Screen Size Format

[FranktheVid]

Hi all.

I film and then sell local interest DVDs on a part time basis.

I have been using Pro X3 for a couple of months now and have no problems with using it.

However, I only have 2 choices of Screen Format when I go to burn a completed DVD using (by default) Corel DVD Factory 2010. Those being "widescreen" 16:9 and "standard" 4:3.

Regardless of what format I select, the finished film is shown on the TV with a whole lot of black at the edges and looks too small. This is also regardless of whether I view on a standard TV or a widescreen TV. To be honest the on screen size of the finished film looks 'pants.

So to my question:
Is there a way I can change the screen format during the editing procedure before I get to the burning option? I can not find anything in the manual.

I never had any such problems with my previous editing software, and I am using the same Canon video camera on the same settings.

Cheers in advance.

Frustrated Frank.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Frustrated Frank

First of all the authoring program for X3 is not that good and has been replaced by Corel with DVD Movie Factory 7, you should be able to install this from X3.
View this post http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=37432

Using X3 you need to complete your project by Share Create Video File-DVD
Whether you choose 16:9 or 4:3 depends on your original/source video file.

Once this is created you use Movie factory 7 to burn the DVD.
The MF7 format is similar to the authoring sections of the earlier VS versions

We may be able to advice further if you were to give details of your original video?

[FranktheVid]

Thanks for the swift replyTrevor.

I do have Corel with DVD Movie Factory 7 SE but found it a real pain.

I have to hunt for original .cdf files, in that the folder holding these files is not recognised; it freezes when loading and crashes regularly; it will not allow me to change menus; I couldn't see how to alter the font sizes; and I certainly couldn't see where I could alter the screen formatting. I did not find it at all intuative and have therefore decided not to use it.

I have never used Corel Video products before this one so cannot campare it to earlier versions

As requested I show below a screen shot of the properties to one of my films taken from the timeline in Pro X3



Thanks

Frank

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Frank
Your video file looks standard Pal DV-AVI, although I use Type 1.
I assume you captured your video using Firewire to DV format

The aspect is clearly 4:3, so you should be using that throught to create the disc.
Make sure your Project Properties reflect 4:3, otherwise you will have black borders.

I’m afraid I cannot help with the DVD Factory 2010 authoring program, in fact I think it will be dropped in the next VS release.

I can only recommend you use DVD Movie Factory 7SE to burn your discs, at least we can help out there.

Have a read at my guide for Dv-Avi from the link below.
It lists the workflow I use.

Finishing with Share Create Video File using the new file to burn a disc.

CDF
I have to hunt for original .cdf files,

I don’t recognise this type, not with Video Studio anyway?????????????????

[FranktheVid]

Thanks again Trevor

I seem to have found a way around this (screen size) problem, and once I have tested it I will post back.

In the mean-time I still cannot use DVD Movie Factory 7SE and you are obviously a whizzo at it, and as it was referenced in the earlier post I thought that I should keep it here.

Quick run down:

I upload my footage as per usual, via firewire, to Pro X3 and start editing and save to a folder. No problems with that.

In the folder to which I save the edited film there are 2 parts. One is a .vsp file and the other is a .cdf file (see screenshot below)

Now I wish to burn my edited film onto DVD. Fine.

I open DVD Movie Factory 7SE. and...the problems start!

From the homepage, I click "Existing Project" but DVD Movie Factory 7SE will not let me 'see' any files in the folder. I can force it to look (by typing in the films file name)

But...I cannot transfer the movie (.vsp) that I edited in Pro X3 into DVD Movie Factory 7SE.

I know that I can import my original footage directly into DVD Movie Factory 7SE from my camera and edit from there.

If this is the case, I ask myself what is the point of Pro X3 as an editing tool? Surely that cannot be right? I thought they would be totally compatible.

.CDF files screenshot



I am sure that I am making a *really basic* mistake here and am still confused.

BTW. Thanks for the link to your tutorial, I will be studying that very closly in case I get no reply here.

Cheers for your help mate, it's much appreciated, and I will report back, as and when I get sorted.

Frank

[Black Lab]

But...I cannot transfer the movie (.vsp) that I edited in Pro X3 into DVD Movie Factory 7SE.

If this is the case, I ask myself what is the point of Pro X3 as an editing tool? Surely that cannot be right? I thought they would be totally compatible.

You are right, you cannot transfer the vsp to MF7se. You must first render your project into a video file, then import that into MF. If you will be burning a DVD, then this will be a MPEG-2 file.

What's the point of X3 as an editing tool, instead of MF7se? Because it is much more powerful. It is designed as an editor, with a mediocre (at best) authoring tool thrown in. MF, on the other hand, is primarily an authoring app that has some editing capabilities.

The burn module (DVD Factory Pro 2010) that originally came with X3 is junk. Corel tried to save face by offering the free MF7se as a fix. Obviously, it was never designed to be integrated with X3, hence the inability for it to import the vsp.

Corel screwed up big time with the X3 burn module. Hopefully they go back to what worked (for years and years) with the next version.

[FranktheVid]

Black Lab.

I appreciate your input to this newbie.

That makes sense now.

Can you see what I was trying to do?

After editing in Pro X3 I would seamlessly go directly to DVD Factory Pro 2010, add a start menu with fancy graphics and a couple of chapters and bingo!

I (wrongly) presumed that MF7SE would be the same.

Cheers!

(Not so frustrated) Frank

PS. Excellent Forum and chock-a-block full of hints and tips. I love it.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Frank

Jeff was more accurate when he said “The burn module (DVD Factory Pro 2010) that originally came with X3 is junk” I think I was being a little polite.

Using X3 you have to complete the project by converting it into a video file.
Open your project………
First check the Aspect Ratio from Settings-Project Properties-Edit-General tab- does it show as 4:3.
If not change it. Then view the project timeline to make sure everything is in order.

Now Share Create Video File-Pal DVD 4:3 Saving the video file to the hard drive.
This will create a Mpeg2 file.

Info on MF7
Open DVD Movie Factory 7SE
From the first page select What kind of disc—DVD
Hit Next
Lower left-select aspect ratio as 4:3
Top Left-Add Media, choose the second icon from left Add Video Files, browse the hard drive for the video file Mpeg2
The clip will show in the timeline.
Ignore the rest of this window.
Next
Opens the Gallery-there are 3 options, SmartScene, Text, and Thumbnails, choose one you like.
Thumbnails were the original format and are probably the easiest option.
Select the Edit Tab
Work your way through the options from top to bottom.
Motion Menu is limited to 30 seconds.

Text—double click text on screen to edit/change content
Font settings will now be available.

Select Preview to view the menu/video.

Press Next
Final window—choose Create Disc to burn a DVD

Note a small double down arrow to the right will show more options.

Run through the procedure a few times to get used to it, its just a learning curve.