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Thank you Carl
But as I explain I have audio.
My issue is that audio is not synchronised.
When you are in webcam capture tab you can select your audio source.
Hello, Theolilou!, In respect of that last sentence in your reply to Carl312, I'd suggest that you bypass the audio on the capture device and feed the audio via your computer's stereo line-in connection and allow the inbuilt audio processor to handle the audio, until such time as you acquire a capture device that will do the job properly for you.
Cheers!
Neil
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Gee, Barry!
You're not getting much response to this post, are you? I had to look for this thread on page 2 of the topics list for PD14. My posting this will, at least get this thread back on page 1. A DVD burning project I undertook last night prompts me to write here because I gave PD14 Ultra's "Create Disc" function a try and it left a great deal to be desired. As you know(and I've been criticised for this often), I always render my videos at DVD-SP, this is on par with "standard definition" when viewing a digital TV broadcast. Two recent projects were chosen for the burn. The leading video was "The Sydney Tramway Museum", the second, being only just completed, "Steamfest 2016".
The file size indicator at bottom-left of screen in "Create Disc" mode was, basically "telling me lies" as I knew the file size for each video was far less than 2 gigabytes, yet that indicator showed them to be way up in the order of over 4.7 GB per item! Even when I selected "Smart Burn" the file size indication still showed a total value of over 4.9 gigabytes.... Huh??? PD14 somehow assumes these files to have been rendered as DVD-HQ when, in fact they were DVD-SP. The end result was a "drinks coaster"! This is why I stick with PD8 Ultra as it's file size display in Create Disc mode is far more accurate. I render in DVD-SP(criticism notwithstanding) to keep file sizes to a manageable level, so that a 1-hour video isn't going to go too far above 2 gigabytes if it does go that high. I like to put at least two items on a disc if they're just an hour each(double features, perhaps! LOL) and that's why I value PD8 Ultra for that reason(plus the ability to create a menu where one item plays then returns to menu, that was a brilliant addition to PD8 that's held on through to PD14). Just thought I'd share my thoughts.
Cheers!
Neil.
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Just an observation, Neil.
Consequence #2 in PDR
Without QuickTime installed, you cannot import alpha channel videos. Full stop.
Confirmed by reinstalling QT - same video imported fine.
Others may not be bothered by this because they have no use for alpha channel videos... BUT it puts a bit of a dint in PDR's capabilities.
Cheers - Tony
Okay, Tony!
That's enough for me! QuickTime stays put on my computer! Just out of curiosity, Alpha Channel, Is that TS content from a set-top PVR device by any chance? I ask because I've imported a lot of content from a flash-drive, normally connected to a PVR(shows from ABC, like "Four Corners" or "Julia Zemiro's Home Delivery" series).
Cheers!
Neil.
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Hello all!
Something I tried last night(Australian time) has confirmed to me once and for all why I was wise to retain PD8(Ultra) for DVD authoring.
I tried to burn a DVD of my two recent videos, using PD14(Ultra). The videos were "The Sydney Tramway Museum"(1 hour, 3 minutes, 57 seconds, 1.65 GB) and "Steamfest 2016"(45 minutes, 33 seconds, 1.18 GB), the playing times and file sizes for each are shown in brackets. Going to the "Create Disc", I pulled in the first-mentioned title, as it was intended as the leading item. In spite of its file size, the display at bottom-left of screen showed the video to go well over the capacity of the destination DVD (4.7 GB). I ignored that for the moment and proceeded to add the chapters, taking the file momentarily into the editing window and setting 10 evenly-spaced chapters, did likewise with the second title, then, after editing the details in the Menu, I was ready to burn the disc, the display at bottom-left was now showing the content to be up over 8 GB, which, of course was nonsence as the file size of each, all up would not quite reach 3 GB. This told me that the files were deemed to be DVD-HQ, even though I rendered them as DVD-SP(these videos were shot with a Canon Legria digital camera, by the way). So I set the burn quality to "Smart Fit", that showed the display to drop back to around the 4.9 GB range, I clicked to burn this disc anyway. A window appeared asking me if I was sure there was enough capacity on the disc for this project, I clicked OK and "set the wheels in motion". A bit over an hour later came the result: Another drink coaster!, Yep, burning unsuccessful! Contrast this with later in the evening when I did the project in PD8 Ultra, PD8 recognised the files were in DVD-SP, the total file size with a first-play video added, came to 3.272 GB and the burn proccess took no more than 12 minutes and 7 seconds, Burn Successfull! Wunderbar! So now you know why I stick to PD8 for burning discs. PD14 is good for editing but PD8 still trumps it when it comes to DVD authoring.
Cheers!
Neil.
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In light of Theolilou's comment, this might help. The first video capture device I used was from AVERMedia. While the image quality was quite good, the audio quality was attrocious coming through this device, so I bypassed the audio and fed the audio output from the VCR I was copying from, via an audio mixer, to the computer's own audio line-in and allowed the on-board Realtek audio processor card to work its magic instead. That at least got the audio into the system and sounded much better, but at the time I was using Windows XP and some audio drop-outs could be heard as the system tried to "keep up" with the video feed. There would be several audio drop-outs, but I put that down to the older operating system(Win XP). Win 7 and later should exhibit no problems in that regard, so if you can't get the audio to be recognised by the device, bypass the device and feed the audio to the computer's own stereo audio line-in. This should suffice until you acquire a capture device that will successfully feed both audio and video to the system.
Cheers!
Neil.
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Hello, Sailor Guy!
Generally, capture devices(for copying analogue content) are "plug-and-play" and, by rights should work with any video editing software, be it Pinnacle, Corel Video Studio or any of the Cyberlink Power Director versions, that's just my own observations. So I'm at a loss to explain why yours won't pick up the audio, so, I'd say go with what SteveK and others have suggested and bypass PD10 for capture purposes, capture your content with your Pinnacle software, then import the capture to PD10 for editing.
Cheers!
Neil
P.S. Be very wary of AVI, though. Either DV-AVI or Windows AVI, it will gobble up a hell of a lot of hard-drive capacity. Best to stick with the file type that Pinnacle uses(MPEG2).
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Hi, SoNic67!
While the digital system has, as you say, bypassed the PAL/NTSC/SECAM system melee, there is still the "ghost" of PAL & NTSC in our editing & burning videos, even when sourced from digital cameras. So though SECAM has finally been excorcised, the ghosts of PAL and NTSC continue to haunt our system, just look at the parameters when next you edit or burn a disc, you'll be asked whether to burn to PAL or NTSC standards, so those ghosts still haven't learned yet that they're dead! (Boo! LOL) As for the French guarding their precious TV industry? Stubborn buggers, those French! It's only since the advent of the SBS TV network here in Australia that we saw any French series or movies, they really didn't have much to offer, SBS was the only network here that showed any interest, our ABC had the short "Miniscule" nature spoof series, but that's all, so to protect their shows by creating their own colour TV system was a waste of time and effort. As I'd already said, the SECAM system was plagued with problems from the outset so the French would've been better-served to just bite the bullet and go cap-in-hand across the border and ask those nice German folks if they would supply all the necessary gear to run a PAL-standard system. Would've saved a lot of headaches in the long run!
Cheers!
Neil.
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I've uninstalled Quicktime completely.
So far, apart from not being able to use SmartSound in PDR, I haven't found any other ill-effects. All videos tested have imported, played back and produced to various formats without issue.
So - yes - producing to MP4 isn't a problem.
Cheers - Tony
Hello, Tony!
I had concerns as well re: MP4 video edit as my newer camera(purchased late last year) shoots in either AVCHD or MP4. I'm not much of a fan of SmartSound so it won't be much of a loss, but I'll wait until others have uninstalled Quicktime to see what's become of their Power Director programmes. Yes, I'm playing this VERY safe!
Neil.
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Neil -
Your concern for others' circumstances is staggering! 
Aside from SmartSound, PDR will run happily (as far as I've determined since uninstalling it earlier)... but some Windows software requires QuickTime to even function correctly!
I can see some potential litigation here. Millions of users of various bits of Windows based software will be left stranded. Microsoft appears to have remained faily quiet on the issue too.
Cheers - Tony
Tony!
Since when does a simple explanation of how I use my computer become an example of "Don't give a damn about anyone else" attitude? All I did in my post was explain that I use my internet service for a short period each day, unlike some who might probably be "hooked up" 24 hours/7 days. When I go off-line, then I'm truly off-line! Not just logged off, but, for the sake of my computer's security, completely disconnected.
As to the problem of curtailed support for QuickTime, there may well be quite a legal battle in the courts, and several organisations may well be bound up in the arguments, not least of which being Cyberlink, as several of their software products rely on QuickTime in one way or another to function properly. And yes, Microsoft WILL have to step up to the plate here as well. I think their own "Windows Movie Maker" may also tap into SmartSound(though I could be wrong there) but in any case, Microsoft will have an interest in these goings-on.
Neil.
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Neil -
Your concern for others' circumstances is staggering!
Aside from SmartSound, PDR will run happily (as far as I've determined since uninstalling it earlier)... but some Windows software requires QuickTime to even function correctly!
I can see some potential litigation here. Millions of users of various bits of Windows based software will be left stranded. Microsoft appears to have remained faily quiet on the issue too.
Cheers - Tony
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The best safeguard would be to completely disconnect from the net when it is not needed, this includes the physical disconnection of the modem from the USB port to which it's connected if there is a risk to your computer's security through QuickTime no longer being supported.
Barry The Crab summed this up perfectly: A company cannot simply STOP supporting such a widely used program without really pissing off a lot of people. Couldn't have put it better myself! I suspect this might have a tiny bit to do with the rivalry between Microsoft(Windows) and Apple.
For me, I'm only on the net when I'm visiting favourite websites, then I jump off and disconnect completely, so that my computer is once again a stand-alone device. I really do "play it safe"!
Cheers!
Neil
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When I'm editing video, I usually work off-line anyway.
Doesn't matter what you do with PowerDirector. QT will be always active in your PC. All a hacker would need is that your PC is turned on and connected to the net. You could be taking a shower for all he cares...
Hi, SoNic67!
When I say I'm working "off-line", it means I'm completely off-line! My modem dongle is unplugged from its USB port! I use a wireless modem which, to the average viewer, looks like an ordinary flash drive(thumb drive, as its called in America). I only go "on-line" when I choose to do so. Yes, Quicktime is active when I'm using my PC, but no hacker can get to me once I've closed my session, disconnected and unplugged that dongle. Unless he finds a way to sneak in through the 240-volt power supply! Highly unlikely, ay!
Cheers!
Neil.
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Hello, Tomasc!
I'd imagine that VHS or Beta VCRs would've been manufactured for France or other territories using SECAM colour encoding, but what a waste! The SECAM system just couldn't cope with the basic functions in a TV studio. I'm sure the French TV stations' execs back then would never have willingly admitted that they had to kit out their stations with German-built PAL equipment, but they had to "bite the bullet" and go with what was the world's best colour TV system, Germany's PAL, which was also superior to America's NTSC. It's why Australia held off introducing colour TV until 1975, we wanted to get the best system.... PAL! New Zealand got in ahead of us by introducing colour TV in mid-1974, but they also chose the PAL system. SECAM today is largely a forgotten, discredited system, Cyberlink's Power Director and Power Producer(all versions to date) never included it, nor did any other make of video editing software. Anyone who suggested including it would've been laughed out of the room!
Cheers!
Neil.
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Hi, Barry!
While PD14 still has a few shortcomings, there are some features I've found useful:-
1] The ability to use transitions on the PiP video tracks, I've been using this to good effect when superimposing graphic titles onto my clips. It take a bit of trial-and-error to get a suitable transition effect that only affects the graphic itself without affecting the background image, but when the right transitions are found, it really lifts the video's presentation.
2] The ability to use the PiP video track as an extra title track. Opening the Title Room and choosing a template, then being able to drop it onto its own Title track AND also being able to drop it onto a spare PiP video track, has helped me create some interesting closing credit sequences of late. One lot of "captions" slides in from, say, right of screen, then slides away to the left, the next lot of captions slide in almost immediately after. This is created by typing in the caption, setting the duration for 15 seconds, positioning it at the wanted point in the video, then copying, move the scrubber a little way along the timeline, then paste. Change the text in the pasted title, pull it up onto a PiP track so it overlaps the end of the previous title by a few frames, paste another and change its text and do this as many times as desired. Pointer, the motion effect should be set in the very first "title" or "caption" so the effect is repeated at each subsequent paste.
3] the "cross" transitions are useful in that their use won't compromise the overall length of a video(i.e. shorten it) but there is a tiny shortcoming here that threshold, wipe(any direction) and a few others cause a momentary freeze-frame entering and exiting the transition.
These three features, I'm guessing, may have been present since PD10, but as I've worked initially with PD5(one PiP track, stills only), PD7(6 PiP tracks, video usable couldn't use transition effects on PiP), PD8( 9 PiP tracks but video usable couldn't use transition effects on PiP) then, while keeping PD8 installed, jumped to PD14(up to 99 PiP tracks but no-one would ever really use that many in one project - their computer would have a heart attack!), so I've never had versions 9 to 13 of Power Director.
Whatever is offered in PD15, I hope the "glitches" are ironed out before PD15 is released to the public.
Cheers!
Neil.
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Absolutely loved that clip! Really cracked me up! Hey Cyberlink, you'd better sign that tiger up for your public relations department, he'd be a "roaring" success! LOL
Cheers!
Neil.
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Sounds to me as though we should uninstall QT, and convert MOV files to MP4 for editing, unless we must keep QT for SmartSound.
Before I do so, does anyone who knows have a better idea?
Like Richmond Dan, I too am waiting for someone to come up with this answer. While I said I rarely if ever use Smartsound, it is, nonetheless a resource one wouldn't want to totally scrap... but if push came to shove....
Cheers!
Neil
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Hi, Ricky599!
Okay, I assume you're working with 4:3 aspect ratio clips, so the black bars will be vertical at either side of the image. Here's what to do:
1] Drop the video onto the timeline, you'll get a warning of Aspect Ratio Conflict(assuming your Power Director 14 is already set for editing in 16:9, this can be confirmed in a little indicator up near top-left of screen(near the cog wheel) Click "No" on the Conflict warning.
2] With the clip on the timeline, you'll see in the preview window, black bars either side of the image, Right-click on the clip in the timeline, scroll down to "Set Clip Attributes", another panel will appear, "Set Aspect Ratio" will be at bottom of that panel, left-click on "Set Aspect Ratio".
3] The next window you'll see is "Clip Aspect Ratio Settings", select "The Aspect Ratio of the video is 4:3", this will then give you two options, a) stretch clip to 16:9 aspect ratio, or b) use CLPV to stretch clip to 16:9 aspect ratio. Choosing the latter will retain proprtionality of the clip(won't make anyone appear to have "raided the refridgerator" LOL).
If however, your clip might already be in 16:9 but you're getting black horizotal bars at top and bottom of the screen, you can correct this again using step 2(set clip attributes, then set aspect ratio. You may need then to select "neither 4:3 or 16:9" which should then stretch your video vertically to remove the black bars at top and bottom of your secreen.
Cheers!
Neil.
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Hi, all!
Thus far I've had no problems regarding QuickTime video, so I'll just watch & see what goes on. When I'm editing video, I usually work off-line anyway. I'm not a fan of Apple, much prefer Windows. If things get too out of hand, I might have to bite the bulet and bump QuickTime off my computer, I rarely, if ever, use SmartSound these days anyway, so what the heck...
Cheers!
Neil.
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You have to decide what system France uses.
Hello, Tomasc!
The colour system used in France was of their own making, SECAM! And to be brutally honest, it was rubbish! It was so bad it could not be used in the stations' studios because it could not cope with switching from one to another camera(typical news bulletin - switch from one newsreader to another, or to the sports or weather presenter) without loss of synchronisation or screen colours going "negative". It's because of the problems plaguing SECAM that French TV stations were kitted out in PAL equipment and the signal was sent as PAL to the transmitter and transcoded to SECAM only at the transmitter. Perhaps the French finally decided to abandon the system and adopt PAL when they went digital. The SECAM option just isn't available these days when dealing with video, either shooting with digital cameras or lifting content from old analogue tapes, it's all either PAL or NTSC.
Cheers!
Neil.
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All my VHS captures were done through a Canopus analog to digital converter. I can't remember the model, but it provided a Firewire interface to the computer, and all captures were done in the DV-AVI format, about 13GB per hour. I kept all my archives in that format. Hard drive space is inexpensive comparatively, IMO. Again, in my opinion, that is the best archive quality. Some people will say that MPEG2 DVD quality is more than sufficient for storing VHS captures, which is fine, but I tend to over-do things (at least that's what my wife says  )
Hello, jklein!
I've tried rendering once to AVI(either DV-AVI or Windows-AVI) and, luckily for me, did not go ahead with the render when I saw what the likely file size might be. You've just recently learned that DV-AVI will gobble up 13 gigabytes per hour of content from your old tapes.... that's quite a hefty chunk of hard-drive space. My capture card has been set to capture at DVD-LP in MPEG-2, which keeps the file size down to manageable levels. You can set the file type in which you wish to capture content from analogue sources using the preference(click on the cog wheel, near top left of screen). I chose DVD-LP quite deliberately, in spite of criticism by others on this site, because I noticed some strange, unwanted effects which plague the capture at settings of DVD-SP or higher.
Once captured, I can spruce up my video content using the Fix/Enhance settings, this usually entails a tweaking of the contrast, brightness(if and when required) and applying video denoise. And because the aspect ratio of this capture is 4:3, I apply the CLPV effect to bring the content out to 16:9 wide-screen aspect ratio. Not everyone wants that, but I do, the difference made is certainly an enhancement to the clip.
Cheers!
Neil.
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Hello, Imod!
JL_JL's suggestion is quite a good one! I sometimes make a few of my own to drop in as a first-play. It can be anything at all, perhaps even a piece-to-camera by yourself, explaining what the viewer is about to see, or it could be just your own little animated intro, could be anything, really, it's limited only by your imagination!
Cheers!
Neil.
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