Spliting a project.

[MikeB51]

Hi Everyone. I don't know whether I've said this before or not, but to cut it short I had a stroke which affected my cognitive capabilities, in particular my memory skills. One of the big areas has been with video editing and whatever skills I had developed with Video Studio. So, I know I've done this before because I've got the videos but I don't remember this. I've gone through and done all the editing and have ended up with a project that is much to long for one DVD. The only way that I've thought of is to divide the project and save the parts as separate projects. I have a habit of always picking the hard way of doing things. I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks again for all the help the forum and its mediators give.

Kind regards,
Mike.

[lata]

Hi Mike

Can you first tell us which version of Video Studio you are using.
Now tell us how long the project is. By changing the Bit Rate aka Data Rate we can reduce the size of the final Mpeg file allowing it to fit to disc.

A 60 minute project using 8000kbps will fit to disc.--- Full quality
A 90 Minute project using 6000 kbps will also fit to disc.—Good quality
And 120 minutes at 4000 kbps will also fit –VHS quality

If your project is very long then yes you may have to split, so give us further details.

To burn a disc you have two main approaches, you can create a video file (Mpeg2) first then use that to burn the disc, or simply burn the project, which in turn will be converted to the Mpeg2 prior to burning.

[MikeB51]

Hi Trevor, thanks for your help again.
I'm using VSP 4 Pro. Currently my project is 2:35 but I want to do a little more titling etc once I work out where to split it. Project Properties are:
PAL (25 fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(DVD-PAL), 16:9

In the past I'm pretty sure I used "Create Disc" and created an ISO file. Not sure if that is what you mean. Could I please impose a little more. I have one Granddaughter in Germany and pre stroke I would make a clip of all the family in Aussie singing her Happy Birthday and email that over. Since the stroke I have tried but when they receive it they can't play it and I don't know what I am doing wrong.
Thanks again Mate, kind regards,

Mike

[lata]

Hi Mike

Yes that is quite long for a standard DVD. At 160 minutes you would have to compress it using 3000 kbps ish and that would reduce the quality so much as to be noticeable.

You would be best to split the project at least into two, at 80 minutes the bit rate would use 7000kbps, you will also use Digital Dolby audio rather than LPCM that will also reduce the files size.

In future try to keep the projects under one hour, 20 minutes and you would have 4 shorter projects, then you can add more than one to the disc until its full that is.
But editing shorter projects is much easier.

How to split the project.

I assume there is a natural pause within the project that can be the split point. Work these out taking a note of the timecode, the digital clocks time.
You have two options
1 / Set the Project Playback Range to include the first section
Share Create Video File—Same as Project Properties—from the Save window choose Options, then choose Project Range.
When complete set the project playback range for the second section, then repeat again for all sections.

2 / Split the actual project in to smaller projects by deleting the unwanted sections.
You will have to enable Ripple Editing to keep the clips in sync.
First re-save the projects as say First video, Second video. Open each project in turn removing the clips.

I think I would opt for option one
Whichever you choose set the project properties to use the correct bit rate depending on the total time per disc. Make sure the field order uses the same as your original video files order.

Video for playback on other pc’s
Windows Media Video is probably the safest to use as this is installed on all Windows computers.
You will be limited to 20 Mb ish if you are intending to e-mail, have you considered transferring the files, I think Skype may do this provided both parties are on line,
In fact you could sing live using Skype.