VS X5 RECOMMENDED FILE EXPORT TYPE?

[Qmighty1]

I've attached the specs for the original video that is generated by my Contour HD helmet cam. I've tried a number of different file types and settings for export, but I can't seem to end up with an edited video that hasn't lost a noticeable amount of quality. Is there any way to end up with the same video quality that I started with?

File specs for unedited video

[Ken Berry]

I have the GoPro Hero 3 which does much the same thing as your Contour, though in varieties of AVCHD format with AAC audio. In effect your QuickTime files also are a version of AVCHD though bearing the QT .mov extension. I assume you have some version of QT on your computer.

Anyway, when I edit my Hero footage, and want to output at the same quality, I am given the choice in VS X5 of Share > Create Video File > Same As First Video Clip. Do you have that option, or is it greyed out?

If it is greyed out, then I would first try Share > Create Video File > AVCHD > and then choose the last option on the drop-down menu, namely 1280 x 720 60P. Or have your already tried that? If so what other options have you tried?

[Qmighty1]

Thanks for the prompt reply, Ken.

The option to "Save As First Video Clip" is indeed greyed-out. Is there a codec or something I can get to make this option available? Unfortunately, the Contour I have doesn't (as far as I know) allow me to change the format that I record in.

I have tried the AVCHD 1280x720 60p format, yes, and it is the closest I've come to the original quality but there is still a small loss in quality. In particular, the action seems a little choppier and still shots are sometimes pixelated.

I've tried many of the other options too, including custom options like Quick Time Movie Format (*.mov) with H.263 compression (H.264 is not available from the drop-down) and then the MPEG 4 Visual compression option, both with the frame rate changed to match the original file (59.94 fps). Both are lower quality than the AVCHD 60p option.