Setting Project Settings for HD

[jruh]

Hi
I have just installed trial of VideoStudio Pro X4 and have owned the X2 version for some time already.
Although I can always save a video file in HD format (1920x1180) I think it's best if the 'Project Settings' are already at this resolution. I was always able to set project resolution in version X2 but seems I can't in the new version X4.
I think it's because I can only set the 'media type' to DVD in version X4. Please see attached picture. Is this because I only have trial version or is there less functionality in the new version? I hope this makes sense to somebody.
Thanks, John

[Ken Berry]

I am afraid that the full version of X4 only allows the choices you have. That was also the case with X3. I think that Corel decided that mpeg-1 (which was used mainly in VCDs), VCDs themselves and SVCDs were old technology and that no one would be using them.

Nor have they ever included HD formats as a choice in any version to date. In other words, with HD you have to ignore Project Properties, and just remember to make the right choice for output (NOT "Same as Project Settings!!)

[jruh]

Thanks for the reply and the info Ken.
It's odd that the user manual recommends we use same settings in project settings as will be the output but the option is not there. With X2 I could set the compression type to MPEG-2 and then I could set resolution and frame rate to whatever I wanted in project settings. Sure, MPEG-1 and VCD's are as good as obsolete but resolutions for HD are certainly not. Wonder why they only allow project settings in DVD resolution. It doesn't make sense to import video at 1920x1080, edit it in a 720x480 project, then output it at 1920x1080 again.
Here is pic from X2 settings, sadly missing from new version.
To be fair, I am far from an expert on this subject.
Thanks, John

[Ron P.]

I think that the reference to matching the project settings with that of your video clips, is directed at Smart Render. We used to think, I know I did, they must match, which is not completely true. The only reason to have them match is to invoke Smart Render. There used to be only a couple of video file formats that were edited, DV and MPEG-1 or 2. Now there's such a multitude of formats that are used in recording and thus editing. Corel has chosen to stick with the old thought process of DV (avi) or MPEG-2, dropping MPEG-1 after VS X2. So don't be concerned with them matching, just when you go to produce your video file from your project, set up the file type as closely as possible if you want to use Smart Render.

[jruh]

Thanks Ron,
I guess I was probably worrying about a non-issue, will just leave project settings alone at DVD size (since they can't be changed anyways) and output to HD or whichever file type I need. I found the 'smart render' option but not sure how that is affected by this.
Thank you, John