Studio - General Forum

poor quality menus

JoeBoyd — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 04:29:11 GMT

This is a problem anyone can duplicate. Take a few frames of your video and capture them as stills. Then select a menu and substitue a captured still for the background.
Add some chapter with stills for thumbnails. Render your project in both Studio 9 and Studio 12 (or 10 for that matter) and compare the quality on your DVD side by side. The Studio 9 menu will look rather nice while the other, (12 or 10 - never seen 11), will look absolutely awful (pixelated). Even the Thumbnails are just as bad while 9 looks rather good.

I just bought 12, a wonderful piece of editing software. However, I must keep a junk computer with 9 on it to render dvd's or find some other software to work with Vista. I thought for sure 12 would improve this problem, but no such luck.

Video Archiving Made Simple

oceanol — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:41:37 GMT

Well, let's see how close to correct I am:

You spent lots of time on a project and accumulate all sorts of files. You successfully make a DVD. Hoorah. Now what? There's 30 gigs of junk all over the computer in a disorganized mess. If you start moving things around or renaming things you'll never get the project file to work again, certainly not in three years time.

1. Immediately make an .avi file of the finished project (in Make Movie). You can leave the DVD menu in it, although it won't work as an interactive menu anymore.

2. Save the DVD file (Video_TS folder) and the .avi file in a folder on your external backup drive.

Throw everything else away (or return it to its former place) , including the project file.

If you are content to live forever with only the final video, there's no need to save any of the source files. The .avi is good for any further editing or reuse down the road, and with no perceptible loss of quality. And the Video_TS folder will make the DVD forever, and requires no source files whatever except those within the folder.

I've stated this with great authority, and with fingers crossed. Please correct!

Cheers

Christian

Hard Drive Clean-up

oceanol — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:14:43 GMT

I claim this is relevant because we are all in a constant battle with space on the mother hard drive:

My internal drive has a capacity of 288 gigs and says I've used 256. This from "properties" of template C. Recovery D allots 12 gigs, with 9 used.

When I add up everything in C--app data, desktop, documents, music, pictures, videos (115 gigs) and so on, I come to about 165 gigs.

165 in C plus12 for D = 177 gigs accounted for.

Any suggestions where to look for the missing 100-plus gigs?

Obviously I'm missing something big here.

Thanks

Christian

Pinnacle 14

siobhan3 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:49:27 GMT

Am interested in upgrading from P.S. Ult. 12 to 14 but can't seem to find out exactly the differences are Can anyone please tell me exactly what extras there are in 14.

Studio 14 and Smartsound - Official reply from Smartsound

Timeless Moments — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:25:38 GMT

I just received this official reply from Smartsound regarding Studio 14

"Unfortunately we were not able to continue our support of the product. The new Soundstage technology did not provide us with a way to monetize the delivery of a plug-in and required the use of technology of ours that is more than 6 years old. This version of Quicktracks no longer runs reliably on Windows 7 or with Vista.

Additionally, the Soundstage technology would not support our new multi-layer music capabilities, which we recently updated Quicktracks (our OEM technology) to perform. We would be glad to reconsider our support of the Soundstage technology when we can sufficiently address these issues."

Comments?

Ian

Poll: Which 3rd Party Plug-ins do you like and use with Studio?

UPfizenmaier — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:52:38 GMT

Hi all!

With Studio version 14, we have released our third version of Studio with 3^rd party video/audio effects plug-ins bundled. We received excellent feedback on the Studio Ultimate packages we put together so far, therefore we consider new bundles for upcoming releases as well. In order to select the best plug-ins for our customers we would like to learn more about Studio plug-ins from you:

a) Which Studio plug-ins do you use in general?

b) From the Studio Ultimate/Ultimate Collection (11*/12**/14***) plug-ins, which are/were the ones you preferred?

c) Which software products do you use to complement Studio with features currently not part of it?

d) If none, what workflows or features would you like to have added to Studio?

To give you just a few examples for tasks, which I'm talking about: morphing, stabilizing, dynamic timewarps, styling effects, map/itinerary illustration, motion tracking or ad removal. So, please let me know what software you're working with and what tasks you're covering with it.

Your feedback will be thoroughly evaluated and taken into consideration for upcoming releases!

Thank you very much in advance! - Uwe Pfizenmaier

* = Studio Ultimate 11:

1. ProDAD VitaScene

2. StageTools MovingPicture

3. Bias SoundSoap Pinnacle Edition

** = Studio Ultimate 12:

1. Boris Graffiti

2. RedGiant Magic Bullet Looks

3. ProDAD VitaScene

*** = Studio Ultimate/Ultimate Collection 14:

1. RedGiant Knoll Light Factory

2. RedGiant ToonIt

3. RedGiant Magic Bullet Looks

4. RedGiant Particular

5. RedGiant Shine

6. RedGiant 3D Stroke

Workflow for combining files

oceanol — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:37:14 GMT

I'm about to combine seven 8-minute segments in to a DVD. Here's my projected workflow:

1. Remove titles and end transitions from each segment.

2. Save segments as files .avi /full screen DV

3. Line up .avi files on new project timeline. Replace titles and transitions, create DVD menu.

4. Render as single file.

5. Render as DVD.

Thanks for reviewing this sequence and correcting it.

Cheers,

720p AVI to single layer DVD in HD - Is it possible?

pisapiag — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:38:09 GMT

I just got a Casio EX-FC100 because it shoots High Speed video in 210fps (not in HD). It can also shoot 720p HD video at 30fps. It only creates AVI files that look great on my P4 PC. This is the first time that I'm experimenting with HD video. I still use Studio 10 and have waited to upgrade. I know I should move to a more powerful machine to begin with but what version of Studio should I at least get to do anything worthwhile with 720p AVI files? Can I create 720p videos on 4GB DVD discs, and if so, do I absolutely need a BD player to watch them on my 1080i capable TV?

S14: Alarming Discovery

bhurst — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:16:57 GMT

I haven't really used S14 for anything yet. I have so much editing to do, and don't have time to learn much about it right now. BUT ... I just noticed that YouTube has added 1080p support and I wanted to see if I could render a recent project to 1080p for a test.

What I found was that in my S14 version, I can only output to PAL standards. All the presets are 25/50i fps and I don't see any way to change it so far on most of the codecs.

Did I download the wrong version or is this more serious than that?

opening projects from studio12 in studio 14

nfwego — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:13:32 GMT

I am having issues opening projects created in studio 12 ultimate, with my new version of studio 14 ultimate. Every time I go to open an old project notyhing appears in the story board. like it doesnt exist. Even though the program thinks it has the project open...none of the stills or video images appear in the story boards and nothing will play when I hit the play button. I tried uninstalling studio 14 and reverting to studio 11 and 12, but now says that each project I try to open is a later version (14) and will not open. Do I have some settings off or something? Why Am I not seeing my older projects in the new studio 14. Please help.

Uninstalling Studio 11?

gr8white6 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:46:55 GMT

Hi,

Unlike many, I had no problems whatsoever installing STUDIO 14. I also have done a project with it and was very delighted with the changes and how it performed. My question is this: I am in the mode of "cleaning" up my computer and deleting programs I never use. Although I am not yet ready to discard STUDIO 12, I have not used STUDIO 11 for sometime and wish to uninstall it. However, it looks to me as if the common elements are housed in the STUDIO 11 directories. For example the motion backgrounds appear in the STUDIO 11 directory and nowhere else. How do I go about uninstalling STUDIO 11 without screwing up STUDIO 12 and 14?

Thanks for the help.

PS: I was very unimpressed with SureThing Express (DVD labeler). That is also being deleted. I thought at least I could use its backgrounds with my other DVD labeling program (EPSON CD Print), but no, they are some bogus proprietary format....

Studio 14 v Studio 14 Ultimate or Studio 12/Ultimate

miles_osborne — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:51:01 GMT

I was going to go for Ulead but after talking to my dad regardless of the problems he gets with Studio he still feels it is the better package. So now i'm looking at which one to get. I don't think there is a breakdown of what is different between the 3 that I am looking at which are Studio 12 Ultimate/Studio 14 Ultimate or Studio 12/14.

Is there a summary or is anyone able to list what the changes are between the different versions?

Many thanks

W7 Problem Steps Recorder

David Hunt — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:42:29 GMT

For those of you with Windows 7 who might have difficulty in explaining to tech support the steps taken to reach a particular problem (screen freezes on pressing a button, for instance), may I refer you to the Problem Steps Recorder.

Instructions for using this utility is in the W7 help and support but basically it records each action that you make together with a screen shot. Other points of interest, such as information on screen you wish to emphasise, can also be pointed to and recorded. Other information is also included which may assist tech support and programmers. On completion a zip file is created, the contents of which can be opened for inspection or e-mailed.

The Problem Steps Recorder can be found in Control Panel/ Troubleshooting and by clicking 'get help from a friend' in the left pane. The PSR is then at the bottom of the page. Alternatively type psr.exe in the start panel.

NOTE The importer overlay is not seen in the screenshot, only the underlying main program (edit mode).

Pinnacle Ultimate Studio 14 HD - Crashing

RobCharles — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:33:54 GMT

I've had this software only for a couple of days as an upgrade from version 11 Ulitmate.

Version 14 Is giving me a spot of bother, it just crashes even when your making a movie project it will come up in a box and saying "Pinnacle Studio Wants To Close" its a real pain live help chat arn't much help they say just to re-install which I have done about 10 times nothing still the same thing.

Any Ideas on what do here folks?

Thanks

Rob

Studio 14 Ultimate - Project Bin Problem

TonyKerr — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:50:23 GMT

I have been a Studio user for a number of years, and looked forward to using the Project Bin. However, I am experiencing a problem. I load items in the bin (both video and jpegs), and they appear in the bin correctly. I then save the project. When I next open that project, the project bin is empty. I have tried placing items in the bin a number of ways - dragging from windows explorer into the open bin, dragging items from the timeline to the bin icon, pinning items from the album. All appear to go into the bin, but are not there when I exit and restart Studio. I have a relatively new vista machine on which I have been making HD movies with no problems.

Any help appreciated.

Tony

Samsung AVCHD H.265 support

rkane — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:52:45 GMT

You may have seen my previous posts about this. I just purchased a Samsung HMX-H105 SSD camcorder. Its recording format is described in the manual as "H.264 (MPEG4 part10/AVC) encoding". Studio 12.1 and Studio 14 are not able to use the files from the camera. The audio and video are not in sync and the reported frame rate as seen in the clip selector in the edit window is incorrect. Other utilities correctly identify the frame rate. I have been trying to get help from Avid support, but they are hung up on the hardware specs of my system. My PC does meet their minimum specs for AVCHD editing, but even if it did not, the clip selector in the edit window should display the correct file properties.

Does anyone have a suggesting on how to get this question through to Avid support? Thanks.

Cannot add CD music to a project

Dabber — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:08:45 GMT

I am trying - and failing - to add a music track to my latest video project. The music is from a commercial CD of mood music, copyright-free and all that. Not that that matters.

I extracted two tracks from the CD using Adobe Audition 3 and saved them to a folder on my computer.

But when I try to drag one of the tracks to the music track of the project it appears to be all right - but after a couple of seconds it just drops off again. The same happens if I try to add it to the sound effects track - not that that is an option as the commentary is on that track.

I even tried to add a sound recording of an organ playing - this was successfully added to the music track previously - but that, too, now drops off. This was a track of a few minutes recorded "live" on a tape cassette with the sole aim of running it with the various video shots of the instrument.

However . . . if I open a new video project and just add the CD music track to the music track of the empty project it stays there, perfectly all right.

I have tried deleting the auxiliary files, to no effect.

The video project is 55 minutes long, and 4.68MB. The music plays all right in Adobe Audition 3.

Oh, yes. I am still in the Dark Ages with Studio 9 Plus. But that can't be the problem. Can it . . .?

Is Studio 14 HD able to create a Blu-ray disc using the BD-MPEG format option?

Victor1109 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:06:28 GMT

"With Studio 12.1, you can import the HDV from HV20 in native format and then create a Blu-ray disc using the BD-MPEG format option, with minimal quality loss ?

Is Studio 14 HD able to create a Blu-ray BD-R disc using the BD-MPEG format option, with minimal quality loss from HV-20?

Is it the only practical difference between Studio 14 HD and Studio 14 Ultimate that the latter is able "Blu-ray authoring with motion menus"?

Pinhead Group Project

Alley — Thu, 10 May 2007 13:26:41 GMT

Well, the new Forum is going to need a Pinhead Thread. So here we are.

Just a reminder that Trivia number 4 is posted. This is the last one and is based on this year's entries only. So, should be easy to get the answers. We'll give you til the weekend to get your answers in. Remember, it gives you one extra ballot in the prize draws!

Also, make sure you watch the two new clips that were added this week - both are excellent!!

www.pinheadhq.com

not sure what to use for my system

mrpookz — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:57:14 GMT

I am using Windows 7 64bit, I have an amd 940 quad core 3ghz cpu, I have 2 4870 x2 video cards total of 4 gigs of video ram, i have 4gigs of ddr 2- 1066 memory, what I need to to know does pinnacle systems, have a video capture that will work with my system, all of them say for xp or vista, does any of them work for windows 7 64bit,

studio 10.5 and windows 7

BigRobowski — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:01:21 GMT

i was using studio 10 and dazzle dvd 170 capture device on my old pc with vista.i just recently got a new pc with windows 7 after my other one was ruined.is there anyway to get studio and the dazzle card to work on windows 7??

Studio 14 Ultimate--- I have no video preview available it is not working!

steve bebber — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:41:39 GMT

I don't know what to do next. I downloaded the latest drivers thinking this was it! but still the preview is black and won't work right!

Any help out there?

No Audio Preview in Studio 14

Balzy — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:24:43 GMT

I have put a .mp3 music track down with some video clips in the Edit tab of Studio 14 but when I preview it I cannot hear the music. I can see the audio indicator working on the right {green yellow red blinking} I have tried changing the 'master volume' in video and audio preferences at the set up but still no change. If anyone has other options to try I am all ears. Thanks

Studio 14

budtow — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:48:34 GMT

Crash, Crash and more crashes........................................................................................................................

Been working with 14 for about a week. Had four crashes today.

Am starting to use 12 again. Before anyone goes on about computer requirements I have the best computer I can buy. 64bit with 1gig card, 1tb drive and another for rendering.

14 is slow compared to 12.

Buddy

dazzle/studio 10 problem?

dudescout97 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:04:46 GMT

hello, i've had my dazzle for about two years now, using vista and studio 10 i eventually got it working (had to get all the drivers and stuff) and that was 2 years ago, and its been working fine up until now. Now, when i put on studio 10, i see the preview of my xbox in the preview screen, but when i go to record, it sometimes freezes, and all of the time the file made is 0 bytes, but still says the correct time of the video. The video is obviously unplayable. I don't know what happened,,, any help? again this was pretty random, and the video runs fine when its not actually recording (in the preview window it runs fine) and again, im using vista with a dvc 170 and studio 10.