Editing ATI Captured MPEG-2 w/Ulead VS 7 SE

[arDuck]

While experimenting with capturing from DispPVR through an ATI AIW comparing Ulead Video Studio 7 SE and ATI MMC 8.5 in MPEG-2 format, I found that capturing with MMC gave better quality and smaller file sizes. The problem is that I need to trim the beginning and ends of the clips and VS 7 goes through the motions of trimming but will save the untrimmed file back to disk. I have tried every mechanism I can find for performing the edit but the file is not changed when it is saved, and rendering with the Mark In/Mark Out does not remove the unwanted segments.

ATI MMC Capture Properties
--------------------------
MPEG-2, NTSC(525), 720x480
encode interlaced
Record Cropped Video
48K, 16bit Stereo
2 Pframes, 2 Bframes
Closed GOP
VBR, 6mb Max, 4mb Min
99 Motion Estimation
256KBit audio
No Soap
Windows Limit

Does VS 7 have problems editing MPEG-2 captured by other products or is the above configuration beyond its means?

[lordsmurf]

Use WOMBLE MPEG-VCR (MPEG2 edition)

[arDuck]

Use WOMBLE MPEG-VCR (MPEG2 edition)

Thanks for the suggestion and perhaps Womble and several other programs can do a suitable job but . .

1. It doesn't answer the question at hand about VS 7,
2. There may be issues with the other programs yet to be discovered,
3. What I have comes really close and I would like to explore all options to make it work before moving on,

I am beginning to realize that video capture is more of a black art than a science. It should be possible to have one capture-edit-burn software product that just works.

[lordsmurf]

VS7 will always re-encode, so it's not an option for you with MPEG source. Womble is. Capture AVI if you require VS7.

[next]

Use WOMBLE MPEG-VCR (MPEG2 edition)

Thanks for the suggestion and perhaps Womble and several other programs can do a suitable job but . .

1. It doesn't answer the question at hand about VS 7,
2. There may be issues with the other programs yet to be discovered,
3. What I have comes really close and I would like to explore all options to make it work before moving on,

I am beginning to realize that video capture is more of a black art than a science. It should be possible to have one capture-edit-burn software product that just works.

Forget VS 7. Use Womble Mpeg-VCR.

The issues you are concerned about have been discovered with this product and have been proven not to be an issue.

I've been hyping this product for a few years going back to the SVCD and VCD days. Purchase it and you problems will be over.

[presto]

The problem is that I need to trim the beginning and ends of the clips and VS 7 goes through the motions of trimming but will save the untrimmed file back to disk. I have tried every mechanism I can find for performing the edit but the file is not changed when it is saved, and rendering with the Mark In/Mark Out does not remove the unwanted segments.

After setting in and out points hit "Save Trimmed Video". It will process the file very quickly (no it is not re-rendering). Now look in your working folder for the results. To find your working folder go file/preferences and look for the box that lets you define your working folder.

I think your problem is that you did not know that the results were ending up in this folder you will probably find quite a few video clips in there from your previous attempts.

I use the full version of Ulead Video Studio so If the above doesn't apply to you it may be that the SE version is different.

[arDuck]

I think your problem is that you did not know that the results were ending up in this folder you will probably find quite a few video clips in there from your previous attempts.

I use the full version of Ulead Video Studio so If the above doesn't apply to you it may be that the SE version is different.

Presto,

Actually, my working folder points to the source folder so I am seeing all of the files and processed files have a -n suffix to differentiate from the original. The processed files are the same length and have the same content as the original even though the thumbnail on the VS timeline indicates a revised length. MovieFactory will trim the file but it doesn't seem to have the capability to save without rendering to DVD format. I went through that process and looked at the resulting MPEG configuration in the VOB and all of the properties were the same as the original so I don't think it re-rendered. I thought that there may be an INI file setting or check-box in preferences that would make VS look at the file format for configuration before starting and say whether it can process the file or not. Except for the trimming issue, everything else worked just fine. I was able to create a very good quality DVD.

The Ulead suite came with the Pioneer A06 and includes MovieFactory, Video Studio and Nero. I don't know what the differences between the full version and SE are, but if it worked, the suite of SE packages seems to have everything I need for the moment. And, like I said in a previous post, I would like to give it the benefit of the doubt and see if I can make it work before moving on. This may not be the case but it seems a little disingenious of Ulead if the SE version is crippled without saying so. A limited feature set is fine, non-functional software is not. If I have to purchase the full Ulead product set to get satisfactory results then other solutions may be more attractive. I am starting my research just in case and will look at Womble and TMPGenc DVD Author.

Thanks for the reply.

[Specialist]

This is not accurate information.

ULEAD Videostudio 7 will *never* re-encode video if one has made the proper project settings adjustments.

This is very simple to do.

1. Click FILE > PROJECT PROPERTIES;

2. Click the EDIT button to adjust the PROJECT PROPERTIES to precisely*match* the properties of the source clips in the timeline;

For example, if I insert MPEG files with the following precise video/audio properties:

NTSC drop frame (29.97 fps)
MPEG files
24 Bits, 704 x 480, 29.97 fps
Field Order B
(DVD-NTSC), 4 : 3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 8800 kbps)
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
MPEG audio layer 2, 48 KHz, Stereo

...I know to adjust my PROJECT SETTINGS to precisely *match.*

This activates ULEAD Smart Render technology.

The video in the timeline will not re-encode at all if one is doing a cuts-only edit project.

If - on the other hand - one has added titles, transitions, and filters - then re-encoding will be confined only to the specific segments where the titles, transitions, and filters are located, leaving unchanged segments of the timeline in their pristine state.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

VS7 will always re-encode, so it's not an option for you with MPEG source. Womble is. Capture AVI if you require VS7.

[Specialist]

By the way, I have written a step-by-step tutorial explaining how to author a DVD using Ulead VideoStudio 7 on the Web page at the following link:

http://www.jonesgroup.net/videostudiodvdstepone.htm

The tutorial was written for users of OHCI compliant IEEE 1394 cards.

Nevertheless, the *WORKFLOW* principles apply to analog-captured video editing as well.

Many users of VideoStudio will attempt to author with clips in the timeline.

I recommend against this practice as a means to avoid unnecessary re-encoding.

Instead...

1. When editing is complete - use the SHARE > CREATE VIDEO FILE mechanism to export a DVD-ready MPEG-2 clip to your hard disk and be sure to specify MPEG write settings the precisely match your PROJECT SETTINGS;

2. Clear your ULEAD VideoStudio timeline of any clips;

3. Click SHARE > CREATE DISC;

4. Now you should observe the pop-up DVD authoring module;

5. Now you can import your DVD-ready file;

6. Click the *second* button in the lower left corner of the DVD AUTHORING module's interface (the button with the large check);

7. When the PROJECT SETTINGS pop-up menu appears, ADJUST YOUR DVD AUTHORING MODULE'S PROJECT SETTINGS TO PRECISELY MATCH THE VIDEO/AUDIO PROPERTIES OF YOUR SOURCE CLIPS;

8. Check the DO NOT CONVERT COMPLIANT FILES check box.

If you follow these steps, there will be no re-encoding of the source MPEG.

Instead, Ulead VideoStudio 7's DVD authoring module will write the .VOB file and burn your project to disc without re-encoding.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[arDuck]

Jerry,

Read your guide and tried to follow your "plan", still no joy. Here is what I did:

1. Open VS 7, File/New Project.
2. Click "Insert Media Files into TimeLine", "Insert Video", choose file from file/open dialog.
3. Click "Yes" on "change project settings to match the video's properties"
4. Using the Jog bar and the TimeCode scroller, I moved the Mark-Out position back 1 second and clicked the sissors icon below the edit window to trim the clip.
5. The Timeline now has two clips. I delete the second one which is the 1 second part I trimmed from the end.
6. After selecting the first clip on the timeline, I click "Share", "Create Video File" and "Same as Project Settings".
7. Enter a name in the "Create Video File" dialog and click "Save".
8. VS saves the file and creates a thumbnail for the new file in the library.
The file is the same size and length as the original. It didn't trim off the 1 second.

I have tried every means I can find for trimming the clip and the effect shows on the timelime but the change isn't affected in the output file. "Save Trimmed Video" doesn't work. "Export to DVD MovieFactory" doesn't work. And the above method doesn't work. There doesn't seem to be any options left.

[presto]

The processed files are the same length and have the same content as the original

I guess this must be because you are using the SE version because the version I have (full paid-for) trims the video just fine.

(Just for fun try changing your project file so it is not the same as your source file. Also be absolutely sure you are hitting the button labled "save trimmed video".)

(Also, have you tried the free trial rather than SE?)

[proxyx99]

To my knowledge SE ver. are for distribution in bundled packages. It may have some advanced features or libraries removed but in general it will do all basic editting functions. Maybe the limitation in SE applies to this situation, maybe not (it's so basic). Try reinstalling the program. Trimming video is the key to any editing so it is hard to believe that SE won't be able to do it.

[Specialist]

Steps 4 and 5 are incorrect.

Instead...

1. With a single clip in your timeline, click the MARK IN button to the left of the PREVIEW WINDOW;

2. Move the jog bar slider one second from the end of the clip;

3. Click the MARK OUT button;

Now you should see the clip in the timeline shortened by one second and THERE SHOULD ONLY BE ONE CLIP IN THE TIMELINE (not "two clips")

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

4. Using the Jog bar and the TimeCode scroller, I moved the Mark-Out position back 1 second and clicked the sissors icon below the edit window to trim the clip.
5. The Timeline now has two clips. I delete the second one which is the 1 second part I trimmed from the end.