Rendered video displays jerky frames

[nsd3]

I have a number of video files captured at 1080X720 full frame resolution at 29.97 frames/second, shown on my PC as .MOV files.

When watching the original files either on my PC or TV, movement is fluid and smooth.

When watching a finished video created via VideoStudio Pro X4 using the aforementioned files, movement is jerky, and is particularly noticeable when watching a panned scene. The effect is so bad that it makes viewing on a large screen impossible as the picture movement jerks/judders about.

I have no idea what is causing this. I have looked at the project preferences, and notice under Project Option>General tab, the only available frame sizes are the standard ones which only go up to 720X576. The radio button to select a user defined frame size is greyed out and cannot be selected to input my own frame sizes. I’m therefore unable to actually input the frame size of the source video files.

I don’t know if this has any bearing on the problem, but mention it just in case.

Basically how do I render a finished video without jerky movement?

[Ron P.]

Welcome to the forums,

First we know very little about the properties of the MOV video files, or about the properties you rendered to. For help on this go to the sticky post located at the top of this forum called Please Read this before Posting.

Also we only know that you're running Win7, however on what sort of system? Please go to the Profile tab of your User Control Panel and complete the information concerning your system. This is very important when dealing with hi-def video files. Once you fill it in there, it will appear under your name, so we can glance at it when trying to help, and in future inquires you will not have repeat this information in your posts.

When you create your video file are you just using a canned template, ie; one of the options provided in the create video file menu? If so which? You can use the Custom option located at the very bottom of the menu, and then after selecting the file type from the drop-down menu, press the Options button to further customize settings, such as frame sizes.

[nsd3]

I’d already tried the custom option before posting. Within Custom Option, the user specified frame size is greyed out and unavailable, I’ve tried all the default file formats with respect to frame sizes (using both MPEG-2 & H.264 encoding) that “look” like they may produce smooth output, all to no avail.

[Ken Berry]

You still have not given us the information Ron requested. In particular, where did the video come from? I ask since 1080 x 720 is a very unusual frame size, unless it is a typo for 1280 x 720, which it would be if it came from a digital still camera capable of taking -- say -- AVCHD Lite video... Or is it from a screen capture program like Camtasia?

It would be extremely useful if you could right click on one of the .mov files inside VS and copy ALL its Properties here... What that is important is because .mov is simply a wrapper extension which can include a fairly wide variety of video formats, and we have to know the actual format before we can offer any sensible suggestions.

[nsd3]

Apologies to all. The frame size is 1280X720. I hadn't noticed the typo despite reading my own text several times over. As for the .MOV properties, Windows simply informs me of the frame size, and frame rate. The rest of the scant information available relates to the audio format. I'll see if I can find a utility that analyses the codec in more detail.

As for the camera, it's a Canon Ixus 130. It's the only way I can afford to shoot HD underwater video at reasonable cost, so perhaps not the best tool, but it does work well within it's limitations.

[Ken Berry]

As I said, to get the full properties, you have to right click on a video *inside VS* -- when the clip is either in the timeline or in the library window -- and select Properties.

Do you know which version of QuickTime you have installed? Call up the QuickTime Player and then check its version number under Help > About QT Player... I personally find that the current latest version (7.7) works well with X4 -- though others seem to find that only the version that comes bundled with X4 (7.5.5?) works properly. They have to reinstall that version if they have upgraded -- though that tends to spoil things for users who also have iPods and iTune...

Can you also tell us the format you are wanting to output the video in, please?

[nsd3]

Details of the info requested are:

Video attributes reported by VS

File format: Quick Time Movie Files
Movie size: 1280 X 720
Duration: 196.830 Seconds
Track Counts: 1 video track(s). 1 sound track(s)
Video Track 1
Compression:
Attributes: 24 bits, 1280 x 720
Total frames: 5,899 frame(s)
Frame rate: 29.970 frames/sec
Duration: 196.830 seconds
Start at: 0.000 seconds
Sound Track 1
Compression: 16-bit Little Endian
Attributes: 48.000 KHz, 16 bits, Mono
Total Samples: 9,447,838 samples
Duration: 196.830 seconds
Start at: 0.000 seconds

Quicktime version installed: V7.7 (1680.34)

I want to output the video as 720X1280, but have tried the 1440X1280 and even standard DVD 720X576 frame sizes. I've also tried different frame rates (25 and 30 fps respectively).

[Ken Berry]

Thanks for all that detail, but you did not get it from Video Studio. That is another program which you gave you that info. And we still don't know what the underlying format is. So once again, can I please ask you to right click on one of the mov files when it is sitting either in the VS timeline or in the VS library window and copy *those* properties here please.

Another question: if your latest typo is incorrect in saying you want to produce 720 x 1280 (instead of the other way round: and yes, the difference is important), then have you tried editing and then selecting Share > Create Video File > Same As First Clip? If so, what happens?

[nsd3]

The info given is from within VS. I right clicked on a clip in the time line and selected properties as instructed, I copied the text into my reply as I don't know how to embed a picture of the pop up window directly, hence the text. That's all it gives me, nothing else.

I confirm the originating source video frame size is 720 X 1280. As for Share > Create Video File > Same As First Clip...that option is greyed out and unavailable.

[Ron P.]

I think that you're getting the frame size backwards. 720 x 1280 would be a portrait frame, longer than it is wide. Anyway from the Canon UK website for Specifications on that camera, the Movie specs:

RECORDING PIXELS / COMPRESSION
Image Size (L) 4320 x 3240, (M1) 3456 x 2592, (M2) 2592 x 1944, (M3) 1600 x 1200, (S) 640 x 480, (W) 4320 x 2432. Resize in playback (M3, S, 320 x 240)
Compression Fine, Normal
Movies (HD) 1280 x 720, 30fps, (L)640 x 480, 30fps, (M)320 x 240, 30fps
Movie Length (HD) Up to 4GB or 10 min. 0 sec ¹
(L and M) Up to 4GB or 1 hour ²

None of the other frame sizes meet any of the specs for producing a DVD. I think the camera has an HDMI port for viewing on TV, and that is going to be your best method, next to having a media center setup, where your PC is networked to your TV.

What I'm not able to run down yet, is the codec used. Even Canon does not give that information. I think that if you're wanting to produce a video disc (DVD or Blu-Ray) you are going to have a problem due to this frame size. Of the high-def formats VS will only allow using HDV, that does have that frame size. All others will either have a larger or smaller frame size. This is not just because Corel wants it that way, it's due to the standards for those formats, that are set by the International Standards Organization (ISO).

One other thing just to check when you prepare to render, that being the Field Order. Your source video should be Frame Based, which is non-interlaced. I think VS defaults to Upper Field First. Most of the time a Frame Based (non-interleaved) video can take on an interleaved property without problems. Try checking to see if the field order of your rendered video is showing Upper or Lower Field First. If so, try rendering one using Frame Based.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Ken
I own a Panasonic Lumix TZ9, it produces Mov 1280 x 720.PhotoJPEG
When I view the properties using Video Studio I see the same list as posted above.
So I think VS has been used to view the properties.

The only difference is the Compression which VS hasn’t recognised, I see Photo-JPEG from my camera.
I suspect that the Canon Ixus 130 uses Mov H264, unfortunately I do not think this is not an option using Video Studio. Hence the blank space after the word Compression.

-nsd3-
Can you tell us what you intend to use the final video for, a DVD or for the internet, maybe YouTube?

For internet try QuickTime Movie Files-using MPEG 4 Visual as the compressor
User define frame size.

Another option------ AVI with Mpeg4 compression

[nsd3]

Using VLC player, gave the following info about the codec used:

Codec H.264 - MPEG-4 AVC (part 10) (avc1)

I have also tried frame based, interlaced (with field order top field first, and bottom bottom first). Still no better. The finished output I wish to write out to a standard DVD+R disc in AVCHD format (MPEG4 AVC/H.264) at 1280 X 720 frame size 30fps.

I have already created test DVDs which work fine on my Sony BD player. i'm actually happy with the picture quality, just annoyed at the frame jerkyness which started this whole thread in the first place.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

Ken may be the best to advise on the Avchd formats.
But
Have you tried Share Create Video File –Avchd options.
Or Custom Transport Stream-Compression tab-Choose H264 as the video format then Avchd

Also --Custom Option Mpeg 4 Types will allow you to set MPEG-4 Files
24 bits, 1280 x 720, 29.97 fps
Frame-based
H.264 Main Profile Video: 5000 Kbps
44100 Hz, 16 Bit, Stereo
MPEG AAC Audio: 128 Kbps

or simular