Creating DVD with videostudio pro x7

[Irishrose]

I am having issues trying to create a DVD using videostudio pro x7.

The videos were created using Tiff images scanned at 400 dpi. One video burned to a DVD+R just fine. The next time I tried to complete the same process the finished product was very poor. The images were pixelated when viewed on the same TV, using the same equipment.

Has anyone else had this same problem?

Can someone offer a step by step process as to how to create a DVD using videostudio pro x7?

I tried all the usual tricks, checking for updates, restarting the computer and software, etc. etc. I find it very hard to believe that a software program this sophisticated can't burn a DVD that is worth watching and am frustrated that I can't figure out how to complete what should be a simple task. Please help.

[skier-hughes]

When making a dvd, anything you have used, be it a 400dpi photo, a 1000dpi photo or HD video of 1920x1080 will all become an mpeg2 video file of 720x576 PAL or 480 NTSC.

When making the mpeg2 video file, the length of the movie will dictate the bitrate used. A movie of around one hour can use a bitrate of 8000kbps, but a movie of 90 minutes would need a bitrate of around 6000kbps and a two hour movie around 4000kbps. The lower the kbps the lower the quality.

What length were your movies?

What size in physical dimensions were your pictures? They will all become either 4.3 or most likely 16.9 when finished, so it helps if they are already this size.

[Irishrose]

Skier-hughes,

Thank you for your reply and easy to understand information.

The movie I created is 40 minutes in length, and was too large for using the AVCHD setting.

I'm afraid I don't understand your question as to physical dimensions of the pictures. What I used were scanned images of photographs and slides. I created the video by placing images in the video layer for background and used the overlay layers for the scanned images. As the video plays there are varying numbers of images onscreen and they also vary in size.

I contacted Corel who said that it was a compatibility issue that was caused by the updates to the software and other programs running on my computer. After a downloaded version of videostudio was installed I burned another DVD. This one was better, but still not what one would consider acceptable viewing quality. Images are still pixelated but not as bad as previous to the new download.

I created other videos that were shorter in length and was able to use the AVCHD setting, these turned out fine. The problem seems to be getting an acceptable quality using the DVD setting.

The DVD settings were a bitrate of 8000kbps and 16.9.

Any ideas on what may be causing the images to become pixelated?

[Ken Berry]

You could always still take the AVCHD route but reduce the bitrate from the default maximum of 18 mbps to around 9 or 10 mbps. This will allow you to burn more video to the disc, though it will reduce quality from the high definition level given by 18 mbps. However it will still be higher than your standard DVD bitrate of 8 mbps and thus could provide better quality.

I assume you realize, however, that an AVCHD disc can only be played on a Blu-Ray player...

[Irishrose]

Hi Ken,

You are absolutely right, I should have thought to do that myself. All it took was a small adjustment in the AVCHD settings and the completed video turned out great. You can hardly tell the difference.

Once again, everyone on this web board has been so very helpful. Thank you.

[skier-hughes]

I'm afraid I don't understand your question as to physical dimensions of the pictures. What I used were scanned images of photographs and slides. I created the video by placing images in the video layer for background and used the overlay layers for the scanned images. As the video plays there are varying numbers of images onscreen and they also vary in size.

JUst catching up, so some info for future.

I meant if you scan a picture that is 320x240 and blow it up to 720x576 it won't look as good as taking a 1920x1080 scanned image down to 720x576.
Also, if you scan at 300dpi, you have much more information on the picture than if you scanned at 72dpi.
The higher the initial quality, the higher the end quality.

Does that make sense?

[lata]

Hi

What are the dimensions of your images?
Right click an image and choose properties (as attached Image)
It is the resolution of the image Width and Height that is important.

For a widescreen video you are best using a 16:9 ratio image.
1920 x 1080 is 16:9 ratio and should be the minimum size for images used in a HD video.

I always use Jpeg type images with no problems.