editing a hi definition movie

[davesano]

I've been using Video Studio 9 for quite a few years now, with no major problem. However, I recently got a bunch of hi definition movies, and for some reason, having edited some of them, I get a non-satisfactory result. I either get a distorted movie (flat and fat, or I get a smaller frame, with a thich black rectangle surrounding it.

I am obviously doing something shouldn't, or am NOT doing something I should. Can anybody help? But please, not in a technical language.

Thanks.

Dave.

[Black Lab]

Well, VS9 is from about 5-6 years ago. Not only was it not designed for HD, but I don't know how many HD cams even existed back then. If you are wanting to edit HD you will have to upgrade to VS X3.

[davesano]

Thanks, Jeff. I've installed VS X3 pro for trial, but I believe it's too big for my computer. Nothing gets into action. So, until I buy a new computer, I'll stick to my good old VS9.

[mitchell65]

Thanks, Jeff. I've installed VS X3 pro for trial, but I believe it's too big for my computer. Nothing gets into action. So, until I buy a new computer, I'll stick to my good old VS9.

Hi davesano
How about filling in your system details. It might well be that with a little tweak your setup may be enough to run VSx3. Have you looked at the minimum spec for this software?

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

It would also help if we knew a little about the type of HD video you are using.
Right click a clip in the timeline and select properties, what are they?

There are many many different types,VS can edit most types, but there are some that give problems.
You may have problems editing HD using VS 9.
You may be best to convert the HD to another format to edit, maybe DV-Avi
If VS 9 can’t do use ‘Super’.
Link from the Free Stuff http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=12931

Widescreen
HD is widescreen and as such you should use 16:9 aspect ratio for your project. (may get rid of those black borders)
File-Project Properties-Edit-General tab

Also try changing the background colour to view the actual video frames shape (File - Preferences)

You can set the default to 16:9 from the start-up splash screen, if you do not see this screen set it in File Preferences-Show Startup Screen

[davesano]

Thanks, guys, for the advice.

I can't post my system details, for the simple reason that I don't know them. I am not technical in my orientation, and I simply let the man at the store decide for me. I DO know that, to improve speed with VS9, I added a 1 giga memory chip to an existing 1 giga one (which didn't give me any improvement I could notice)...

But I did some trial-and-error-ing, and I now know that my problem in NOT in the hi definition. It is in the aspect ration. Apparently I tried to save 16:9 as 4:3, which gace me a thick black frame around the visible screen. I know it, because I tried converting the HD WMV into non-HD MPEG, and using VS9 on the resultant MPEG. By the way, VS 9 REFUSES to save my HD WMV as MPEG II. The sound comes and goes, and the video stops and stands still every here and there. Apparently my computer is not powerful enough for it. It all works fine when I edit the MPEG.

But there's still a question: I am now editing as 16:9, and save as 16:9, and all's fine, except the stills. When I try to :save as a still image", add the still to the time line, and save the file (as MPEG II), the resultant video plays OK (with a black band at the top and the bottom of the screen), until it hits the still picture. Then the visible screen becomes long (the picture fills the whole screen), and people look skinny....This remains so, untill the end of the still picture.

Any idea how I can avoid this? I wouldn't mind ALL the video to fill the whole screen, being surrounded by skinny people....

Thanks,

Dave

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Dave

For your PC details , go to the top of this forum and select the ‘User Control Panel’
Under your Profile tab you will find the PC spec boxes to fill, with a link to Belarc, a little program that will scan your pc and tell you what you have.

OK Video Studio.
Image capture, switch to Project playback, use Tools Save Current Frame as Image
This will save the image as you see it on screen.

Using Clip mode will save the image using the videos frame size.
Right click the image in the library -properties-- to view the image frame size..........

Also can you right click your original video and select Properties, What are they??????????

[davesano]

Thanks, Trevor.

I managed to get to my profile, but found no link to the belark (I hope I am spelling it correctly) program you mentioned. I'm sure I'll be able to use my friend - google - to find it, and post my specs.

As for your other suggestions: they sound good, and I have NOT tried them before. I'll get to playing with them in about 12 hours, and get back to you.

Thanks again,

Dave.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Dave

try this link

http://www.belarc.com/ba5.html?B

[davesano]

Hi Trevor,

I tried to be good: Here's a short list of successes and failures:

A) I managed to find and run the belarc program (thanks for the link), but failed to add it to my profile. The interface in this forum refuses to accept what I thought belarc was telling me about my motherboard... I figured it didn't matter that much, because I am not going to make A change in my computer; I'll simply use it as is, and then buy a new one. As long as I own this one, I'll know that VS X3 is out.

I used your suggestion about saving the image, but it gave me the same result. The movie plays, and when it hits the image - the picture on the screen becomes long (and, when people are in it, quite complimenting; I wish I were that skinny; my wife would have paid a lot to be that skinny). In fact, I am not sure what the difference between this and using (edit mode) the icon for "save as still image", which is what I've been using all along.

HOWEVER: I suddenly found out that if I "save as still image" and then switch to "keep aspect ration", I get a smooth video, with no chamge in picture size between the novie and the still. I've been using these still images for quite a while now, and I sometimes "keep aspect ratio", sometimes "fit to project size", depending on how it looks in the VS9 edit monitor. This time, what looked right in the monitor, looked wrong when I saves a movie filed and played it back....

So now, I know how to perform what I want to perform. My immediate need is satisfied. Thanks a zillion for helping me get there. What's left is just my curiosity, and the wish to KNOW what the machine is doing, but I didn't hire you as a general tutor, just as an immediate problem solver, and the immediate problem IS solved....

Thanks again for your assistance. You've helped me to get over quite a frustrating experience.

Dave.

[davesano]

Trevor, I was wrong. 'save still image" does NOT do the trick. Only the method you suggested (project mode --> tools...does it, provided that I switch the resultant image to "keep aspect ration". WWoooo !!!! this is complicated. But I can get it now.

It turns out that I've never worked with "project mode" before. I usually edit and save. When I edit, as soon as I hit a clip on the story board, VS9 goes into clip mode, and so far - that was all I needed.

Thanks again, angel.

[sjj1805]

.... I managed to find and run the belarc program (thanks for the link), but failed to add it to my profile. The interface in this forum refuses to accept what I thought belarc was telling me about my motherboard...I figured it didn't matter that much, because I am not going to make A change in my computer; I'll simply use it as is, and then buy a new one. As long as I own this one, I'll know that VS X3 is out.......

The details we ask you complete in your profile are for the benefit of our other members who will try to help you resolve your problems.
1. Click hereto run Belarc


2. You will get a screen full of stuff about your computer


3. Click Here to open your User Control Paneland select the [Profile] tab


4. Scroll Down the page and complete these details


5. Finish off by clicking the [Submit] button at the very bottom of the screen

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Dave

Seems like you have it working........

Use 'Keep Aspect Ratio' this option is selected by default. Didn't realise you had changed this option.
Use Tools-Save Current frame as still image.

One more thing, what are the properties of your video file.
Right click a video clip and select Properties.

If you are using a video with a low frame rate say 15 fps then you will see interlacing.
For Pal and Ntsc the standard rate is 25/29fps
For HD it can be 50/60

[davesano]

Hi Trevor,

Yes, with your help I know how to do what I want to, although I am not sure why the method youtaught me yields different results from the "save as still image" that I usually use when I edit.

As for the properties of the movie in question: It started out as a HD WMV, but the system I am using (VS9, with my old computer) couldn't handle that. I had to convert the source WMV into MPEG2, which, strangely enough< VS9 likes much more. For that I used a little free program, named "any video converter". The resultant MPEG2 has 24 bits, 720X480, 16:9, 29.97 frames/sec, VBR (max 2600 kbps).

I am not sure why VS9 prefers this MPEG over the original WMV. It ALWAYS runs faster on MPEG files than it does on WMVs, even if the WMV is much lower in quality and information. What is weird is that VS9 works well on the MPEG I get from "any video converter"; I can edit it and save the edited movie as an MPEG2 by VS9. If, however, I save an MPEG with VS9, and then try to edit it, and re-save, I get all kinds of weird results: No sound in some sections of the movie, AND the movie "gets stuck", that is - it halts to a still for a few seconds every now and then. It's as though VS9 prefers the output of "any video converter" over its own output...

I am not sure whether these oddities are because of VS9, or because og something in my computer, or an intercation of the two, and I am working my way around this problem; not always efficiently, but I usually get my results. Thanks to you, I am getting the results now, too.

By the way, I think I managed to update my profile with info about my computer specs.

Thanks again,

Dave.

[Black Lab]

VS9 wasn't designed to work with HD files at all. What's more, WMV is a much more compressed type of file than MPEG2, which may be why VS is having trouble with it.