Wavelet is neat, but wasn't fractal compression the way to go for
great compression levels without (too) much quality loss? I
remember dabbling with fractal algorithms a couple of years ago,
also for image blowup (which looked real good, but was painfully
slow).

<<<-- Originally posted by Mark Paschke : Thanks Much Steve ( as always)

I had donethis with these settings but I am still getting weird glitchy results, maybe TMPGe will fix this when it encodes -->>>

Have you tried just using the CFHD *.avi's that AspectHD creates rather than encoding uncompressed in Vegas?

I've had a problem with getting ConnectHD (uses the same underlying codec as AspectHD) to work at the moment so I can't replicate your circumstamce, but I believe the CFHD avi's should load into TMPGEnc. According to Cineform's product info they should anyway......

groovy thanks for that mate!!!

Actually its only foir live demos on some Vegas pods we've built. Were running the new HDV plugin for capture and project settings.

Its still in its early stages... i think to early right now as its quite system draining.. heres hoping they fix the cpu/ram resource issue in V6... at teh moment vegas isnt using as much of teh system grunt as it could..

thanks again for the loan, i;ll let u know how it goes!

Convert the files using the Demo version of Cineform's codec, or convert the media to Huffyuv.
If you use Cineform, getting 25p or 50i playback is crazy simple. Native m2t streams will NEVER playback at full rate on today's computers, MPEG is just simply cruel.

Yep Cineform works good,

The new TMPGe is so fast its unbelievable as compared to last version

Hi,

Just a quick note on network speed.

I have a Gigabit network connected to a D-Link gigabit switch. When I capture video I use about 20% cpu and 4% network ( performance monitor ) - I capture to a "central file store" - in my case an extra win xp pro machine with hardware raid 5. Both machines have P4@3.2ghz and 2gb memory.

I'd guess that I'll utilize the network somewhat more when editing/scrubbing/rendering.

But remember:

A good and fast HDD will deliver about 30Mb/sec (continues file) - a gigabit network can handle about 70Mb/sec ( or more )

// Lazze \\

I am recording audio with a monorecord camera. How do I suplicate the audio in Vegas So that it comes out of both right and left speakers?

Mitch

If your audio is showing up on one side of the stereo pair, right-click and choose Channels > Left Only or Right Only.

Gary

I am totally new to Vegas, and I was wondering what the best way would be to remove the tip of a mic that has entered one of my shots. Thanks.

If the target format is TV, anything in the 5% of the edge won't show up on people's TV sets (since all TV sets will crop off ~5% of the edges).

Otherwise...

Is the camera locked down on a tripod? (or was it on a tripod?)
If so, the microphone won't be so hard to remove. Create a good background image in Photoshop, and then use keyframes and pan/crop tool to superimpose that background on your video.

If the background is a flat color things shouldn't be that hard either even if the camera was hand-held.

If the mic dips in and out and the shot is static, you can also remove it by creating a small box wipe around the mic and time slipping a copy the shot to a point where there is no mic and wiping it in.

Robin

<<<--
Is the camera locked down on a tripod? (or was it on a tripod?)
If so, the microphone won't be so hard to remove. Create a good background image in Photoshop, and then use keyframes and pan/crop tool to superimpose that background on your video. -->>>

Would I have to go back to the location and take a picture of the background with the precise angle and lighting (to match the background and the actor up) to do this? Seems tricky.

Both the mic and the camera were on stands, by the way.

thanks Edward,

What is track motion, and how do I use it?

Track Motion affects the entire track and works on the video image generated after the event effects are are applied. What Ed is saying is that if you are using Track Motion, (which it sounds like you are not) to zoom then you are zooming after the event effects are rendered and not at the resolution of the original image but at the resolution of what will be output (720x480). I have never looked up the heirarchy of how this actually works myself but what Ed is saying sounds reasonable. But it sounds to me as if you are using event pan and zoom, which is the best method for what you're doing. I use event pan and zoom frequently and make original media for this purpose at resolutions similar to yours. I export the file from my graphics program as a windows bitmap to ensure no losses and compatibility. I have not experienced your problem. Are you looking at this video clip after rendering or previewing it? Image quality in preview is not great.

"Track Motion affects the entire track and works on the video image generated after the event effects are are applied."

By event effects do you mean pan/crop?

After rendering image looks degraded as well. should I resize my image in Photoshop to resolution that of Vegas and save it in PNG format?

Track Motion is one of the buttons on the track header. Pan/Crop is one of the icons on the right edge of each event (or clip). Use Pan/Crop to NOT lose resolution.

You might also reduce the actual size of the image(s) (depending on how FAR you wish to zoom) and you should also render as "BEST" when using images.

Do you have ANY shots without the mic? If yes (and the camera was locked down on a tripod) you can just use that to get the affected area.

Hello !

I tried to create a mpg2 file using vegas 4.0 . My footage is 24p , my project is 24p. When I create the mpg2 file with 24p settings, it stutters ! while in my scene in vegas if I scrub through the clip it looks OK !

Is this a problem in 4.0 that is maybe fixed in 5.0 ?

Or an I doing something wrong ?

Frank

<<<-- Originally posted by Edward Troxel : Do you have ANY shots without the mic? If yes (and the camera was locked down on a tripod) you can just use that to get the affected area. -->>>

I don't think I have any of the same exact shots without the mic in it. I guess I will have to go back and record the location with the camera...and try to match up the same angle...no? And yeah, the camera was always on a tripod.

WHERE do you see this MPEG2 file stutter?

Vegas?
DVDA2?
After you create a DVD and play it back on a computer?
After you create a DVD and play it back on a TV?

The paint tools in after effects will do this cleanly. You can use the clone stamp on a series of frames or a frame at a time.
Or, if this is a talking head shot, perhaps you can use a clever matte to isolate the talent.
Or, if this is a documentary work, you can use 2nd camera shots while the orator describes the details in the third person...

<<<-- Originally posted by Edward Troxel : WHERE do you see this MPEG2 file stutter?

Vegas?
DVDA2?
After you create a DVD and play it back on a computer?
After you create a DVD and play it back on a TV? -->>>

When I play the mpg file in Windows Media Player

Frank

Glenn, why not export a still or two into Photoshop and either:
A- Find sections from other stills and incorporate them into a master background image.
B- Make up the background. The Clone tool in Photoshop is helpful for this.

Alternately:
If the wall is an even color, you can mimic the clone tool in Vegas. The advantage of this is that any video noise is replicated and provides a better match.

Use the masking tools to select a section of wall close to the mic. Use the pan tool to superimpose that area onto the tip of the microphone.

<<<-- Originally posted by Edward Troxel : WHERE do you see this MPEG2 file stutter?
>>>

AND also in Vegas when I import the mpg I just createded ... even with a 24p project and the mpg clip mentioning it's 24p

Very weird !

Thanks guys! I will get around to all of these mic-removal options in January, as I am still shooting. I just wanted to know what options would be available to me.

Thanks for the numbers. That makes sense.

But I need it on both. Is there a way to duplicate it?

I am doing a mock newscast for a school project and am wondering how I create the name titles you see on the news with this program. I want to have the name with that colored box around it. Also, is it possible to do a scolling message at the bottom of the screen? Thanks

Mitch

If you choose "left only" or "right only", it will take that ONE side and play it out BOTH.

Both are very possible. The first is called a "lower third". You can create the image that appears behind the text using a paint program or generated media. For example, just place a generated media on the screen, resize and position using Track Motion, and then place the text over that area.

Track 1 - text
Track 2 - Lower Third (i.e. generated media resized)
Track 3 - Video

To get a scrolling right to left text, just add a text generated media, Type in one LONG line of text, and use the position tab to start with the first keyframe off the right edge and the second keyframe (at the end of the event) off the left edge. This will let it automatically scroll across the screen.

For an article on keyframing (plus MANY other articles) look at the newsletters at the link under my name.

Hello -

I'm brand new and was hoping to use my XL2 and Vegas 5 to produce a demo dvd for job searches. As such, I was interested in attempting a wide range of styles to showcase the versatility of my gear. Since my XL2 can shoot in 24p, 30, and 60fps, would it be possible to edit different events in different speeds but combine them in to one project? Thanks

You can combine them all, but the problem you'll run into if you're not aware, is that on render, the various framerates will all be transcoded to the framerate of the project. If your project is set up as 24P, then your 30p and 60i footage will become 24p. Without proper handling, this isn't a good thing.
If you have a 60i project setting, your 24p media will become 60i. So will your 30p media. Without proper handling, and even with proper handling, this is rarely a good thing.
If you are looking to show off each format, render them all separately to MPEG and make your DVD as such. On playback on a regular TV, the progressive scan media will be interlaced, but that's the format, not the render. If played back on a computer, the interlaced will become progressive, but again, that's the format.
It's challenging to mix multiple framerates correctly, but lotsa people do it.

There are now more comparisons up there, if you're interested in looking at some differences between cams, shooting formats, etc.

http://www.vasst.com/hdv/hdvportal.htm

Cool - just the man I was hoping to hear from (am currently reading two of your books).

Thanks!!!

Hey Imran! thanks for the plug!

Can you please contact me offline?
dse at sundancemediagroup dot com

Wow......am i reading that site right, a $35 plugin does 24p conversions? This combined with my other film look plugin (for which I have some favorite presets) may offer me the functionality of at $1500 24p/film look plugins?

The tool uses existing tools in Vegas, setting up the project for you and rendering the media correctly for you. Vegas is wonderful at deinterlacing, so Celluloid and Ultimate S both take advantage of this. In fact, in this same community, there are several comparisons to Magic Bullet and a couple other deinterlacing tools, most folks liked Vegas best. Even some of the FCP guys.
Check it out, there is a 14 day trial on the site. (The trial only comes with 6 filmlooks, the remaining 15 come when you buy the application.

<<<-- Originally posted by Peter Jefferson : groovy thanks for that mate!!!

Actually its only foir live demos on some Vegas pods we've built. Were running the new HDV plugin for capture and project settings.

Its still in its early stages... i think to early right now as its quite system draining.. heres hoping they fix the cpu/ram resource issue in V6... at teh moment vegas isnt using as much of teh system grunt as it could..

thanks again for the loan, i;ll let u know how it goes! -->>>

So are you saying that Sony will be releasing a HDV plugin to enable capture and editing HDV from it's FX1?

If it is so, do you know if it supports frame accurate edits of the FX1's interlaced footage? Now that would be something!!

The Digital Media Festival you mention..... Is it on soon? At Sydney's Darling Harbour? If it is and I'm not working - or otherwise entangled - I might try to get down there with my FX1e and HD10u....

Hi DSE,

Just a quick question. You mention that "progressive scan media" will be interlaced when viewing it on TV? Is it so? I thought that if I had a progressive-scan capable DVD player I'd play it back in progressive mode?

I know that some cheaper dvd players can't handle progressive mode but the more capable ones should? Or have I missed something?

// Lazze \\

Arg. The effect is so subtle that is hardly seen. Any other advice?
thanks!

So are you saying that Sony will be releasing a HDV plugin to enable capture and editing HDV from it's FX1?

--YUP ive got it installed and it works quite well at the moment, but its still in its Beta2 stage.. it also installs the CineForm HDV codec and afew other HDV project presets such as 50i. As the ZU1 is 50i/60i, Frame mode (not progressive) switchable these presets are set specifically for the new Sony HDV cams. Most likely V6 will carry these plugin features in version 6 as standard as were lookin at an update within the first quarter of next year, when teh ZU1 is released--

If it is so, do you know if it supports frame accurate edits of the FX1's interlaced footage? Now that would be something!!

--Vegas already does this with its "virtual" frames in your timeline. I frame and B frame problems are non existant. U dont have to worry bout GOP drop off/freezeframes as the software recognises that the frames are being replaced and resamples ll mpg2 frames anyway. On top of that, if yo supersample ur HDV footage, youll get almost zero aliasing. The FX1 is a brilliant camera and i know many companies ditching their broadcast gear to build a studio full of these cams. Theyre that good.


The Digital Media Festival you mention..... Is it on soon?

---Mon tue wed 6 7 and 8 December in exhibition hall 6 darling harbour. Im at the NewMagic stand 9the guys who disribute Vegas and Lightwave here in Oz. ---

At Sydney's Darling Harbour? If it is and I'm not working - or otherwise entangled - I might try to get down there with my FX1e and HD10u....

--groovy, come down and check out teh Pro HDV model of the FX1, it has built in 4:3 framing, XLR's, and afew other features within the menu system. Its also sexy black ;)

im starting to wonder why anyone would want to purchase an XL2 after seeing these cameras in action.....

Convert the files using the Demo version of Cineform's codec, or convert the media to Huffyuv.
If you use Cineform, getting 25p or 50i playback is crazy simple. Native m2t streams will NEVER playback at full rate on today's computers, MPEG is just simply cruel.


Thanks for that DSE, what are u using for the conversion to Huffyyuv??

Were running the mpg2's which are already captured as Cineform codec files straight from the new plugin. If theres a way to get away with converting these to another format for decent editing without killing frames, id love to try it :)

If youconnect a progressive scan DVD player, and have a progressive scan DVD, and connected to an LCD monitor or projector, you have PS all the way through. Change any component, and it's no longer progressive scan.
If you connect all that to a plasma or television monitor that isn't progressive scan, then it's converted to interlaced at the display.

Is there a way to change the default size of 60 every time I open the text window?
It's driving me nuts. Now where did I put that prozac...........

On mine, default is 72! Here's what you can do. Change the setting the way you want and then save as a PRESET. Now when adding text, add YOUR preset instead of the "default" preset.

Before the magic bullet filter, you could try this:

Apply the color curves plug-in. Making it concave down (a curve that points to the top left) increases brightness, making it concave up decreases brightness.

Making the curve look like a "S" increases contrast. Making it look like a s turned sideways decreases contrast.

Bring up the histogram. You want it to look kinda even, so there's a good balance of shadows, midtones, and highlights. Adjust contrast and brightness with curves until you get that.

What you're doing here is compensating for any under/overexposure. If the picture was under/overexposed then you will either have very little black diffusion going on or a lot of diffusion going on. *Side note: You can always make your histogram look very flat, although that may not always be desireable. For dark scenes, you may want just a few highlights in the picture (the histogram will on average slope to the right). For bright scenes that could be the opposite.

2- Try the black diffusion 5.0 preset. Increase grade all the way.

3- Bring up the checkerboard from Vegas' video generators and apply the black diffusion 5.0 preset to that.

Does anyone here keep a database of tapes, and possibly even scenes on each tape? I have been looking for software to do it, and have not found anything interesting for the PC. I did see a couple of Mac things. I use Vegas, so ideally it would tie into the Vegas media pool stuff and capture. But even a separate program would be of use, especially for tape library management.

So how about it? Any decent software to buy, or should I just build my own database?

Ive found these two:

Scenalyzer
http://www.scenalyzer.com/

CatDV
http://www.squarebox.co.uk/catdv/


Scenalyzer is easy to use, and CATDV is a bit more advanced. To use the Capture feature in CATDV, you need to buy a third party plugin, and I haven´t found any good ones yet.


There are lots of threads on this subject. Just search for
DV logging
logging tapes
log tapes
etc.

Yep seventy two also. I guess the preset is the way to go.
Thanks again.

Ron.G

Thanks Viktor.

I thought there WOULD be alot of threads, but could only find a couple. I probably didn't use the right keywords, but I tried a bunch of different ones.

I had looked at Scenalyzer, but it seemed to be only a capture tool. CatDV looks interesting tho, and I will examine it in more detail. Any other suggestions from the group here?