Poor MPEG4-HD Rendering in X3

[altzone]

Hi
Just upgraded to X3 from X2.
I edit 1280x720 30fps MP4 direct from my camera and have previously (in X2) output in 1280x720 MPEG2 25fps and converted to 1280x720 MP4 2-3000Kbps H.264 using Handbrake for upload to Youtube.
I was hoping that X3 would let me output direct in MP4 HD without needing to use Handbrake, but when I choose X3's "MPEG-4 HD" output option it sounds great in theory (30fps, 15000Kbps) but the output quality is pretty horrible. Very "blocky" in some parts (not all) on playback in VLC, particularly when text is overlaid at the same time. It's also the same when I set up a custom MP4 @ 10000Kbps. Is this a known issue?
I would have expected 1st class quality at 15,000 or 10,000 Kbps MP4, but it's a LOT worse than 2000Kbps I got out of Handbrake previously, not quite unwatchable, but pretty horrible.

If I output the exact same project using "HDV 720p 25fps" MPEG2 option and then convert with Handbrake to MP4 at a very low 2000Kbps, I don't see the problem, it's just as good as it used to be in X2.
So there is clearly an issue with the MP4 encoder used in X3.

Also, there also appears to be no way to manually output an MPEG2 at 1280x720 30fps. There is only the "HDV 720p" option at 25fps. Manual MPEG2 mode only allows 720x576 maximum. Given that my source material is 30fps, I've always found this limitation rather annoying. It was the same on X2, and does not appear to have changed on X3. Any ideas why this limitation exists?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks
Dave.

[sjj1805]

You could start by updating your User profile so that we can see what sort of computer you are using.

[Accolades]

Hi,

There is an update from Corel due out soon to deal with issues associated with MP4's.

[altzone]

Hi,
There is an update from Corel due out soon to deal with issues associated with MP4's.

Thanks, I'll hang out for that and see if it does the trick.

Dave.

[azuremain]

I have a very similar problem. I have Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2000 and editing with VS X3 is fine, but when it comes to saving into a file, I am presented with options that really suck. The highest fps I am offered is 25fps, although my vids are 30fps or 60fps. The resolution options are also quite limited and after rendering the videos suck big time (pixelated and not smooth anymore).

Is there any way to get around this, or any upgrade/patch? Otherwise I will have to look for another editor.

[Black Lab]

The highest fps I am offered is 25fps, although my vids are 30fps or 60fps.

25 fps is PAL. 30 fps & 60 fps are NTSC. What region are you in? Did you make the correct region choice during installation?

[azuremain]

The highest fps I am offered is 25fps, although my vids are 30fps or 60fps.

25 fps is PAL. 30 fps & 60 fps are NTSC. What region are you in? Did you make the correct region choice during installation?

I'm located in Hong Kong. I've no idea if this region is NTSC or PAL. Can I reset VS X3 to NTSC?
I still don't understand how this affects MP4 editing/rendering. Some poor fellow in Europe may also want to make nice highres vids with high fps. So why restrict this to PAL or NTSC regions? This is so stupid, I still hope it's me and not VS X3, otherwise VS X3 is nothing but a pain in the neck.

[sj1805]

Hong Kong is a PAL region.

Please click here

[Black Lab]

So why restrict this to PAL or NTSC regions? This is so stupid, I still hope it's me and not VS X3, otherwise VS X3 is nothing but a pain in the neck.

Read Steve's link and it will explain. It has nothing to do with VideoStudio. You apparently have a camera that was either purchased or manufactured in a NTSC region. That is why it records in 30 or 60 fps. When you installed VS you apparently chose your region (Hong Kong) and VS set the defaults accordingly, which in the case of Hong Kong is PAL (25 fps).

To reset VS you will have to reinstall and, when prompted, choose a NTSC region.

[azuremain]

So why restrict this to PAL or NTSC regions? This is so stupid, I still hope it's me and not VS X3, otherwise VS X3 is nothing but a pain in the neck.

Read Steve's link and it will explain. It has nothing to do with VideoStudio. You apparently have a camera that was either purchased or manufactured in a NTSC region. That is why it records in 30 or 60 fps. When you installed VS you apparently chose your region (Hong Kong) and VS set the defaults accordingly, which in the case of Hong Kong is PAL (25 fps).

To reset VS you will have to reinstall and, when prompted, choose a NTSC region.

Hey that actually helped, at least a little. After the reinstallation I indeed have the 30pfs option.
But it's still not really satisfying as other options for sound, compression etc. remain very limited.
Most annoying is that after saving/rendering to an MP4 file, the once crystal clear picture of my Sanyo VPC-HD2000
becomes very pixelated, which I guess is due to a repeat compression.

Is there any way to avoid this or any other programs that avoid further compressing my original MP4 files including free options for resolution, fps etc.?

[Ken Berry]

A couple of thoughts... I have just looked up the specifications of your camcorder, and see that it is capable of full high definition AVCHD video at 1920 x 1080 and also up to the new upper quality limit for that format of 24 Mbps. That is seriously good quality. So I am wondering why you are using it for was is only a very average quality 1280 x 720 fiming (which is four down on the Sanyo's quality scale)...

You also say you render out to .mp4... and I am wondering whether to take this literally. AVCHD is of course mpeg-4, but it is produced using the AVC/H.264 codec. So you should be using that codec (e.g. after editing, you should be selecting Share > Create Video File > AVCHD). If instead you select Share > Create Video File > mp4, a different codec will be used, and that probably accounts for the degradation in quality you describe. And very likely it would be a standard definition codec...

Personally, I would be doing my editing, then selecting Share > Create Video File > Same As First Clip (as long as you have an AVCHD clip in first place). That would ensure you retain the same high quality as in the original video out of the camera. And as I said at the outset, you could be filming -- and ultimately producing -- much higher quality video than you currently are with that particular camera. (On a personal note, I am rather jealous of the Xacti's ability to film at up to 600 fps so that you could get some very effective slow-motion shots of, say, fast sports action...)

[mitchell65]

Hi DAve
Just to add to the excellent advice offered by Ken, when you want to put a video onto You Tube there is no need to use any 3rd party software. Use the Share "Upload to You Tube" option, this will create exactly the file you are trying to produce and automatically upload it to You Tube.

[azuremain]

Thanks Ken, I tried it out and also the HDV and Blueray options. While AVCHD delivers good picture quality, the sound sucks big time. So I also tried HDV: The pulldown menue of HDV reads 1080i 60i, but for some strange reason it's actually just 1440x1080 at only 29fps. My camera does real 1080p (not interlaced) at 60fps. Why doesn't VS X3 just let the user freely set up the resolution and fps?! All these stupid presettings and limitations are so fricking annoying. It's like a Ferrari with cruise control set to engage at 50mph.