X4 trial Split by Scene - Capture DV-Avi

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

Capturing / transferring DV-Avi and or using Split by Scene cuts video into sections using the DV Recording Time Scan.
This should accurately cut the video, unfortunately the cut is one frame out, this causes the adjacent clip to contain one frame from its neighbour.

Not a problem if the clips are not cut or moved or rearranged.

A little explanation…………
I’ve just returned from an Indian safari recording video sometimes at ground animals, maybe tiger then maybe an eagle flying over head.
The eagle clip being moved to another position on the timeline amongst other sky shots, unfortunately individual clips contain this extra dark frame, this is noticeable as a type of blip when playing the video.
The remaining dark clips also contain the lighter frame, and again shows as a blip.

I can however cut/remove every last frame on each clip, but with some 240 clips is quite a task.

I have reverted to using Win-DV to capture my video. This captures the video accurately.

I was hoping that the release of X4 would have addressed this problem as it was apparent using X2 / X3. I have contacted Customer Support in the past with little success.

I know it is possible to edit some *.ini files effectively changing the programs software, but wonder if there is a file related to Split by Scene.

Any ideas much appreciated……………

[Kingston]

I have the same problem when capturing from my JVC Mini-DV camcorder to DV-AVI, but don't have any problems when capturing to DVD MPEG-2.

The other option that gives me good results is the DV Quick Scan.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

Thanks for the info, the problem is really related to Split by Scene which is not available for DVD Mpeg2 capture.

But if you were to use "S by S" on the Mpeg within the timeline it would create the extra frame, (for want of a better description.)

By the way if you are using a Mini DV type camcorder you will be best capturing to DV rather than DVD, this transfers the video to the pc without re-coding.
Capturing to DVD Mpeg2 requires some re-coding in real time.

Yes eventually you have to re-code to DVD if you are creating a disc (Share Create Video File) but is only performed once.

[david1939]

I too had hoped this would be fixed in X4 (good reason not to bother to upgrade just yet -- only went to X3 from 10+ several months ago!). FWIW, I just go back to use VS10+ for capture (from MiniDV) and switch to X3 for editing.

[Black Lab]

That is, in fact, what I also do. When capturing in X3 my preview screen was sort of choppy and there was alway a delay from the time I click Capture until it did actually start to capture, which was always frustrating to me. I always chalked it up to an issue with my "older" setup/graphics, so I went back to v10 to capture. Maybe there was some other underlying issue but I never bothered to pursue it since I had v10 to fall back on.

[Kingston]

Trevor,

You can capture from a mini-dv camcorder to MPEG-2 format, and you can split it by scene based on the timecode on the DV tape.

Sorry I gave you the impression that I was referring to capturing from a DVD MPEG-2 file?

[Ken Berry]

But can you confirm that what you are talking about is split-by-scene in mpeg-2 during capture of mpeg-2 or after the mpeg-2 has been captured? I have been under the impression forever that split-by-scene during capture itself only works when capturing DV/AVI from a mini DV camcorder...

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Ken

Sorry for any confusion……..
I first noticed the problem using X2 when capturing to DV-AVI using the “split by scene” option.
You cannot use split by scene when capturing Mpeg

At first I thought it was a capture issue but the problem shows when applying “split by scene” for clips within the timeline, either using Avi or Mpeg.

I do not capture to Mpeg, always to DV-Avi.
The Mpeg association was noticed after doing a few “S by S” tests.

I have always used Video Studio to capture my footage, always been successful with older versions, but now have to use Win DV to capture correctly.

Not a problem, I like Win DV, but I feel VS should work correctly whether I use it or not.

[Ken Berry]

Hi Trevor -- but we *are* getting slightly mixed up here. My last question above was directed at Kingston and not at you. He said:

You can capture from a mini-dv camcorder to MPEG-2 format, and you can split it by scene based on the timecode on the DV tape.

That suggested to me that he had actually used split-by-scene while capturing mpeg-2 from a mini-DV camcorder. If so, that would surprise me since, like you, I believe split-by-scene can only be used when capturing the native DV video. That is why I asked for confirmation from him of what he meant...

[Kingston]

My standard definition mini-DV camcorder only records in DV (720x480i, 29.97 fps), not MPEG-2.

VS lets me capture my DV to either DV-AVI or MPEG-2 format. Since my DV tape has date/time code, VS knows when to start a new MPEG-2 file based on date/time, if I select to split by scene. The files are split on the fly while capturing is taking place.

[Ken Berry]

Thanks for the clarification, Kingston -- though as I said above, this is the first time I have heard it is possible to split-by-scene during mpeg-2 capture from a mini-DV camcorder. Mind you, I always captured to DV/AVI from my own two mini DV cameras and Sony Digital 8 since it was far easier to edit in that format and convert to mpeg-2 when ready to burn a DVD...

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

When using Video Studio it was never possible to capture DVD and use split by Scene. I don’t suppose there was any reason why not as it could be performed this after capture.
Using X4 Trial I have just tried it and indeed it does capture Mpeg2 DVD as Split by Scene.
I don’t know which version of VS first allowed this?

For my part it also captures the splits correctly without the extra frame.

I have just captured the same footage to DV-Avi to confirm the Splits, this option still cuts the frame incorrectly producing the extra frame.
As I prefer to work with DV-Avi I have to use Win –DV to capture.

Thanks for all the info

[Kingston]

One advantage of capturing DV to MPEG-2 is that when you burn your project to DVD, unedited video is smart-rendered. I discovered that the field order setting in Project Settings has to be changed from Upper Field to Lower Field, otherwise VS won't use smart rendering.

Trevor, did you try the "DV Quick Scan?" That will create DV-AVI clips split by scene without the errant frame at the end of each clip. I can't use DV Quick Scan with my Samsung mini-dv camcorder, but I can use it successfully with my JVC mini-dv.

[Ron P.]

I discovered that the field order setting in Project Settings has to be changed from Upper Field to Lower Field,

That's a bug, Corel is aware of it, and are working on a patch.

[Ken Berry]

I think it's wrong to call it a bug. Previously, the default used to be Lower Field First. But given that these days most people either have SD camcorders which have hard discs, mini DVD discs or SD cards, all of which use Upper Field First, and the growing popularity of HD camcorders, all of which use UFF, Corel is only going with the flow. This is even moreso given that both SD and HDV mini DV camcorders are becoming almost impossible to find.

Just think -- previously all these other users had to change the default from Lower to Upper Field First. Now the shoe is simply on the other foot.

And I hasten to add that I am a mini DV man, with two SD mini DV camcorders, a Sony Digital 8 -- all of course which use LFF, so I am not speaking from a biased point of view.

But unless the patch allows you to fix either UFF or LFF as the default setting, then one group or other of users is going to be disappointed... And I think that mini-DV/LFF users are now definitely in a small and shrinking minority...