Black Bar Removal for Variety of File Types+Capture Methods

[jamiezeffw]

Hello all. I`m trying to complete the conversion and editing of all my footage to be edited for online viewing. I had started with digital files from a Samsung camera (originally created using Samsung`s default file type which was I believe SVD, now all files are saved as MPGs and MP4s using Windows Movie Maker and Adobe Premier) before switching to VideoStudioPro x6. The MP4s I`ve been making with x6 work perfectly, but I`m having trouble identifying how best to remove black borders from the earlier MPG and MP4s. Some have black borders to the right and left and some have borders on all four sides. Distort Clip hasn`t helped, neither has changing to and from fullscreen/16:9. Some I gather are like that because it exported from WMM/AP with the borders and are now a part of my "new source file" while I believe others aren`t yet. (The difference between two or four black borders?) See bellow for some details on the files, but also: I still have VHS tapes, DVDs and MiniDV tapes to convert and then edit. So far using a OneTouch Video Capture, the converted VHS footage has side black bars. I`d like to know how I can avoid getting the borders on the footage I have yet to transfer as well as fixing the digital files I already have.

These files were originally from the Samsung Camera put on a computer by USB, then put on an external HD, put back on a computer and edited in WMM/AP or x6 and display the bars on VLC and in the preview screen and exports on x6 and are all MPGs or MP4s:

One file with side borders only is mp4 VLC media file, Video Data Rate is 13576kbps. Audio bit rate 193kbps

Another with side borders only is mpg. Video Data Rate is 800kbps. Audio bit rate 1536kbps

One with 4 borders is mpg, video rate 600kbps, audio 224kbps.

EX of files from VHS converted with Video Capture and saved on a laptop:

Two borders on an mpg 6000kpbs and audio 224kbps.

I`m sure there`s more details I would need to get help and I`ll be happy to provide them. Thanks so much for reading.

[lata]

Hi

Black borders may be part of the video frame or simply unused portions of the preview screen.

Generally black borders will be seen when viewing a 4:3 aspect in a 16 :9 widescreen frame. X6 defaults to using a 16:9 frame.
Where the border are on all sides I would suspect that the actual video has the black border. You may be best to change the background colour from black (F6 – Preferences – background colour)
To remove black borders you are simply zooming into the video, this will loose some detail top and bottom.

Please read this web page regarding working with Widescreen, should point you in the right direction
http://lata.me.uk/video_studio/16_9/16_9.htm
This shows how to convert 4:3 to 16:9 ratio, a little old using VS10 and VS12 but still relevant for later versions.

Another method would be to add your clips to the overlay track, adding an image or video to the top track should replace the black edges with the image/video. This works quite well if you don’t wish to loose any detail in the original clips.
Basically you are replacing the black with your own frame.

[jamiezeffw]

Worked like a charm! You have noid ea how helpful this was and how excited i am to finally get my project together! Thank you thank you!