Is MovieFactory 7 SE better than X2 authoring?

[maxfrost01]

I've completed a project in X3 and burnt a DVD using X2 after reading some of the negative reviews of X3 authoring. I did burn a copy using MovieFactory 7 SE but found it was glitchy (stopping and jumping) which I attributed to my inability to lower the burn speed from 'Maximum'.

But here's the funny thing............

The on-screen quality of the MovieFactory DVD is better than the quality of the X2 authored DVD despite the fact that all settings appear to be identical!
Looking at the titling, it is noticeably sharper in MovieFactory.

Settings on both are:
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Frame-based
(DVD-PAL), 16:9
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 7000 kbps)
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

Also, the files on the MovieFactory DVD are slightly larger suggesting there is some extra data (quality?) on it.

How can this be?

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

Using X2 it is possible to add a project file to the burner module.
This will be converted to a Mpeg 2 file in order to burn the disc.
You could of course use X2 to make the Mpeg 2 file by using Share Create Video File,
then using a new project, Share Create disc--add the video file to the burner module, no further conversion will be necessary.

X3 projects have to be completed by Share Create Video File-DVD
Then use DVD Movie Factory 7SE, adding a video file.(mpeg 2)

So the final discs should be as good as each other assuming no further conversion has taken place.

You can view the burning progress after hitting the Burn Button, if it indicates Create Title, then the video files are being converted / rendered to a new file.
They will be converted to the properties shown under the “Options Cogwheel”
Although you should first see Create Menu, then no file conversion is taking place and what you get on disc should be the same in each case, the original Mpeg2 file.

Your video properties show as Frame Based, is this intentional as the normal dvd would use a Field Order, upper or lower?

Your comment on “files on the MovieFactory DVD are slightly larger” seem to indicate that some conversion has taken place.
It could of course be the difference in menu used.

[maxfrost01]

Hi, Trevor

Thanks for your reply.

But surely I can burn a video (mpeg2) file in X3 just the same as I can burn one in X2? In X3 I only get forced to go to MovieFactory 7 SE (or that other thing) when I try to create the DVD.

And you've not answered my key question viz "Why is the on screen (TV) quality significantly better with the MovieFactory DVD than with the X2 DVD when the properties appear to be exactly the same". I can assure you the MF7 DVD is noticeably sharper

BTW - nice to know that you're still out there, taking time to help people like me.
But am I right in thinking that some of the VSforum stalwarts have faded away? Or is that just my imagination?
The forum seems to be a lot quieter than it was six months ago.........

[Trevor Andrew]

Max

No you cannot use X3 to burn a DVD, X3 does not have a burner module, just a link to open MF7, which then closes X3.
You could open MF7 from the pc’s start menu.

In X2 the burner module is part of the program and opens in another window, a burner module, closing the burner module returns to X2

My point was that the burner process may re-code your video, effectively changing the quality. This is not required as you complete the project by Share Create Video File—choosing a DVD option will create a Mpeg2 file suitable/compatible for burning a DVD.

Its this Mpeg 2 file that should be burned to disc.
You have to check that the conversion process “Create Title” is not occurring , for both options, DVD MF7 and X2.

If X2 is re-coding your completed video file then it may be de-grading the movie.

1 / So what are the properties of the original Mpeg2 used to burn the disc.
2 / What are the properties of the files on the completed disc’s, they should be the same.

[maxfrost01]

Hi, Trevor

I think I get your point about recoding.

I don't think I've explained in this thread that I'm working with AVI footage and when I start the proecess of burning the DVD, whether direct from X2 or via MovieFactory 7 SE in X3, I am starting with exactly the same AVI footage. The settings for the DVDs I then create are shown in my first posting in this thread. They are exactly the same for X2 and for X£ (via MovieFactory), but I get this quality difference.

Does that help at all?

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Max

Sorry but I do not have a reason why X2 should produce poor quality video compared to DVD Movie Factory 7SE. (i think i may have that the wrong way round)

I was thinking that the conversion settings under the Options Cogwheel (Mpeg properties for file conversion) were some how different, especially when you saw a difference in file sizes.

Your properties show as Frame Based, I would have though a frame order would be appropriate for standard DVD.

Max I can only ask that you double check the properties on both DVD’s.
This will mean importing the DVD content to X2 using Import Digital Media option.
This will add the Mpegs to the timeline where you can view the properties.

Avi File

Can you give some details of the type. Are they from a Mini-DV camera?
Right click an avi select properties, what are they?
If they are Mini –DV-Avi then I can run a similar test………..

If you have edited Avi then I assume you have created a video file to Avi, then using the single file in the burner modules, this will require some re-coding to mpeg 2.
In X2 you could Share - Create a Video File – DVD making an Mpeg 2, then the burner module would not re-code and each dvd should use the same file.
------------------------------------------------
For testing purposes you can Create a DVD Folder rather than Disc, this will save the disc content to Video-TS folders that can be played on pc.

[erdna]

am also intrested in this issue, because while burning fullHD pictures from my TM 700 into SD DVD some weeks ago, I noticed that MF7 showed more aliasing (line twitter) with slow pans than with a disc burned with PowerDirector. Today I did it over again with X2,MF7 and PD(I still had 3 days to go with my trial version...), but now instead of using my real scene I used an AVCHD video from a fullHD testpattern which can show different properties of a still video (e.g. aliasing through zoneplate patterns). All settings were the same for the X2 burning module and the MF7 module. For the PowerDirector, which has reduced choices, I selected "best quality", and xvcolor, and HW acceleration(rendered very fast!). In none of the cases the AVCHD video was pre-rendered for DVD (MPEG-2).Conclusion: X2 shows a slightly soft pics, without aliasing. MF 7 shows punchy (sharpened?) pics with strong aliasing, PD shows sharp images without significant aliasing. Resolution wise all 3 were about equal. So maybe I wil buy PD for my SD DVD production.
DVD folder sizes: X2 ~14MG. MF7 ~ 17MB. PD ~ 13MB