Ulead extra features make it decent

[skipc10]

I thought I'd give a report, besides just asking questions...

I've been playing with both VideoStudio5DVD and 6.0 and I think there might be some misconceptions based on what I've read here and elsewhere, so here are some thoughts:

The user interface in 6.0 is better, but still a little limited.

Both capture DV as type 1 as is known, however, at several points you can save the clip or the final in a multitude of formats including DV 1, 2, MPEG1, 2, Quicktime, compressed AVI, etc. Each has its own settings too, like VBR/CBR settings for MPEGs. It also will auto split captures greater than 4GB.

Capturing, then saving as DV AVI type 2, was acceptable to VirtualDub. Type 1 and 2 can be dropped into a Ulead timeline, as well as MPEGS. And 6.0 captures directly to MPEG, but use a fast machine...

It has a neat movable frame within a clip with adj. transparency that I haven't seen elsewhere, except maybe in Premiere (only used it 1 day not sure). A picture-in-picture effect, good for training vids.

It has more effects and transitions than MainActor and MovieXone, and seems more reliable. 5.0's MPEG is by Ligos, and 6.0 is unlabelled but supposed to be from MainConcept.

So, it makes a good multi-format capture and save tool, with some good transitions. You can use the VDub filters on the parts if you want, then put together again in Ulead - it doesn't recompress when rendering if the formats are the same. It also has a very easy DVD wizard that includes an intro clip and scene menus and backgrounds (including multiple pages of them).

I haven't compared its MPEG to TMPGE, but if you take it out to TMPGE, you can bring it back and just use the wizard to burn the VCD/SVCD/DVD.

It might not fit everyone's style, but it seems to be an 80% solution so far... My only complaint has been their sales dept doesn't seem to want to answer pre-sales questions. Their docs are about like everyone else's - not very good - which is probably why so many people think it only does type 1 AVIs...


Hope this is helpful...

[Mirror_Image]

VS isn't their top-line editing product. Ulead has a better editor than Ulead VS6, with many more features. It's called Ulead Media Studio (either (Pro, or Director's cut):

http://www.ulead.com/msp/runme.htm

Here is a feature comparison:

http://www.ulead.com/msp/compare2.htm

[skipc10]

I haven't used it, but I know about it. Not as many transitions (directors cut at least) and a few other things. I just ended up being very impressed by what you get for VS6 $. I dont' think it includes MainConcept's MPEG compressor either.

I'd heard some things about VS6 that ended up being wrong and cost me some time, so trying to save others.

Thanks.

[Mirror_Image]

Actually, I love UVS6, lots of bang for the buck.

[thegman45]

Ulead VS 6.0 is a quantum leap over previous versions. I use it to encode and write to my Panasonic A04 DVD-R with excellent results.

My machine must not be fast enough to copy a DV movie directly to MPEG2 since i get lost frames when I do that (I have a AMD 1.2ghz with 512 ram). To get good quality DVD-R video I must render the video in avi format first then let the program convert the avi to mpg. It takes longer but no dropped frames.

I only use this for my home videos.

DVD Media Studio probably does much more but cost a lot more also.

VS 6.0 is so easy even a novice like myself can do nice editing, titling, transitions and writing to DVD with little effort.

[oldfart13]

I got VS6 with my ADS Instant DVD upgrade CD and it sucks when trying to edit. Every time I use it, it tries to rerender the clip (it even says "rendering") instead of just saving the cut section. I now use M2-Edit Pro and the edits come out perfectly in sync (80% of my VS6 edits were out of sync). How are you getting VS6 to edit without rendering? Captures done with VS6 on the IDVD are horrible unless set to 2.6 MB/s CBR. I tried lower (to get a 45 min. show to fit a single 80 min. CDR, the setting was 2.2 MB/s) and the picture was full of artifacting, blocks, motion artifacts, etc. Can't use the IDVD for VBR and the simple program that comes with it (CapWiz) only has fixed parameters for capturing (3,4 or 5 MB/s for DVD and 2.6MB/s for SVCD). Any suggestions?

[Bobzilla]

I find the new MPEG export in VS6 truly wretched. MainConcept's MPEG codec is truly cheap, and I'll be disappointed if they use it in MSPro 7 as well. Perhaps Ligos will write a plugin for it.