X3 Interlacing problem after DVD mpg2 rendering

[laserr]

My video project contains mp4, mpeg, avi, wmv video clips and mp3 sound clips. I can preview the entire project without any problems. However, after I render to DVD mpeg2 file, I notice severe interlacing (jagged lines) in clips with fast action (like a child jumping for example). I don't see any place in the rendering menu for any interlacing options. I tried rendering on single mp4 'action' clip to mpeg2 by itself and it shows no interlacing problems at all. Also, if I search the X3 user manual for interlacing or de-interlacing nothing shows up.

I have tried to de-interlace after the fact with Virtualdub Mpeg2 with different filters and it sort of works on some parts but it make the interlacing problem worts in other parts.

I would like to take care of the problem in X3 not after the fact.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Ron P.]

Welcome to the forums,

Looking at the variety of video clips you're using, mp4, mpeg, avi, wmv, all of which could use numerous different codecs, I'm going to guess that the avi file is probably DivX or Xvid, which may not matter anyway. What would matter is that the avi file is a DV video file, which came from a camcorder, in which case you should probably make sure to use it's field order<----Interlaced. Interlaced video can be UFF (upper field first) or LFF (lower field first). Non-interlaced video in VS is Frame Based.

Since you're going to burn them to DVD, it's safe to assume that your audience will be watching this on their TV, if so you can use Frame Based. If you're going to use an interlaced video, if one of them is DV, you must use LFF. I think I would use Frame Based (non-interlaced) for my final DVD project. To do this when you are at the Share step, Create Video File> go to the bottom of the menu and select Custom. From the next window, make sure you have MPEG files for the save as type, then press the Options button. Go to the General tab, then select Frame Based from the Frame type pulled down menu.

vsx3_fieldorder.png (48.56 KiB) Viewed 6740 times

This will produce a non-interlaced video. You might also uncheck Perform non-square pixel rendering from the Corel Videostudio tab.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

Mixing video types is probably going to cause some interlacing problems.

Right click each video type and select properties. View the frame sizes, aspect ratio and interlaced options. What are they.

Video studios default DVD templates use Lower Field, if your video contains Upper Fields then you may have to use the ‘custom’ option or create your own template using ‘make movie template manager’ in order to render the project to DVD.
That’s assuming you are intending to make a DVD disc, or is your video destined for the internet? So what are you trying to make?

Basically you should try to keep the original settings (field order) when producing the final video, difficult with multiple formats.

I have to disagree with Ken regards Non-Square Pixel Rendering.
This option should be checked as default.
Un-checking this is liable to resize some or all video frames.

[Ken Berry]

I have to disagree with Ken regards Non-Square Pixel Rendering.

Umm... I cannot tell a lie... It was Ron!

[Ron P.]

Yep it was me.. It works for some to not use the non-square pixel rendering, and I've even used square-pixel rendering, however mainly for videos intended for the internet or just my PC. For my TV I use non-square pixel rendering since it is an old CRT set.

I was also thinking along the lines since it appears the OP's material is mostly all PC type video, it probably is using non-square pixels anyway, don't know though since that information was not provided.

[Trevor Andrew]

Ok

I agree with Ken, it was Ron, sorry Ken.

For some reason i still think of the name Ken when thinking of you (RonP), I’ve got it wrong in the past and will probably do it again, apologies in advance.

Non Square pixel rendering is not used with video from the internet, having it selected would not affect these types.
It affects video using Non square Pixels.
Mpeg 2 video would require this option otherwise the frame would revert to its square pixel size, and if the video is widescreen, it is very noticeable.

I believe keeping the option is the best choice, i only use it where i need to force the frame to resize. creating flash (flv)for instance.

[laserr]

Hi guys! Thanks for your responses.

This is what my project consists of (this is typical for all my videos):

1. I import live action mp4 clips from my Sanyo HD camcorder. 90% of the time I mute the audio and use an mp3 track instead. See properties.
2. I create 3D animated titles with Blufftitler and export as avi (no sound). See properties.
3. I create animations with programs like Stickman, import into Magix Music Maker, sync to music tracks, and export as wvm (I could have used avi instead but in this case I used wvm). See properties.

The finished project, which previews in its entirey w/o interlacing artifacts, is saved as mpeg2 for authoring outside X3.
The mpeg2 file is then copied to DVD for TV viewing.
When I watch the mpeg2 video before authoring, I see severe interlacing distortion (See captured image) in all mp4 clips with fast motion (like kids jumping up and down).
I also notice interlacing on a clip where a jpeg image moves across the screen as an overlay over an avi clip.
If I select one such mp4 clip and save it as mpeg2 by itslef, I do not see any interlacing jagged images.

In the past I have done similar videos in X3 with the same type of content and never noticed interlacing. Probably beacuse the mp4 clips did not have much motion.

One unrelated item of interest: when I started this project X3 crashed repeatedly when previewing one the mp4 clips. I found the cause to be the audio track. I was using m4a files that I dropped straight from my Itunes library. I converted them to mp3, and lo and behold X3 stopped crashing.

I appreciate your help.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi guys! Thanks for your responses.

The finished project, which previews in its entirey w/o interlacing artifacts, is saved as mpeg2 for authoring outside X3.
The mpeg2 file is then copied to DVD for TV viewing.
When I watch the mpeg2 video before authoring, I see severe interlacing distortion
.

The file the Mpeg 2 is the one that is giving the problem, you haven't given any details about this file.
When you create the Mpeg 2, Video Studio will use Lower Field unless you change them. Right click on one of these clips and select properties.

Your wmv is probably frame based?

The MP4 is Upper Field

Avi’s default to Lower Field unless you have changed this option.

You are best to keep the field order as Upper Field.

[Ken Berry]

You are best to keep the field order as Upper Field.

... though you had better pray that they mpeg-2 is also Upper Field First, to match all the other video or at least any that is Upper Field First if that is the majority of the video (apart from Frame Based stuff). Changing its Field Order, if it started life as Lower Field First, will cause the sort of artifacts you have. But if, on the other hand, any other Upper Field First video you have has no fast motion or horizontal panning, then change *that* to Lower Field First and that might at least minimize those artifacts...

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Ken

I had assumed, maybe I shouldn’t, that the major part of the project was MP4 video using Upper Field.

The Mpeg 2 being created by rendering the project, and not being an original clip.

Either way there seems to be some confusion/mix-up regarding field orders.

[laserr]

The majority of the files with interlacing problems are the mp4. As shown in the properties they are h264 upper field.

I took one such h.264 clip (kids jumping) which is only 14 seconds long and rendered by itself to mpeg2 with various settings. All mpeg2 files showed jagged interlaced display when viewed on the PC:

1. Custom= lower field,720x480, 16x9, NTSC DVD, smart render, non-square pixel selected, 100% quality
2. Same as 1 but upper filed.
3. same as 1 but frame based.
4. same as 1 lower field, two pass encode selected
5. same as 1, smart render deselected
6. same as 1, smart render selected, non-square pixel deselected
7. Use project settings

All of the test files above had interlacing.

I then took the same mp4 clip and loaded it to Cyberlink Power Director and rendered it using the their default mpeg2 settings. Result= no interlacing.

It sounds to me like the ULEAD encoder has problems.

[laserr]

One more bit of information:

I loaded the same 14 sec mp4 clip into X2 and rendered it as upper field, lower field, frame, and same as 'project settings'.

All mpeg2 files are fine no interlacing!?

Maybe the problem is X3.

[laserr]

Here is the latest:

1. I saved the project as X2 version compatible.
2. Loaded the project in X2
3. Rendered the project using default DVD settings.
4. The mpeg2 file has no interlacing problems at all anywhere.

So the problem is definitely with X3 not with my project content.

I am glad that now my final product can be shown to my family and firends. But it sure was a long and painful process.

Thanks to all for your comments. Nowif I could Corel to fix X3.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Laserr

Thanks for the detailed replies.

I have to agree it does point specifically to X3..
It would be interesting if others could use your file to see if its related to all X3 installations or whether its specific to your set up.
How large is the 14 second clip?

I was going to suggest Smart Render but see you have covered that option.

[Ken Berry]

While I agree that the fickle finger of fate is starting to point at X3 -- at least Laserr's installation of X3 -- the problem as usual is that his problem is not reflected by similar complaints from other users. In those other cases, getting the Field Order correct seems to have corrected problems. It is thus difficult to say that it is a general problem with X3, much less a bug (which must be replicable). So I agree -- if we/you can get a small enough file to test, it may prove interesting (or not! )