I used the capture tape option. This particular clip was near the end of the tape and the clip is in synched for a portion of the clip, but goes out of snych during the middle of the clip then comes back in synch near the end. It stays totally in snych when viewed in the trimmer. Very strange.

You could try Spinrite, which is a program designed to recover data off bad sectors and such.

http://grc.com/spinrite.htm

You need to buy it, but you can refund it for any reason (i.e. it didn't work). I've heard many good things about it, although I haven't had a need for it myself.

If your hard drive isn't spinning up:
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6255-5029761.html

Or the best thing to do is to send your drive to a pro data recovery service, but that's really expensive! (several hundred dollars)

I had success with restorer2000. There's a free demo that you can try. You'll be able to see what can be restored, although it won't let you restore anything until you pony up.

animation rendering looks bad. how come?
 

i am editing an animation film on vegas 5.
for some reason when i render a sequence to avi (pal dv) the image quality is much poorer compared to the exact same sequence rendered to mpeg. this doesn't seem logical, for i know that .avi is supposed to be better quality than mpeg. what is wrong?
the preview in vegas looks fine. but somehow rendering to .avi makes fine lines look wavey and motion is far smooth.

work method:
the drawings and animation were created on flash. i then exported from flash as jpeg sequences (12 frams/sec). in vegas i import the jpeg sequences and edit them.

thanks.

" for i know that .avi is supposed to be better quality than mpeg. "

This is 100% incorrect. AVI (like QuickTime .MOV for example) is
A CONTAINER format! This means that it has no way on its own
to encode content into any form (except uncompressed, which
just stores it as is).

A container format needs a CODEC (encoder / decoder) to encode
(and decode on playback) your content into a stream. This stream
is put inside the AVI (in this case) container which other computers
know how to handle (but still need that codec).

So when you exported to a PAL DV AVI the codec you are using
is the DV (Mainconcept or Microsoft) codec. I could even encode
MPEG into AVI (DiVX/XviD is MPEG-4 for example). Just so all of
this is clear to you.

There are two things of immediate concern to the story you've
written:

1. 12 frames per second

2. jpeg sequences

JPEG is a LOSSY (like DV or MPEG) compression that tosses out
information you cannot (easily) see, but depending on the JPEG
compression level this can be seen. It would be far better to
export to an uncompressed or lossless compressed format like:

Windows bitmap (.BMP), TIFF (.TIF) or TARGA (.TGA) files

12 frames per second exported as 25 frames per second will not
look smooth indeed, since it will be interpolated. I assume you
want to interpret this 12 fps footage AS 25 fps instead of converting
it to that.

A few questions:

1. what are your exact project settings in Vegas?

2. what are your exact settings of the imported flash/jpeg footage? (right-click on an event on the timeline and choose properties)

3. did you change any settings in the DV PAL templat or not?

If you didn't change anything under 3 then your output settings
will have been set to INTERLACED (your project settings may also
be set to this which is NOT what you want!) which is incorrect. It
should be set to progressive.

These are a couple of things to start with...

thanks for your answer rob. i'll check the project settings and so on, as you suggest and get back to you on this. thanks.

i'll also check to see if i can use a different format to export other than jpeg.

all said, i still am not clear on why the vegas preview looks better than the rendered product when rendering to PAL DV uncompressed (did not change any of the default settings).

thanks again.
adi

intro for promo video needed
 

Hi all,


I am in need of inspiration right now , if any of you know where I could find on the web promotionnal video's made by you or others.

Something that has great intro's/outro's

These should have been done with vegas because I kinda rant out of idea's for them when doing them in vegas

If this is not the case please specify with which program it was done with

Thanks a bunch

Phil

One thing that is different is that the preview is not interlaced
(probably) and your output is. Also it might not be able to actually
interpolate the 12 to 25 fps in realtime so that might in this case
give it a better appearance as well.

rob, here are the details you requested...

1. vegas project settings:

frame: 720X576
pixel axpect ratio: 1.000 square
frame rate: 12
full-resolution rendering quality: best
motion blur type: gaussian
deinterlace method: blend fields

2. media properties:

switches marked:
loop
smart resample

playback rate: 1.000
undersample rate: 1.000

3. no changes were made to the PAL DV template

i'm not quite sure what you meant when you wrote that you assume that i wish to interpet 12 fps as 25 fps instead of converting it to that.

also, i thought i might mention that loss in quality is especially noticable during "camera motion" which was created with vegas crop and pan.

thanks!!

PAL-DV *IS* 25fps (not 12)

If you wish to output to TV, it will need to be 25fps and the TV will be interlaced.

Thanks guys,
Even the W2k tools in the disk management section wouldn't touch this. I thought that the "repair system files" option would at least let me see the files...nope.
I made a list of important files on the drive prior to the problem.
Fortunately, I was paranoid enough to make a copy of the master
.avi of the show on another drive, which I discovered last night.
I can take it back into Vegas and make the DVD stuff again.

First time I've ever had a drive (Maxtor 16oGB 7200rpm) go down.
I re-formatted it and it came up as 140+GB instead of the 153GB it used to be, so there were apparently a bunch of bad sectors.
I'm sending it back to Maxtor on Monday for a replacement...it's one of their last drives with a 3 year warranty; now they're only giving a year.
Thanks again for your suggestions.
Ken

so what is it that i have to change or do differently so that the animation, rendered to pal dv, will look best as possible?

Just to make things clear , the kind of stuff i am looking for is like the intro for the LadyX project.

thanks

ps: if you read this Rob could you tell me which program did you use to make the intro for the project , it really is a great one

Any news on HDV native support?
 

So; is there any news on development for adding HDV native support to Vegas?

I'm surprised that this question hasn't been asked before, given that the FX-1 has been out for long enough now that Vegas' lack of native support could be seen as embarrassing; to say the least.

I know there's been some movement towards this end.... I just wondered whether it would be forthcoming before Ulead, Avid, FCP, Adobe and well.....just about everyone else have managed to do so!!

Going straight into the Trimmer Bin
 

Is there a way to open up clips directly (first) into the Trimmer Bin, instead of opening them up on the time line first? Thanks.

double click on item in media pool or explorer.

1/- If from Media Pool, just Right Click on event and slect Open in Trimmer.

OR:

2/- If you want to Open IN trimmer from Vegas Explorer you need to SET this option within Preferences. It is the 10th option within the Tools>Preferences>General

Good luck . .happy editing

Grazie

it's not just a vegas issue... all software-only editors are incapable of real-time previewing of native hdv footage, because the present-day computer cpu's aren't powerful enuf to do the decoding for playback... there is no software fix for that, and it doesn't have anything to do with hard drive speed... so you can't fix the problem with things like hard drive raid arrays.

the only way we'll get native hdv with vegas at this point in time is if they add some kind of hardware support... which doesn't appear to be happening.

Are There Additional Transitions for Vegas 5
 

I have Transitions in other editing apps not in vegas. Are there add on transition packs availible?

<<<-- Originally posted by Dan Euritt : it's not just a vegas issue... all software-only editors are incapable of real-time previewing of native hdv footage, because the present-day computer cpu's aren't powerful enuf to do the decoding for playback... there is no software fix for that, and it doesn't have anything to do with hard drive speed... so you can't fix the problem with things like hard drive raid arrays.

the only way we'll get native hdv with vegas at this point in time is if they add some kind of hardware support... which doesn't appear to be happening. -->>>

Hmm.... I take it you don't have a FX-1 then Dan? If you do, you mustn't have attempted to capture from the cam in HDV mode into Vegas, because that's the only way you could have misinterpretted what I am saying....

Come to think of it, I don't even recall thinking of 'real-time' in any form when I wrote my original post.... probably because I've got ConnectHD, which apart from CapDVHS (a most inelegant capture tool) is the only effective capture software I've found for the FX-1.

You'd also be aware if you had the FX-1 that once you've got your CFHD avi or m2t files captured that getting them into Vegas isn't something that's easy enough for a relative 'computer newbie' to accomplish: i.e. the CFHD files are the native 1440x1080, and require a custom template to display and edit correctly, while the m2t files don't show as 'media files' and must be imported under the 'all files' option. While this may not be an excessive hassle from my perspective, it's annoying enough that these extra steps have to be taken when Sony's own NLE could be updated to a point where they're unnecessary.

Also, WinXP service pack 2 must be installed for your system to even recognise the cam, although Vegas will only recognise it in DV mode....which is fine if I wanted crappy DV mode captures, rather than the HDV material I bought the camera for.

So; yes, it is a Vegas issue....not anything to do with real-time preview or any exotic hardware support. Just a plain and simple need for Sony to support it's own hardware within it's own NLE.....

...

This is the only thing I know that is happening relating to Vegas and HDV:

http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.co...?ReleaseID=588

Dennis

<<<-- Originally posted by Dennis Liu : ...

This is the only thing I know that is happening relating to Vegas and HDV:

http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.co...?ReleaseID=588

Dennis -->>>

Which despite being an older article (which I read at the time - thanks anywayz), has the horrible implication that Sony is off-loading it's responsibility to support it's own hardware to 3rd party providers.

That'd be fine if the 'between the lines' allusion to Vegas 'integration' with ConnectHD was realised, but they are two seperate entities.

Perhaps Douglas Spotted Eagle has some insights on what I'm asking as he has been (if I've been following the threads correctly) working with Sony on this very aspect... Any tit-bits you can let slip Doug without breaching any NDAs you have?

Check out Spice Master from Pixelan.

Gary

And WAX, and Boris, and there's a few free ones written by individuals such as here: http://mikecrash.wz.cz/

and here: http://www.endor.demon.co.uk/

Adding to system help!
 

I'm looking to add some equipment to my pc.
I have a Sony Viao rx550.
1.5gh
60 HD
256 Ram.

I want to add more HD. An external one to store my videos on ect.. around 200HD or so.

I would like to add more ram, my computer max's at 512.

I also need a dependable dvd burner. External as well.

I have 4 usb ports and 2 firewire ports.

My videos will be 15 minutes at most. Also after I burn to dvd I can delete my projects from the Hard Drive to clear space as well. Will also have very little effects, transitions or any complex things that will slow down rendering.

Any input on brand from personal use or experience will be a big help. Looking to puchase this week.

Thank you,
Matt

External hard drive:
It might be cheapest to buy a (P)ATA / normal IDE hard drive (not SATA) and stick it in a firewire enclosure. Some assembly required, but no big deal.

Example enclosure:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-342&depa=0
I have that and have yet to really test it.

Should be around $30 cheaper the DIY route. Hard drive you can get anything, although I'd stay away from Maxtor (most but not all people consider them not that reliable).

Burner:

Ars Technica's buyer's guide recommends the NEC 3500a. I go there to quickly research what particular brand of stuff to get.

http://arstechnica.com/guides/buyer/...-21-2004.ars/3

The NEC 3500a and Pioneer 108 are a coin flip according to the forum at cdfreaks.com (this is a pretty good place with info on burners). Get whichever's cheaper.

You might also want to pickup some DVD media. Taiyo Yuden DVDs are the best but more expensive than other DVDs like Riteks. meritline.com is one place to get DVDs... I don't know too much about this stuff so you could check out cdfreaks.com for help. The people over at the official Sony Vegas forum recommend riteks from meritline.

RAM:
Go to crucial.com and figure out what kind your computer needs. You can get practically any RAM for your computer... they will all work, and at the same speed (for video!). If your computer's chipset supports dual channel, get pairs of RAM all the same model for optimal performance. (I don't think it does, but you can double check.)

Generic/cheap RAM may be more likely to be dead on arrival (this is rare). You can test your RAM with memtest86. Without getting too complicated, memtest86 will catch like 95% of bad RAM.

memtest86.org is the website. You need to create a boot CD or boot floppy, and set your computer to boot from it. Memtest86 starts automatically... wait for it to finish one pass.

As Edward explained, the output template is 25 fps. So it will
interpolate your 12 fps footage to 25 fps which is not what you
want.

Thank you for responding to my questions. My 2nd question was
perhaps a bit unclear, I meant under the Media tab when you
go to properties, please list:

- Attributes
- Format
- Frame rate
- Field order
- Aspect ratio

What you should change (at least) is the following:

1. project properties: File -> Properties: set Field order to "None (progressive scan)"

2. when exporting: File -> Render As: choose your PAL DV template, go to Custom: Video tab: set Field order to "None (progressive scan)"

Also MAKE SURE that when you right-click on your footage, go to
properties (per my question #2) and then Media tab the Field order
there is set to "None (progressive scan)" as well (it probably is if
you loaded a still sequence).

Tell us how it looks after this. If it still looks bad then the 12 -> 25
fps conversion is creating some problem. It might be a good idea
to get use a 2 second (24 frames) JPEG export to see how it looks
for ourselves.

Video Capture Error (Trial Version)
 

I get the following error message when I click on the camcorder icon on Vegas 5.
The camcorder has been turned on and in VTR mode.
<i>The specified video capture application can not be opened.
C:\Program Files\Sony\Vegas 5.0\VidCap5.0.EXE</i>

I've also went into the folders and opened the vidcap50.exe software in the Vegas directory.
But then, I get the Please Enter Your Serial Number for <i>Sony Video Capture XPress 5.0!</i> message.


The video capture use to work fine several weeks ago, even on the trial version.

Thanks for trying to help me out Ed.

I have not figured out why my audio goes randomly out of sync, but I am editing around it by deleting the off synced audio and video tracks, then adding new ones hoping it will be ok. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Thanks again.

Transition duration
 

In Excalibur you can set the length of transitions, but I don't see how this can be done in Vegas directly. Am I missing something?

And a separate question: In the Sony Credit Roll there seems to be no capability to insert an item, such as the name of a cast member I found I had overlooked. I had to re-enter all the items from the insertion on down. Again, am I missing something?

Transitions: Just slide the clips however long you want the transition to be - If it MUST be a precise size, you can create a selection of the proper size to help in the adjustments. Vegas has no built-in methods for just typing in the exact size of a transition - one of the reasons for tools like Excalibur and Neon - both of which can do this.


Credit Roll: Click on the square to the left of the line where you would like the new entry added. Press the "Insert" key.

You'll probably have to contact Customer Service to resolve this. I guess the big question is: What changed from several weeks ago?

Have you tried rendering then playing the rendered file in a player? Maybe the Vegas preview is causing this and it won't be apparent in the finished/rendered file.

I thought the trial was for 30 days.

Yup, the trial is 30 days long.
I will contact Sony Pictures once the website returns.
Since my previous use of the Video Capture program, I did not touch any settings or delete Sony related files.

Thanks, Ed. I thought I had tried the insert key, but maybe not in proper sequence with the text type key at the beggining of the line.

But for the transition deal I don't see any clip to extend. For a transition I make a split then drag a transition type icon up the split and drop it there. There appears to be only an arrow that can't be stretched.

Am I supposed to create a clip (two splits) and then mark that as a transition? (I'm at work and don't have Vegas in front of me to try).

You have to OVERLAP the clips by the size you want the transition. If you want the default ovelap amount (which you can set in the preferences) then put the cursor on the split and press the "/" key on the number pad.

If I just drag the video track I'll lose synch, so the audio has to be involved in the transition also?

When I overlap clips, I generally overlap both the audio and video. This lets both the video and audio crossfade from one clip to the next. If you don't want that, you can always make either the video or audio longer or shorter to compensate and keep things in sync (i.e. like J and L cuts).

Bottom line - the amount of overlap controls the length of the transition. The GOOD thing about this is that you don't have to worry about HEADS or TAILS on the clips (which I HATED in my previous NLE). Just trim as needed and overlap - DONE.

.avi .wmv wont open in Vegas 5
 

Hey All,

so i have this .avi that will play and open in windows media player just fine but when i go to open and edit it in Vegas only the audio portion opens.

When i capture video i don't have this problem.

Is there 'one button' that i'm missing? I tried read only and it didn't make a difference. Any other thoughts to why this is happening?