This Power Director fan may finally have to move on, and not by CHOICE...

Scrovegni1305

Newbie Location: Frisco, TX Joined: Jul 18, 2011 18:21 Messages: 18 Offline

Solved by

Jul 25, 2011 10:17

I have been using Power Director for quite some time. I used PD8 to edit all my Europe trip videos from 2009, and then I used PD9 for the same purpose (going to more countries) in late 2010. I never realized the apparently IMMENSE shortcomings of Power Director until recently...

Originally, I was just producing them to go on YouTube. I used a standard WMV Profile in PD, either 720p or 1080p (all my videos are AVCHD 60i from a Canon HF-S11). On YouTube, they look great, especially if you don't blow them up to full screen, where they look a bit less impressive. Everything was fine.

Now I'm about to go to Cambodia and Thailand to film some more, and for whatever reason, I decided it's time to put all my edited videos on a format I can watch on my TV. The Playstation 3 seems to work perfect for this, with my files on a Seagate FreeAgent Go portable hard drive.

Problem #1 was that the ludicrous 10,000 kbps limit imposed by PD for WMV 1080p or 6,000 kbps for 720p doesn't look so good blown up on a TV. I found a workaround for this when I learned how to edit the .prx profiles manually. I can increase those levels, so that's all well and good.

The main problem (and it's HUGE for my videos) is the motion. Power Director seems content allowing users NO deinterlacing options whatsoever, and appears to use a "blend" deinterlacer which makes the simplest of camera pans turn into a complete BLURRY MESS. Nor can I keep my edited files interlaced upon producing, I've tried everything. I've even used interlaced profiles with other options, like MPEG-2. The files are NOT INTERLACED the same as before once they've gone through PD9, which means I can't deinterlace them after editing.

Now, I have tried the free trial of a competing software (similar price, etc.), and honestly...it's a PAINFUL thought, but it's so much better it may be worth REDOING all the editing I worked so hard on for so many hours, days, and weeks... This software has an option for deinterlacing that interpolates fields, and the result is incredible. That's ALL I WANT from PD9. A freakin' deinterlacing option that interpolates fields, otherwise it's useless to me. Is there ANY way I don't know about? I have to ask, at least, before making this huge decision to redo everything in another program.

I'm telling you...I ran the same video file (a panning shot on the Rue Augusta in Lisbon) through PD9 and this competing software, and the pan CAN NOT BE SAVED on PD9. I tried sooo many different things. It always transforms it into an ugly, indiscernable mess. In the competing software it looks fantastic. Absolutely clear, smooth, sharp, and it translates flawlessly to my PS3.

I DO NOT want to do all my editing over again, but for me, the enormous quality difference is worth the hassle. If anyone can rescue me from this hassle with a workaround in PD9, I would be very grateful.

ynotfish

Senior Contributor Location: N.S.W. Australia Joined: May 08, 2009 02:06 Messages: 9977 Offline

Jul 25, 2011 12:48

Hi Scrovegni -

I don't doubt what you're saying for a moment, but you haven't stated the formats & profiles you've used to produce your videos to in PD.

Perhaps, with that information, members could assist.

There's nothing wrong with using software that meets your requirements. We all do it.

Cheers - Tony

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James Dotson

Senior Contributor Location: Tennessee Joined: Aug 24, 2009 20:40 Messages: 3066 Offline

Jul 25, 2011 15:22

I have never been a fan for the WMV format, but it seems to work for many. Can you provide a sample clip so that we may see the problem. I've not really had a problem with progressive profiles, but I shoot a limited type of video. __________________________________
CORNBLOSSOM

Kevin R.

Contributor Location: Deep in the Heart of Texas Joined: Aug 17, 2010 15:58 Messages: 320 Offline

Jul 25, 2011 15:45

I'd be willing to bet that if you use a better format, you'll enjoy PD a lot more. WMV is ok for youtube, but not much else. Saving the world, one goofy video and meme at a time.

Scrovegni1305

Newbie Location: Frisco, TX Joined: Jul 18, 2011 18:21 Messages: 18 Offline

Jul 26, 2011 09:11

Hey guys, thanks for the responses and taking an interest in my problem. The original file is AVCHD 29.97 fps, 60i. I have used multiple formats (H.264 AVC, MPEG-4, MOV, AVI, WMV) and profiles (29.97 fps, 59.94 fps, Upper Field First, Progressive, 1080p, 720p, etc.), and many combinations thereof. Here are the videos.

The result with PD9 (59.94 fps, 20,000 kbps bitrate, 1280x720): http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6M9PMXOC

The result with another program (same settings, with Deinterlacing - Interpolating Fields added): http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CBFA3S9S

The ORIGINAL file (in case you guys can figure out a way to get a good result in PD9 and rescue me from all this re-editing I'm in for!): http://www.megaupload.com/?d=V2X5IFY4

One more thing... As a "second best "option, I would be willing to produce my videos in PD9 as interlaced files and then post-process them in another program to 30p or 60p. I get stuck there too though! I have tried creating interlaced results in PD9, but PD9 significantly changes my original files, regardless. If you look at the original file in VLC player, you can CLEARLY see the interlacing when the camera pans. Select "Deinterlace On" and then "Linear" as the deinterlacing method. Now the video looks great! But produce my original video through an interlaced profile on PD9 and try the same thing. The interlacing is gone and the deinterlace filters don't work. Ugh....... I seem to be screwed at every turn, thus far.

PlaySound

Senior Contributor Joined: Dec 02, 2010 10:26 Messages: 2031 Offline

Jul 26, 2011 09:44

Here I always keep the characteristics of the original video [progressive or interlaced] View member if the player already on the PC does the deinterlace to see it on TV already does the job well.
The conversion of one to another always deteriorates the image I think.
And for videos created from photos so I always use the progressive think of better quality. AMD-FX 8350 / 8GB DDR3
SSD SUV400S37240G / 2-HD WD 1TB
AMD Radeon R9 270 / AOC M2470SWD
Windows 7-64 / PD16 Ultimate

Scrovegni1305

Newbie Location: Frisco, TX Joined: Jul 18, 2011 18:21 Messages: 18 Offline

Jul 26, 2011 23:45

Hmmm... Does this mean I'm pretty much doomed? Power Director is incapable of creating a final result like that of the 2nd video I posted, and can only generate the embarrassing result of Video #1?

James Dotson

Senior Contributor Location: Tennessee Joined: Aug 24, 2009 20:40 Messages: 3066 Offline

Jul 27, 2011 00:37

It looks to me like it is de-interlacing, but it is blending. That would be why your second example looks so much better. Either way we are back to your request for a de-interlacer, or at least one we can control. __________________________________
CORNBLOSSOM

Scrovegni1305

Newbie Location: Frisco, TX Joined: Jul 18, 2011 18:21 Messages: 18 Offline

Jul 27, 2011 08:28

There's no tweak I can do in PD9? I thought of just working on my new videos in this other software while waiting on PD10, but...there's no guarantee PD10 will do things any better...

pemongillo

Member Joined: Apr 09, 2011 19:39 Messages: 52 Offline

Jul 27, 2011 16:41

Why all the secrecy about the "other software"? I am thinking about moving on from PD9 as well and would't mind somewhere to start.

BarryTheCrab

Senior Contributor Location: USA Joined: Nov 06, 2008 22:18 Messages: 6240 Offline

Jul 27, 2011 16:45

Thou shalt not speaketh of rival video editing softwareth uponeth this forum, paid foreth by Cyberlink. House rule....eth. HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT

pemongillo

Member Joined: Apr 09, 2011 19:39 Messages: 52 Offline

Jul 27, 2011 16:49

Got it.

Scrovegni1305

Newbie Location: Frisco, TX Joined: Jul 18, 2011 18:21 Messages: 18 Offline

Jul 27, 2011 16:51

As BarryTheCrab said...that's exactly why I "shrouded it in secrecy". Otherwise I would gladly tell everyone. It infuriates me to no end that I might have to start everything over (46 fully edited videos, up to about 30 minutes for some of them, with text descriptions including historical info, etc.) simply because Cyberlink wants to handicap their customers for no good reason.

There is NO EXCUSE for not allowing higher bitrate selections under WMV, for example. I had to go into .prx files and edit that myself. There is EVEN LESS EXCUSE for not allowing any other form of deinterlacing other than "blending", which creates horrendous ghosting. Furthermore, there is no excuse for not allowing projects to remain truly interlaced after production in PD9 so they can be properly deinterlaced by a product made by a company that actually gives a crap...

Flapperke

Newbie Joined: May 17, 2011 04:50 Messages: 20 Offline

Aug 03, 2011 07:21

I'm new to PD9.
I also PM'd Scrovegni, but in the meanwhile, could somebody tell me if I'm using DV footage which after editing ends up on a DVD, I get any 'trouble' like the one described above ? I have a 'fellow product' (ap 6.5) :

installation still running on another (XP) machine, but with the switch to Win7 I also switched the video editing tool.
Thanks for your input.

Scrovegni1305

Newbie Location: Frisco, TX Joined: Jul 18, 2011 18:21 Messages: 18 Offline

Aug 03, 2011 07:36

Flapperke, I don't see how you could avoid such trouble if you have scenes with motion because the issues, for me, seem to arise from PD9's "blending" deinterlacer. I get the same disgusting blurs when I pan the camera (it's magnified if people are moving in the opposite direction of the pan), regardless of framerate or any other setting. Bottom line: PD9 can not reproduce my footage in an effective manner.

What kills me about it is that I LOVED PD9. It's easier to use than any competing software, in my opinion. It's well made in so many areas, but then they go and leave out a decent deinterlacer. A SIMPLE little patch should be able to fix this, allowing users to choose a deinterlacing filter like "interpolating fields" or various others. It MUST be fixed by PD10, I mean...seriously. This one little issue (because it's really a GIGANTIC issue arising from a relatively "little" problem) has murdered my enthusiasm about the product. PD9, quite literally, ruins my work. When the same exact panning scenes look crystal clear after being produced through other editing software, how can I choose anything other than to abandon PD9? Cyberlink has tied my hands on this, they just don't want my business. Period.

They make other bizarre choices too, like setting maximum bitrates lower than what should be allowed. Why not give users a choice to raise the bitrate if they choose to? Every other editing program I've used allows this. It can get a bit frustrating, for sure.

These are such little issues that create such tremendous havoc... I wish Cyberlink would fix PD9, I REALLY do. I have months worth of editing work sunk into it.

Flapperke

Newbie Joined: May 17, 2011 04:50 Messages: 20 Offline

Aug 03, 2011 07:54

Thanks Scrovegni for your switft reply. So I better do a short test-run from A till Z on PD9, before I put all my eggs in that single basket.
:

(as said, I'm brand new to PD9 , bought it a couple of days back - didn't anticipated problems on such - for me - obvious features like interlacing..)

PlaySound

Senior Contributor Joined: Dec 02, 2010 10:26 Messages: 2031 Offline

Aug 03, 2011 08:25

Scrovegni1305
The ORIGINAL file (in case you guys can figure out a way to get a good result in PD9 and rescue me from all this re-editing I'm in for!): http://www.megaupload.com/?d=V2X5IFY4
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=V2X5IFY4

I test here with PD9, only connect the SVRT3 not the effect.
I also worked on PD8 and perfect in this rendering.
Hopefully will update soon to correct for errors PD9 can use them for everything AMD-FX 8350 / 8GB DDR3
SSD SUV400S37240G / 2-HD WD 1TB
AMD Radeon R9 270 / AOC M2470SWD
Windows 7-64 / PD16 Ultimate

Scrovegni1305

Newbie Location: Frisco, TX Joined: Jul 18, 2011 18:21 Messages: 18 Offline

Aug 03, 2011 09:17

PlayVideo, I have tried with SVRT3 enabled and disabled. I can't get anything to work. If you have made a non-blurry version of my video through PD9, can you please link me to the clip?

PlaySound

Senior Contributor Joined: Dec 02, 2010 10:26 Messages: 2031 Offline

Aug 03, 2011 12:09

In PD9 to on SVRT3, used H.264 AVC, default AVCHD 1920x1080 (24Mbps)
see the light on SVRT (not render the video)

But tests, added 3 times the file and started the SVRT for everyone, rendering the junction had but little perceptible
Curiously, adding text, give activated process (render) to the end

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at Aug 03. 2011 12:52

AMD-FX 8350 / 8GB DDR3
SSD SUV400S37240G / 2-HD WD 1TB
AMD Radeon R9 270 / AOC M2470SWD
Windows 7-64 / PD16 Ultimate

Scrovegni1305

Newbie Location: Frisco, TX Joined: Jul 18, 2011 18:21 Messages: 18 Offline

Aug 03, 2011 14:20

Well, I tested this. Like you said, WITHOUT text it keeps the interlacing and everything fully intact so I can deinterlace in another program after producing in PD9. I actually got really excited for a second, thought this would solve my problem. Then I tried it with text (which all my videos have, for historical info mostly) and the whole video transforms into something impossible to deinterlace properly and even less possible to look at without vomiting....

Thank you VERY much for your suggestion though, and actually taking my original file and working with it to test. I really appreciate it.

If you have any other ideas, I would love to hear them because I WANT to come back to PD9 if it can meet my needs again.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Aug 03. 2011 14:29