Video Studio X3 Opinions: Mp4/H.264/GoPro HD

[VTPyzon]

Hi,

I recently purchased a GoPro HD for use with my motorcycle, after having good success with a standard GoPro Wide.

The GoPro HD creates Mp4 video, 1280 x 960, H.254 at 29.97 frames/sec. Going directly from the camera to Windows Media Player, the quality is good.

I have had mixed success at directly importing GoPro HD video into VideoStudio X2. Mostly, it doesn't work properly. I have the service pack installed.

One approach I have used successfully is to change the compression to MPEG4 DivX using AVS Video Converter. This allows me to import into VideoStudio X2 okay, but it seems to have some loss of quality. The quality degradation would be okay, except when I produce output the quality degrades further. My output quality is such that it is no better than the standard GoPro. Frankly, its disappointing.

I have tried various output options to no avail. My questions are:

1. Suggestions for getting the best possible output, if my target is YouTube.
2. Suggestions for getting the best possible output, if my target is Mp4.
3. Is Video Studio X3 worth the upgrade price? (in general)
4. Is Video Studio X3 better at importing and output H.264 compressed video?

I've heard some complaints about performance of X3. X2 performs well on my current machine and the pre-X3 hype was improved performance. Despite that I've seen complaints about it in that area specifically.

If X3 works properly with X.264, performs well and outputs better, it would seem a better purchase than purchasing AVS Converter to work around the incompatibility. Any opinions on this?


Thanks!

Bob -

[mitchell65]

This post seems to be related to your previous post here:
http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php ... 56#p198756
Has that query been resolved or is it still open?

[VTPyzon]

Yes, my new post is related, although I've made some progress.

I believe the issue is related to the H.264 encoding -- though I'm no expert in video formats. When I convert so it's encoded as DivX it seems to go better in X2.

I would like to get reactions to X3, because I'm trying decide if I should stick with X2 and buy the conversion software. Or skip the conversion software and buy the upgrade. I only want to purchase the upgrade if it works properly, since I don't have a performance issue with X2 and can make it work with the conversion software, if needed.

Naturally, I'd like to have the latest version -- assuming I don't have to buy both the conversion software to make the X3 version work!

Thanks.

[Black Lab]

As was suggested in the other thread, did you try SUPER to convert the video? It's free.

[VTPyzon]

Yes, I tried Super. I'm sure Super is super if you know a lot about video formats. I found the UI overly complicated and hard to use. AVS Convert is far simpler to use and works.

Does x3 work reliably with x.264? Does it import without converting to another format?

[mitchell65]

Yes, I tried Super. I'm sure Super is super if you know a lot about video formats. I found the UI overly complicated and hard to use. AVS Convert is far simpler to use and works.

Does x3 work reliably with x.264? Does it import without converting to another format?

Why not download he TBYB version of x3 and try it.You will have 30 days to decide if it suits you. It's very difficult to give a definitive yes or no to a question like this as for some members it will work and some don't get on with it so as I say I would try it and see.

[VTPyzon]

Because the X3 upgrade was only $49 I decide to give it a try.

The good news is, it will import a video from the HD Hero without crashing. Yeah!

The bad news is, the video doesn't play properly. It is a mass of red and black blobs.

The audio is fine. I can scroll through the video and see still images, but I cannot play it.

The same video file plays perfectly in Windows Media play and Windows Media Play Classic.

I tried converting it with Super, but I can't get a usable file out of that thing. There are just too many options to set. (Sorry, I guess I'm dumb).

The video I converted using AVS Convert works okay, but I don't want to have buy another program to do what VideoStudio should do (unless I absolutely have to). Additionally, there is some lose of quality with the conversion.

HELP!

It seems like there should be a solution, since I can see still images, but not play the video.

Thanks.