Ulead Moviefactory

[acw]

Hi
I am using the trial version of Ulead Moviefactory 6.

I am quite pleased with the program, (apart from the near useless help files). but I am experiencing difficulties when writing the DVDs.

What I did was to use a VHS/DVD recorder combo to transfer a video onto DVD, (1hr 55 mins, with the compression setting to cover 2 hours on the disk), I then imported the files onto my computer hard drive to do the editing.

Despite cutting at least 20 minutes off the film in the editing room, I struggle to squeeze anything but the most basic of menus onto the DVDs I am burning, (certainly not animated or with music).

Any help would be appreciated
Allan

[qpskfec]

DVDMF is probably re-encoding your video files.

There's a setting to tell DVDMF to not re-encode compliant MPEG2 files.

I forget the exact path, but if you select that option, any video that fits on the original DVD will fit on a DVDMF authored DVD with a simple menu.

[PuzZLeR]

I agree it's probably re-encoding your video, taking time, killing quality and even bloating your files.

I don't use MovieFactory, but own VideoStudio, which enables smart render with:

File -> Preferences -> Show Message when inserting first video clip...

When inserting a clip into the timeline choose "Details" to see info on the file and project settings.

Select Yes.

I am assuming it's similar in MovieFactory. If I'm mistaken, then, well, I tried.

[zoobie]

it's best to get all files DVD compliant first and then import...this way, you'll know it working correctly when the program starts to quickly complete your disc in a matter of minutes

I've got VS, too...I never use the toy but it's a cheap entry level way to edit HDV...

[PuzZLeR]

I've got VS, too...I never use the toy but it's a cheap entry level way to edit HDV...

Which are you referring to as the "toy" - VS or MF? Not looking to flame or anything, just curious.

[zoobie]

VS...

I had MSP7 before but it went south and couldn't handle HDV. So I got VS11+ for $30 off eBay until I got an old version of Vegas Pro...but Pro 7 re-encodes everything (if you can believe that) so now, since Pro 9 is out, I'm looking for an old version of Pro 8 which doesn't re-encode.

I've tried most of the consumer "pro" editors at one point or another over the last few years...and even some others, too. I was most comfortable with MSP but I think they may have even dropped it by now. Even Vegas Pro looks like a toy to me compared to the others...but the results are good.

[PuzZLeR]

It's all a relative frame of reference. If you were an MSP user then it's no doubt that VS is a "toy", just like VS users may consider MF a "toy".

Yes, Corel has made some serious changes since taking over, and one of them was dumping MSP, which has disappointed users (no doubt). I guess it has something to do with market positioning as to what type of client they want to attract. Or maybe they want VS to be the flagship product. Not sure.

Personally I can't stand software that insists on re-encoding when it's not necessary. I agree with you there. VS is very good with smart-rendering DV (not sure of HDV) but has been buggy in previous versions with smart rendering MPEG-2. I think they corrected it lately, but I haven't tested as I've since moved on to dedicated (even non-NLE) editors/authoring programs for MPEG-2/DvD now like Womble, TMPGEnc MPEG Editor or VideoReDo. Less headaches, which I recommend to the O/P (acw) for his/her project.

[zoobie]

"toys!"

VS is crazy popular and almost certainly their flagship.
However MSP, unable to run on Vista, just scored big by being able to run on Windows 7...much to the relief of current MSP owners

I've also gone thru TMPGEnc MPEG, Videoredo, Edius, and some others

Sounds like you're totally into mpeg2...interesting

[PuzZLeR]

Although my majority acquisition source of late is DV, yes I still love MPEG-2, even rediscovered it again and I encode to it alot. It plays well, and everywhere, has good compression and very easy to edit with the right tools.

And I would recommend nothing other than those dedicated MPEG-2 tools for it that I mentioned. Quick and easy and painless.

For some reason, the "better" editors (which are really designed for true acquisition sources like DV/Cineform/etc not deliverable mediums like MPEG-2) re-encode MPEG-2 needlessly, handle its interlacing poorly, or just crash with it. VS used to smart render MPEG-2 with "seams" in the video where there were cuts and joins - it came out broken and unstable.

Since this thread is about MPEG-2/DvD editing, and since such highly compressed formats can be tricky, I would highly recommend the O/P to use the right tools for it, not VS or not even maybe MF.

As well, with the right tools MPEG-2 is really very easy to work with today. Why bother with headaches?

[acw]

it's best to get all files DVD compliant first and then import...this way, you'll know it working correctly when the program starts to quickly complete your disc in a matter of minutes

I've got VS, too...I never use the toy but it's a cheap entry level way to edit HDV...

This may explain why it takes so long to encode the video, is VS freeware?

To be frank, I do little video editing, and would prefer free software. The files produced by the VHS/DVD combo are vob files, if this is any help.

Any help appreciated, though I find it difficult to keep up with the advice with my present state of understanding
Allan

[zoobie]

is VS freeware?

Nope...but you can d/l a free trial
if it doesn't import your vob, try changing the extension to mpg or use vob2mpg
also, try the free trial of videoredo