[Dan Achatz]

It’s pretty simple really. A compression scheme is a method of making a large file smaller while trying to retain the best file quality. One method may be to narrow the contrast a bit. Another might mix color differently. all of which will make the file size smaller for any given still image.

Now the typical 8 megapixel camera shoots a JPEG file in it’s native size which is about 3Megs. It takes pictures to make one second of video. 30 x 3Megs = 90 Megs. DVD’s max out at 8 Megs/second. So you can see if we are going to show real time video, we are going to have to compress the heck out of it to make it happen.

Moving image compression schemes like Motion JPEG, MPEG and others actually use frame buffering in the compression and decompression process. This allows them to not use up to much memory space on areas of the picture that are mot moving. This help reduce the file sizes.

I hope that helps.

[Dan Achatz]

First, I’m assuming that you are willing to crop you image to get the right aspect ration.

Second, I’m assuming that you don’t need to change any focus issues at the edge of the picture in order to do real Cinema scope.

You’ll have to figure out what you ratio is for Cinema Scope. There are a number of different Cinema scope aspect ratios. For this we are going to use the “Wonderful World of the Brothers Grim” (1962) as our example. The Aspect ration was 2.59:1.

Lets assume that you shot 720×486 DV. You’ll need to change your project properties either with a new project, or by going to file and then properties. In the width window type in 720. Now for the height window will enter 278 (720/2.59. Click OK.

Now you project size will be Cinema scope based on our sample.

If you planed it out right, all your shots were composed in the horizontal center of the 4:3 image and the picture will end up showing the part of the image you want to show.

The chances of this happening are slim. The good news is that you can use the pan and crop to move your picture up and down to find the best spot for each scene.

Rendering out your final project will involve other decisions. If you use Quick Time or Windows Media, you can select custom sizes and enter your pixel size of 720×248. If you are planning to put it on a DVD, you’ll probable want to letter box it on a 16:9 project. That way it would have maximize the image on a 16:9 monitor and also look good on a 4:3 set.

Here is an example. I did it a few years back using only Vegas 5, Photoshop 7 and a Panasonic AG-DVX100.

https://www.albatrossmedia.com/images/Digital%20stuff/skater2smlwidescren.wmv

[Dan Achatz]

Are you editing the HD-AVI files? It sounds like you might be using the Native M2T files… The M2T files are larger and tend to do what you’re talking about..

[Dan Achatz]

You would be hard pressed to buy a computer with the minimum requirements to run Vegas. Windows Xp, 800Mhz Processor, 200 MB of hard drive space.

I have a Dell 1.4 Ghz Celeron laptop with a Gig of RAM. It edits 1080i HDV without any problems. Rendering times are slow, but it edits in real time.

I’m sure if you mention how much you have to spend, someone on here will tell you how to get the most bang for your buck.

[Dan Achatz]

Why not use the capture tool in Vegas. I think you’ll find that works better, then trying to capture with DVDA.

[Dan Achatz]

Vegas uses the tools supplied by other software makers to encode the streaming files.

You need to know how to get the best out of those tools.

Vegas allows you to encode Windows media files in hundreds of different combinations. The same is true in QuickTime.

If your WMV files don’t look good, try increasing the bit rate. Also, you can choose a variable bit rate, or you can do a two pass consatnt bit rate.

You did not say what you were encoding for( The web or for some other reason). I can tell you right now that you can encode a WMV 1080i or 720P file that will blow your socks off. All you have to do is set up the encoder to do it.

Here’s a sample. https://www.filmguideseattle.com/images/jrcc720.wmv

[Dan Achatz]

What Image sizes are you working with?

I’ve noticed that once you get above a certain size image you start to get lots of artifacts.

Things to try.

Use Photoshop to downsize and compress the images. Try 2000 pixels wide. It wont give you too much pan room in 1080i, but it should give you plenty of room in 720P.

Also, the other thing that helps is to blur the images by .001 H and .001 V.

Dan Achatz

[Dan Achatz]

When it really counts, I render a component Quicktime. Then I open it up in Quicktime Pro and export the video as H264 in what ever size I need (Usually 1280 x 720). Looks flawless…

[Dan Achatz]

I think Flash video would be the best. It starts fast and loads progressivly. It plays well on both Mac’s and PC’s and can’t easily be copied. It is supported by all the major browsers although you may need to load the latest plug in. Flash 8 Pro is by far the best Flash encoder. You may have also noticed that Youtube, and Google video encode everything in Flash 8.

Drawbacks: You need to have Flash 8 Pro. You can download a free trial copy for 30 Days. This will get you through your project. It will also show you you need to buy a copy..

Drawbacks, you need to have a basic understanding of HTML and Flash.

Windows Media and QT H-264 are also good choices, but have disadvantages when viewed on the cross platform.

Dan

[Dan Achatz]

One trick that I have learned is that you can run pretty clean Windows Media 720p Files at 3 Megabits per second.

You have to set up the encoder in the right order. Set the bit rate at 3MPS, then choose the Constant bit rate 2 pass. Then set your size to 1280 x 720. This will run on most PC’s. Many Macs will have trouble running it. If you don’t doi these from the top of the menu to the bottom, it changes back to the defaults for the bit rate.

Here is a file that was done this way. https://www.albatrossmedia.com/susantest.wmv This file will run on my laptop and was the prototype for a 20 Minute windows media presentation that was delivered on CD. Yes in most cases it would run directly off the CD.

The Video is from a couple of Sony HVR-A1U’s.

Good Luck!

Dan