Cannot Split By Scene

tallarob · Post by **tallarob** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 11:11 pm

I received a new Plextor digital video convertor for Christmans so that I can convert all my old 8mm videos to digital. It comes with VideoStudio 8 SE. I succesfully converted my first tape, utilizing MPEG-4 compression. I then attempted to Split this video into scenes and I can't get it to work. It will run for 8-10 hours and still not complete the task. Once, I actually had the patience to wait until it completed and when I clicked on OK, it took all the individual scenes and went back to just a single scene. I have tried altering the sensitivity and this doesn't seem to help. I have also tried capturing the video in DivX, but it doesn't seem to work any better.
I'm suspicious that the problem is the MPEG-4, but have yet to try another format.
Any suggestions?

Post by **Ken Berry** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 1:37 am

The problem is certainly with the mpeg-4, I would think. VS8 could not handle it in any form, if I recall correctly. (DivX is just another flavour of mpeg-4.) And as far as I am aware, 'split by scene' is available during capture if you are capturing to DV format, and after capture if it is in mpeg-2 format.

What you should be doing is capturing in DV/AVI format if your Plextor will allow it, or else in DVD-compatible mpeg-2 format. If you capture in DV format, then you do all your editing in that, and then go to Share > Create Video File > NTSC or PAL DVD. And then when that new mpeg-2 file is prepared, you open the burning module (Share > Create Disc > DVD) and burn it, first making sure you check the 'Do not convert compliant mpeg files' box in the little cogwheel icon in the bottom left of the burning screen.

If you capture in DVD-compliant mpeg-2, then do your editing in that format and still proceed as described above.

Do NOT choose Create Video File > NTSC or PAL MPEG-2, as this will give you another flavour of mpeg-2 which is not DVD compliant.

If, by chance, you are one of the rare breed who has one of the very few stand-alone DVD players that can actually play a DVD based on mpeg-4, then you will need to upgrade to VS9 which has a free mpeg-4 plug-in available by download to registered users. But bear in mind that very few such players exist, and your friends probably will not be able to admire your masterpiece if you make a DVD in that format.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 1:49 am

When using split by scene there are two choices available.

1. Split by recording time scan.
Every time you stop/start your camcorder this is treated as a seperate scene.
I suspect that this is only available if you have a digital camcorder. Your old 8mm will doubtless be analogue.

2. Frame content.
Here the program will look for dramatic changes in frame content say from a dark background to a light one or from a predominantly red one to a blue one and so on.

Your alternative method is to use the multi trim function and manualy go through your video to create these splits.

tallarob · Post by **tallarob** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 3:19 am

Ken,

Thanks for your reply. When I open VideoStudio, it offers me several capture formats: DivXHomeTheatre, DivXPortable, DivXHandheld, DVD, MPEG, SVCD, VCD, DV and AVI. When I select DV or AVI, after a second or so, it will switch to one of the other settings. This, I assume, means that this option is not available. I would guess (you likely know better) that MPEG means MPEG-1 and DVD means MPEG-2. If that is the case, my best option seems to be the DVD setting. Do you agree?

One last thing. The converter came with both VideoStudio 8 SE, and InterVideo Win DVD Creator 2. There is a little sticker on the outside of the box promoting the fact that it comes with VideoStudio - implying that this is a better product. Do you know anything about this other product?
Thanks,
Rob Murrell
Tallahassee, FL

Post by **Ken Berry** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 6:55 am

I have used VS 7, 8 and 9. And while I could of course be wrong, I certainly don't remember all those DivX possibilities in VS8. Someone else may be able to correct me though. It could be that your version of VS 8 SE has been modified for the hardware. Certainly if you can manipulate DivX files in it, then I would assume this to be the case.

When you set the capture format to AVI, it is normal that it will reset to DV if the program detects a capture device which can provide the DV flavour of AVI. If it sticks at AVI, however, that is the full uncompressed version, and is huge. DV alone takes up 13 GB per hour, but uncompressed AVI takes up 65 GB per hour! If indeed you can capture to DV format, then grab at that!! Otherwise, yes, select DVD, and if you can adjust the properties, make sure it is set for the highest quality.

As for the two sets of software, I wouldn't draw too many conclusions. InterVideo has taken over Ulead this year. I have also heard good things about its Win DVD Creator 2. In fact, some people swear it is a better product. Others are hoping that some of its better features will get married up with Video Studio when VS10 eventually appears!