Musicvid, there is no 1080P30 project property (or render property). There is the 29.97 one which correlates to 60i. So, there is no exact match. One reason for this is that project properties match output-render properties and 30P is not a Blu-Ray deliverable format. This does not mean that 60i dosent work.

Also, text, titling, etc. that is input using a propject property type other than the final render type is very fuzzy IMO. So if I use a HD project property and render to DV, the text looks poor, where if the project property is DV (video is HD) and the render is DV, the text is good.

So, project properties affects more than the preview.

I think Im answering my own question here, there just isnt an easy way to create both HD & DV project off the same timeline without at least re-sizing the text properties.

Sorry if I over-generalized my response. I have no specific experience with the format you are trying to import, so perhaps I should have reserved my response.

I haven't experienced fuzzy text with the text event at the same size as the Project (media) properties, using a 1440x1080 test clip, and rendered down to SD. In fact, the rendered text edges appear slightly softer if I set the event size at the output size, regardless of the Project Properties size. So I guess I can't comment on your conclusion that the project settings affect the render, except to note that if the project properties do not precisely match the media aspect, the black bars will show up in the render.

That being said, what happens when you match your project to media, by clicking on the folder icon in Project Properties, and then clicking on one of your media files? What comes up? Is it incorrect in some measure?

There is no match in properties for 1080P30 except for using a 1920X1080 template. I really don't think the project properties have any effect at all on the video, specifically the resize (which Vegas has no options for controlling), except for selecting the de-interlace, which is always none for progressive.

Can you upload a 10 sec. clip of your source media somewhere (like Mediafire)?

Here are a few short raw files directly from the camera. They are zipped. AVCHD MTS format.

link removed

"There is no match in properties for 1080P30 . . ."
It took me all of 5 seconds to correctly match the Vegas Project Properties to your exact media properties using the steps I twice described above.

I downloaded your 00003.MTS and checked it with both MediaInfo and GSpot. No disagreement about the properties.

VideoI then put the clip on the Vegas timeline. Again, no disagreement about the video properties.

Video: 00:00:07.007, 29.970 fps progressive, 1920x1080x12, AVCI then opened the Project Properties dialog, and matched the project to your media properties. (Remember, I asked you to click the folder icon?). The new project properties invoked, again with no disagreement, are:

Custom (1920x1080, 29.970 fps)

It is then a simple step to name the custom template (which is absolutely correct), to "1080P30" or whatever you choose, save it so it will be available to you as a template in the future, and click "Apply."So, I'm wondering what problem you are having getting Vegas to match project properties to your media? I am using Vegas Pro 8.0c. As long as your clips' properties flags are correct (and they are), they will be set properly in Vegas by following those two simple steps.

You are right, the 29.97 is progressive, if that's what you select. I thought 30P was an even 30 fps and 29.97 was really over 60i.

My original question was which property is best for creating both DV & HD projects.

After doing a few render tests and A/B comparisons, burned to a DVD just to make sure, I found the template related (upper 1/3 of the box) project properties has no effect at all on the rendered video, it only affects generated media. I.E., using the multimedia template and rendering to widescreen DV produces the exact same result as any other template rendered to widescreen DV. You were right on that too.

Thanks for your help.

Still not sure which template makes the generated media look best though. I strung together a few different property types and when viewing as widescreen DV format on a HDTV, you see the text shape change a little (probably Vegas sizing text) with each different property, but none jump out at you as being clearly superior.

Yes, that is the precise information I offered in my first post, (along with directions for having Vegas set the properties without "selecting" them).

>"The Project Properties are in no way dependent on your desired Render Properties.

So I'm happy you have come to that same conclusion. There are still a couple of things farther down in the project properties one must set by hand.

The rationale for setting your project properties the same as your media by using "Match Media Properties," is to optimize your video preview for editing.

Since asking Vegas to calculate frame size and rate, aspect ratio, and field order, other than your original media places a large burden on system resources, doing so often has the effect of slowing your Preview frame rate, often down to nothing.

>"If you "should" choose to change your Project Properties pre-emptively to emulate the output, you do so at the the sacrifice of preview performance."

Since AVCHD is inherently problematic during preview, it would seem to be in one's best interest to minimize the system load to give the smoothest preview possible. There are several other tricks using the Preview settings to help achieve this also, once the project properties are optimized.

Again, keeping your generated media the same size as your project (media) settings is generally the safest bet, unless you are upsizing (not generally recommended)or going after some critical placement or registration issue, in which case it is easy enough to temporarily switch your project properties to preview the output formatting, then switch back for media preview.