VideoStudio2018 and 10-bit 4:2:2 video files

[pvreditor]

I know that 10-bit 4:2:2 video from the Panasonic GH5 camera and its interoperablity with VideoStudio has been discussed some. It just so happens that I got a GH5 and am now intensely interested in editing the camera's 10-bit 4:2:2 files. More about that in a moment.

The GH5 also makes 8-bit 4:2:0 files that usually edit no problem in VideoStudio... except for me. As I've mentioned in previous posts, there's something about Panasonic's camera files, the firmware on my HP computer and VideoStudio that causes constant crashing when I edit Panasonic camera files. It doesn't matter if the video is HD or 4K -- if it comes from a Panasonic camera, it crashes. I don't specifically blame VideoStudio (I'm using VS 9.5) or Panasonic or HP, but the combination of the three is deadly.

So I switched to Blackmagic's DaVinci Resolve (the free version) and have been getting reasonably adept at v. 14.2 of Resolve. It's been very stable with my Panasonic camera files, and I'm using the same HP computer that VideoStudio crashes on.

And now the Panasonic GH5. I first tried the camera's 10-bit 4:2:2 files in VideoStudio and the software did not recognize them. So my question is: Will VS2018 allow me to edit Panasonic GH5 10-bit 4:2:2 files? Let me know if you'd like to test it, and I will upload a file to WeTransfer. (FWIW, my PC won't play the files, either. I've been told that a decoder for 10-bit 4:2:2 files costs money, and Microsoft doesn't want to just license it for every version of Windows out there, since almost no Windows users have the need to view 10-bit 4:2:2 video files.)

The GH5 also makes nice looking 8-bit 4:2:0 video, and I was hopeful that VideoStudio would be happy with files from this new camera. However, it's a no-go... video files from the Panasonic GH5 cause VideoStudio to crash just like video files from every other Panasonic camera I've tried. Frustrating. Back to Blackmagic's DaVinci Resolve.

Of course, the problem there is that the free version of Resolve can't handle the 10-bit 4:2:2 video either -- you have to pay $300 for the full version of Resolve to get 10-bit 4:2:2 functionality.

So if 10-bit 4:2:2 files will work on VS2018, I will upgrade to VS2018. But if they don't work on VS2018, I'm probably lost to VideoStudio for good. Too bad, because I like VideoStudio and was reasonably skilled at it.

So.... does anyone know with confidence that the Panasonic GH5's 10-bit 4:2:2 video files (especially 4K) will work on VS2018?

Thanks!

Bob Kovacs

[Davidk]

Interesting, but I think you need to look further than just the brand of camera. You said in part that

However, it's a no-go... video files from the Panasonic GH5 cause VideoStudio to crash just like video files from every other Panasonic camera I've tried.

I'm using a Panasonic camera, a V770 HD unit which is the 2nd Panasonic camera I've had, (the 1st was a GS215 which died of internal tape entanglement) and I have never had any issues with video files from either one being read by, edited by and rendered by Video Studio in versions extending back as far as UL11.

[pvreditor]

Interesting, but I think you need to look further than just the brand of camera. You said in part that

However, it's a no-go... video files from the Panasonic GH5 cause VideoStudio to crash just like video files from every other Panasonic camera I've tried.

I'm using a Panasonic camera, a V770 HD unit which is the 2nd Panasonic camera I've had, (the 1st was a GS215 which died of internal tape entanglement) and I have never had any issues with video files from either one being read by, edited by and rendered by Video Studio in versions extending back as far as UL11.

Yes, it's not really the Panasonic camera files, and it's not really VideoStudio. It's a combination of the Panasonic camera files, VideoStudio and the firmware in my HP computer. Very frustrating.

Files from Canon and Sony cameras and my Motorola cell phone work fine. If I transcode the Panasonic files in some other software (or even in VideoStudio if it works for more than a minute), there is no crashing. It's just the unholy combination of the three that simply doesn't work for me.

Bob Kovacs

[aljimenez]

Don't own a GH5, but have a sample 10bit 4:2:2 150Mbps 4096x2160 24fps that VS2018 handles fine; I placed it on the timeline, and it plays. BTW, VLC crashes with this file, Windows Media Player plays only the audio, SMPlayer plays only the audio, so VS2018 is pretty impressive.

I have a GH4, and its 4K files have been handled by VS for quite a few versions. I also have a GX85 and its 4K files are handled very well. This has nothing to do with Panasonic files. Perhaps your VS installation is corrupt?

You can buy VS2018, try it, and if it does not work, get a refund.

[asik1]

I wonder Bob what type of videos you do that you need 10b4.2.2 ? any heavy compositing ? any Jumbotron screening?

[TonyP]

Another Panasonic UHD 4K camera user too. Never ever an issue with editing the files on the timeline and exporting to HEVC.

[pvreditor]

All I can say is that I had VS8 on this computer and it crashed all the time with Panasonic files (only Panasonic files). So I updated to VS9 (and eventually 9.5) with no change. As soon as I start any sort of edit or even playback activity within VideoStudio, it crashes. Only with Panasonic video files. If I drag a file into the timeline and quickly render it using the "same as original file" feature, I can work with that file without crashing. Very frustrating. It has something to do with the firmware in my HP computer, I believe -- something about the combination computer's firmware, VideoStudio and Panasonic video files. I will never get another HP computer, but this one is too new and too powerful to simply discard.

Bob

[pvreditor]

Don't own a GH5, but have a sample 10bit 4:2:2 150Mbps 4096x2160 24fps that VS2018 handles fine; I placed it on the timeline, and it plays. BTW, VLC crashes with this file, Windows Media Player plays only the audio, SMPlayer plays only the audio, so VS2018 is pretty impressive.

I have a GH4, and its 4K files have been handled by VS for quite a few versions. I also have a GX85 and its 4K files are handled very well. This has nothing to do with Panasonic files. Perhaps your VS installation is corrupt?

You can buy VS2018, try it, and if it does not work, get a refund.

Thank you for that... you are the first person that I've seen who said that you get a 10-bit 4:2:2 file to work in VS2018. Excellent!

Yes, I have two other 4K Panasonic cameras (GX8 and ZS100) and they both make nice video. And VideoStudio on my HP computer crashes with files from both of them. I have an older GH3 that makes lovely HD video -- and VideoStudio on this HP computer crashes constantly with those files, too. However, I edited an entire 15-minute short film that had Sony files -- no crashes. I've tested Canon files, too, and those are fine as well.

FWIW, I have an older, slower Dell computer with VS8.5, and it works with Panasonic video files no problem. It's just s-l-o-w working with 4K video (which is pretty much all I do).

I am apparently being punished because I like Panasonic cameras and own an HP computer.

Bob

[TonyP]

How can you say your being punished for having Panasonic cameras when myself and others have posted no problems with them?

[Ken Berry]

I'm thinking back quite a few years when H264/AVCHD was brand new. At the time a couple of the big camera companies (Panasonic and Sony) were playing around with their own tweaks of the codec. IIRC the Panasonic ones caused problems for quite a few users, though the solution was fairly simple -- you had to install the software which came with the camera. You didn't have to use it, just install it, and the correct version of the codec for the camera was thus available to Video Studio.

I'm wondering if the same thing is occurring again here -- but I don't know if the G5 or other cameras come with a disc of other software?

[TonyP]

Possibly. But I didn't install any software for the G7 or FZ300. Both shoot UHD 4K MP4 at 24/25fps.

[pvreditor]

I'm thinking back quite a few years when H264/AVCHD was brand new. At the time a couple of the big camera companies (Panasonic and Sony) were playing around with their own tweaks of the codec. IIRC the Panasonic ones caused problems for quite a few users, though the solution was fairly simple -- you had to install the software which came with the camera. You didn't have to use it, just install it, and the correct version of the codec for the camera was thus available to Video Studio.

I'm wondering if the same thing is occurring again here -- but I don't know if the G5 or other cameras come with a disc of other software?

Interesting... I didn't think about that. I can certainly install the software that came with one of my Panasonic cameras. However, I can edit Panasonic video files all day on my Dell computer without crashes. It's only on the HP computer that Panasonic files (and only Panasonic files) crash. And only with VideoStudio -- they don't crash with Resolve.

FWIW, I shoot at 29.97 fps, and almost always 4K (3,840 x 2,160).

Thanks!

Bob

[Charlie Wilkes]

I'm thinking back quite a few years when H264/AVCHD was brand new. At the time a couple of the big camera companies (Panasonic and Sony) were playing around with their own tweaks of the codec. IIRC the Panasonic ones caused problems for quite a few users, though the solution was fairly simple -- you had to install the software which came with the camera. You didn't have to use it, just install it, and the correct version of the codec for the camera was thus available to Video Studio.

I'm wondering if the same thing is occurring again here -- but I don't know if the G5 or other cameras come with a disc of other software?

Interesting... I didn't think about that. I can certainly install the software that came with one of my Panasonic cameras. However, I can edit Panasonic video files all day on my Dell computer without crashes. It's only on the HP computer that Panasonic files (and only Panasonic files) crash. And only with VideoStudio -- they don't crash with Resolve.

FWIW, I shoot at 29.97 fps, and almost always 4K (3,840 x 2,160).

Thanks!

Bob

I agree with Ken. This sounds like a codec issue.

You might have to use an intermediate codec. I have had good luck with Cineform and VS, but I have never edited anything over 1080. I think the latest GoPro Studio package includes a version of Cineform that can encode 4k. So maybe you can use GoPro Studio to transcode your camera output to Cineform and then edit it in VS.

Your files will be gargantuan. But it might work.

[Phil]

I've got a Panasonic GH5 and have been using 4:2:0 AVCHD and MP4 files with no problems. I ensure proxies are made by VS2018 or else it'll crash once you add a filter or two that carries a bit of processing.

As far as the 4:2:2 files go, I put in a complaint to Corel as the product takes my 10 bit files, can edit them, but has no delivery option of the same - which makes a nonsense out of the product.

After a lengthy process of pointing this out, here is a copy of my last communication received from the support team:


Auz (Corel)
May 11, 08:16 EDT
Hello Phil,

Thank you for contacting Corel Technical Support.

I have it on authority that the issue is being looked at, however, we do not fix issues one at a time so to speak. For as long as I have been here, all the defects get placed in series updates. The next one for 2018 is due out sometime soon. If they keep up with the past updates, we should see one late June to mid July. Our development team will fix a series of reported problems and apply them to Service Packs which are released in a specific schedule.

I know there hasn't been any communication, but that is only because I don't have any other information to provide as I am in the dark as well. However, I am confident the problem is being addressed.

Regards,
Austin
Corel Customer Support Services
.

[Charlie Wilkes]

Again, VS can export 10-bit 4-2-2 with Cineform.