Loss of quality when converting to MPEG-2

[vlingres]

I capture my video from a DV camcorder through a firewire cable. I try to produce a DVD-video (so in MPEG-2 format). I am quite disappointed by the quality of the result.

I have read that when converting from AVI file to MPEG-2, the throughput (number of kilobits per second) can be an important factor : increasing it can improve the quality. I only use the default parameters of VideoStudio 7. Does anybody know how to modify this parameter in VS7 ?

Otherwise, is it really possible to save the same quality when converting from DV to DVD-Video, or yhe loss of quality it unavoidable due to the compression process ?

[jchunter]

Never use Video Studio's default properties because they may not be valid for your situation. Instead, follow the procedure that is described in the top sticky post here: http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic. ... 6f0fd5d771

If you control the properties manually, properly, you will not be able to see much (if any) difference between DV and Mpeg2 video quality at a video bitrate of 8000 Kbps.

You change from DV to Mpeg2 using SHARE/Create Video File, as described in the procedure.

You burn the DVD using SHARE/Create Disk and properties must be set to match those of the video file.
John

[vlingres]

Thanks. I try to follow the procedure and get a certain number of problems :

1. Translation problem in the french version : instead of the field order properties "lower field first" or "higher field first" (capture properties), I only have "ordre de champ A" and "ordre de champ B" (which means field A or B). Does anyone have an idea of the correspondence between "fields A or B" and "lower or higher" ?

2. I want to set a high video bitrate (variable, 8 mbps) at the capture properties level, but I can't find the menu where I can do that ?

3. I can't find the file UVS.INI where I can enable the "drop frame counter". I am in version 7.

PS : I am trying to capture from a DV camcorder. My goal is to produce a DVD-Video with the best quality as possible. I capture in AVI file because my PC is not poweful enough (only 1.7 Ghz).

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi
Field order

lower field = field 'A'
upper field = field 'B'

VS 7 advanced settings thanks to Jerry Jones:-
Date: Thursday, April 08, 2004 12:13 PM

One can activate ADVANCED MPEG encoding options in Ulead VIDEOSTUDIO 7.0.

1. I clicked MY COMPUTER;

2. I clicked my C: drive;

3. I clicked the DOCUMENTS & SETTINGS folder;

4. I clicked the ALL USERS folder;

5. I clicked TOOLS > FOLDER OPTIONS and then clicked the VIEW tab to make sure Windows would show HIDDEN FILES AND FOLDERS;

6. I clicked the APPLICATION DATA folder;

7. I clicked the ULEAD SYSTEMS folder;

8. I clicked the ULEAD VIDEOSTUDIO folder;

9. I clicked the 7.0 folder;

10. I clicked the UVS i-n-i file and then typed ADVANCE=1 under the [VIODRIVER] heading;

11. I saved the i-n-i file;

12. Then I closed Ulead VIDEOSTUDIO 7.0 and re-opened the program.

Now when I enter the project settings, I see a new ADVANCE button under the COMPRESSION tab.

In addition, I see an option to choose 16:9 aspect ratio in the MPEG CAPTURE SETTINGS during capture when the ULEAD DSW MPEG CAPTURE PLUG-IN is selected in connection with an OHCI compliant IEEE 1394 (FIREWIRE) PCI card during capture.
Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

Drop Frame Counter

How do I make VideoStudio 7 show the drop-frame counter again?

Locate HerCap.ini file in the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Ulead Systems\Ulead VideoStudio\7.0

Open HerCap.ini file and add "ShowFrameNumber=1" below [CAPTURE_SETTING] section. [CAPTURE_SETTING]
ShowFrameNumber=1

Close and Save the ini file.
Launch VideoStudio 7 and go to the Capture stage, you will see the drop frame counter.

Note: The 1024x768 display area will make the drop-frame counter not show up very well on the Option Panel; however, you still can see it. The drop-frame counter will be completely shown when the display area is changed to 1280x1024.

Trevor