Import DVD problem in VS X4

[Bimbing]

I was not able to import a DVD that I burnt before (VIDEO_TS) into VS X4 to re-edit it. I tried "Capture" ---> "Import from Digital Media" and the screen with the "Source Folder" selection appeared. Clicking the folder (either that of a DVD drive or hard drive" and "Start" resulted in a screen with blank windows for the different Chapters. So, nothing could be imported.

I then tried to Import the same DVD into my old VS X2 and had no problems whatsoever (I had done this many times with VS X2 without a single problem).
The edited DVD was then saved as a VS X2 .vsp file. Obviously, VS X4 could not open this VS X2 .vsp file (it said "file mismatch").

I checked the manual and could not find why I could not import the DVD into VS X4.

In short the questions that I have:
1. What needs to be done to be able to import a DVD (non-copyrighted - self burnt DVD) into VS X4 ?
2. Is there a way to make VS X2 .VSP files be read or opened by VS X4?
3. Would this be feasable: create the VS X2 .VSP to a .MPG video file first. Than include this .MPG file with the other .MPG from VS X4 during the "create disk" stage?

I really would appreciate any advise and help.
Thanks

[Ken Berry]

1. The way you are doing it is AFAIK the way it is supposed to be done. I can only conclude that there is something about the codes on the disc -- e.g. the start-up code -- that X4 doesn't like. However, first off, I assume you ticked the little box to the left of the Video_TS file in the file structure window. It also takes a little while for VS to analyse the disc and bring up images of the start of each chapter. Did you give it enough time to do this?

2. VSP project files are forward compatible i.e. a later version of VS can open VSP files made by earlier versions of the program. The reverse is not true i.e. X2 cannot open an X3 or X4 VSP unless it is specifically saved in one of those later versions as an X2 file. In other words, X4 should be able to open your X2 VSP. So once again, I can only conclude there is something about it that X4 does not like.

3. Yes, this is not only feasible, but in your case, it would appear to be the only practical way of blending the two projects.

[Bimbing]

Thanks, Ken.
1. I did waited 30 min but the windows of the chapters remain blank.
2. When I had X2 I was able to open .VSP files created by VS 9. But somehow my X4 would not open .VSP created by X2. It always said "file mismatch".
3. I would assume that the video file .mpg created by X2 would be of the same properties/structure as that created by X4. So, I hope this "long" way would work.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

How are you trying to open the VSP.
Use File Open Project—browse for the VSP.

Using X2 to open the VSP, does the vsp contain any Nested clips? that’s is another VSP inserted within the first.

Import DVD

Insert disc in CD drive-close any auto run windows that may pop up.

Right click the timeline and select Insert Digital Media.

select image for larger view

Select Start
This window opens which may take a while to generate the thumbnail.
Don’t wait
Tick/select the thumbnails top left to select the clips to import

select image for larger view

Do you get that far?

[Bimbing]

Thanks, Trevor for your instructions.

I followed your step-by-step procedure and using a DVD that I had edited and burnt using X4. I did get to the point where I clicked "Start" after checking the the little square in the top left corner of each window. The next screen came up with two progress bars and the status "Preparing". However, an error message appeared "The file formats of some selected files are not supported". Clicking "OK" another error message came up "There is no valid clip".

I do not understand because the original footage of .mst files were edited (.vsp), then created into a video file .mpg and then burnt., all with X4. And yet, X4 could not import the DVD that itself created.....

One question, I don't quite understand the sequence or relation between the following steps (a) and (b):
a. Use X2 to open the VSP (--> no the VSP does not contain another VSP nested inside)
b. Import DVD (with X2 or X4)

With X2, I do not have problems in importing the DVD, it will parsed and import easily. The file after the import is in .mpg

I will try continue working on it and will let you and Ken know any results coming out from the trials. Hiwever, I would appreciate it if you have an answer why a DVD processed and created with X4, could not be opened by X4. Thank you.

[Bimbing]

Ken and Trevor,

As a follow up to importing DVD, what is correct : lower or upper field first during the import of a DVD?

Thanks.

[Bimbing]

Dear Ken and Trevor,

I just imported that DVD again into VS X2. I edited the imported .MPG file and then saved it as an X2 .VSP file. Then I opened X4 and "Open Project" and that X2 .VSP file was opened by X4 into the time line. So, it was solved using this work around. Indeed X4 is backward compatible as you said it should be. The only question is still, why X4 won't directly open its own created DVD. In any case the work around is fine.

Thanks again for all your help.

[Ken Berry]

The field order will be the same as it is on the DVD. If the DVD was made with video which was upper field first, then it will import as upper field first. If it was lower field first video burnt on the DVD then it will import as LFF. And you can have DVDs with different video clips which were either UFF or LFF, and they will import as either UFF or LFF depending on what they were originally.

As a footnote, about the only video these days which is lower field first is DV/AVI from a mini DV camcorder captured via firewire. When converted to DVD-compatible mpeg-2, the resulting video will also be LFF. Most other camcorders use UFF. These include high definition camcorders when filming in interlaced mode. When you have a high def camcorder capable of filming in true progressive mode (e.g. 1080p or 720p) then it uses neither UFF nor LFF but is equivalent to frame based. That is because each and every frame is a solid image, rather than a composite image made up of alternatiing (interlaced) lines broadcast (usually) UFF.

[Bimbing]

Thank you, Ken, for your explanation.