VS X4 Pro- selection options not being shown?

[MikeC1964]

Greetings all,

New to this video editing lark, but having fun experimenting (more questions to follow I suspect). Anyway, I have one immediate query I hope you can address for me.

I'm using version 14.1.0.107 and I'm finding that when I select some options from a drop down list to apply to an item, when I go back to that drop down list the option is not ticked? For example, when looking at the Alignment Options for an item in the overlay track, if I select any of those options ('Keep Aspect Ratio' for example), they do not end up ticked?

This is confusing as I'm struggling a bit with apect ratios at the moment and I can't go back and see what option I have selected!

Thanks.

Mike C

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Mike

And welcome to the forums

First it is working correctly as you see it.

How can I explain it, the option from the drop down “Fit to Screen”—Keep Aspect Ratio” etc are commands not a selection. If that makes sense.

When you select any option it is immediately applied to the clip.
If you wish to revert to default view choose “default Size”

There is an option from Settings – Preferences – Edit tab—Use fit to Screen as default size….

I don’t know what problems you are experiencing. But the video frame is using widescreen 16:9
Your Images may be 3 x 2, 4 x 3 , if you fit to screen the image will be stretched to fit but will be distorted unless you apply Keep aspect Ratio.
This will then show black borders.

Can you explain just what problems you are experiencing, and what you are trying to create.

[MikeC1964]

Trevor,

Thanks for the welcome.

I'm putting together a DVD (16:9) from several DV vide tapes I shot in Florida in August. I've made sure the format for my project is 16:9.

As part if this I am going to have a couple of sequences that are essentially a slideshow of photos taken suring the trip. As I'm experimenting as much as anything else, I've done one of these 'solo' and used one of the standard templates (not sure what its official name is but it is 27_HD-Project 05.ini in the folder).

I was aware that there could be aspect ratio issues as my photos are 4:3 of course so I read one or two threads (mostly involving your good self) to get some background regarding all of this. From this I have one question and one issue which I think your reply has resolved!

The question is: I notice that when editing the video clips that they appear in the preview window in 'letterbox' format. That isn't an issue as following rendering for a DVD (16:9) they fill the full screen (well on Media Player they do at least). However, when viewing the slideshow sections I notice that these parts fill the whole of the preview window and do not appear in a letterbox. Again no issue as following rendering they are still full screen in Media Player. Why is that (ie no letterbox in the preview pane).

The issue I had was using template 27_HD-Project 05.ini. When trying to drop my photos into the placeholders in the template I was getting quite a bit of distortion.

This might have been because I am using (in three of the four pictures) a portrait format picture whereas the template is designed for landscape. Three of the four pictures were taken on my camera and size wise are 2560x1920 (1:33). The other, where I get the most distortion is from my daughter's camera and is 3000x4000.

However, having taken your advice to use the 'Keep Aspect Ratio' option all seems to be well, although the portrait pictures don't fit as well into the teplate as the one landscape does.

[MikeC1964]

Actually, having pottered around for most of the evening, I think I have a more fundamental question to ask:

If I am capturing from DV tape and intending to output to a DVD (using the 'DVD Video (16:9)' option I presume - I'm located in the UK), what project properties should I have for Edit File Format and Frame Type? MPEG or AVI? Frame Based, Upper Field First or Lower Field First? I have a feeling I should have been using MPEG whereas I have actually been using AVI (ignorance rather than deliberate).

Changing between AVi and MPEG certainly appears to have an impact in edit mode as what I have done at one point is to take a snapshot of the last frame of the first clip, take a snapshot of the first frame of the second clip and put a fancy transition between the two (first clip, then freeze frame, colour to black and white, transition to second freeze frame, black and white back to colour then second clip).

If I change the project properties from AVI (which I had them set to when I took the snapshots) to MPEG then the transition is ruined as the aspect of the clip changes and does not match the snapshot (ie clip now appears in preview pane in full screen and no longer in letterbox, whereas snapshots are still in letterbox).

I think the issue here is that although the manual tells you how to change setting, for us noobs there isn't much detail as to what these settings actually means, which I guess is where you guys come in!

Presumably if I use a template within my project then regardless of what the source of the template is the important thing is that the settings under which the template was created should match the settings of my own project with the caveat that if the template was created using different settings to my own project there may be implications with regards to format and asect ratio when merged?

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Mike

Please read My Quick Guide to DV-Avi, gives a list of the approach I use, I have yet to upgrade to HD video.
I am still with the trusted DV-Avi Panasonic GS 400.

When you capture from a Mini-DV type camera you must connect via firewire, then choose DV as the capture format will literally transfer the footage to the pc with re-coding, what you have is what you get DV-Avi, The only thing you choose is DV Type 1 (Options Cogwheel)
Your project properties should be AVI
The video frame uses 720 x 576, this is not 16:9 (use a calculator) however the pixels are not square they are rectangular so the frames shape is 16:9.

Frame Order, all DV-Avi use Lower Field First, most other video formats including HD use Upper Field. Video for the internet will be Frame Based (no interlacing) Some HD use Frame Based.

Snapshot. There are two approaches………….

From Clip playback mode will create an image using the original clips frame size, that’s 720 x 576
Sounds ok but not what you require. Images use square pixels and 720 x 576 is not 16:9.

From Project Playback mode, click the word Project Playback before taking a Snapshot.

This will create an image as seen in the preview screen, it will use 1024 x 576 this is 16:9.
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Templates I assume you mean instant projects, I will have a look at the one you are using and get back to you, but probably best to use an image editor to crop the image to the size/aspect used in the template.

[MikeC1964]

Doh! I changed everything to MPEG!

Not to worry, I'll use your guide and advice and start again. I hadn't done much anyway so it shouldn't take too long.

Fortunately I think I had captured the video so far as you suggested, with regards to using firewire at least, but I'll double check the other settings.

Anyway, time for some reading.........

[MikeC1964]

Trevor,

One follow up question relating to templates. Whilst I can understand what you are saying with regards to importing DV footage, taking snapshots and then burning to DVD, what is the situtation then with regards to the Corel templates?

For example, when I use the instant project template as mentioned in my earlier posts, I notice that the clips are 854x540 and the overlays are 1024x576. Does this mean a certain amount of reconfiguring on my part to make verything 'fit' with my aspect ratio of 720x576?

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Mike

Its not a problem in changing the project properties to mpeg2, ultimately the project containing DV-Avi will be converted to Mpeg2 to burn a standard DVD. But retain the frame order as Lower, the Bit Rate Kbps may need altering to match the duration of your movie?
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When you/they create an instant project the images used can be any size or shape.
I would use ether 16:9 or 4:3 ratio
When we use these templates and wish to replace the images we should use the same image aspects, otherwise we may have to reshape using VS.

Replacing with a portrait type image will cause problems with distortion.
Video is of course a landscape shape.

The pixel size doesn’t really matter provided the shape is correct. Aspect ratio
Many of the templates will use Picture-in Picture or Pan & Zoom effects, maybe again changing the shape.

The templates do look good and give us an idea of the editing techniques used by VS, but may require some reconfiguring as you put it.

I just think it is lack of thought on the persons that design them.

I don’t know exactly which template you are trying to use? unfortunately they don’t show any ID till you open them.

[MikeC1964]

...the Bit Rate Kbps may need altering to match the duration of your movie?....

Whoa, let's not run before I can walk!

For reference, the template I am using is from the 'Middle' option is is the one with the little boy and the blue watering can.

Now I am getting a bit more 'confident' and have the correct project settings (thanks Trevor!) I am ensuring that the overlays for the imported template fit within the frame I see in the preview panel (which I assume is the correct thing to do?). I am ensuring that I use the 'Keep Aspect Ratio' for the pictures I use and am making sure that I size them so that they fit within that frame.

But coming back to that frame that I see in the preview pane, what is it that affects the size and shape of that frame? It does appear to be a different shape and size to the 'frame' that any clips appear in?

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Mike

I used a similar template, if not the same a few days ago, new baby boy in the family, one week old.
I changed the top track replacing the pink with the blue. Right click image and copy.

When you replace the Place holders, drag an image from the library over the place holder, Press Ctrl key, then drop the image.

The placeholders have had Picture in Picture affect and Chroma Key applied, view the details under the Options (lower right of library) panel to view the chroma and filter effects.

Gonna be out for the rest of the day, trip to Heathrow……………