newbie: video file conversion and editing software conflicts

[delta]

Hi

I would like to know how well MF4 does file conversion. A friend wanted me to edit a WMV file, but pinnacle couldn't convert. Someone at the local software store recommended this product. Can someone provide input on this?

Also, would installing this product and having Nero and Pinnacle on the cpu cause a problem? Is it best to shut down antivirus software when installing MF4? Other software programs require this.

Thanks
delta

[htchien]

I would like to know how well MF4 does file conversion. A friend wanted me to edit a WMV file, but pinnacle couldn't convert. Someone at the local software store recommended this product. Can someone provide input on this?

For Windows Media files, if those files are not protected when the author creates them then it should be OK to let MF4 does the conversion.

Also, would installing this product and having Nero and Pinnacle on the cpu cause a problem? Is it best to shut down antivirus software when installing MF4? Other software programs require this

When you install Nero, just select not to install the InCD component because Nero InCD will conflict with many burning softwares.

For Pinnacle, I have no experiences with it so I cannot advice. Maybe others can.

Hope this helps.

H.T.

[delta]

Thanks for the info HT. I tried using MF4 to edit the wmv file. I performed a multi clip and then saved it. It seemed fine when I reviewed it in MF, but not when I opened the file. It was jerky and the audio was off. I saved it in many differnt formats and no go. Some of the files are huge.

I have been reading through the manual and online info, but can't seem to figure it out. I want to put this clip on a site by tomorrow. Any ideas would be most appreciated.

delta

[htchien]

If you are using the trial version of DVDMF, there is a bug in the trial version for this issue (can view in DVDMF OK but has no sound in Windows Media Player).

If you are using the full or ESD version of DVDMF, you can find the fix in http://www.ulead.com/tech/dmf/dmf.htm

The fix is not for trial version.

Hope this helps.

H.T.

[delta]

Bought the full version.I will check out the link What bit rate to you find best? I need high quality but need to have all clients be able to access.

Check out ... http://www.getvoices.net and click on "see Joey". It's a bit jerky and slow on dialup and want to make sure people don't get anxious waiting for the clip to load. Any suggestions would be most appreciated:o)

delta

[htchien]

For WMV bit rate, it would depend on your request. If you wish someone who uses low bandwidth network to see the video properly, then you need to generate the video in lower bitrate. If all you need is quality, then you need higher bitrate.

When the client is using Windows Media Player to see the video, WMP will download the video to its buffer first so everyone can see it in a reasonable speed. But if your video bitrate is too high, it will pause the playing for a while for downloading the buffer and then play again, which is not smooth.

I think you can prepare different video files for different bandwidth users so they can see video in a reasonable speed and quality. You can try different bitrates to see which bitrate is suitable for the site users. And, let users decide which quality they want to see.

For the jerky issue, maybe you can try to generate the Windows Media file in 2 pass mode. 2 pass mode will check your video file and then try to generate the WMV file in better quality so it will take longer to generate the file. But remember, all video files will get quality degraded if you convert them or re-encode them no matter you use 1 pass or 2 pass mode (it would be the same if you generate the video in other file formats) So, make sure your source video quality is good.

And, try to use CBR (Constant Bit Rate) profile for your video. CBR video will have better quality than VBR (Variable Bit Rate), but CBR video will be a little larger than VBR video in size.

To use the 2 pass mode for WMV in DVDMF, you can:

1. Select the video you wish to export and clicks on Export selected clips in DVDMF, and then select Customize.

2. Switch the format to WMV and then clicks on Options.

3. Choose a proper profile in the Profile tab.

4. Check Apply preprocessing if possible.

5. Clicks on OK and export the WMV clip.

BTW, to edit video I think you should use a video editor like Ulead VideoStudio, not a DVD authoring program like DVDMF. DVDMF only can do some simple video editing.

Hope this helps.

H.T.