Project Properties

[Brain Champagne]

Under Project Properties it says:
NTSC drop frame (29.97 fps)
Microsoft AVI files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 4:3, 29.97 fps
Lower Field First
DV Video Encoder -- type 1
PCM, 48.000 kHz, 8 Bit, Mono

How did this become mono? Is it because the first clip's audio isn't in stereo? I don't want to lose stereo.

When I go to Share, Create Video File, I have two choices:
1. DV (NTSC 16:9 would be my choice) that lists:
Microsoft AVI files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 16:9, 29.97 fps
Lower Field First
DV Video Encoder -- type 2
PCM, 48.000 kHz, 16 Bit, Stereo

2. Same as project settings that lists:
NTSC drop frame (29.97 fps)
Microsoft AVI files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 4:3, 29.97 fps
Lower Field First
DV Video Encoder -- type 1
PCM, 48.000 kHz, 8 Bit, Mono

Is one choice better than the other? I plan to use Nero 6 to burn my DVDs from an avi file because even though it's bare-bones software it seems to give me better options than VS does (or at least, it's easier to figure out how to use it).

thanks,

[mitchell65]

If you just burn an avi file to a DVD disc in Nero it wont play in a DVDplayer on your TV. You need to go to "Create Disc" to complete the authoring process to create the SD DVD folders!

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

Your project properties look bog standard for a Mini-DV camcorder.
Is this correct.?

Go to File Preferences-tick-Show Messages when inserting First Video File.
Start a new project
Add one of your video clips to the timeline.
An info window should open, select details
The right hand panel shows your video properties.
Using your mouse select the text in this box. Drag from corner to corner
Ctrl+C will copy the details
Ctrl+ V will paste.
Paste the details to this forum

Does the audio show as Mono or Stereo

How did you capture your video?
Normally for Mini ¡VDV you should connect via firewire and capture to DV format.

[Brain Champagne]

Mitchell, I've been putting avi files on DVDs and they've been playing on my TV just fine-- I'm not just copying the avi file to the disk, I'm creating a DVD. Although when I've tried to use VS to make a DVD it skips and jitters and repeats... is it possible that the software doesn't allow full DVD burning when it's the 30 day trial?

Anyway, Trevor,

Captured via firewire as DV.

Following your instructions:
Project Properties
mpeg files 24 bits, 720 X 480
lower field first
4:3
LPCM audio 48khz
Stereo

Video Properties:
Microsoft AVI files
24 bit 720X480
DV type 1
DV audio 32 khz 12 bit Stereo
(don't know why the videographer used 32 khz 12 bit but since it's voice and not music, at least for me, it shouldn't make a difference)

It does seem that, despite what it's saying when I go to render a file, I'm getting stereo, at least it sounds stereo on my computer.

But I'm annoyed as I'm trying to make everything 16:9 not 4:3. I thought I'd told it to default to 16:9. My project's a mix of clips of both proportions.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Brian

A little clarification I think is needed.

I assume you have a Mini-DV type camcorder. Is this correct, what type and make?
You have captured to the pc using Firewire and to DV format, this option copies the data from the camcorder to the pc.
There are no changes, no re-coding, what you have in the camera is what you get on the PC.

Your video files have the following properties, as far as I know.

Microsoft AVI files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 4:3, 29.97 fps
Lower Field First
DV Video Encoder -- type 1
DV audio 32 khz 12 bit Stereo

The aspect ratio is set in the camera, you have recorded in 4:3
The audio is set in the camera, this can be changed to 16 bit stereo, but only for future recordings.

Immediately after capture the project properties should be changed to match the video files properties, save the project as a VSP file.
Brian do this....(VS X2¡XFrom File Preferences-tick Show Messages when inserting First Video¡K¡K..)

We then edit the project adding or removing frames, adding titles and the rest.

When complete we create a disc.
There are two options, we can create a video file to Mpeg2 compatible properties.
Share Create Video File-DVD-Ntsc DVD (up to 60 minutes of video)
Using this file in a new project to burn the disc.

Or
we can do Share Create Disc, the project containing the Dv-Avi files are inserted into the burner module,
they are automatically converted to Mpeg2 files. (convert Title) These are used to burn the disc.
(We need Mpeg 2 files to burn a standard DVD)

I prefer the first option, but its just a personal preference.

For more details of DV-Avi to DVD please read my quick guide to DV-Avi from the link below.
These were written for Pal so please use Ntsc settings.

[Brain Champagne]

I have two Canon mini DV cameras. The initial video was shot by a pro videographer on mini DV, and I get whatever settings he used... he may have shot 4:3 but newer videos he's doing are 16:9. The videos I have shot are with both cameras. And the project is a bunch of clips from all sorts of places, in all different formats (almost all mini DV, a couple may be from my Panasonic SD card video camera).

-Shaun Eli
www.BrainChampagne.com

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

You should have no problems in editing the DV-Avi files.

If you make the project as 16:9 then when you use 4:3 they will sit inside the widescreen frame, creating a border left and right.
You can zoom in to this 4:3, literally changing the ratio to 16:9, but you will loose some detail top and bottom.
See my guide below.

Another option would be to use the overlay track for the 4:3 using ¡¥picture in picture¡¦ effect.
It really depends on the video content and how you see the final movie.

And the Panasonic video¡¦s , what are the properties.
Right click a clip in the timeline and select properties.

[Black Lab]

Just to expand on Trevor's reference to the picture-in-picture effect, following is my guide to mixing 16:9 and 4:3 video.
http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php?t=35839

[boxy]

When I place an MTS file in the timeline on a new project I do not get the box asking me if I want to change the properties to match the clip. It does open on every other kind of file. Is this correct?

[Ken Berry]

I am not even sure it opens on every other type of format. But essentially it really only works with standard definition video clips and certainly with SD mpeg and DV/AVI. But it does not work with any high definition formats...

[boxy]

Maybe I misspoke when I said EVERY other type. When I place an HDV mpeg I do get the prompt. Thanks for clarifying!

[Ken Berry]

That's strange! When I insert a HDV file, I *don't* get the prompt!

[sjj1805]

I just opened VideoStudio X3 and placed a MTS file on the timeline and did NOT get the message.