Photos are blurry during playback, clear when paused

[HowDoI]

I am trying to create a photo slideshow. I am using jpgs that have had some or no post-processing. I have noticed that when the photos are playing in the preview window (and the enlarged version) that they are blurry. But when I pause the playback the picture clears up. I made a small video and all the images are just not clear when played in Windows or on TV. I have adjusted and readjusted all the settings and preferences, but nothing has made any difference.
Any ideas on what is happening and how to fix it?

VideoStudio Pro 15.2.0.10

[lata]

Hi

The project playback does not fully represent the final quality, usually that is better than shown using the preview screen. VS Project properties will be set as standard definition so your images will be displayed using a 720 x 576 for pal, frame size not HD.
And yes you may notice a difference in quality as you stop and start playback.

You can change the project properties to use 1920 x 1080 by using “AVI Microsoft video 1” will allow for user defined frame size, this however will not improve the final output but may improve preview playback.

The size of your images is also a factor, what size are the image pixel dimensions.
Right click a clip in the timeline and select properties. If you wish to fill the video screen then use 16:9 ratio, assuming you are working with widescreen.

When you convert the project to a video file what options did you use? Share Create Video File –then what option?
Do not use Same as Project Settings
As you are creating a slide show choose a progressive (P) type not interlaced, try AVCHD (1920x1080P), if your tv is large you will require HD not SD

I assume you are playing the video via a USB memory stick

[HowDoI]

lata

Many thanks. You put me on the right track.

I changed the project settings to what you said and that has helped playback.

I have been testing different Video Files, all in (1920 x1080P), but my dumb TV only recognizes MP4 files. And, I am using a USB stick...now. I had been burning re-writable discs.

On the TV, all the photos are nice and clear now.

Eventually, I want to put the movie (slideshow) on Blu-ray. Is it better to use AVCHD or one of the other 1920x1080P formats?

Thanks again from the Oregon coast.

[lata]

Hi

Your final output video properties really depends on your source video as some of the properties should match, so what are the properties of your video files.
Right click a clip and choose properties, what are they?.
Create an image of that window and attach to your post.

For a slide show I would opt for progressive 1920 x 1080P, AVCHD you have to use 25fps/29fps if you are intending to burn a disc.

My Panasonic records video using PAL (25 fps)
MPEG Transport-Stream Files
24 bits, 1920 x 1080, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(HDMV-PAL), 16:9
H.264 Video
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 16800 kbps)
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

Its those properties that I use for all my video work, changing the interlacing to Frame Based (P) for Slide Shows.
Burning a Standard DVD will require those properties converted to Mpeg2.

If you do not have a Bluray burner…..There is an option to burn a Hybrid disc, that’s using a Standard Definition DVD disc and burning AVCHD files to it, I can get approx. 30 minutes per disc. You need a Bluray player to play these discs.

Do you have a bluray burner.
Do you have a Bluray disc player

[HowDoI]

Hi

To answer your last question first, I have a Bluray burner and 2 players.

I am making a slideshow, with music, of vacation photos. There are around 700 individual photos, but that will be whittled down as I go. My goal is to get the best quality playback on TV. So I thought I should do a test before I did any more editing to see what quality I could get. My first disappointing tests were what prompted my original post. At that time, I didn't feel like doing any more editing or culling if I was going to have crappy output. However, you have solved that issue, mostly with your answer that previews are in SD. Also, changing the project properties to 1920 x 1080 made a difference in preview.

I will probably create a new video file for each separate date or location. Following your suggestion, I will try 1920 x 1080P, AVCHD using 25fps/29fps for each video file. Then when I create a disc, I will combine the video files with some menus, maybe chapters.

Now, here's the question. How many friends and family members are going to sit still long enough to watch 700 photos?