Huge File Size When Using Program Preferences in VideoStudio

[tommy12]

I created a short project of two clips of 640 x 480 avi clips with no transitions in VideoStudio Pro X4. I created a media file output and chose the option "same as the first clip." The file created was about 39 MB. Everything was good.

Then I created a media file using the option "Project Properties" and the file size ballooned to about 354 MB, even though I set the Project Properties to the same values as the original clip!!

I need to use Project Properties. Otherwise, when I add transitions, during the transitions the video size changes to widescreen for some reason and the picture looks stretched out from left to right, until after the transition, when the video goes back to 640 x 480.

How can I use the Project Properties option when creating the final media file and not get huge files, or how can I use the "same as the first clip" option and keep the transitions the same size as the first clip (640 x 480) instead of switching to a wide screen mode? Any suggestions? Thanks.

[Ken Berry]

Welcome to the forums!

First, you need to right click on one of your avi clips in the timeline, and either take a screen grab or otherwise copy ALL the Properties here please. We also need to know exactly what your Project Properties are or at least how you went about setting them to be exactly the same as the avi's... Then we will have a better idea of what advice to give.

[tommy12]

Thanks for the welcome and your reply. Here are the details for my two avi 640 x 480 clips:

1st Clip:

2nd Clip:

Project Properties:



OUTPUTS:

1) NO TRANSITION between clips:

a) Using "same as first clip" option

Result: Output is good. Video quality as good as originals and file size is small (relatively). File Size: 129MB



b) Using "use Project Properties" option

Result: Output is good. Video quality as good as originals but files size is over ten times as large. I notice that the data rate is much larger than the original clips'. File size: 1,900 MB





2) WITH CROSSFADE TRANSITION between clips:

a) Using "same as first clip" option

Result: Output is good EXCEPT during the transition, when the video format changes to widscreen. After the transition is over, the video format changes back to normal 640 x 480. ** The change in video format during the transition does not occur in the VideoStudio preview screen but does occur when I watch in VLC player or UMPlayer. File size: 141 MB



b) Using "use Project Properties" option

Result: Output is good. The format stays at 640 x 480 for the entire file, including the transition, but the file size is big. 1,866 MB



I'd like to be able to use the "same as first clip" option and have the transitions stay at the video size (aspect ratio) as the original clips, or use the "use Project Properties" option" if the file size can be reduced to the same as when using the "same as first clip" option.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

[Ken Berry]

The reason you are getting such huge files is that you are using the uncompressed (or full) version of true AVI. That will produce around 65 GB per hour of video. What you need to adjust in your Project Properties is on the third (AVI) tab. First, in the Compression window you need to click on the drop down arrow, and select MJPEG as the output format. Then you should get a bitrate window where you can set a rate similar to your original video.

[tommy12]

If I did it correctly, the Config option is greyed out:

[Ken Berry]

I think that Configure button relates to the greyed out quality setting to its left...

Have you tried rendering with that MJPEG setting? If so, what size/quality file does it produce?

[tommy12]

The file size is good, only 141MB, the same as when using the "same as first clip" option. But it still suffers from the problem that during the 2 second crossfade transition, just like when using the "same as first clip" option, the image switches to widescreen for the duration of the crossfade (When the crossfade is over the image goes back to 640 x 480). When I set the "Project Properties" option with no compression, I get a huge file (as we've discussed) but the crossfade stays at 640 x 480 for the whole file. I should mention that the transition video problem is seen when viewing the output avi file with UMPlayer or VLC Player, but I just tried Windows Media Player and the crossfade is always ok, staying at 640 x 480. I'm hoping that there is a way to create avi output files using the MJPEG compression that can be viewed ok on the other two video players I mentioned.

I also noticed that there are many other compression methods that can be selected besides MJPEG. Would any of these be better to use?

[Old Grey]

I don't know if this will work, but put the original clip at the start - so that it sets the saved format -, and add the new different format clip to the end. Then 'Save as First Video'. Now add the just created clip to the front of the orig clips - set markers so only the bit you want is in front - and remove the new different format clip from the end. Then 'Save as First Video' again.

[Ken Berry]

If you are just inserting crossfades then don't insert the crossfade transition. Instead just drag the second clip back over the end of the first clip and this creates a crossfade. Then do the same for the following clips.

[tommy12]

Thanks, overlapping the clips is a great idea for a crossfade. I'd like to use other transitions, too.

[tommy12]

Old Grey,

Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure what you mean when you say "add the new different format clip to the end." Both my clips are the same format, with a crossfade in between.

[lata]

Hi Tommy

Just clutching at straws but……

It may be Non Square Pixel Rendering that is kicking in over the transition.
You video may not be use NSPR so this setting is ignored, but not for the transition it may be used, Title clips may also move out of position.

From Project Properties –Edit “Alt+enter” deselect “Perform Non Square Pixel Rendering”

Then try rendering again does the transition stay as 4:3

I have to say that this option is normally selected, it is only on the odd occasion that it needs deselecting.

[tommy12]

Lata,
Thanks for the reply. I unchecked it as you suggested, but unfortunately the video still changed aspect ratio during the transistion.

[lata]

Hi

I have created a Mjpeg 640 x 480 and had no problems with the transitions.

This is what I did.

1 / Project Properties as default for Mpeg Types
2 / Deselected Settings – Enable Widescreen, this set the preview screen to 4:3 ratio. The video is 4:3 ratio.
3 / Add video twice and add transition, I use the “side” transition.
4 / Render to Same as Project Properties—this created a Mpeg2 file 4:3

I repeated the above using Project Properties same as Mjpeg video properties
Again no problems
Then rendered Same as First Clip again no problems.

So what are you doing differently?

[tommy12]

Thanks again for your reply.

I'm using original clips that are avi and rendering to avi format (see screenshots above).

I have Mjpeg 640 x 480 clips in avi format and choose Project Properties as Microsoft avi. I'm playing the rendered videos in UMPlayer or VLC Player.

I tried what you did using my avi clips. I changed Project Properties for Mpeg, instead of Microsoft avi, and rendered to Same as Project Properties. My output file also had no problems during the transition.

But I want to render to the original format of the clips, which is avi. Rendering is much faster since there is no conversion to do (except during the transition), and the video quality is not degraded at all.