Rendering output file in 1920 x 1080, possible?

scottpet wrote on 3/24/2008, 10:01 PM

Hello. I have recently purchased Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 8.0. I am trying to convert 1080i .mp4 files into a file type that Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 can use (.wmv, .avi, .mov, etc.). I want to convert the .mp4 files using the "Render As..." option within Vegas. When I choose "HD 1080 (1920 x 1080)" from the dropdown it throws a dialog box stating:

"Vegas Movie Studio Platinum does not support output of frame sizes greater than 1440 (width) by 1080 (height). The template you selected has been removed from the template list."

So, I don't get it. Am I not able to render (covert) an HD 1920 x 1080i file into a different 1920 x 1080 HD file? It appears I can only use 1440 x 1080 (which isn't HD).

Question: How do I convert a 1080i .mp4 into a different HD file type without losing quality?

Thanks for your help.
Scott scottpet @ hotmail.com

Comments

ggrussell wrote on 3/24/2008, 10:35 PM

Actually 1440X1080 is HDV which uses non-square pixels to create 1920X1080 (kinda like widescreen SD).

Just guessing, I would say true HD is only available in Vegas Pro. I would be surprised that Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 couldn't import an MP4. have you tried it?

Eugenia wrote on 3/24/2008, 11:48 PM

First try to open the file with Premiere, it should open it without any needed conversion.
Then, also try to see the TRUE resolution of the file. If this is HDV, then 1440x1080 it's its real resolution anyway. Then, with a 1.333 aspect ratio it becomes 1920 only during playback, not during editing.

scottpet wrote on 3/25/2008, 11:33 AM

Thanks for the responses. Adobe Premier Pro CS3 actually doesn't recognize .mp4 files (it is shocking, I know). There is a very active forum thread over at Adobe's website where lots of folks are experiencing this painpoint. One of the work-arounds was to use Sony Vegas as a way to convert the native files into something Adobe could use.

Actually, this is how I ended up using Sony Vegas. I was told that Sony Vegas 8 Platinum Movie Studio ($99 retail) can convert .mp4 into files that Adobe Premier Pro CS3 can recognize. However, now I'm learning that Sony Vegas 8 Platinum Movie Studio ($99 retail) *can* convert the .mp4 files but does not do it using true HD (it only renders 1440 x 1080).

My next attempt was to try downloading a trial of Sony Vegas 8 PRO ($500 retail) and was able to convert the .mp4 file into true HD 1920 x 1080. However, the file size goes from 24MB (input) and converts it into a 5 Gigabyte (!!!) output file. So, I 'can' convert the file using a trial version of Sony Vegas 8 Pro BUT the file size is so huge that my computer crashes when I try to edit the file in Adobe.

Question:
Does anyone know what the "Render As..." settings need to be to take a native 1920 x 1080i .mp4 file and convert it into any other file type without degrading the quality or making the file size super huge?

PS - the camera I'm using is a Sanyo Exacti HD1000
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_reviews/sanyo_hd1000.html

Eugenia wrote on 3/25/2008, 11:39 AM

Install the Cineform reader codec, I believe it's free on Cineform's site.

Then, on Vegas Pro load the MP4 file, select the full HD project properties template, and the render out by selecting AVI, click CUSTOM, select the Cineform codec, 29.97 fps, top field order, the right resolution and "best" quality. The created .avi cineform file should be usable on CS3 after installing the Cineform codec as suggested above. This codec is recommended for HD intermediate transfers from one app to another.