Blu-Ray issue - unsaved file is perfect - saved file is not

billludwig · Post by **billludwig** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 7:42 pm

This one has been making me CRAZY! I finally discovered what was causing random low quality videos, and perfect HD videos at other times. I just don't know how to correct it. Here's this issue...

- create a new project
- drag a few video clips to the timeline
- save the file
- go directly to Share > Create Disk > Blu-Ray
- burn the disk
- perfect HD quality

Then,

- again go to Share > Create Disk > Blu-Ray
- this time, don't use the 'unsaved' file, but open the file file on disk
- burn the disk
- MUCH lower quality

So, the question is, how can I save a project, call it up later, and get HD quality?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.

- Bill

billludwig · Post by **billludwig** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 8:44 pm

Figured it out! Here's what causes it. When you are in the burn disk screen, you can add video files. If you add them using the 'Add video files', it will be low quality. If you add them using the 'Add VideoStudio project files', it will be HD quality. Note that these are both VideoStudio files -- just opened differently.

You can also tell by the small icon, on that same screen when adding files. If you get a 'film' icon, it will be low quality. If it has the 'other' shaped icon, it will be HD.

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Post by **Ken Berry** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 9:48 pm

That sounds as though you have had SmartProxy enabled, and have, the second time, added the low quality Proxy files, without having applied the edits to the original high definition files. (FYI: SmartProxy is aimed at making editing of high definition both easier and faster, particularly for AVCHD video, by creating standard definition mpeg-2 files. You do the editing on those files and apply the edits, when finished, back to the high definition originals.)

billludwig · Post by **billludwig** » Sat Jan 16, 2010 9:58 pm

Thanks for the reply, Ken. Yes, I have Smart Proxy enabled, and it is set to 720 x 480. I'm not clear on what all that means yet. When I get the low quality file, it is from the same destination on my hard drive that I stored the file. The Proxy folder is in a different spot. So, am I not saving a high-quality file when I click 'Save' from the main menu?

I hope this is clear...

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 12:40 am

'Save' in the main menu means you are saving the project file, not a video file. To create (and save) a video file of your project, you use Share > Create Video File and choose your output format...

billludwig · Post by **billludwig** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 3:04 am

Thanks again, Ken, but the question then is....if I go to Share > Create Disk > Blu-Ray and open my VSP file from the 'Add video files' it burns low quality, but when I open the exact same VSP file from same disk location, the 'Add VideoStudio project file', it burns HD quality.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 5:29 am

Because you are STILL importing a VSP file.
Go to the [Share] Tab and select [Create Video]
Now render a video file choosing whatever settings are best suited to the project in hand - higher bit rate = higher quality = larger file size. Lower bit rate = lower quality= smaller file size.
(You will also be presented with some available preset settings.)

Once VideoStudio has finished creating that video - clear the project by selecting File | New.
Go to the [Share] tab and select [Create Disc].
Now import the VIDEO you just created - not the VSP (Project file.)

Please view:
What is a project file?

billludwig · Post by **billludwig** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 3:46 pm

Thanks, Steve. I FINALLY got it!

- Bill