Snapshots NOT recorded at 1920 x 1080

[jparnold]

I am currently editing video I took using my new HD video camera and while checking the JPG image files I created using "take a snapshot' I have noticed that some have been created with a resolution of just 1024 X 576 instead of 1920 X 1080 which most have been recorded at.
What would cause that?
I did all video recording at the same settings (1080i).
I thought I would take another snapshot from the same video clip as I used which resulted in a JPG at 1080 X 576 but the new snapshot is also recorded at 1080 X 576.
Any ideas anyone?

[Ken Berry]

I think you have to have Project Properties set to 1920 x 1080, and take the snapshot in Project mode.

[jparnold]

Thanks Ken

I had already checked Project Properties and it is set to 'Microsoft AVI Files' so I tried to change it but the only other option was MPEG (ie there are only the 2 settings available to me).
I wondered if this was because of X6 which I am using so shut it down and started up X4 but it too only allow3ed me to select between Microsoft AVI files and MPEG both of which are 720 X 576.

There must be another reason?

[jparnold]

After Googling VideoStudio Project Properties I found a post at this forum which 'matches' my problem.\
Refer http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=41025
It seems you can get around the 'problem' by taking a snapshot from the video clip rather than the timeline.

[lata]

Hi John

Clip Mode
Taking a Snapshot in clip mode takes an image based on the video files frame size from the file on the hard drive.
So using HD from your new camera that would be 1920 x 1080.
From the old Mini DV would be 720 x 576, if 16 :9 the image would be distorted as widescreen is not used to create the image.

If you used a WMV at 640 x 480 the image would be 640 x 480.

Project Playback Mode

This takes the snapshot based on the preview screen, essentially what you see is what you get Titles included.
The size it uses depends on the frame size used for project properties.
By default these are using 720 x 576 at least for Pal. This time the image would use 1024 x 576 representing the widescreen ratio 16:9. The image is not distorted
Obviously these are a little small when using HD video but the workround is to set the Project Properties to use 1920 x 1080.
You have to select a different compression type, using AVI we can set Microsoft Video 1 which allows us to User Define the frame size to 1920 x 1080.
There are other options that allow us to User Define the frame size.

Now the snapshot would use 1920 x 1080.

[jparnold]

Thanks Trevor for your very detailed reply.

Yes there are often 'work arounds' but I do not understand that neither X4, X5 or X6 (and maybe versions prior to X4) allow the user to select HD as Project Properties instead of only SD formats (AVI and MPEG) and then the user having to modify them to suit. Let's face it, there could be heaps of VS users who would have no idea and are not (or don't want to) search the VideoStudio Forum for answers. That is if they even think there is a work around.

HD has been around for quite some time and during that time there has been at least 3 versions of VS which have not addressed the issue.

BTW what is the main reason for setting the Project Properties?

[BrianCee]

to answer your last question first - I never set project properties - never understood what use it is

and following our PM 's I just edited my preferences to give HD settings as shown.

[jparnold]

Thanks Brian,

Yes I have learned that the user can set "user defined" resolution to suit the 'properties' of a HD video clip but I was hesitant to do so in case I caused a problem 'down the line' after spending hours of my time editing my HD video clips.
Let's fact it Microsoft AVI is defined as having a resolution of 720 x 576 not 1920 x 1080.

With the correct setting VS is supposed to automatically set the project properties to match that of the first video clip inserted onto the timeline (which it doesn't in this case as there isn't one for HD).
I have NO idea what the point is for setting the project properties (apart from 'fixing' the 'problem' I encountered of taking snapshots from the timeline instead of video clip.

Maybe someone with more knowledge than me can explain why the user should set the project properties to reflect the project as the output resolution is determined when rendering.

[lata]

Hi John

For Standard Definition setting the Project Properties to match the video files properties has always been recommended by Corel in an attempt to help with Smart Render, The Show Messages when Inserting First Video Clip helped doing just that.
The output resolution is determined when rendering, for Standard Definition we would be able to use Same as Project Properties.

The introduction of HD video caused some issues as we could not set project properties to use HD standards.

For HD the best we can do is use 16:9 for the projects aspect ratio allowing the video to display correctly.
Share Create Video File Same as Project Properties would never be used unless standard definition was required, Same as First Clip (if available) would use the video files properties and for some HD types proves useful. Otherwise use the newer HD templates.

For Snapshots, that’s slightly different as Project Playback mode uses the projects frame size, we know we can modify that to use 1920 x 1080, giving us a higher quality image. There will be no problems for the existing project providing a 16:9 frame ratio is used.

So when using HD the Project Properties are not essential in creating the final video, just need 16:9 aspect to display the preview screen correctly.

Does that help

[jparnold]

Thanks Trevor

YES that helps. I was cautious to change the project properties manually for fear that it had adverse repercussions later on after doing a lot of work.


This now begs the question - what does Proxy actually do? I assume it must attempt to speed up things but what should it be set to say when editing video recorded at 1920 x 1080? Create Proxy when video above 1920 x 1080 or something less.

Do you know of any books written about using VideoStudio which may explain all these things which are sadly missing from any user guide. A book which explains what you can do with certain settings and how they may help in editing and/or rendering? Even books written for older versions?

John

[BrianCee]

If you set smart proxy to be bigger than your frame size then it will NEVER create smart proxy and you might as well not have it - or just disable it

The object of smart proxy is that it creates low res proxy files which you work with when your video is above standard SD size then makes those changes to the HD video when you render out - so smart proxy should be set to create proxy files when your frame size is above 720 x 576 (for PAL users)

The only book I have ever heard recommended for VideoStudio users is "Picture Yourself Making Creative Movies with VideoStudio Pro X5" by Marc Bech.

[jparnold]

Thanks Brian for clearing that up. I was fairly sure that it should be set lower than the frame size I was editing but didn't know exactly what it does. That might speed up my editing especially when dragging the scrubber to check the effect of a transition or Picture-in-Picture etc (I must open my wallet and invest in an i7 CPU and faster ram).