Which Output settings to use for an AVI-file?

[YoupDeBoer]

Hi all, I am new to Corel VS (Ultimate 2020).
I have probably a very simple question, but can't find the answer here on the forum or Google (can be due to my search skills of course ).

When I have an AVI-file as a result of digitalizing the DV-tape this has the following specs:

PAL (25 fps)
Microsoft AVI-bestanden
24 bits, 720 x 576, 16:9, 25 fps
Onderste veld eerst
Dv-video-encoder -- type 2
PCM, 48,000 kHz; 16 Bit; Stereo

When I have to choose which settings should be applied for the Output-file I don't know what to use:

1) Using the same settings as project/first frame is not useful as I don't like to get an AVI-file (would like to stream the content via PLEX) so MP4 is preferred
2) As I have read on the forum it's not useful to set the output settings to 4K or something, as this want improve the quality
3) Tried some different Output formats, but don't know what's the best setting to use as the output settings doesn't match the input values.
For instance the MPEG-2 (720x576) gives a much smaller output (not for a full screen).

Filesize etc. is not important for me as I have enough space.

I sincerally hope someone can help me with this question as this should be the easiest part of the whole editing process

[lata]

Hi
and welcome to the forums, this is what i would do.
1...start a new project
2...add one of your dv-avi files to the top timeline should prompt you to match the project settings to your video files settings, save the project
3... complete the editing
4...now render the project
Share – same as project settings or first clip will render the project to a new AVI file, think of this as the master avi copy
Using video studio to render / convert this AVI to your preferred mpeg 4 output
Share mpeg4 choosing the 1920 x 1080 option will create the mpeg4 HD video file

You could of course render the project direct to mpeg4
Personally I would create the avi first.

[YoupDeBoer]

Hi Trevor, thanks for your answer.

1) So just the 1920 x 1080, 15p, 25 Mbps will be a good choice than. Will try that one.

2) You suggest to create an AVI first, as a master AVI copy. Trying to follow why you would do that, but can't find the answer.

Kr. Youp

[canuck]

Converting from 720x576 to 1920x1080 will not necessarily give you better quality since rendering will "insert" new pixels to expand the dimensions.

[Ken Berry]

The thing to note with DV/AVI is that, unlike most modern formats, it uses "Onderste veld eerst" which I am assuming is Afrikaans for Lower Field First. Most formats these days, if they use a Field, use Upper Field First or may go for Progressive/Frame Based.

So if you follow Trevor's instructions and produce a new DV/AVI video, it will use Onderste veld eerst/Lower Field First. So when you convert it to mpeg-4, you should also use Onderste veld eerst or perhaps set it to Frame Based... If you leave the mpeg-4 in its default settings it will use Upper Field First, which may produce some strange appearances in your final video.

Just to explain something else. You say the mpeg-2 produces a much smaller size. That's because DV/AVI is enormous -- it runs at around 13 GB per hour of video. But it's excellent quality. Fully uncompressed AVI runs at over 60 GB per hour! Most other formats produce much smaller sizes.

[asik1]

YoupDeBoer, If you think 60GB/h is better than 13GB/h and they better than 1GB/h when viewed on your 75" screen ... I don't think so.
I will recommend WMV file, but if you want mp4 than I see no need to go above 3.5mb/s for these DV files.

(This is my 3000'th forum's 2c reply)

[tletter]

(This is my 3000'th forum's 2c reply)

Congrats! What prize did you get from VS? A used copy of VS2019?

tletter
https://www.youtube.com/user/tletter

[YoupDeBoer]

Converting from 720x576 to 1920x1080 will not necessarily give you better quality since rendering will "insert" new pixels to expand the dimensions.

Indeed, I mentioned it in point 2 in the topic start. I think upscaling is not recommended also because I play the files via a NVIDIA TV Shield Pro and this has a quite good upscaling feature build in.

@Ken Berry ; "Onderste veld eerst" is Dutch, but in South Africa they still make use of some Dutch words also. So good guess

But indeed, when I set the language to English I get "Lower Field First".

Microsoft AVI files
24 bits, 720 x 576, 4:3, 25 fps
Lower Field First
DV Video Encoder -- type 2
Interleave audio for every 15 frames
PCM, 48,000 kHz; 16 Bit; Stereo

When I set the export to Mpeg-4 it automatically uses Frame Based. I don't see a feature somewhere to change it if I would like to.

What I meant with the smaller size voor Mpeg-2 was not the size of the file but the size on my monitor. When I play the AVI via VLC I have a full screen. When I convert it to Mpeg-2 (720 x 576) than it's far from a full screen.
Also tried Mpeg-4 (1920 x 1280) which gives a full screen again.

YoupDeBoer, If you think 60GB/h is better than 13GB/h and they better than 1GB/h when viewed on your 75" screen ... I don't think so.
I will recommend WMV file, but if you want mp4 than I see no need to go above 3.5mb/s for these DV files.

You recommend WMV file instead of MP4. What's the reasoning behind this?
Will give it a try anyway to see if PLEX can handle WMV files.

[lata]

Hi
Rendering to dv-avi first was just a suggestion and the option I would use, your choice either way.
I can then play that avi using my media player to check quality before completing the video by either burning a disc or converting to another video format.
We also have the ability of transferring the Avi back to the mini-dv tape to save or archive the video.

Converting to another format, should be faster from the master copy than from the project files, you mentioned Mpeg4, apologies I forgot to mention the interlacing however you did show using 15P, I assume that to be a typo for 25P.
The P being progressive aka frame based as mentioned by Ken, thanks for that Ken.

You can of course choose other formats selecting the one that suites your needs.
Using a short avi sample you can render to various formats, wmv being mentioned by Asik.
You need to run a few tests for yourself to see which is best.

When I worked with dv-avi – a while ago now - I did convert to 1920 X 1080 with good results.
You can also try 1280 X 720 frame size