Why is exporting 4K video in VideoSrudio 2020 so hard and difficult?

[steve13]

I'm trying to render 4k video project from files (from drone and DJI osmo acttion camera - files in 4K 29,97FPS, MP4)
It is almost impossible to set the rendering to the same values as the input file.
Project properties are set at the begining as the same properties as the input files, but when trying to render 4k final file I get lots of problems. I cant find settings like the input files. There are limited 4K output settings to choose but with different FPS values, what results in not smooth playback. When I want to change settings manually - the option for user defined settings is unavailable
I also can't change default audio codec for the output file what results in no sound at all.
The other problem is that Videostudio 2020 doesnt render projects containing transitions in Windows 8.1. I have installed temporarily Win10 and then it works. But I have licence only for Win8.
What do I do wrong? Why this video editing software is so problematic?

[lata]

Hi Steve and welcome to the forums
You indicate setting the project properties to match the video file.
From Share – top left – a little greyed out is an option to use Same as Project Settings
Tick the box to activate these options, the down arrow will / should give an option for Same as First Video Clip, that is assuming your 4K is the first video clip
Both of these options should use the original video properties although i prefer the latter.

Sorry cannot help with windows 8, never had that installed

[steve13]

I think my VideoStudio software doesn't work properly. There are a lot of options which are inactive. I can't manually set the resolution, bitrate or FPS. I cant group files in the project,
And the option for export "Same as project settings" does not set properties same as first video file loaded to the project.
My input files are 4K, 29,97FPS, 100Mb/s, and the best output export file I was able to get was 30Mb/s. Moreover, if I change properties of the project I am no longer able to restore previous settings. There is no way to set 4k resolution again. All exporting profiles which are available to choose are poor quality.
What is wrong with this software? Or maybe I need to install some additional patches, codecs (?something else?)

[lata]

Very strange, I had thought I had replied here yesterday, don’t know where that post went.

The program provides preset profiles for our videos these have a many attributes, Frame size, Frame Rates, Frame types, Data Rates etc
The profiles can be modified by us or indeed crate new profiles however the settings are restrained to the industries standards and what Corel perceives those to be.

The data rate of your video appear to be 100Mbps, unfortunately the program uses a max of 65Mbps.
However the Show Messages that appear when “inserting the first video to the timeline” will copy the properties to match the project settings.
If we now try to modify those settings they will revert and not show 100Mbps, on the good side doing Share – “Same as First Clip” NOT “Same as Project Settings” should render the project using the original settings including 100Mbps.

When you do Share –
1 / Choose Same as First Video Clip should use 100mbps
2 / If quality is still poor – Deselect Smart Render
3 / still poor Disable Smart Proxy – has been know to affect quality for some video types

I believe other Drone users have also posted regarding poor quality and difficulty editing, I don’t know if the video codec is different to other MP4 video, manufacturers do tweak their codecs from time to time.
I do agree though that Corel should fully support 100mbps video, I can only urge you to contact Corel to ask why?

As for Grouping clips, I know this has its limitations, clips have to be on the same timeline to be grouped, but not used the option so I cannot really comment further.

Summing up- always use Same As First Video Clip when rendering

[steve13]

Thank you for your answers.
There is no option like "Same as First Video Clip"
I have only option "same as project settings" which is determined at the begining when I put my first video. Although the video has 100Mbps, the project settings are 30Mbps.
When trying to set custom project settings (like shown in attached file) there is NO option to choose any 4K format. Only extremely poor quality formats are available.
I am really disappointed with VS 2020. The quality of processed files is like in attached file - only big squares visible in dynamic scenes. If i can't solve this problem i will migrate to Shotcut or other free video editing software, although editing in VS is easier.

[lata]

When you choose Same as Project Settings there is a small down arrow to the right (a black triangle) selecting that should give the option for Same as First Video Clip.
If your video is suitable then the option will be available otherwise greyed out

That should use the video files properties to render the project, view the details in the properties panel

[steve13]

No, there is nothing else to choose, only "Same as Project Settings".
I think the program I use is corrupt.
Now the best part:
I just downloaded pirated version of VS2020. It works fine. All options you mentioned are available.
There is no problem to set custom output settings to 4k 29.97FPS 65Mbps, or use settings from first video file (100Mbps)
But it is pirate copy. Original licenced one doesn't work properly. I wonder why...

[lata]

Very strange

I would uninstall video studio 2020, in doing so chose to remove personal data / settings.
Check that the installation folder C:Program Files / Corel / Video Studio 2020 has been removed.
That folder should have been removed when uninstalling, but you never know.

Run the installer.exe again to download the entire program
Chosing the Custom option will allow you to select a new empty download folder.
You should now be able to install the latest version of the program using the new files.