm

Hi

Sorry I should have read the earlier posts again regarding cap wiz.

As mentioned Capwiz is not the best option to capturing video. Although I don¡¦t know much about it, did try it and gave up in the end. Capturing video via USB can give problems.

I think it allowed Avi and Mpeg capture options.
I assume you have to set the capture properties in capwiz.
What properties are you using?

Right click one of the clips in the timeline and select properties, what are they?

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 2:51 pm

I would like to capture using VS if possible just to keep everything in one program.

It is advisable to capture with the software that came with the hardware because they are designed to work together. After the clips are captured you can import them into VS.

ggg · Post by **ggg** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 9:34 pm

The only choices that I have on capwiz are mpg1 or 2. I am saving in mpg2. The VHs tapes are done by year. I had to record those as 8 files divided by year, then "jr" or "sr". I now need to remove unwanted portions and reclassify as either JR or SR. Each of these will then be divided into 20 chapters each. These are dance competitions. My wife needs to be able to see a menu on a disc that she can decide either jr or sr. A submenu would then give her the 20 individual numbers as chapters and she can then choose which number to view. I apologize for taking up so much of your time. I am are actually pretty good around a computer but this program is just dealing me a fit. I read the guides from Trevor but I tried to edit the mpg2 files and then did a create file but none of the edits are in the new file. It is just a duplicate of the original. Can you save any changes at each step? The only options on the multi trim screen were OK or Cancel.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 12:25 am

ggg wrote:....... I did try the share>create disc before but that still tried to render it ("convert title"). ......

Sorry but you are still confused about the process.

Step 1. Place your raw video on the video editor time line and do your editing.
Step 2. From the [Share] tab - Create video. this will render out a new MPEG2 video ready to be passed to the authoring stage [Share] - create disc.
Step 3. Start a new project (to clear the time line)
Step 4. Go to the [Share] tab and select create disc.
Import your edited Video from Step 2. Make sure that you have selected "Do not convert complaint MPEG files"

Now the video itself will not be rendered again.
HOWEVER you WILL see the message converting the video of the title - what it is doing is creating the DVD Menu's - these are in fact small video files that represent each DVD Menu Page. Superimposed upon those small video(s) are hotspots that react to the buttons on your DVD remote control.