Pinnacle Studio 8/9 and DV home video editing

[jjvb]

You can pull dvd compliant mpeg2 files into PS8 then add menus, chapters, etc. PS8 will then render the project. Earlier versions of PS8 would rerender (encode) the entire project even though it was already in dvd compliant mpeg2. Newer versions have what is called smart-rendering and only render what was added such as menus, etc.) If you pulled in an avi file, the entire file needs to be rendered and/or encoded. Then the disc is compiled and either output to a directory in a format that can be burned with another program such as Nero, or burned directly in PS8. In PS8, I think rendering is a combination of adding the new material and encoding to mpeg2.

I tried to encode to mpeg2 with TMPGenc then pull the files into PS8 to add menus, etc. I usually got "Failed to compile disc" errors. I would try the exact same file again and it would work. Once compiled and burned, the menus entries would go to the wrong place on the dvd. They always worked fine in the dvd preview mode in PS8. That is why I gave up on PS8.

[jjvb]

I have already added these but if I save as mpeg and then go to encode software then it won't work right?
****
If you save as mpeg, you have already encoded it. There is no need for further encoding. Just use PS8 to create a disc. You may be able to use another authoring program at this point to create a disc, but I am not sure.

[donpedro]

Ok, a couple more dumb questions. By encode, that means the render stage in S8 right? Also, should I not add chapters, titles, or menu's until I use the other software to encode. I guess I am just confused with the order of things. I have already added these but if I save as mpeg and then go to encode software then it won't work right?

Maybe you should mention who post and which part is not clear. I feel that my 1,2,3 is pretty clear. Let me try...

1. edit, cut, add transitions, titles and save as DV AVI file
2. encode (transfert, convert) to mpeg2 file
3. import mpeg2 into DVD Authoring program (TMPGEnc or PS8)
4. add menus, chapter points
5. create DVD to hard drive
6. burn files to DVD media.

[gumpec]

I have one more problem with PS8 . I made a project in DV-AVI (with menu and chapters). Than I try to burn DVD in PS8. It works fine, no problems were detected. But when I try to play on my home DVD player, first 12 minutes work fine, but then the film start stoping. First a little (for about 2 seconds) and then more and more and finally everything stops... !

[cindy3009]

Thanks again, that pretty much put it in black and white for me.
If I want to save a copy for archival purposes should it be the mpeg2 before importing it and then just delete the avi? Those darn avi's sure take up alot of room.

[jjvb]

gumpec,

Does it play ok in the dvd preview mode in PS8? Is there some significance to the 12 minutes. Is your first clip maybe 12 minutes? Did you burn it to another disc? Could be a bad disc. What brand of disc are you using? Just some thoughts.

[gumpec]

Thanks. Movie is 58 minutes long and play with no problems or stops in preview in PS8. DVD disc is Verbatim's DVD+RW.

[gumpec]

Sorry, I have one more question. Is there any loss of quality if I copy my home video on DVD to another (empty) DVD?

[donpedro]

Thanks again, that pretty much put it in black and white for me.
If I want to save a copy for archival purposes should it be the mpeg2 before importing it and then just delete the avi? Those darn avi's sure take up alot of room.

What kind of archival ? Isn't your DVD archival allready ? I would not delete AVI until you are sure that DVD made is OK.

[donpedro]

I have one more problem with PS8 . I made a project in DV-AVI (with menu and chapters). Than I try to burn DVD in PS8. It works fine, no problems were detected. But when I try to play on my home DVD player, first 12 minutes work fine, but then the film start stoping. First a little (for about 2 seconds) and then more and more and finally everything stops... !

Check disc with DVDInfoPro to see if by any chance your disc has errors.

[donpedro]

Sorry, I have one more question. Is there any loss of quality if I copy my home video on DVD to another (empty) DVD?

Nope.

[langberg]

I have a newbie question about making a disc with Pinnacle Studio v9.0.4
I created a project consisting of both videos and still photos - length of the finish video should be about 35 minutes.
When I come to "make disc" (DVD) I am trying to "create disc content but don't burn".
I push the "create disc" button and it starts rendering - it takes about 2 hours. After rendering it says that rendering is complete and it seems to stop - the "Create disc" button turns green, and I can see that Studio.exe uses only about 2-3% of my cpu.

What is happening here ???? Is it still working or what ?

-

[donpedro]

Read this guide
Pinnacle Studio - prepare DVD content for burning

[langberg]

I have already read the info and a lot of other stuff.

Perhaps I should make an avi-file instead and then use another tool to convert to MPEG2 - or what ?

[donpedro]

Are you saying that Video_TS directory is empty ? It should be done.

[proxyx99]

Defrag all drives first. Check if you utilize UDMA (use latest MB drivers). Check properties of Primary and Sec. IDE Channels (select DMA) in Device Manager. Retest your drives. You may use benchmarking software like Sandra to choose your fastest drive for capture.

[gumpec]

I have an urgent question!!! I work with Studio 8. I already made three projects. I normaly go create image but don't burn and after that I burn my project on DVD. And here is the problem. I have Plextor PX 708A - it is compatibile with all formats - DVD+-R/RW. I have one Verbatim DVD+RW disc and normaly works fine. It burns with no problem. But I have a lot of Problems with Verbatim DVD+R (Live it). I made so far three disc O.K., but I destroyed some. My latest project, I burn yesterday on DVD+RW, check it and it was O.K. But then I put DVD+R on my recorder and it works for about 95% fine and than everything stops. Is it possible, that there is some problem with the speed (Verbatim is 2.4 comaptible but when I choose 1X, it goes automaticaly on 2X - there is no 2.4X). Help me please, I'm loosing my mind!!!!!

[donpedro]

Four guides that can be helpfull

Pinnacle Studio - Multilevel DVD Menu
Pinnacle Studio - prepare DVD content for burning
Pinnacle Studio - DVD menu with motion backround and thumbnails
Pinnacle Studio - PIP video effect (workaround)

[gumpec]

Is there a possibility to change in finished project the name of the captured sorce. If I create the project with video1.avi and video2.avi, can I change captured source in project in gumpec.avi (video1.avi+video2.avi). So if I captured video after a while, that I name it gumpec.avi and project will recognise this like video1+video2???

[donpedro]

Is there a possibility to change in finished project the name of the captured sorce. If I create the project with video1.avi and video2.avi, can I change captured source in project in gumpec.avi (video1.avi+video2.avi). So if I captured video after a while, that I name it gumpec.avi and project will recognise this like video1+video2???

Based on what I know, the answer is NO. But I might be wrong about it.

[zoranb]

hi pal if u are using SmartsoundQuicktracks maybe u can help me im lookin for a valid serial number for the following cd sets:
Cinematic Excellence
Project Millennium
Vintage Comedy
the original cds were damaged and luckily i copied them on had drive but serial was on cd so i cant install now!!

[donpedro]

New "almost guide"

Pinnacle Studio - dual monitor setup (nVidia)

[gumpec]

Is there a possibility to change in finished project the name of the captured sorce. If I create the project with video1.avi and video2.avi, can I change captured source in project in gumpec.avi (video1.avi+video2.avi). So if I captured video after a while, that I name it gumpec.avi and project will recognise this like video1+video2???

Based on what I know, the answer is NO. But I might be wrong about it.

I try it and there is no problem. When you wont open project, it ask you - I can't find Video1. Browse it for it... (or something like that). And you choose Gumpec 1 (The same as Video 1, only the new name) and it works with no problem...

[donpedro]

For people that are interested in some test results from making DVD with Pinnacle Studio version 9.0.8.5 Beta Patch

Here is test that I made on this machine with exactly 1h long DVD AVI. Project was set to maximum bitrate 7500 and MPEG sound, no transitions, no major editing, no menus.

- Windows XP SP1
- AMD Athlon 1400 MHz 266FSB
- 512MB RAM DDR PC2100
- mobo chipset VT8366-8233
- AGP 4x (only 32-bit mobo support)
- resolution 1024x768x32bit 85Hz

3:27 - Convert video
0:16 - Create second copy of video
0:02 - Create audio
0:12 - Make DVD structure
3:57 - Total time

adding memory to 1GB or different video card with hardware DirectX9 did not improved speed.

[gumpec]

So it is so slow like Studio 8...

[donpedro]

Or.... It is as fast as Studio 8

[donpedro]

Here is one cool test and it's results.....
Purpose was to test "hardware acceleration" option in Pinnacle Studio version 9 ON and OFF.

This one is not mine and it is posted on Pinnacles Forum:

For all tests my system was a 2.8GHz P4 with Hyperthreading with 512MB of RAM, running Windows XP with all the latest service packs/patches.

My test project was 10 4-second video clips (720x480 DV AVI) with 11 2-second Hollywood FX transitions between them.

I timed doing a Make Movie with DV AVI output. I did multiple timings of each setup to make sure it was consistent.


Studio 8 / HFX 4.6 - Software Engine 180 seconds
Studio 8 / HFX 4.6 - HW ATI 9600XT 65 seconds

Studio 9 / HFX 5.5 - Software Engine 93 seconds
Studio 9 / HFX 5.5 - HW ATI 9600XT w128MB 69 seconds
Studio 9 / HFX 5.5 - HW NVidia 5900se w128MB 57 seconds

and these are mine

Here is my test: 1.4GHz Athlon Thunderbird 266FSB, 1GB RAM DDR PC2100, mobo chipset VT8366-8233, AGP 4x, running Windows XP Home SP1

My test project was 10 4-second video clips (720x480 DV AVI) with 11 2-second Hollywood FX "BAS-Balloon" transitions between them.

I timed doing a Make Movie with DV AVI output. I did 2 timings of each setup to make sure it was consistent.

Studio 9.0.8.5 Beta / HFX 5.2 Build 48 - Software Engine 260 and 258 s.
Studio 9.0.8.5 Beta / HFX 5.2 Build 48 - GeForce 2 MX400 64MB SDR 128-bit, 95 and 96 s.
Studio 9.0.8.5 Beta / HFX 5.2 Build 48 - GeForce FX5200 128MB DDR 64-bit, 84 and 84 s

As an secondary result you can see that machine performace is very important. And as far as I know PS9 is optimized for Pentium4 and can take advatage of Hyperthreading.

[donpedro]

Another post....
Pinnacle Studio 9 - Video/Audio Plugins

[gumpec]

In Capture mode you can see by the preview window the frame drop window. But is it this frames, which was droped during the whole captured movie or just frames, droped in one secunde???

[donpedro]

In Capture mode you can see by the preview window the frame drop window. But is it this frames, which was droped during the whole captured movie or just frames, droped in one secunde???

My understanding is that it shows count of all frames dropped during one capture (more like transfer/copy for MiniDV).