Vegas smart render using mpeg2 ac3 files

[Ferdinand]

Hello.

The problem is that when importing mpeg2 video file with ac3 audio in sony vegas 8, when I try to render using file/render as.../mpeg2 mainconcept, it does not use smart rendering, but re-renders all the video file, even when no edit has performed. I think it has to do with the type of sound (ac3) but I'm not sure. Video files are captured from a sony hdr-sr5e camcorder.
Anyone knows how can I accomplish smart rendering in such situation?
Sorry for my english and many thanks for your attention.

[guns1inger]

Have a read of this post : https://forum.videohelp.com/topic358394.html - specifically the last post

[Ferdinand]

I read that post. I knew that when rendering the video, properties from mainconcept have to be the same as those in the source video file (cbr, frame size, ...) and I have already tried this but with no success. Maybe something is wrong when I configure mainconcept properties but I don't know. I have no much experience in video editing.

Anyway, thank you for your reply.

[edDV]

The hdr-sr5e is an AVCHD camcorder. Although Vegas Pro 8 will import AVCHD and can even render AVCHD or a "Sony AVC" Blu-ray compatible 1440x1080-60i, 15 Mbps video streams, it has no h.264 project capability. This may preclude smart rendering even when the output closely resembles the input.

You might try conversion to HDV MPeg2 as a first pass, then try HDV project settings and HDV m2t output.

The idea of smart rendering is to allow cut selections from source without recode. If cuts occur within a GOP, that GOP needs recode. Application of filters or effects to GOPS will also force a recode of those GOPs involved.

Keep audio and video rendering separate.

I haven't tested this in detail yet with Vegas. Good luck. Let us know your progress.

An alternate workflow plan for AVCHD is conversion to the Cineform Intermediate Codec. Cineform has great advantage for effects intensive or layered projects. It also allows much faster timeline scrubbing than laggy AVCHD. Output can be to any supported format.

[Ferdinand]

Sorry, but I forgot to tell you that although the camcorder can capture in AVCHD, the captured videos I use in Vegas were recorded in SD. That way, should I convert the original SD mpeg files to an intermediate codec as you told for AVCHD video files?

Your replies are very appreciated. Thank you very much.

[edDV]

Sorry, but I forgot to tell you that although the camcorder can capture in AVCHD, the captured videos I use in Vegas were recorded in SD. That way, should I convert the original SD mpeg files to an intermediate codec as you told for AVCHD video files?

Your replies are very appreciated. Thank you very much.

Thanks for pushing on with your request because I'm learning more about Vegas.

SD on that camcorder is still MPeg2. Vegas has no native MPeg2 project options other than HDV and IMX (XDCAM SD). I'm not sure if SD recording on Sony AVCHD camcorders gets you pro 720x486 or 720x576 IMX standard MPeg2. This is my overall problem with the AVCHD format in general that it has no pro standardization. HDV camcorders record DV format for SD so all is standardized and smart render ready.

I learned that in addition to HDV, XDCAM IMX also supports smart rendering in Vegas.


and that smart rendering is specified under clip switches within an HDV or IMX project.




I've yet to play with these settings but now I'm curious.

[edDV]

That way, should I convert the original SD mpeg files to an intermediate codec as you told for AVCHD video files?

Vegas includes a Video for Windows Cineform codec that works up to 1440x1080 resolution. You find it in custom codec selections under Video for Windows AVI. I haven't attempted adapting the codec to SD PAL but this would be my first pass at a custom template.

Alternate is convert your SD MPeg2 to DV format then edit as DV format.