vsp file on timeline videstudio pro x6

[Orlando]

Good morning:
I am editing a vsp file in Videostudio pro x6. I wish to add at the end of it another vsp file saved in an external disk. Can that be done so I can join the two into one having them on the screen with all bars visible (text, music, speech) to continue working on the new joined form as one single file?

[Orlando]

I am Orlando. I just want to add to my query that the idea is to be able to continue editing a number of vsp files in their raw vsp form that I have saved which are a part of the same job on the same timeline and that I have to unite together into one single product without having to render them before into MP4 files which I would have to put on the timeline and re-render again into one. Thanks in advance for any suggestion.

[MrJohnny]

Hi

What you ask is usually referred to as nesting. It can be, or at least was, supported in VideoStudio.
The term nest/nesting is not listed in the X10 pdf manual, so I now wonder. Anyway, search this board for posts referring to "nesting".
Exporting to an intermediate file format, then re-importing and appending that to the timeline is my preferred option.

John

[Ken Berry]

I don't nest. But IIRC the more recent versions of VS have less problems with nesting than older versions -- and I have the suspicion that X6 might have been one of the older versions where you might be able to nest, but with difficulty editing the individual vsps...

Unfortunately, a couple of our European experts in the field of nesting are having trouble at the moment accessing the forum. Corel will be trying to restore their access, and when that happens hopefully someone with more recent experience will be able to provide more solid advice.

[asik1]

I think that since X8 one could import a VSP as one clip or full tracks view with the shift key
But I don't recall what was the default before and I don't have X7 here yet.

[lata]

Hi

Cvsx6 does support some nesting features but limited in what it can do.

First create a new library page and import your VSP’s to the library.
Please note VSP’s already nested cannot be added to the library.

Dragging the VSP from the library to the timeline will show the VSP as a single clip.
For latest versions (CVSX10) it is possible to add a vsp in its expanded mode allowing us to view all clips.

Take care…if you open a vsp already added to the library, then add another vsp you have effectively nested a file already in the library and as my note above is not allowed, this may cause the program to fail or show errors.


Things have improved, to be able to nest a vsp and view the entire content you have to update to CVSX10, although a workround does come to mind

By creating an Instant Project package of our VSP’s would allow us to add that IP to the timeline within any project and see the entire content.
I know this does work but not tested with large projects.

[Orlando]

Thank you, Mr. Johnny, Kenn, Asik1and lata.

On Mr. Johnny's message, when you say export to an intermediate file I suppose that can be an mp4 format? If affirmative the next question would be: when rendering the original vsp into an mp4 format is there a loss of quality of the image? And, once you reimport that mp4 and add it to other mp4s on the timeline and re-render the whole string of mp4s on the timeline to convert them into one single mp4 file is there a further loss of quality?

I will apply the knowledge provided and see what happens. My product is my own 90-minute fiction film (my birth into digital. I have had plenty of experience with the audio tapes, labs and celluloid film of previous days,with a cutter or scissors and adhesives or adhesive tape, but I started off from zero with this old version of vs pro x6 because of the low price, given that I don't have any sponsors or financing. It's doing to my satisfaction what I need thus far and obviously would upgrade whenever I can. I am in Costa Rica, where things are more expensive). Thank you again and my homage to Memorial Day.

[MrJohnny]

Hi Orlando

Your second post was not there when I composed/sent my reply – strange?

Like Ken, I do not nest, hence my suggestion of an intermediate file.

You asked questions based on a concern with potential loss of quality. Agreed, there is potential for re-rendered MP4 files to suffer degradation, but knowing that you can take steps to avoid/minimise quality issues.
1 If you leave each section you currently have as an individual vsp, then export to an MP4, does it make a big difference? If changes have to be made, just open the appropriate vsp and make changes/re-export.
2 When satisfied with each individual vsp/exported MP4 file, concatenate the MP4 coded files, using VideoStudio. To assist in identifying the appropriate vsp for any (unlikely) changes, insert a temporary title identifying the suitably named vsp. Just in case.
4 If the change from one vsp/exported MP4 file to another is made with foresight and imagination, all should be well. A Dip to Black transition has helped in a number of similar situations. Remember to remove the temporary titles before the final Smart Render to the final file. The only sections that will potentially suffer quality loss are those being re-rendered, that is where the appropriate choice of transition fading out/in helps.

In the old cinema days using reel to reel films, film makers had to have discreet signals etched into the near end of a reel to let the projectionist know when to change reels so the audience were unaffected.

You may find persevering with nesting easier – give it a go.

John

[Orlando]

Thank you, John. I have gradually transferred each vsp for each scene or sequence to mp4 with the highest resolution that vsp pro6 allows, but have all the original vsps stached away safely. If I have to change things I do it on the originals and make a new mp4 to replace the previous one. I have not noticed any appreciable degradation either doing the first rendering from vsp or from uniting mp4s by placing them on the timeline to unite them together. When I project this final product it looks as good as the original takes on the camera and in some instances when projected on a quite large home screen they even look better. The reason I asked those questions was that some "sort-of" producers, professionals, have created a lot of apprehension in me about degeneration by transfer and since I didn't have any previous experience I got doubly apprehensive. I now know a bit more. Plus my film is labeled as "he doesn't have any experience in this" meaning me said by a narrator, and the film's being experimental and homemade. Thanks a lot. Regards.

[lata]

Hi

Converting your projects to a new video file would be my first recommendation.
I remember one of the forum members doing a test on loss of quality when rendering our videos, There was no noticeable difference in the first render, it was the 4th generation that showed a problem.
So rendering once or twice, I doubt you will see any problems in quality.

The Nesting option using X6 does not show all clips, just a single clip, that makes it difficult to edit those clips, best to revert to the original vsp as you are aware.

Unless of course you choose to create an “instant project” of your VPS’s, then we can add to the timelines, showing all clips, possibly the work involved outweighs the render to new video file.

By the way the batch convert option allows us to add VSP project files, so we can render a few/all in one go, creates a new video for each file added.

[Orlando]

Thanks, Trevor. All the above suggestions encourage me to go ahead without fear. I am doing at the most two steps: vsp to mp4 1920x1080 and then my mp4s to the timeline to join them together; that's it, and I haven't noticed any visible loss of quality either. I much appreciate your help you all. Orlando.