batch conversion

[reko19]

Hi, I have Cannon VIXIA HV30 camcorder. When I capture video from the tape using firewire and video capture card, the file is saved as mpg. This is the only option available from a format pull down menu. I then use batch convert to convert it to mp4 with the following settings:
encoder driver: ulead mpeg-4 vio driver
frame rate: 30.000 frames/ sec
frame type: frame based
Frame size: standard 1920x1080
video type: h.264-high
video data rate:500
audio type: aac
audio frequency: 44100:
audio bit rate:128

Could someone please comment on these settings, I want to make sure that I get the best quality mpeg-4 during the conversion.

thank you

[Ken Berry]

Welcome to the forums!!

First off, is there some particular reason you are converting your HDV (high def and high quality mpeg-2) to mpeg-4?

Second, the bitrate you cite is very low. Your original HDV's bitrate is 25,000 kbps. And since bitrate generally equates to quality, I would not expect much from that specific conversion using those properties. Generally you would need a bitrate of 15,000 kbps or higher to give you high quality video.

You don't say which version of Video Studio you are using. If it is X7, then I would be going straight to AVCHD as the output format. That will give you a slightly different mpeg-4 format, though using the same codec (h.264) as the one you have listed. If you are using and earlier version of VS, then I would go Share > Create Video File and choose MPEG Transport Stream as the output format, and then go to the Compression tab and choose AVCHD as the output instead of mpeg-2.

As a footnote, when you capture from the HV30 (I have the HV20) via Firewire, you only get one option because there is only one option with HDV and that is mpg with very fixed properties which your captured video will also have.

[reko19]

Ken,
Thank you for the reply. The reason I am converting to mp4 is to allow iTunes home sharing. I will bump rate up to 15,000. Based on your reply, I could also use AVCHD since I am using X7. This should result in mp4 as well? Also, If I want to burn a DVD, what would be a best way to do it if I am starting from a mpeg file.
Thank you.

[lata]

Hi
First what version of Video Studio are you using?

Second burning a standard DVD requires using an mpeg2 compliant video file.
Share Create Video File DVD 16/9 options will create that file. You use that file to burn a disc.

As for i-tunes. I don’t use them but think you will be best viewing i-tunes to see what is recommended as a preferred format.

For Mpeg4 as a start I would opt for these settings, but there are many options to choose from.

MPEG-4 Files
24 bits, 1280 x 720, 25 fps 30 fps (Pal or Ntsc)
Frame-based
H.264 Main Profile Video: 5000 Kbps
48000 Hz, 16 Bit, Stereo
MPEG AAC Audio: 192 Kbps

[reko19]

I am using X7. When I download files from my HV30, I end up with a .mpg file. Could I just copy it to DVD, or do I need to do anything else? Thanks.

[Ken Berry]

No -- the mpg from your HV30 is high definition HDV format, 1440 x 1080 and a bitrate of 25,000 kbps Upper Field First. DVD mpeg-2 is 720 x 576 (PAL) or 720 x 480 (NTSC) and can only have a combined audio and video bitrate of 10,000 kbps, though normally the video bitrate will be no more than 8000 kbps. It can also use Upper Field First (though can also use Lower Field First if the original video is DV/AVI format).

So the HDV has to be downconverted from high definition to standard definition. In VS, with the HDV in the timeline you would choose (if using X7) Share > MPEG-2 and choose one of the options which has the properties I have outline above for DVD mpeg-2.

[reko19]

I must say, this is not all that easy to digest. Appreciate everyone's help. I am sure I'll have more questions. My next project is going to include different video clips with different formats that I need to join together. I guess to determine what output to use I first need to decide if I want to be able to watch it in a computer or burn a DVD, etc.

[Ken Berry]

Yes -- and you will need also to consider exactly which formats you are going to try to join together and what their properties are: whether they are Upper or Lower Field First or frame based/progressive. And if progressive, are they 25 fps or 50 fps PAL (29.97 fps/59.94 fps NTSC) or even 24 fps... Most of these are manageable, but if you have Upper and Lower Field First video combined, one or the other will cause problems. In such cases, you also have to decide which Field Order you will choose based on which of video with Upper or Lower Field First is longer or more important to you...

But don't worry too much about it all being too difficult to digest... All of us here started out the same way, but with a little experience with hands-on editing, it gradually becomes much clearer!

[reko19]

So now I am at the point where I have AVI, MOV, mp4, and mpg files that ideally I would like to create a single video file with. I guess the format should be based on the file with the highest resolution? Any suggestions would be appreciated.