Editing different formats at once

[newfielander]

Hi need some advice regarding, should I try and work with two different formats in my time line or should I convert both files to the same format first, I'm using dv-avi files and MTS (AVCHD) files. Project will be going to a standard dvd. Both files are filmed in 16:9
Thanks

[lata]

Hi

The question is do you have to mix these videos or can you create two separate videos.

DV-Avi uses Lower Field first for its interlacing.

HD Avchd may use Upper Field first, combining the two means converting one to the other, and that may cause quality issues. Interlacing lines and jagged edges.

AVCHD may however use Frame Based. which may help in retaining the quality.

Please right click the AVCHD file, select properties, what are they?

How long are the two video files?

[teknisyan]

I personally convert all video files that I will be using to the same file format. For uniformity and to avoid any problem when decoding the files.

[newfielander]

Hi Lata, heres the properties of just 1 of many MTS files I'm planning to use.I have to mix these files, theres a whole bunch of little MTS files plus 3, 60 minute AV-DVI files I have to edit and add to my project . I filmed a highschool Grad and I used a Canon GL2 which takes SD video and my second cam was a Panasonic TM900 which is HD, so the video files will be mixed together. Thanks for your help

Abiel Corel NA , what format would your suggest I use?? Thanks

[skier-hughes]

I'd convert and edit same as Abiel.

[lata]

Hi

You are intending to burn a standard DVD, these are typical settings that will be used to create the final video.

The Field Order can be Lower Field First
The Video Data rate of 8000kbps is suitable for a 60 minute video.
If your video is longer then this figure is reduced, at 4000kbps it will allow for 120 minutes of video.

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

Field Order.
You are mixing HD and DV-Avi, as you know one uses Lower and the other Upper.
You can only have one field order in a video file so one of them has to change.
Unfortunately changing the field order will affect quality, usually showing Jagged lines.

You have to decide which order to use.........
As a test convert a sample Dv-Avi to the properties above Mpeg2 (Upper Field), then convert a sample HD to Mpeg2 using Lower Field, play each, which one looks the best?
If they look simular then choose the shortest

Second test........

Convert the DV-Avi video to use Frame Based, then convert the new Frame Based to Mpeg2 Upper Field, does this video look any better.

Typical DV-Avi

Microsoft AVI files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 16:9, 29.97 fps
Frame-based
DV Video Encoder -- type 1
PCM, 44.100 kHz, 16 Bit, Stereo

-------------------------

Video Data rate

You seem to indicate three 60 minute Dv-Avi, maybe i just read this wrong.
The longer the video the lower the data rate, a lower data rate gives lower quality.

How long is your final project going to be.?
Once you have decided on a Field Order and a Data rate create a template using make Movie Templates Manager.

[newfielander]

skier-hughes ,yes convert both to one formatt but what one????????????????????????????????????????????????/

[Ken Berry]

Lata has already provided the answer:

You have to decide which order to use.........
As a test convert a sample Dv-Avi to the properties above Mpeg2 (Upper Field), then convert a sample HD to Mpeg2 using Lower Field, play each, which one looks the best?
If they look simular then choose the shortest

[newfielander]

Wouldn't it be just as good to save my MTS files with the same properties as my DV-AVI files, do my editing and than burn a dvd?

[Ken Berry]

The point we are trying to make is that whichever way you go, one lot of video is going to look bad, and it will be a question for you to decide which is going to less bad or for a lesser period of time in the whole project. Going from high def .mts, which uses upper field first, to standard def DV using lower field first, could look bad if there is a lot of action or lots of vertical lines where the change in field order will be most obvious. And vice versa for DV converted to mts. But we don't have your video before us and so cannot say. So it is really up to you to decide which looks better with the video you actually have...

[newfielander]

Thanks Ken, well seeing its going to end up on standard dvd which I stated, I don't see the point of trying to change the DV AVI to HD.

[Ken Berry]

Well, that's at least decision number 1. Now decision number 2 will have to be whether you convert the DV/AVI to DVD-compatible mpeg-2 using Lower or Upper Field First; or whether you down-convert the HD footage to DVD-compatible SD mpeg-2 using Upper or Lower Field First...

[newfielander]

Ken, my plan is to simple change the MTs files to DV-AVI, than seeing DV-Avi uses Lower Field first as far as I can see ,than with all my footage been lower field first ,edited the footage seeing its all one format, and than click create a dvd. Maybe I'm missing something but I don't know of a better way to do it than that. Deon

[lata]

Hi

I did not advise that you change DV-Avi (Standard Definition ) to HD.

I advised you to render to Mpeg2 as that is the format that is ultimately going to be used for burning a dvd. Working with a mix of DV-Avi and Mpeg2 is not a problem.

But the option to convert HD to DV-Avi is quite valid.
However once working with all DV-Avi they will require rendering again to Mpeg2, but again the quality should be the same.

Which way you jump really depends on the length of each and the quality you get.

I would test a few options just to see if there is an improvement in quality

As Ken says you have the advantage of seeing the footage?