Why so many problems?

asafb wrote on 6/21/2002, 6:25 PM
Just wondering it seems that Vegas 3.0 always has bugs. The 3.0b update was temporarily removed after some "critical bugs."

What I'd like to suggest is this:

I'd like to know the approximate file size before I render to mpeg2. Can you guys do that, SF? So my project is 82 minutes. I select DVD NTSC Video stream only template for example with 6mbps average. It will say "approximately 4.0 gb". That way i can reduce the bit setting if it's too large.

How does Sonic Foundry's DV codec compare to Canopus' DV codec?

Comments

vonhosen wrote on 6/21/2002, 6:48 PM
You could always do it the other way.

As you know the length of your project & you are going to burn to DVD, use this formula & you then know what bitrate to set for the encode. (Just adjust the audio setting for the audio that is relevant for your authoring program)

The safe, useable size for Video and Audio is 3.6 gigs. As shown below in the formula:

DVD: 36096 Mbits of safe useable space
Space for AC3 audio (at 192 Kbit/s)= (number of seconds in your video*192)/1024
e.g. audio for 2 hours, (7200*192)/1024 = 1350 Mbits
Remaining space can be allocated for video, 36096-1350 = 34746 Mbits
For 2 hour project: video data rate = remaining space/number of seconds in your video
e.g. 34746/7200 = 4.825 Mbit/s
If using PCM audio, substitute 1600 in place of 192 in the audio calculation.

Since it’s easier to calculate the minutes, rather than the seconds, here’s the formula:

For AC3 audio:

(36096-(((Length of Video in Minutes*60)*192)/1024))/(Length of Video in Minutes*60)

For PCM audio:

(36096-(((Length of Video in Minutes*60)*1600)/1024))/(Length of Video in Minutes*60)

There should be sufficient overhead built into this for your menus, & menu audio etc.
Caruso wrote on 6/21/2002, 6:54 PM
asafb:
If your work environment is in a field, then, you have to contend with bugs. The world of video editing is a virtual steamy field where the presence of bugs is a given. "Insect control" is the trick that separates success from failure, and, if I do say so myself, I think the folks at SF stack up pretty well against the competition.

Don't forget, they are presenting software that must run on a variety of platforms. I have no experience with Premiere, but read that it, too, has some bugs, and is more complicated, less capable in the audio realm, more expensive, and less intuitive.

I owned a variety of Pinnacle products. All were buggy. Some proved to be inherently flawed; simply incapable of certain video editing chores.

If you'd like to compare, sign on to Pinnacle's forum and do some reading for yourself. You'll find problems stated that have not been resolved (and, don't get me wrong, I respect Pinnacle . . . they are a good company . . . but their DV editing package is not nearly as flexible or stable or capable as VV).

IMHO, what distinguishes SF is their lack of hesitation to face problems head on, address them, and correct them.

They are to be lauded in the regularity with which they issue updates to their VV product. Their staff does not hesitate to involve themselves in this forum (which, by definition is not monitored by SF).

I could go on and on, but, I'll wrap up with this comment: for my purposes, VV is the first video editing package that represents a best balance between features and simplicity, a package that offers powerful editing capability without sacrificing intuitiveness and without demanding the latest, greatest, gazillion gig hardware, and it accomplishes this within a purchase price range that is within the grasp of mortal man.

Not too shabby, if you ask me.

Version 3.0 was working pretty well on my system. I downloaded a, then b before either was jerked. Running b now, and, again, it seems to be working fine.

How many posts on this forum complain of the software not functioning at all . . . how many posts express total frustration at not being able to output a final production . . . not many that I can see.

You won't find that to be true in the forums of other vendors.

My hat (actually, I don't own one) is off to SF.

Caruso
asafb wrote on 6/21/2002, 7:22 PM
Dear caruso,

I agree with you 100% Vegas is great!

But can someone compare Canopus DV with sf's?
DOGoodman wrote on 6/21/2002, 7:27 PM
Sorry, I can't remember where I found it but DVDCalc.xls will give you approximate sizes based on length of video and type of audio. It's on the web, but you'll have to search for.

It's not exactly what you're looking for but it will get you in the ballpark.

If you can't find it, give a shout and I'll e-mail it to you.

As far as I can tell, the VV codec compares quite well w/Canopus, entirely non-scientific of course.



Dave
jpresley wrote on 6/21/2002, 9:18 PM
www.daileycreative.com/ReelDVD/DVDCalc.XLS
Tyler.Durden wrote on 6/21/2002, 9:50 PM
You might try the file size estimator right in Vegas...

Tools>Burn CD>Multimedia CD, select the format & template

You can also use any custom template saved in the File>Render-As dialog.

HTH, MPH


P.S. As for bugs... this is like a clean-room compared to others.