That was a most useful question. I've been using the batch converter utility in VSP using the highest preset format of 800x600 30fps so there will obviously have been a serious loss of quality. I assume that to minimise quality losses the AVI format should be identical to the source format.
Have just carried out a quick trial converting three x 5sec clips to AVI at 1280-x720 29.97fps & outputting to ether MPEG of the same format or DVD quality & get excellent quality output file with no loss of audio at the transitions.
Interesting to compare file sizes:
Source files 48Mb
Converted AVI 1.26Gb
Output MPEG4 8Mb
Output DVD (720x575 25fps) 16Mb
MPEG4 is remarkably economical on file size whilst retaining high quality
Success.
Thanks for your help in achieving a easy to use workaround. I just need to remember to convert my files before starting to edit.
Stewart
Happy editing.