avi files

[maclachlan]

I have been given an avi file by an American friend. Can I use video studio pro x7 to edit and transfer to a dvd

Robert NacLachlan

[Ken Berry]

If you have been following even a small number of threads here over the years you have been a member, something which is often repeated is that .AVI is really a wrapper extension and that there are over 800 widely different types of video which call themselves .avi. So the first thing we need to know is what Properties your particular .avi has. Please insert it in the VS X7 timeline then right click it and copy ALL its Properties here, or else take a screen grab of the Properties box and upload it here as an attachment.

Depending on what they are, it may indeed be possible to convert them DVD-compatible mpeg-2 and burn them to DVD.

[lata]

Hi Robert

If the video is US then it will be NTSC, being in the UK your program will be installed to default to Pal at 25 fps.
No real problem so long as you are aware if the difference.

Go to Preferences (F6) tick Show messages when inserting first video……
Start a new project and add the AVI to the top timeline.

You may – hopefully receive a message prompting you to match the project properties.
If yes – choose Details – copy and paste the right hand panels text containing the video files properties to your post.

Then Yes / OK. Hopefully your project properties will now reflect the video files properties.

[maclachlan]

Thank you both very much for taking the trouble to reply to my query. I have gone to preferences and ticked the show messages box. When I come to add the file to the timeline it tells me that it is unable to open the file, file reading error and then there is a number at the bottom 17101:1:42. I'm therefore unable to get any further information about the video. I have checked that the video is in fact readable and I find I can play it with a program called VCL media player. I would however like to be able to put it onto a DVD and keep it. Once again thanks for your support

Robert

[lata]

Hi Robert
Sorry I misunderstood, I thought you were able to add the video to the timelines.

There is a small program called Media Info
Using that will give lots of info regarding the video.

Otherwise ask the US guy what type of video he gave you.

Also there is a video converter called Format Factory, that seems to do a good job in converting many formats.
Take care when installing as it tries to install all sorts of plug-ins, say no to all except for FormatFactory.

During installation……..
Deselect Ask
PC Cleaner …….. Decline
Opera Browser….Decline

Then OK for Format Factory

[Ken Berry]

Since you have VLC media player and it will play the clip, then while it is playing, pause it and go to the VLC Tools menu and select Media Information or Codec Information, and tell us what it says about the clip.

[maclachlan]

I think this is what you want
Robert

& Current Media Information
General Metadata Codec Statistics
Information about what your media or stream is made of. Muxer, Audio and Video Codecs, Subtitles are shown.
v Stream 0
Type; Video
Codec: MPEG-1/2 Video (mpgv)
Resolution: 720x480 Display resolution: 720x480 Frame rate: 29.970029 Decoded format: Planar 4:2:0 YUV v' Stream 1
Type: Audio
Codec: A52 Audio (aka AC3) (a52} Channels: Stereo Sample rate: 48000 Hz Bitrate: 256 kb/s v Stream 2
Type: Subtitle Codec: ccl
Description; Closed captions 1 v Stream 3
Type: Subtitle
Location: [c: Risers ¥tobertpesktop\VTS J> l_l.avi
^ Stream 3
Type: Subtitle Codec: cc2
Description: Closed captions 2 v Stream 4
Type: Subtitle Codec: cc3
Description: Closed captions 3 v StreamS
Type: Subtitle Codec: cc4
Description: Closed captions 4

[lata]

Hi Robert
Well it seems to contain Mpeg2 video stream which is standard DVD material all be it NTSC from US

This is a long shot, make a copy of the original then re name the file to use a .mpg extension

Otherwise try using Format Factory to convert the file to Mpeg2 – 720 x 480 – 29.97fps -

How long is the actual video?

[Ken Berry]

As I understand it, you have not yet tried inserting the avi into VS, is that right? Well, from its properties there doesn't seem to be any reason why it would be unacceptable. The only thing is that in producing your own DVD from it, you would need to ensure that you used NTSC properties throughout. But since PAL DVD players can play NTSC DVDs, there should not be any problems with the new disc.

[lata]

Thank you both very much for taking the trouble to reply to my query. I have gone to preferences and ticked the show messages box. When I come to add the file to the timeline it tells me that it is unable to open the file, file reading error and then there is a number at the bottom 17101:1:42. I'm therefore unable to get any further information about the video. I have checked that the video is in fact readable and I find I can play it with a program called VCL media player. I would however like to be able to put it onto a DVD and keep it. Once again thanks for your support

Robert

Hi Ken

I must admit I thought Robert had inserted the video to the timelines till I read the above reply?

[maclachlan]

the video is about 16 mins

Robert

[Ken Berry]

This is a long shot, make a copy of the original then re name the file to use a .mpg extension

Otherwise try using Format Factory to convert the file to Mpeg2 – 720 x 480 – 29.97fps

Have you tried Trevor's suggestion?

[lata]

Hi Robert

If all else fails..........

If you upload the file to a sharing site maybe DropBox, Microsoft One Drive, Google drive then we can download to view the files.

By the way how large in Mb is the file?
I believe most sharing sites have a 2 Gb limit, although that is quite large, I am willing to give it a go, if you can upload then I will try downloading?