Horrible interlaced(?) look.

[df]

Interlaced example by cabbiinc, on Flickr

I'm using a Canon XL1s, and I know it's not HD but it shouldn't look this bad. This isn't even the worst I've seen but the problem seems to appear sometimes then not at others. If I review the footage 4 or 5 times it seems to go away but the quality is just not where it should be. I've shut down any other programs running on my computer and even gone so far as to download and run IoBit GameBooster to turn off as much as I can and the problem sporadically still persists. I've tried capturing as DV1, DV2 and DVD-HG via firewire using Video Studio, then I even tried capturing via my Happauge HVR-950Q RCA inputs using Happauge's WinTV (not using VS at all), all with nearly the same results.

Any help is appreciated.

edit to add: using Corel Video Studio X4 Ultimate

[DVDDoug]

It looks like a field order problem. But, I've forgotten how to deal with that.. In the capture settings, do you see a choice between "upper field first" and "lower field first"?

Hopefully, someone else can jump-in with a better answer...

I thought there was a standard for DV (opposite from MPEG), and I don't know why it would be wrong.

[Ken Berry]

If the original video is in DV/AVI format, then it will be Lower Field First. However, recent versions of Video Studio -- from X3 onwards? -- have Upper Field First set as the default for DVDs. So when you output the video you have to choose Custom and manually change the Field Order to Lower Field First.

[df]

Thanks for the input. I have gone into the Project Properties and set the Frame Type to Lower Field First. So far so good, but as I stated earlier the problem is intermittent. I'll post my findings if it happens again.

On a side note, when I was in the Project Properties I mucked around with as much as I dared, which is to say I may have mucked around too much with the other settings. Is this something that resets itself every time you import or do I need to figure out how to reset the program. I've had a look at http://lata.me.uk/video_studio/guides/q ... de_avi.htm and in the preferences I have Show Messages When inserting First Video Clip checked, and I do confirm to match the project to the video settings when importing. Is there any more too it or is that it?

[lata]

Hi

Show Messages is probability the best option, from the window select Details to view the video properties from the right hand panel, if you wish copy and paste the text to this post.

When you capture to DV via firewire there is no recoding, what you have in the camera is what you get DV-AVI..
The only capture option to select is the DV Type 1 or 2, I would recommend using DV-Type 1

As mentioned by Ken .......DV uses Lower Field, make sure that when converting the video to another format Lower Field is retained, you may have to use the Custom option or Make Movie Templates Manager.

Typical settings for a DVD..........

MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Lower Field First
(DVD-NTSC), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 8000 kbps)
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

[df]

Thanks so much Trevor for the info.