VMS10 Resolution Confusion

BobWard wrote on 3/1/2011, 4:36 PM
Being a video novice, I am not quite sure how to explain my problem, but I will give it a try.

I am using FRAPS to record on-screen video from a flight simulator game. My screen resolution is set at 1600 x 1200 and fps is set at 29.97 in FRAPS. The file is recorded in avi format and the file properties say it is indeed recorded in 1600 x 1200 resolution.

When I bring this file into VMS10, the video propeties box in VMS does not list a 1600 x 1200 format, so I select "HDV 1080-60i (1440x1080, 29.970 fps)" as the video template, since this seems to be the closest alternative.

However, when I go to render this to a DVD, I am stuck with a 720 x 480 resolution, thus loosing a lot of the crisp detail that I see in the original 1600 x 1220 avi file.

Is there any way to render this to DVD in a way that will keep the high image resolution that the avi file was originally recorded with?

Secondly, what is the purpose of being allowed to choose a video template (1440x1080) in VMS that has a higher resolution that what I am being allowed to select when I burn a DVD (720x480)?

Guess I am not quite grasping the meaning of selecting a resolution in the video properties box.

Comments

Eugenia wrote on 3/1/2011, 5:39 PM
>so I select "HDV 1080-60i (1440x1080, 29.970 fps)" as the video template, since this seems to be the closest alternative.

No, you should create a custom template. Templates exist for the most popular formats, but your 1600x1200 video is not a popular video format, and for that reason you must create the right properties manually -- or the easiest way would be to use the "match media" toolbar icon in that dialog box to match your settings.

>Is there any way to render this to DVD in a way that will keep the high image resolution that the avi file was originally recorded with?

No. You'd need to burn an AVCHD or Blu-Ray disk to do that, and even that will have to be cropped/resized since HD has only 1080 vertical lines, not 1200.

However, by using the right project properties as explained above, WILL help with better DVD quality than you're currently getting. Just don't expect miracles with DVDs.

>Secondly, what is the purpose of being allowed to choose a video template (1440x1080) in VMS that has a higher resolution that what I am being allowed to select when I burn a DVD (720x480)?

Vegas is not inside your brain to know that you have DVDs in mind. Plus, DVDs can't go over 720x480, they are not computers that given the right CPU speed they can playback any kind or resolution video. Its abilities are pre-determined, so you're stuck with the features decided in early '90s. Otherwise, the disks can't be played on DVD players, that only adhere to these predetermined standards.

You might have just as well export a 1600x1200 MP4 file, in which case it would match the original (and that's your best choice btw, neither DVDs or BDs or AVCHD disks, since your video's resolution is not standard). As for choosing templates, as I said above, these are for the common camera formats, which is not true in your case.
BobWard wrote on 3/1/2011, 6:38 PM
Thanks for the excellent explanation Eugenia.

So I guess if I want to get better DVD resolution, I will have to go the BluRay route. I have DVD Architect Studio 5 which does have BluRay capabilty - I would still have to buy a BluRay burner.

My remaining question is in regard to the following comment you made: "You might have just as well export a 1600x1200 MP4 file, in which case it would match the original . . . .". What am I exporting here and to where?
Eugenia wrote on 3/2/2011, 3:25 PM
>I would still have to buy a BluRay burner.

If you already have an AVCHD-compatible Blu-Ray player you don't need a burner. You can record HD video on a DVD disk, but with the AVCHD format (not the old DVD format). You can do that from inside Vegas, from the main menu. Just put a DVD disk in the DVD burner, and tell it to create an AVCHD disk. Again, not all Blu-Ray players support this hack (it's a hack, not part of the official standard).

>What am I exporting here and to where?

1600x1200 MP4 export would be for watching on your own PC, not for TV viewing. Use this to export as suggested for 1080p: http://eugenia.queru.com/2007/11/09/exporting-with-vegas-for-vimeo-hd
but change resolution to 1600x1200 instead of 1920x1080. Everything else is the same as suggested for 1080p exporting. Again, that's only good for PC viewing, and a fast PC at that.
BobWard wrote on 3/2/2011, 4:38 PM
Ok, I understand. No, I don't have a Blu-Ray player yet.

Some of the clips on my timeline are in the 1600 x 1200 format, while others (old 16mm film) are in 720 x 480. So when I render this project to DVD, all the events on the timeline get automatically converted to the 720 x 480 resolution. I assume there is nothing special that I need to select in VMS (or DVDAS 5), other than "burn to DVD", in order make a successful render to DVD?

Do I gain anything (quality) by creating the DVD in DVDAS vs VMS10?
BobWard wrote on 3/3/2011, 7:53 PM
When I click the Match Media button and select one of the avi files that contains 1600x1200 video, the Width and Height boxes do indeed reflect 1600 and 1200. However, the Template box defaults to "Custom (1600x1080, 29.970 fps)". Where is the 1080 comimg from if my selected media is 1600x1200?

This happens whether the "Adjust source media to better match project or render settings" is checked or unchecked.
Eugenia wrote on 3/3/2011, 9:53 PM
Possibly because Platinum does not support over 1080 lines vertically, maybe. Pro doesn't have this limitation.