Working with Canon MOV Files

[RAF]

Hi,
This is my first post, but have been an avid user of the forum since the early days.....I started with V6. Currently using trial of X4. Got a Canon T2i for Christmas....mostly for HD video. Never have worked with HD video before so not real familiar with file extensions etc. However I do know that HD video is a different animal altogether…..Very large files and some program issues. Took some test video in 1080p… about 30 seconds. Files are in MOV format. Drop the file in program and hit play on the preview pane. Very choppy and stuttering. Make sure smart proxy is enabled and it is. I then save the file as a 1080p AVCHD. Now…. that file plays just fine in the preview pane. Another thing I tried was converting the MOV file into an AVI with a free program called Pazera Free MOV to AVI. That conversion with an AVI extension also had the choppy issue. Should I convert the files first from MOV to AVCHD or is there another HD format that is better? Seams like a pain to have to convert all files before working in X4. Is this just a MOV file issue? Hope this makes sense…Thanks

Randy

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Randy
Welcome to the forums

First can you provide more information regarding your Canon video files.
With the video in the timeline, right click and select properties, what are they?
If it helps It is possible to save the properties window as an image and attach to your post.

Can you tell us what you are intending to make, a standard DVD, a HD Bluray, or HD Hybrid DVD.
Knowing what you are creating helps in recommending conversion settings.

Tell us where you live or are you using Pal or NTSC

Smart Proxy
The proxy files do take a while to create, if you close VS before they are created the process will be terminated.
View Settings Smart Proxy Manager-Smart Proxy File Manager the proxy file names will reflect the original video file.
In addition a small “double icon” will show in the timeline clip indicating proxy files created.

[RAF]

Trevor,

Thanks for responding....Attached is the screen cap.....I'm in the USA.. Also when the raw file is played in Quicktime or Media Player it appears in slow motion and actually the preview is really more slow motion with just a little choppy. Tried on another computer with about the same specs. I would hope my system would handle the file. Both of the icons show on thumbnail and I have given it plenty of time for the file to be smartrendered.

Randy

[teknisyan]

The tech specs of Canon T2i for video is "Video: MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio: Linear PCM)", and MOV files are native file format of Quicktime, did you check if you have an updated Quicktime? Since you are using Windows XP, there's a chance that you have the older version of QuickTime, you can try downloading the latest QT first at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Randy

The Canon T2i as far as I can see is the Canon 550D.
I own a canon 7D which produces the same type of video, except the Pal version.
The properties look identical.
Abeil is correct in saying the compression (not showing in the Properties) are H.264
Unfortunately you will not be able to render/convert to Mov H264.
For what its worth I am using QT 7.5.5 and have no problems editing these file types.

The camera comes with software, the Zoom Browser although used for images should also allow you to play the videos.
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I asked “Can you tell us what you are intending to make, a standard DVD, a HD Bluray, or HD Hybrid DVD. Knowing what you are creating helps in recommending conversion settings.”
You may be intending to make a video for the internet.?????
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You are using 1920 x 1080 frame size, there are a few options within the camera that can be tried, but use 29.97 Frame Rate.
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Smart Proxy

In your reply you refer to Smart Rendered, not to be confused with Smart Proxy.
Your PC may struggle to handle these types, although I’m no expert, check the recommendations from the Corel site, I think it refers to duel core as being the minimum.

Please confirm that Smart Proxy files have been created, a small double icon will be seen on the clip in the timeline/library.

[RAF]

Trevor,

Thanks for the infomation.....Your right I forgot usage....HD video and burn to DVD and posting to Youtube. And I really ment smart proxy. Those clips have the double icon. Will also make sure that QuickTime is updated and check on the Canon software that came with camera.
Thanks
Randy

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Randy

For You Tube try converting to Mpeg4
Use Custom option or Make Movie Templates Manager to:-

MPEG-4 Files
24 bits, 1280 x 720, 29.97 fps
Frame-based
H.264 Main Profile Video: 12000 Kbps
44100 Hz, 16 Bit, Stereo
MPEG AAC Audio: 128 Kbps

Not sure about the Kbps at 12000, the template allows 5000 to 20000, higher gives better quality but larger file sizes.
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For Standard Definition DVD the video has to use Mpeg2:-
Typical Ntsc properties:-

MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Upper Field First
(DVD-NTSC), 16:9
Video data rate: 8000 kbps
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

Run a few conversion/render tests to check quality.

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For HD DVD, AVCHD or Bluray you will use the settings as original Canon video file, 1920 x 1080.