Webcam input

[Cassel]

I m wondering if VS does a different treatment of the image than other programs. As I am trying to use VS for a current project, I just set up to use the webcam. I found that the image is quite grainy. Thinking it was due to the camera itself, I tried the same things in another program and the image is crisp.

Do I need to set something to get the good image since the camera obvious does have a good result if using other than VS?

[lata]

Hi Cassel

Not sure about saving images from the web cam.
I assume you mean Images not Video.

Video Studio may use the project properties resolution/dimensions 720 x 480.
What are the pixel dimensions of the images ?

Try editing the Project Properties (Alt+Enter)

You are only interested in the “Microsoft Video1” compression to allow you to User Define 1920 x 1080 frame size (general Tab) besides the remainder being Pal, you will use NTSC settings.

PAL (25 fps)
Microsoft AVI files
8 bits, 1920 x 1080, 25 fps
Frame-based
Microsoft Video 1
15 Key frame rate:, 75% Quality
PCM, 48.000 kHz, 16 bits, 5.1 Channels

Now your captured images may use 1920 x 1080.

I do not have a web cam connected to test this

[Cassel]

Going to check that, but it is not an image I am getting from the webcam but a video, with the sound coming from a lapel mic. The sound is great, but the video is grainy (strange because the exact same setting, in Camtasia gives a great video, but a horrible sound!)
I'll report after I check those.

[Cassel]

Ok, I put all the settings in place as you said. Now, I find that the image (video) is much worse, and much grainier than before. As I don't understand all those settings, I am not even sure which one I should be tweaking. Any idea?

[lata]

Hi

Sorry for the confusion regarding Image and Video, if you are capturing video I assume you are using VS capture options.
From the timeline right click one of the captured videos, what are the properties?

From the Capture Video panel
Try using DVD as the capture “Format”
Then press the Options Cogwheel to set the Video Properties, I think you should be given several template options, choose 720 x 480 at 8000kbps will be the best for DVD format, will create a Mpeg2 file.


Typical settings
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Frame-based
(DVD-NTSC), 4:3---you may need 16:9
Video data rate: 8000 kbps
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

[Cassel]

Here is what i have for one video i just recorded (yes, using VS video capture).

If I try to follow your suggestions, I am stuck in the beginning. Here is what I get:

So I cannot "choose 720 x 480 at 8000kbps ".
Am I looking in the wrong place?

[lata]

Hi

That is the correct place to select your templates, the 9000kbps should create quite good video, 8000kbps was used by video studio for a long time.

The AC3 option will use Digital Dolby creating a smaller file size than using LPCM.
The options HQ, EP, LP, SP will use different data rates, some using a smaller frame sizes.

Unfortunately I cannot replicate nor see that panel as I do not have a camera/capture device connected to my pc.

One thought , do you have the option to choose AVI as the capture format rather than DVD?

[Cassel]

So, which one do you think should give the best image?

Here is a comparison (taken screenshots of the videos) of both. Not looking good with VS

Maybe someone else can help with the settings? Once done, I hope it will be set for good!

[canuck]

Here is what i have for one video i just recorded (yes, using VS video capture).

Image2.jpg

If I try to follow your suggestions, I am stuck in the beginning. Here is what I get:

Image1.jpg

So I cannot "choose 720 x 480 at 8000kbps ".
Am I looking in the wrong place?

The "GQ" setting gives 8000kbps although it should not make much difference.

I dont know what the GQ stands for

[Cassel]

Tried the GQ setting and there is really no improvement.

[canuck]

I did not expect that you would see any difference.

I did a test to compare webcam video capture using VS X6 and the Roxio Creator program I have. I definitely notice that the X6 capture is lower quality then the Roxio capture. I tried to use similar settings.

[Cassel]

I can get a great picture in Camtasia, but the sound is horrible (no idea why since it is the exact same mic and setting). Otherwise, I would record those short segments in Camtasia and bring them in VS.

Is there any other free options to capture a wmv or other importable format video back into VS?

[lata]

Hi

The settings you are using are the best Video Studio can offer, I must admit the quality is bad, canuck also confirms that VS does not seem to capture full quality. I would have expected better........
Unfortunately I do not have cameras installed to test capture.

I think you may be best using Camtasia and sorting the audio problem.

[rwernyei]

Cassel,

You state the audio quality is horrible with Camtasia, did you try changing the settings in Camtasia Recorder>Tools>Options>Audio Options-Audio Setup?
Camtasia uses Default PCM 22.050 kHz, 16 Bit, Mono 43kb/sec
Select CD Quality PCM 44.100 kHz, 16 Bit, Stereo 172kb/sec
or [untitled] PCM 48.000 kHz, 16 Bit, Stereo 187kb/sec
be mindful that your files will be larger due to the better audio recording attributes.

Hope this helps.

[Cassel]

Still no luck and worse is that with Camtasia, the headset and mic I used to use for 2 years for my video screen capture tutorials is doing the same thing.
So for now, Camtasia is "out of commission" as far as sound is concerned.

Any other video capture way I could use and then record the audio in a different source and just sync them in VS?