direct stream copy VS. render (copy imported clip's properties automatically into project template settings )

alphabeta wrote on 3/15/2003, 9:39 PM
I have a never ending problem with understanding when I need to render a clip and when I don't. I am doing short screen captures which use the Techsmith codec to compress into a nice size and quality. This is followed by some very basic editing using vegas 4 {simple cutting out of parts }.

My question is -- do I need to rerender the whole clip? I am not adding any kind of effects nor transitions nor titles. In one video conversion utility I had there was something called direct-stream copying (used when I had joined similar clips together to form 1).

Am I way off base here in assuming that if I keep the project/render settings the same as the settings of the original clip, rendering time will be very short.

Is there a way to simply save a file in the same format as the original clip, but the file will be just a little bit shorter - without really rendering. I though that was what -uncompressed avis were - but I quickly learned I was way off base. HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP.... This has been a foible that has been plaguing me for the past year or so, so I am begging help.

Thx
darian


Comments

Former user wrote on 3/15/2003, 9:48 PM
In Vegas, when you render to a file, if all parameters of the Rendered file are the same as the original (i.e. resolution, compression etc), then Vegas does the equivalent of a Direct Stream Copy. The only things that are re-rendered are effx. If you change a parameter, such as make a MOV instead of an AVI file, then the whole project will be rendered.

If you are making an Uncompressed file from a compressed format, such as DV, then the new file will have to be completely rendered.

Dave T2
alphabeta wrote on 3/15/2003, 9:55 PM
Great answer. Thx. Now, is there any way to easily copy ALL the settings (i.e. resolution, compression, frame rate, field order etc.) from the imported clip to the project/render settings? p.s. What is the difference between project settings and render settings? What is the point of having porject settings if the rendering is what is important in the end?? (I know, a real newbie question....)
Spot|DSE wrote on 3/15/2003, 11:04 PM
You can right click the media, copy it's attributes. However, Techsmith uses the MS or Cinepak codec, so you'll probably end up recompressing anyway. It's not original DV, so there are any number of parameters applicable. Use MSDV in Techsmith if you can, at a resolution of 720x480, and in Vegas, render to the MSDV codec.
VidNut wrote on 4/23/2003, 3:39 AM
A few weeks ago alphabeta asked:
"Now, is there any way to easily copy ALL the settings (i.e. resolution, compression, frame rate, field order etc.) from the imported clip to the project/render settings?"

and spot replied:
"You can right click the media, copy it's attributes."

But I can't see how to do this. How do you paste these attributes into the render settings?

VidNut
mikkie wrote on 4/23/2003, 5:54 AM
Click on the proj properties icon on the toolbar, or select properties from the file menu -> click the icon in the upper right quadrant that looks like the std file open button -> select one of the clips you imported or intend to import to the timeline -> fine tune or tweak any of the other settings, like quality level.

Should mention that everything will usually be set to your clip properties, but it pays to double check the field order settings both in the proj properties dialogs & for the clip (s) by right clicking on the individual clips in the timeline and selecting properties & going to the 2nd tab... Sometimes Vegas gets this wrong. Also check the pixel aspect ratios in the same way.

When rendering select avi as file type, then under custom on the video tab select use project settings. This won't get you 100% there but it's awful close.
VidNut wrote on 4/23/2003, 6:15 AM
Thanks Mikke
That's the way I have always set project properties it's a bit tedious though so I was interested in Spot's method which led to my question because I don't see how he does it with the right click the media copying and pasting thing.

Also, when you say "...on the video tab select use project settings." do you mean select 'Default Template (uncompressed)'?

VidNut
mikkie wrote on 4/23/2003, 6:53 AM
""...on the video tab select use project settings." do you mean select 'Default Template (uncompressed)'?"

Yes

Agree about the tedious part.
VidNut wrote on 4/23/2003, 3:49 PM
So does anyone know what Spot is talking about here?

See posts above Re: Right clicking to copy and paste project attributes