what format is the best

[kent andersen]

Hi I am new here, and also totaly new to video. I guess there will come lots of "have you tried google" to this very noob question. But so far I have received to many outdated answer on my search. And I guess that the answer to the question is very much depending on what you want to use the video for.

I am well experienced with photography, and have just started to use the video function on my canon 60D.
Now I have 30 minutes of video that I want to put together using Vega movie Studio 11. Those 30 minutes takes up 5gb, and I want to get down to 500-1gb without loosing to much of the quality.

When I push the "Make movie" button on Sony, I have some trillion diferent format to choose from. And I have no idea whats the best format. I would like to send this video to friends, using drop box. But want to be sure that they can watch it with no big problem.

So, the question is, what cind of format shall I use, to get the best quality and using less amount of HD space?

If there is anyone that could give me an URL to a page that is explaining the diferences with the different video format I would be very thankful. So far I have only found pages that have been made som 4-8 years ago, and I would like to read about whats the best in 2011.

[edDV]

Two different questions...

1. Hard disk space - you already have a file compressed more than most semi pros would like. If it has value to you, then archive as is as it comes from the camcorder. Do you compress your 18 Megapixel D60 files to kilobytes for archive? I bet not.

2. Sharing with friends is a different story. Vegas Sony AVC @ 8-10 Mbit is OK for Youtube upload or Dropbox. If they need to see more quality increase the bit rate.

Your max file format is 1280x720 @ 24 fps. Make that your project format. How will your friends be viewing this? First try AVC 24p. If they don't like that specify telecine 60i.

I haven't yet tried Vegas Movie Studio 11 but version 10 Platinum didn't support 24p workflow. But you can force it by modifying project format (Alt-Enter) by typing 23.976 frame rate and progressive in project settings.

Render to project settings or 29.97 fps top field first for your friends.

[kent andersen]

Thanks for the quick answer.

I have 600gb free on my laptop, and 1tb still free on my backup hd. I always keep the original files, unedited. I have a good pc with win7, i7, 8gb ram, 2gb graphic...

Is there a way to save a file in Vega and ask for compression that is not going to be more than f.ex 800mb? Or do I have to test each alternativ out? Or is it bether to make the movie in Vega with the best resolution available, and then use something else to resize the video?

On canon 60D the highest resolution is 1920x1080 with 30fps/24fps, or 1280x720 60fps. I used the 60fps variant.
1920x1080 with 24,25, 30 and 60fps is there on Vega premium when making the video.

On Vega 11 platinum I have the option to use 24,25,30,50 and 60fps for the workflow. HDV is with 1400x1080 but with 30fps as the highest. HD has 1920x1080 with 60fps. Wich one should I use when I am working on the video? Or does it mather what I use when working on it... or is the new video being made at the end by gathering from the katalog no mather what I have in the workflow?

There is so many more desisions to figure out with video, with fotography I just shoot RAW and know that I can always change things aftherwards. And I can always go back to the original when I have learned more about how to do it...

[edDV]

hmm, the review I read said 1280x720 30 fps was tops. Must be a previous model.

There is so many more desisions to figure out with video, with fotography I just shoot RAW and know that I can always change things aftherwards. And I can always go back to the original when I have learned more about how to do it...

Same is true for video. Save the entire disc folder because it contains metadata you may find useful later.

For video
file size = bit rate x seconds.
You specify bit rate in Vegas as Kilo bits per second.

Why resize the video? (except for DVD)

You shot 60 fps 1280x720. In Europe, DVD is normally 25/50 fps but your TV may display 60fps. Try it.

Normally you set your project to source format then edit. When finished you "render as" export to the format best for your intended audience. You should always keep the originals. They are like the film negatives. I also keep a high quality edit master (i.e. the result of the edit saved at project format and at least the source bit rate). AVCHD bit rates are usually 17,000 or 24,000 Kbps.

[kent andersen]

Thanks for youre answer. This is very helpful...

[vkmast]

ed,
from the VMStudio version11 readme/ release notes:
What's New in Version 11.0
...
Full 24p support.

[edDV]

ed,
from the VMStudio version11 readme/ release notes:
What's New in Version 11.0
...
Full 24p support.

Version 10 also "supported" 24p, just not in the menus. You had to make a custom project template.