Best format to put my project in

[VTSwordfish2002]

Hey guys,
This is a fairly simple question I think, but thought I'd get some better opinions as to what to go for. I am working on a video slideshow for a project here at school, basically a compilation of some pictures and short video clips in vegas movie studio. I need to render the compilation this coming week, but was curious what format would give me the optimal quality since this will be projected onto a large screen. I need the video and pictures to come out their best, and in the past when I've rendered into DVD format from movie studio I get a lag in the video output when its played, I definitely do NOT want that to happen with this project. ANy suggestions on the best format? Thanks.

[daamon]

Hi VTSwordfish2002,

If you're playing the file from a PC rather than a DVD player, then as long as you've got enough room on the PC's hard drive I'd say to export your work to DV AVI.

The lag is unlikely to do with the format you chose, more to do with the process (perhaps an incorrect step), poor media etc.

[VTSwordfish2002]

I'm not particularly familiar with the DV Avi format, is that something I will need to get a codec for? the only avi option i have as of now is 'video for windows (avi)'

[daamon]

I'm not sure if the Microsoft DV AVI codec comes as standard with a Windows install - I guess it would. Anyway, there's always the free Panasonic DV Codec.

[guns1inger]

Go to File -> Render As (assuming Movie Studio is the same as Vegas) and select AVI (Video for Windows) as your format. You should be able to click on the Custom button and select a DV format (NTSC 4:3, NTSC Widescreen, PAL Widescreen etc). Vegas Movie Studio ships with Sony's DV codec, which is much higher quality when rendering that Microsoft or Panasonic.