Poor video quality in DVD format

[Sharlynn]

Hi, this is my first post here. Need some help from the expert!

I'm currently working on my wedding montage using Corel VideoStudio 12. FYI, my project only consists of photos and no video.
The project looks crystal clear in the project and also when i create video file, but when i burn it into DVD format, it becomes very blurred.

I've tried several ways as suggested by Ken to go to Share > Create Video File > Same as project settings first, then use the mpeg file to create disc, but it doesn't work for me.

FYI, my project setting is:
===================
NTSC non-drop frame (30fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 1920 x 1080, 60fps
Lower field first
(MPEG-2), 16:9
===================

The reason i chose 1920 x 1080 is because i want the montage to be as clear as possible. But i'm not sure if i'm doing the right thing?
All my photos are in very high resolution:
===========================
Data Type: RGB True Color (24 bit)
Width: 4368 pixels Res: 118 pixels/cm
Height: 2912 pixels Size:37,265 KB
===========================

Can anyone tell me what should i do?
Please

[jbarchuk]

my project only consists of photos and no video.
The project looks crystal clear in the project and also when i create video file, but when i burn it into DVD format, it becomes very blurred.

MPEG files
24 bits, 1920 x 1080, 60fps

Width: 4368 pixels Res: 118 pixels/cm
Height: 2912 pixels Size:37,265 KB

Again as very recently mentioned VS is a video editor not an image editor. You'd 'probably/likely' get better results by first editing the stills down in size *and* resolution before rendering.

I start with one still, and then process it differently towards the final intended use. Whether 4x6 or 8x10 print, web, vid, whatever, all have different intended use attributes and capabilities. The still editor does a muuuch better job of that than VS ever could.

Have a day!

Jim
jb@jbarchuk.com

[Clevo]

Edit: Normally your video project settings should match your video...but because you are working with stills only we have to approach things differently.

What I think is happening is that your project settings are too high for your final output on DVD and the resolution of your photos (118ppcm) is low (even though your frame size is high). You've chosen the High Definition NTSC project settings for a regular DVD. Video Studio will convert your HD settings to SD further eroding quality

Without fiddling around with all those pictures/photos leave them as they are.

If you are making a DVD in NTSC lands adjust your project settings to this

===================
NTSC (30fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 30fps
Lower field first
(MPEG-2), 16:9
===================

This is a standard DVD format in NTSC, wide screen

Your photos:

===========================
Data Type: RGB True Color (24 bit)
Width: 4368 pixels Res: 118 pixels/cm
Height: 2912 pixels Size:37,265 KB
===========================

Should be OK though, personally the 118ppcm is on the low side but it should be acceptable for typical DVD NTSC settings. I would have gone for a higher pixel/cm and a smaller frame size (though bigger than the frame size for NTSC DVD settings)...for example: Width 1200 pixels

You don't mention the duration of your project which will also have an impact on quality

[Sharlynn]

Hi jbarchuk & Clevo,

Thanks for the prompt replies.

I guess I forgot to mention in the previous post, that when i export the file as a mpeg2 file by go to Share > Create Video file. The video looks crystal clear in the mpeg file when i played in with Windows Media Player. The file size is about 900MB.

But when i burn the same mpeg file as DVD, the quality dropped drastically and the file size is only 300MB without me changing anything.

Is there any way i can maintain the quality when i burn the mpeg file as into playable disc.

Please bear with me, i guess my questions may sound stupid because i don't know much about all these.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Sharlynn

The properties you are using 24 bits, 1920 x 1080, 60fps are HD video, as such need a HD DVD disc.(afaik)
To burn a standard DVD you need a Mpeg 2 file compatible for DVD.

When you tried to burn the DVD VS re-coded the HD video back to standard DVD, this almost certainly is the cause of the quality reduction.

To burn a standard DVD you should use properties similar to the settings below.
As Clevo said -- Change your project properties to match, then Share Create Video File ¡VSame As project
The quality should be very good.
Then start a new project-Share Create disc ¡V Add Media, adding your new Mpeg 2 file.

NTSC drop frame (29.97 fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Lower Field First (if you are using still images only, you could choose Frame Based here)
(DVD-NTSC), 16:9
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 8000 kbps) (I would use Constant, but thats personal preference)
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

File size will be approx 4 Gb for 60 minutes

[Sharlynn]

Thanks all for the advice.

I tried to set the project settings as mentioned, but the video still very blurry.

Anyway, i managed to find a workaround for this. What i did was, i use Corel to create mpeg2 file with 1920 * 1080 resolution to get a high definition file. Then instead of using Corel Video Studio to create DVD, i use the Windows DVD Maker and it works!

Now i have the project burned in DVD with good quality.

Anyway, thanks all for the help!