Judder/Jerky photos with Pan and Scan

[Doug6836]

Hi All:

I'm new to all this.

Last week I downloaded the trial version of VS Pro 8. I have 30 days to decide whether to buy it.

1. Is there a detailed tutorial video you'd recommend for a beginner trying to put together a memorial slideshow?

2. I'm trying to make a slideshow with about 40 photos. All are JPG. The only real problem I've encountered so far is that the photos are jumpy/jerky -- in the preview window (UI) -- when Pan and Scan is applied. I don't know if this judder will continue once I transfer the project to a DVD?

Project Profile:

Microsoft AVI files
24 bits, 854 x 480, 29.97 fps
Frame-based
Uncompressed
PCM, 44.100 kHz, 16 Bit, Stereo

I'm not sure what program is playing the slideshow when viewing in the UI. I have a PC with windows 8.1 and QuickTime 7.7.4 installed but I don't know how to tell what program is playing the slideshow?

Is the program playing the slideshow or VS causing the judder with Pan and Scan enabled? How do I fix the problem?

Thank you for your time!

[Ken Berry]

Welcome to the forum!

First off, if this is a project made up of jpegs aimed at making a slideshow DVD, where did that Project Profile come from? First off, the frame size is very unusual. If you are going to make an NTSC DVD, it would need a frame size of 720 x 480 to meet the international NTSC DVD standard.

Second, why AVI? Again, under the international DVD standard, the format should be standard def mpeg-2, though the rest of the properties are fine. For a project that size, set the bitrate to the maximum of 8000 kbps.

As for applying Pan and Zoom, you should be aware that the Project preview function in VS is not one of its strong points. It is trying to give you an idea of how the final video will look like by in effect doing a virtual render on the spot. Depending on the effect -- and Pan and Zoom is a complicated one -- this may appear somewhat jerky or distorted in preview, but usually comes out fine in the final render. You can of course test this by rendering the project not to a DVD, but on the last page of the burning module choosing to burn an ISO or DVD Folder instead, and watch it on something like the freeware VLC player, which can playback ISOs...

[lata]

Hi

The trial version is limited in the settings we can apply to the project properties.
What we make is also limited, but Mpeg4 and DVD Mpeg2 are available.

I would set the project properties to match the final output video, but as mentioned the trial is limited
So if I were intending to burn a DVD then I would choose similar settings to these.

MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Frame-based
(DVD-NTSC), 16:9
Video data rate: 8000 kbps
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

If you are to play back via PC then try the MPEG options. 1920 x 1080.

Your Images

How large are your images in Pixels (Width and Height) at least as large as the frame size, if you are intending to apply pan and zoom then double the frame size.

If you crop the images to use an aspect ratio of 16:9 then they would fill the screen otherwise you will have black borders.

Quick slide show………….
Set up Preferences

Go to F6 Preferences – Edit Tab

Set Image duration to approx. 9 seconds
Set Transition Time to 2 seconds
Set Default transition effect – try F/X Crossfade
OK that
Add your 40 images to the timeline, they will be 9 seconds with a 2 second crossfade
Add a title
Share Create Video File – Same as Project Settings

[Doug6836]

​Hi Ken:

Thanks for the responses. Unfortunately, this is all Greek to me. Sorry for all the questions. I didn't know this would be so complicated But I have a feeling you guys can save me a lot of grief. This response is long so I'll respond to Lata separately.

I downloaded Pro 8 because I tried a few free programs and didn't like them. I was hoping, as a true beginner, I could find a program where I could put a simple but interesting -- maybe even semiprofessional looking -- memorial slideshow for my Dad who's not in good health.

I gathered photos of many sizes (many were emailed to me by family members) from the 1930's to current. Most were scanned at 300 dpi. The photo resolutions when viewed in "List View" in VS range from 717x 936 to 2364 x 2940. I don't know if the range of resolutions is a problem or not?

First off, if this is a project made up of jpegs aimed at making a slideshow DVD, where did that Project Profile come from?

I don't understand the question. I put the project properties into my question because I did some research on this forum and noticed that some questioners were asked to provide that info. I have no idea what the numbers in the profile means.

The project properties are the default in VS. I went to "Settings" then "Project Properties". Here's a screen shot.

First off, the frame size is very unusual. If you are going to make an NTSC DVD, it would need a frame size of 720 x 480 to meet the international NTSC DVD standard.

This was the default in VS. I see that I can choose 720 x 480 4:3 or 16:9. I changed to 720 x 480 16:9 but project doesn't appear any different.

When I change the Profile to 720x480 16:9 or 4:3 -- I get his readout:

Microsoft AVI files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 16:9, 29.97 fps
Lower Field First
DV Video Encoder -- type 2
Interleave audio for every 15 frames
PCM, 48.000 kHz, 16 Bit, Stereo

So changes are:

"Frame-based" is replaced with "Lower Field First". Lata suggests 720 x 480 Frame-based but there is no option for 720 x 480 using Frame-based

48.000 is replaced with 44.100.

DV Video Encoder- type 2 is added

854 x 480 is now 720 x 480

Uncompressed has disappeared

Second, why AVI? Again, under the international DVD standard, the format should be standard def mpeg-2, though the rest of the properties are fine.

I don't know what AVI is? It was the default. There are only 2 project formats. Both are DV/AVI. I have no idea how to change to "standard def mpeg-2". Maybe that's not available because I'm using the Trial Version?

For a project that size, set the bitrate to the maximum of 8000 kbps

I looked but don't see how to change the bitrate?

You can of course test this by rendering the project not to a DVD, but on the last page of the burning module choosing to burn an ISO or DVD Folder instead, and watch it on something like the freeware VLC player, which can playback ISOs...

I'd love to know how to do this. Is the burning module under the "Share" tab? I don't see option to burn to ISO or DVD folder. I added a screen shot of what's in "Share".

Share

Again, I'm sorry for the long response but this is a bit overwhelming for a true beginner! Thanks for the responses.

[Doug6836]

Hi Lata:

Thanks for your response. I also responded to Ken (above).

​

What we make is also limited, but Mpeg4 and DVD Mpeg2 are available.

I see Mpeg4 under "Share" but don't see DVD Mpeg2 anywhere. I don't see any way to change the project properties other than from 854 x 480 "frame-based" to 720 x 480 "Lower Field First" 16:9 or 4:3.

I would set the project properties to match the final output video, but as mentioned the trial is limited
So if I were intending to burn a DVD then I would choose similar settings to these.

MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Frame-based
(DVD-NTSC), 16:9
Video data rate: 8000 kbps
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

How do I tell what the "final output video" is? I am intending to burn to DVD. I can't find any way to change to 720 x 480 Frame-based or to change the Video Data Rate or the Audio Data Rate.

How large are your images in Pixels (Width and Height) at least as large as the frame size, if you are intending to apply pan and zoom then double the frame size.

If you mean what is the resolution of the photos -- here's a list of the first 18 photos.

Resolution

If you crop the images to use an aspect ratio of 16:9 then they would fill the screen otherwise you will have black borders.

I'm not sure what you mean by "crop the images to use an aspect ratio of 16:9". I do know the difference between 4:3 and 16:9 and obviously would prefer 16:9. Is there a Tutorial showing how to do this?

Quick slide show………….
Set up Preferences

Go to F6 Preferences – Edit Tab

Set Image duration to approx. 9 seconds
Set Transition Time to 2 seconds
Set Default transition effect – try F/X Crossfade
OK that
Add your 40 images to the timeline, they will be 9 seconds with a 2 second crossfade
Add a title
Share Create Video File – Same as Project Settings[/quote]

I was able to make all the above changes!

Thanks for your time and sorry I'm just a beginner.

[Doug6836]

UPDATE:

I did figure out how to make some of the suggested changes.

I changed to 720 x 480 16:9

Change to 16:9

I changed from Lower Field to Frame-Based

Field to Frame

Project properties 2.PNG (10.34 KiB) Viewed 6543 times

I changed from 720 x 480 "DV encoder type 2" to 720 x 480 "MPEG Compressor" (Is that what's it's supposed to be?):

MPEG Compression

Project properties 3.PNG (8.25 KiB) Viewed 6543 times

I Increased from 300 KBPS Frame Rate to 8,000:

Frame Rate

project properties 4 frame rate.PNG (5.51 KiB) Viewed 6543 times

Once the final changes are made the 16:9 seems to be lost:
Your system won't let me attach any more shots but when I go back to the main Project Properties screen, the 16:9 is gone but all the other changes are still there:

Microsoft AVI files
24 bits, 720 x 480,[16:9 was there -- now gone] 29.97 fps
Frame-based
MJPEG Compressor
Check data rate: 8000 KB/sec
Interleave audio for every 15 frames
PCM, 48.000 kHz, 16 Bit, Stereo

Under "General" the "Display aspect ratio" is greyed out.

Thanks

[lata]

Hi

At the top of the Project Prosperities window is the Project Format as Dv / Avi

There is a drop down arrow to the right which should give DVD (mepg) option

I assume the trial version has this option.

DVD Mpeg is the option you need to burn a disc

[Ken Berry]

lata's response also answers just about all the queries you directed at me. Part of my problem is that those of us who have the full version of X8 do not know exactly what Corel left out of the trial version, but from at least one of your screen shots, the answer may be "more than we had already thought".

The first thing you need to know in lesson DVD #101 is that the format of a video on a DVD, by international standard, must be mpeg-2, and it can be either Upper or Lower Field First or Frame based, and have a bitrate which does not exceed 10,000 for both the audio and video. In practice, though, most stand-alone DVD players have difficulty if the video bitrate is over 8000 kbps, so that is what we say is the maximum. With that bitrate, you can burn up to an hour's video onto a single layer DVD, or perhaps about 10 minutes more if you use a compressed audio format like Dolby. The will give you a top quality DVD. If in future you are ever confronted by having a project longer than an hour, you need to decrease the bitrate as that controls the amount of video you can burn to a DVD. So as a rough guide, a 6000 kbps bitrate will allow you to burn about 90 minutes (or around 100 min with Dolby audio). Quality will still be good but not as good as at 8000 kbps. And if your project is around 2 hours, then you would need a bitrate of around 4000 kbps, though that would only give you a quality no better than a VHS video tape.

As I said above, I don't know what is in the trial version when you click on that drop-down arrow lata mentioned, but if DVD or mpeg-2 is there, choose it as the Project format, and then one of the options which is 16:9, then click the Edit button to make changes to its Properties -- If it says Upper Field First, change that to Frame Based and on the Compression tab, change what is there to 8000 kbps if it is not that already. Now your Project Properties are set to produce a video which is DVD-compliant.

From your photo posted above, it seems the Share tab in the trial version does not include DVD/mpeg-2 which is plain stupid on Corel's part. But if you look just above the AVI option which is blue in your photo, you will see a little box and beside it "Same as Project Settings". If you tick that box, give the new file a name down below (above the blue Start button), and note where the new file will be created. Then you can then press the blue Start button and a new DVD-compliant video file will be created. You should be able to play that back in a software media player including Windows Media Player, to see if it does everything you want.

Unfortunately, it seems that the trial version may not actually include a DVD burner. Look at my own photo below of the full version's Share tab and see if your own has that Disc option where my red arrow is pointing. That is what you would need to select to actually burn a DVD. But if it is not there, then at least you would have your new DVD-compliant video file, and there are a variety of other programs out there which will actually burn it to disc. If you have the Nero or Roxio suite, for instance, that will do it. And there is an excellent freeware option called ImgBurn which will also do it.

[lata]

Hi Ken

trial version is ridicules

I have re-installed the OS to use W10 so should be abler to install the trial, I'll give it a go.

[skier-hughes]

If Doug saves a video file in dv.avi, using the settings he has, he will be able to determine if the stutter is present in the end product. Hopefully it won't.
DVD won't be in the trial as it's a paid for extra in the actual product, so maybe that's why there is no option to make mpeg2, as you'd still need to pay the mpeg2 licence fee???

[lata]

Hi Guys

I have installed the trial version
There is no Authoring option, so we cannot burn any discs, DVD or Bluray
There is no option to create Mpeg2 or MTS, both formats would be suitable to burn a disc.

I can in a way understand Corels removal of Bluray being a licencing issue, but don’t understand why Mpeg 2 is not available, after all most / all free video converters are capable of creating Mpeg2.

Graham, yes we have digressed a little and the original problem being the stutter, But Doug also wishes to burn a DVD which he cannot do with the trial version.

[Doug6836]

Hi Lata, Ken and anyone else who might be able to help:

I didn't realize you guys were in New Zealand and the UK! That explains the strange post times. I'm in California.

I just noticed you responded to my last post. I see that Lata is going to try the trial version. That will be interesting. I wonder if some of the problems I have are related to me using the trial version? As BrianCee says below, that doesn't make much sense.

I wrote these questions before I read your most recent reply but I think all the questions still apply.

1.

What we make is also limited, but Mpeg4 and DVD Mpeg2 are available.

At the top of the Project Prosperities window is the Project Format as Dv/Avi

There is a drop down arrow to the right which should give DVD (mpeg) option

I've tried the dropdown menu and the only format that's available is DV/AVI. I'm not sure why Project Format would be so disabled? In doing some research I came across this post from the Site Admin:

The trial version of VideoStudio X5 is fully functional 100% complete with no limitations at all - in fact it is even more complete that previous trial versions in that it comes complete with all the bonus content that you had to wait to download after you purchased before. Nothing has been disabled - what would be the point of that - how could you evaluate a product if you couldn't use it all.

If that's still true with X8 then how do I set the Project Format to "DVD MPEG"?

2.

How large are your images in Pixels (Width and Height) at least as large as the frame size, if you are intending to apply pan and zoom then double the Frame Size (Project Size).

Is Project Size the same as Frame Size? If so, project size (frame size) is 720 x 480? If Pixel Size is the same as resolution then here's a screenshot of the Pixel Sizes (Width and Height). Do I need to double the frame size (project size)?

Here's a screenshot of some of the photo resolutions in the project. I'm assuming that "Resolution" and "Pixels (width and Height)" are the same thing. The screen shot below is under the category of "Resolution" in "List View" in VS.

Photo Resolutions

Is there a problem with the pixel sizes?

After I apply pan and zoom -- how do I double the frame size?

3. Your suggested settings:

MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Frame-based
(DVD-NTSC), 16:9
Video data rate: 8000 kbps
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

Here is a screenshot of My profile/properties screen. It was taken after selecting "same as project settings" under the "Share" tab.

Profile Properties under Share Tab after "same as project properties" selected

Share Profile Properties Same as Project under Share.PNG (8.31 KiB) Viewed 6473 times

My understanding is that the Profile should be MPEG (720 x 480, 16:9, 60i)? As mentioned, there's no way I can find a way to select MPEG files. I did select "MPEG Compression" BUT I'm not sure that's correct? The profile stays at DV because that's the only selection available in Project Properties.

Was selecting "MPEG COMPRESSION" correct? What about the other Profile Properties?

Also, under project properties I select DV (720 x 480, 16:9, 60i) because that and DV (720 x 480, 4:3, 60i) is all that's available! When I make the other changes (frame-based, MPEG compression and 8000 data rate) the 16:9 is lost. It returns to 4:3.

Do you know why?

Thanks for your help. I appreciate your time! Maybe if Lata uses the trial version of X8 some questions will be answered. I still can't imagine why the trial version would be so crippled -- IF that's the cause of some of my problems?

I look forward to your response.

Doug
​

[lata]

from the UK

Hi Doug

Apologies for the confusion regarding the trial version.
There is no Mpeg or DVD format options, you will not be able to burn a disc .

The project properties can only use Dv-Avi with a few compression options.
The properties are now less important given that Mpeg is not available.
I would use DV Video Encoder -- type 2
After viewing the sizes of your images I would try 4:3 ratio.

Microsoft AVI files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 4:3, 29.97 fps
Lower Field First – (I would edit to use Frame-based for slide shows.)
DV Video Encoder -- type 2
Interleave audio for every 15 frames
PCM, 48.000 kHz, 16 Bit, Stereo


Frame size 16:9 or 4:3
You mentioned not seeing any difference in size, the preview screen background frame is in Black as is the unused portions of the screen,
if you change the background colour to another colour you will see the actual frame. Go to Preferences (F6)
Change back to black before rendering the project.

Your Images
Most are on the small size regarding the resolution.
If you are intending to create a High Definition video then the image resolution should be 1920 x ***** to retain the quality
For Standard Definition 1024 pixels

Many of your images are less than these settings, playback on a large screen / tv will show as soft focus.
I had expected Jpeg images but some are clearly PNG, they should be good quality
Pan and Zoom
Zooming into images reduces the quality and as your image resolution is low the effect would be quite noticeable.

I would first create a slide show without Pan & Zoom to see the quality.

Render the project – Share choose Same as Project Settings at the top of the panel.

Remember to change the background to Black, unless you want a coloured border.

There are other options to render to, Mpeg4 may be the best but I am having problems with the program crashing when trying Mpeg4 using 4:3

If you were to choose a format that your TV system supports, you could play the video via the tv’s usb port.

[Doug6836]

Hi Guys:

Thanks for the response. I hope the weather in the UK and New Zealand is good.

Since this is a memorial slideshow, it's very important to me to make this the best slide show possible. I have no problem buying V8.

I was using the trial version to see whether purchasing it would be a good decision. If I buy Pro 8 can I save what I've done in the trial version and transfer it to the purchased edition? Will I be able to change the project I've created in the trial version to an DVD MPEG 2 format?

Will using a DVD MPEG 2 format create a better quality slideshow?

Your Images
Most are on the small size regarding the resolution.
If you are intending to create a High Definition video then the image resolution should be 1920 x ***** to retain the quality
For Standard Definition 1024 pixels

I can change the resolution for each photo to 1920 x 1080 [with Irfanview (IV) (below)] -- if you think that will increase the quality of the slideshow. If the original resolution is around
900 x 800 will increasing the resolution to 1929 x 1080 significantly improve the quality?

If so I'm willing to start all over again with the same photos but with increased resolution via IV.

Pan and Zoom
Zooming into images reduces the quality and as your image resolution is low the effect would be quite noticeable.

This is bad news. That's why I'm wondering if using the edit program to increase the resolution will prevent the reduced quality in Pan and Zoom? Here's the resize/edit window in IV. I would select 1920 x 1080.

Resize/resample window

The only other question I have involves photo sizes. Most of the photos in the project need to be enlarged. It seems like the larger the "attribute file size" in V8 the smaller the photo. I've gone into IV and changed the size by increasing the pixel size or by increasing the setting the new size as a % of the original (see above)

The photo does increase in size in the view screen. I then save the photos to my pictures folder. I then import those photos into V8. The problem is when I put them in the slideshow the photo is back to the original small size.

How can I increase the size of the photo so they stay enlarged in the V8 slideshow?

The PNG files you referred to are photos I snipped (copied and saved) in the large size (after increasing the size in IV). I then imported the large snipped photo into V8. They remain large -- But Pan and Scan is unavailable (greyed out) with PNG files.

How do I enlarge the photos with an edit program then save to a folder and then import to V8 so the enlarged photo will display in the V8 slideshow in the larger size?

You guys have been a big help. Thanks for your responses! I don't know how beginners figure this out without help!

Doug


​

[skier-hughes]

Enlarging the picture either in irfanview or VS will not make it better, just worse.
You are better off trying both methods and seeing what works best for you. I'd have though the image editor, Irfanview, would probably do a slightly better job.
Make your pictures 16:9 in dimension when saving, so crop down.
To get a better picture you would need to try to get your pictures back in a different way, if you scanned them, scan them at a much higher resolution.

With your pictures, you only have so many pixels, by expanding them it won't look as good. This is the same as zooming in using VS.

DVD's have to be made in mpeg2, you have no option, it is the dvd standard.