Adding FX gives pixelated look

DGates wrote on 2/17/2006, 5:20 PM
I always assumed when I added any video effects that the final output quality would take a slight hit. Specifically, I'm seeing a slight pixelation in areas of the video.

But I've seen work by others using different NLE's and the video still looks crisp, with no pixelation or decrease in resolution when effects are added. Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 2/17/2006, 5:29 PM
What value is your Preview window set to?
farss wrote on 2/17/2006, 5:29 PM
How are you viewing this and what FX. I've never noticed this however depending on what the preview res is set to you can get a dramatic quality hit when you add an FX as this forces recompression. Does NOT affect final output though.
Bob.
DGates wrote on 2/17/2006, 5:37 PM
Preview is set to Best (Full). I don't use too many effects, but I like to add glow or increase the brightness and contrast when needed.

I'm seeing slight star-stepping pixelation.
fldave wrote on 2/17/2006, 7:47 PM
If your final output is MPEG2, do not select the "Default" template, it is awful. Pick one of the DVD Architect video stream templates if you are going to DVD (you will also have to do a separate AC3 render for the sound).

Other output formats have lots of options to select from (bitrate, size) so you will have to experiment to get to what works best for you.

And continue to use "Best". You can verify the settings by picking a template and selecting the Custon button and reviewing the options.
farss wrote on 2/17/2006, 8:22 PM
Do you have Simulate Aspect Ratio ON?
If so try turning it OFF.
Odd things is, in NTSC the preview looks better with it ON and inPAL with it OFF.
Simply a lack of AA, doesn't look that way int the rendered output.

Bob.
Tattoo wrote on 2/17/2006, 11:56 PM
Do you think the "DVD Architect video stream" option is better than the "DVD NTSC" option? It's more of a hassle to render the video & audio separately, but if it's significantly better then it'd be worth it.
Chienworks wrote on 2/18/2006, 4:08 AM
Aside from rendering video only, the other significant difference is that the "DVD Architect video stream" template defaults to the quality being set to maximum. You could achieve similar results with the "DVD NTSC" template by setting the quality to maximum manually. You could also use the DVD Architect templates and include the audio. The nice thing about templates is that they're only a starting point and you can make your own tweaks from there.

Additionally the DVD Architect templates have a few other minor settings that produce output specifically intended to work best with DVD Architect.
Laurence wrote on 2/18/2006, 11:53 PM
Are you monitoring with a 1394 setup? If you are, you are getting a direct DV stream on previewing without effects, but the preview is going through Vegas's processing with the filter added. There is a noticable difference in preview quality when this happens. Do you notice the pixelation in rendered video?