Project Settings

[hEdly]

Hello,
Been using VideoStudio since x6. I now have x9. I haven't updated to the latest pack (for some reason it won't upgrate), but that's a question for another time. I did look around for my answer, but can't seem to find it. The user's guide also doesn't shed the light on this.

Today after I completed rendering a project, I noticed in the upper right corner that it was a 720x480. For the next one I changed it to 1920x1080. The rendering time was considerably slower, but the content was about the same.

We have a Canon camcorder that records to AVHCD. I usually render them to Blu-ray format for no other reason than how it shows up in our home media system (with the blu-ray and DVD movies we've purchased and ripped to our server).

While creating the project, I also add in videos taken by cell phones (androids and iPhones) and our Canon SX50 HS.

So for the first project (set to 720x480), it took a little over an hour to render the 59 minute movie, resulting in a 6.67GB file.
- the resulting frame size was 1920x1080
- audio bitrate was 256kbps @48hz
For the second project (that I set to 1920x1080), it took maybe 2 hours to render the 1hr 18 minute movie, resulting in a 18.1GB file
- the resulting frame size was 1920x1080
- audio bitrate was 384kbps @48hz

[I'm not supplying computer specs/OS, etc. since I don't think it's relevant to my question]

So my question is...I don't understand the difference. I can see that the audio is different. But if the project was set to 720x480 (DV quality, I assume is the default) why didn't it end up being that resolution?

These are home movies, so quality doesn't have to be crazy good. But I have the space for the higher-def movie and I'll likely use the Blu-ray project type from now on.

So, help me understand what the 'project' type does and why the first project that was incorrectly set to lower quality didn't end up at that resolution. If there isn't a huge hit to quality I may just stick to that type of project to quicken rendering.

Thanks for your time

hEdly

[lata]

Hi

It is recommended that your project settings match your video files properties, this is important so the timelines show the correct frame size, but more importantly the correct frame rate.

Video Studio has an option via preferences (F6) to “Show messages when inserting first video.”
For X10 this option is selected, earlier versions needs us to tick the box.

Your Canon camcorder records Avchd, I assume these to be Bluray compliant.
Setting your project properties to match those video properties is the best you can do.

When you do Share you can use Same as Project Properties or Same as First Clip. That should use your video files properties to render your project, otherwise create a new template using your video files properties.

Rendering using the same properties should improve render times as Smart Render will be more effective.

For me a 1 hour AVCHD video file is approx. 7GB

Right click your video file and choose properties, what are they?
Your project properties should be the same
Rendering should also use the same settings.

[hEdly]

Lata,
Thanks for the quick reply.

I do, indeed, have the 'Show messages..." checked. When I first brought in the videos (I have them in a temporary folder and then click/drag them into the video track area) I get a dialog box asking if I want to use smart render or something. I've read that there have been some issues with that so I choose not to use it. On my old computer (~5 year old dual core AMD w/4GB ram) it would hang. I suspect my new computer (i7, 16GB ram) would process it a bit faster.

I don't see the option to use the 'Same as Project Properties' or 'Same as First clip' anywhere.

the first clip is from the camcorder. Here's the properties.
Format: NTSC HDMV
Video Type: H.264, Upper field first
attributes: 24 bits, 1980x1080
Frame rate: 29.970
Data rate: variable (max 1600 kbps

Audio type: dolby digital audio
Attributes: 48000 Hz
Layer: none
Bit rate: 256 kbps

Guess I'll likely use the Blu-Ray property with the matching frame size.

R/hEdly

[lata]

Hi

Those video properties appear to me to be Blue ray compliant, I use a Panasonic camcorder records similar properties, although Pal not NTSC.

I would suggest that you always match the properties to your project.

When you go to share there is an option at the top, (greyed out)
Immediately below the words “ Create a Video that you can Play…..”

Place a tick in the box to make those options available, the down arrow will show the Same as clip option.
Once selected you can view the render settings in the properties panel below, and should be same as your video.

Rendering to those settings will create a Blue Ray compliant video file, now you can use that new video to burn a BD disc.

[hEdly]

Lata,
Thanks again. I found that option.

I'll keep moving forward getting to the backlog I have.

v/r,

hEdly