AVCHD Project Properties VS X4

[LarryF]

Hi guys and gals,
What are the best Project Properties settings to choose when starting a project with AVCHD source clips? I may be asking a dumb question here, but I have tried to search the database, and can't find a thread that gives me what I am looking for. My camera is a JVC Everio GZ-HM320B and the clips it records have the following properties:
File Format - NTSC HDMV
Video Type - H.264 Video, Upper Field First
Attributes - 24 bits, 1920 x 1080, 16:9
Frame rate - 29.970 framse/sec
Date rate - Variable bit rate (Max 22599 kbps)
Audio type - Dolby Digital Audio
Attributes - 48000 Hz
Bit rate - 256 kbps

These clip properties were taken out of VS X4 by right clicking a clip and selecting Properties in the menu that popped up
I ask the question, because I am concerned that I might be loosing some of the original clip quality when creating a project. I have read elsewhere on this Board that when creating an AVCHD DVD, the best workflow is to choose Create Disk after completing a project, Rather than choosing Create Video File. When I choose Create Disk, the burn module starts by defaulting to LPCM audio, and a Video data rate of 16000 kbps. I know these are adjustable to Dolby sound and up to 18000 kbps Video rate, but I wonder if I choose a different Project Properties setting when I start the project, if I might save some video quality.
If I'm worrying for nothing, please tell me so. I just thought that if I was wondering about these settings, there might be others with the same questions.
Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Larry

[GLOBETROTTER]

The actual 'end-result' or viewing audience - BlueRay, DVD, Youtube, Vimeo etc, of your video should be the prime concern. If you are going to simply show your video on the internet or burn to a normal SD DVD, then there is no need to actually edit your footage throughout as HD. If the end result is for BluRay disc or HD cinema, then simply work in Smart Proxy. But if the intended end result is for example to burn to a normal DVD, then I much prefer to convert all HD files to 720 AVi. VideoStudio and most other editing software works very smoothly with AVi files (even though the actual files are large), plus the fact that saving and re-saving Avi files does not damage quality (unlike continually saving in Mpeg compression).
At the end of post editing I then create a complete HDV 720p video file of the project. That file is saved on external hard disc for future use. If a DVD is needed, then simply drop the 720P video file on to your timeline, click share, click Create Disc, then manually re-adjust your VideoStudio disc burn settings to 'highest quality'.
Most cheap DVD authoring software, including Corel, will provide 'average' quality if you simply let it convert to mpeg-2 in auto set button. To obtain best quality, you must change the compression details. Try to keep your movie to 60-minutes or less so that you can up the bitrate to maximum.

Most DVD authoring will auto-choose to convert to Mpeg at around 5000-7000 kbps which results in low quality.
Also, even if you press the "High Quality" button it will generally keep it at 70% maxiumum quality and 8,000 max kbps to prevent the possibilty of not fitting all the information onto the DVD disc.

It then provides you with:
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 8000 kbps)

Most hollywood feature films are compressed to mpeg-2 at 9,500kbps or higher (maxiumum 9.8mbps and total DVD permissiable bit rate of 10.08Mbps at industry level). They often also often use dual-layer disc with sound on seperate streams.

However, I've found that I can get very close to this figure on a normal single-layer DVD-R disc by adjusting the compression settings to around 9,200kbps up to a maxium of around 9,400.

You need to also maintain this bit rate throughout the mpeg conversion, so do not leave it on variable rate (because the bit rate could drop well below highest quality during the conversion). I used to do a 2-pass conversion, but now prefer to leave it in constant highest bit rate well above 9000. (When you leave it set at constant data rate, the software will normally block out the 'variable' rate box option anyway).

So for example, the settings for highest quality PAL DVD on your normal home-PC DVD authoring software would be:

MPEG files (*mpeg;*m2t)
24 bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Lower Field First
(DVD-PAL), 16:9
Video data rate: 9,400 kbps (or highest possible above 9,000 depending on total video length and sound quality).
digital Audio, 448, or 256 minimum.

(A similar option can be done for NTSC) I hope this helps.

[LarryF]

Hi Globetrotter,
Thanks for a very detailed and well thought out responce to my question. It helps out a bit, but what I am creating is an AVCHD hybrid disk. High Def video on a regular DVD. So I would be wanting to keep the original 1920 X 1080 frame size. Ny specific area of confusion is in the Project Properties window, and the Projectj template properties selection window. Should I choose jMPEG, or AVI. If AVI, which settings to give the best video quality throughout?
I hope this clarifies my question.

Larry

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Larry

The Project Properties are of little concern provided they use widescreen 16:9, the preview screen will then be set to 16:9 and as X4 defaults to using 16:9 you have nothing to change.

After completing the editing you will Create a Video File using AVCHD.
Other wise you would simply choose Create Disc – AVCHD.

Either way the Project Properties will not be used

I notice your video file uses Variable bit rate (Max 22599 kbps), this will be reduced as VS uses 18000kbps. All other properties can remain the same.

But as for the Project Properties I would simply ignore them.

[LarryF]

Hi Trevor,
Interesting. For this use of VS X4, at least, the Project Properties really has little effect on the final output of the project.
I wil follow your advice.
Thanks,

Larry

[Jan-61]

VideoStudio and most other editing software works very smoothly with AVi files (...), plus the fact that saving and re-saving Avi files does not damage quality (unlike continually saving in Mpeg compression).
(...)

Does this make sense?
Saving and re-saving a project (the VSP-file) does not affect the the source material, wether AVI or MPEG..? ....Yet?


Jan.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Jan

Yes it does make sense, the poster is referring to rendering a video file. Not saving the project file (VSP).

If you take a Video File, Dv-Avi and edit, then create a new video file, the new file will be as good as the original, using the new video you can edit again and create another file, now you have a third generation, still as good as the original.
However use an Mpeg2 file the quality diminishes each time you render. Whether the reduction in quality is noticeable is another matter. Then there is Smart Render that should retain much of the original quality.

[Jan-61]

Thanx Trevor.

Now it is crystal clear to me


Jan.

[Dirk Jan]

I was looking to set the projectproperties of a VSPro X4 project according to my video's from the Galaxy SII smartphone.
I can not find it but I read these posts and I think it helped me.

Thanks
Dirk Jan Lekerkerker