Customising HDV Create Video File

[Phil]

Hi,

I'm rendering a 3 minute video using the set template under Share, Create Video File, HDV, 720p at 25fps. I note this is an MPG. file after creation

I stumbled on the customisable version when I was using the Create Video File, Custom method by browsing through the mpg options. I hadn't noticed this before and was able to choose from the normal Pal standard dimensions right up to 1080p. I then created a 1280x720 MPG. clip at 8500kbps

Trouble is, I can't find it again! The drop down list goes no further than 720x576. The preset HDV 720p 25fps version has a bit rate of approx 18300kbps but I was wanting to customise this and reduce to 10,000kbps

(The source file is 1920x1080. I usually use MPEG4 HD for these pieces of work but I was getting some undesired blocky parts with the compression)

[lata]

Hi Phil

If Share Create Video File – Same as first Video is available that will use your original video files properties, effectively retaining the original quality.

You could use Settings Make Movie Templates Manager (Movie Profile Manager X7) to create your own profile, using the Add function will allow you to choose one of your video files, then edit the template to reduce the data rate, if that’s what you wish to do.

[Phil]

Hi Lata,

The source files are all Panasonic HD (1920 x 1080) AVCHD. I'm converting a 3 minute clip to 1280 x 720 at 25fps for viewing on Vimeo & Youtube but I need to avoid using the MPEG4 format as the compressions is not working for the clips, even at a higher setting. So using original dimensions/using first clip as a template is not what I'm after.

[Ken Berry]

First a query, then one or two comments. Why are you wanting to convert to HDV format? While I use it a lot, that is because I have a HDV camcorder (Canon HV20) amongst a number of others. But unless I am wanting to send my edited HDV project back to the camcorder, I usually have to convert it to something else e.g. Blu-Ray compatible mpeg-2 or AVCHD. However, HDV stored on a USB stick drive or external hard drive when plugged into a Blu-Ray player connected via HDMI to your HDTV will play beautifully. I don't know, however, if it can play when the external USB drives are plugged directly into the HDTV.

Now the comments. First off, HDV, although recorded to a mini DV tape like standard def DV/AVI, it is in fact mpeg-2 and usually uses the .m2t extension, though sometimes it may use.mpg. Moreover, HDV usually has pretty fixed Properties and is normally 1440 x 1080, Upper Field First, 25/29.97 fps at a CBR of 25 Mbps with mpeg layer 2 audio. I am not sure what you hope to achieve by changing this.

Second, HDV is *not* Blu-Ray compatible. Two of the Blu-Ray compatible formats are transport stream mpeg-2 and AVCHD. Which brings me to a further comment -- or perhaps back to my opening question. If your original video is AVCHD, but you don't like the high bitrate, why not change it to just another AVCHD set of Properties under Custom? And once you have made a new template using Make Movie Templates Manager (Movie Profile Manager X7), it should appear at the very bottom of the drop down menu when you choose Share > Create Video File. You would lose less quality that way rather than decompressing AVCHD (which is of course one flavour of mpeg-4) out to mpeg-2.

[Phil]

Thanks Ken,

Just to clarify, the clip I'm making needs to be 1280x720 at 25fps at approx 7,500 to 10,000 kbps for uploading online. I can't see anyway of doing this except MPEG4, WMV or HDV files. MPEG4 High is my usual route but there are some blocky scenes this time. (I'm making clips for blu ray separately). The 720p always seem to be at 50fps on mt2s

The trial render at HDV worked producing a high quality mpg clip.

I'm on Ultimate x6 and the Movie Template Manager doesn't offer these settings nor does the custom method. I browsed the MPG custom options again this evening and stumbled on multiple dimensions and frame rates (including 1280 x720 @ 25fps)! When I loaded the desired clip to the project, it was gone with just the usual standard definition dimensions for mpg.

[lata]

Hi Phil

The MTS option to use 1280 x 720 will use 50fps as that is the industries standard.

If converting to Mpeg4 has produced good quality in the past then I would think the problem is with the originals.

When you convert to Mpeg4, first compare your settings with those that created the good video just in case you have changed things.
Try deselecting Smart Render prior to saving/rendering the video, does that improve quality.

Mov Quicktime types, another option that should allow

QuickTime Movie Files
24 bits, 1280 x 720, 25 fps
Frame-based
MPEG 4 Visual
100% Quality, 15 Key Frame Rate
None, 8.000 KHz, 8 bits, Stereo