which filetype and how to export 60fps

[guapo131]

Hello,

So I’m getting into video editing and I have a few questions for ya’ll experts. My primary goals are to document my friends and I having fun together. Examples are skiing or bike riding. I have a Go Pro Hero3 which I record at 1080p60 (*.mp4), and a Canon point&shoot at 1080p24 (*.mov). Usually I am putting together video from the Go Pro (1080p60). I have VSx7ultimate.

So my questions are about how to keep the appropriate data and frame rates for documentation/storage and youtube sharing. I have tons of storage space, and youtube doesn’t care about upload size, so that’s not an issue for me. I hate the idea of lost information. So if I have 60 fps, I will want to keep that thru the editing process into the final file.

So my first question is: which format would you recommend I export my edited videos, Mpeg2, or Mpeg4, or H.264, or other (export means share in VSx7)? I’ve read that video quality of Mpeg2 is better than Mpeg4, but Mpeg4 is usually smaller file size, better overall, supports higher bit rates, and is in general “better”. Then there’s H.264 which is a subset/part of Mpeg4, and I’ve heard that H.264 is better than Mpeg2 at the same bitrate. What if I go with Mpeg4 or H.264 and set the bit rate really high, like 20Mbps, or 30Mbps? FYI, the files from the Go Pro come out at 1080p60 around 30Mbps. Is Mpeg2 limited to a lower bitrate? SO I guess I’m asking, is Mpeg4 at a high bitrate better than Mpeg2 on its best day, ignoring file size? Which version would stay as close to the original quality coming out of the Go Pro?

My second question is how to keep 60fps when exporting from VSx7. The GoPro gives 60fps at 1920x1080p. But the only way I can figure out how to export that is with the “Mpeg Transport” option which has an extension *.M2T. Something tells me this is not really a standard format for the internet/youtube/sharing with friends on dropbox. Where is the option to keep 60fps at full HD resolution (1920x1080)? Also, I believe I am referring to 60fps “frame based” and not anything “interlaced”. Also, I assume that anything that says “lower field first” or “upper field first” refers to interlaced video, even if it is interlaced at 60fps --- that would be 1080i60, instead of 1080p60 which is what I’m looking for.

Loving the software so far!

Thanks!

Extra info the sticky said to include:
Core i5 4threads, 2nd generation, laptop
4GB ram
Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit
Using an external USB3.0 HDD for data storage
VSx7 ultimate, SP1 installed 17.1.0.22, 64bit

[lata]

Hi guapo131

Welcome to the forums

Combining different video formats can cause problems, I assume the GoPro at 60P is the main video, using a Mov at 24fps will effectively add 36 duplicate frames to that video converting it to 60P.
Now that may impact on quality, You can only try, play to check quality which may be acceptable.

Video Studio X7 can set your project properties to match your video files properties. Works for many formats.
Go to Settings – Preferences (F6) – tick show messages when inserting………..
Start a new project – insert a GoPro clip to the top timeline.
Hopefully VS will recognise the video and open a panel asking you to match the properties.
Do you see that …

To render your project you are best to use the original video files properties, that should retain the original quality.
Share – at the top I see “Same as Project Properties”
Change that to “Same as First Video Clip” —again hopefully that option will be available.

Use that to render your project.
Are you able to do that?

[Ken Berry]

You ask what format to export in but don't say what you want to produce: just a new video? A DVD? A Blu-Ray disc? Answering that will largely determine what format you output to...

[guapo131]

This is some great advice.
Because i started asking this question when I am messing with a slightly more complicated project, I no longer have the original MP4 from the Go Pro with my final edits (I had to do an intermediate render thru .m2t). But long story short, I took a GoPro MP4 at 1080p60 and cropped it down to just one (yes 1) frame. I then slid the brightness and contrast all the way to zero on that frame, thus basically making an all black single frame. I put that at the very beginning. I then used the "same as first video clip" (thanks for pointing that out, i missed that). Then I was able to export to MP4 at the desired 1080p60. It worked perfectly. THANKS! I just tried ticking the "show messages when inserting………..", but it does not ask me when dragging in a new file. Maybe I''m doing something a little wrong there, and maybe the "project" is already the same as the MP4 i'm inserting to a new file. But either way, I think i understand enough about how to force it to be the same properties as my input file now. Thank you very much!

Ken, This is a good point about knowing what i want to "produce" (dvd vs bluray vs YT) to give any sort of advice on file format. Most of my final edited files will be shared via Dropbox or Youtube to family and friends. Also, I want good quality "records" to show to visiting family either on my laptop or desktop monitor.

Thanks for all your input!

[lata]

Hi
Good thoughts regarding the one frame video. I normally render an image to a video file, then use that as my opening.

Burning Discs.

Bluray and DVD compliant properties, frame rate limitation.

Bluray uses 29.97fps ntsc (25fps for pal) x 1920 x 1080,
Also Bluray can use 1280 x 720 x 60P, not generally used.
Frame size for DVD 720 x 480.

So if you wish to burn a disc then your video has to be converted to use 29.97 fps. That removes half of your frames. The quality should be full bluray quality.

For YT and Dropbox I guess 60P would be appropriate.

I would render my projects to my original HD quality for internet sharing
Then convert those files to Avchd/Bluray or DVD Mpeg2, to be used to burn a disc.
The render properties being as close to the original properties, with the exception of the frame rate, use 29.97.

Share – Avchd create a new template
or Share Custom – Mpeg Transport Stream

[Ken Berry]

As a footnote, the 'Show message function' only works when you start a New Project...

[guapo131]

All,
The "Show message function" does work when I started a new project, and it set the project properties to exactly what i want. Thank you so much. It was just that simple.