MoviePlus X5: Recording in NTSC, not PAL!

[slogger81]

Hello Forum,
I am trying to capture from analogue Video 8 tapes, using a Hitachi camcorder that converts to digital. The output is via firewire and before using Movieplus X5, I used Ulead Movie Studio quite satisfactorily until the computer died. Now, with another computer (Windows XP 32bit, AMD 2.2Ghz, 1GB RAM +SP3), I have installed MVP X5. The preview and recorded video is very pixellated and unusable. I have noticed that although the Project Settings are set to PAL DV (25fps), it records in NTSC format (29.97fps). Microsoft issued a fix some years ago for this issue of not recognising PAL format. The fix is shown in Service Pack 3 that I have on my PC.
Am I missing some other setting or procedure, as I cannot get past this and would welcome advice?

[ggrussell]

Preview does not reflect the quality of the output. Preview defaults to lower quality for computers with slower CPUs that can't process transitions and effects in real time. We can now pre-render those sections so preview will be smoother.

As for PAL vs NTSC, how are you determining the captured file is NTSC? IF the camcorder is PAL, then MvP will capture it in that format. What camera make and model?

[slogger81]

Thanks for your reply, first time using a forum and I apologize for slow reply.
The camcorder is an old Hitachi VM-D865LE, with letters PAL next to model number. I assumed it would record in PAL as that is the system used in GB, and I set the Project settings to PAL DV before starting the video.
I see your point about the difference between the review display and recorded material. The test clips that I did record were just as bad as the review, though, when I played them back in MVP X5. Relatively new to video and don't fully understand the term 'pre-render'.
Best Regards

[slogger81]

Sorry, forgot to say that when I looked at the properties of the test clips that I recorded, it showed 29.97fps, which I understand is the NTFS standard.
Regards

[slogger81]

I'm grateful to ggrussell for his prompt response to my query. I replied with more info but have seen nothing more.
Any ideas on this would be welcome.

[Jon White]

Originally Posted by slogger81 I am trying to capture from analogue Video 8 tapes, using a Hitachi camcorder that converts to digital. [...] I have noticed that although the Project Settings are set to PAL DV (25fps), it records in NTSC format (29.97fps).

Hi,
When capturing DV, MoviePlus just copies the FireWire data stream directly to a file. The format is determined by the camera, not your project settings. There are no settings in MoviePlus that can change the format of captured DV.

[slogger81]

Thanks for explaining that, Jon. I thought MVP would have a setting somewhere for converting video when transferring from a video camera, but if there isn't, I'll keep looking elsewhere on my PC for the problem. It used to work ok on a previous PC when using Ulead MovieStudio, until the PC crashed! I'm halfway through copying old Video 8 tapes onto DVD and a bit stuck now.

[RichardS]

Originally Posted by slogger81 Thanks for explaining that, Jon. I thought MVP would have a setting somewhere for converting video when transferring from a video camera, but if there isn't, I'll keep looking elsewhere on my PC for the problem. It used to work ok on a previous PC when using Ulead MovieStudio, until the PC crashed! I'm halfway through copying old Video 8 tapes onto DVD and a bit stuck now.

If your PC is mistaking the frame-rate of these video files, try this:

- Capture to the PC as normal
- While a troublesome video file is still on the media pane:
-- "right-click" on its thumbnail and select "Media Properties."
-- Change the settings to match my screenshot.

This might - or might not - ease the problem.

Alternatively, if Windows Movie Maker is able to detect the correct bit-rate, try using that program to capture the video... and then use MoviePlus to edit it.

[Jon White]

Originally Posted by slogger81 Thanks for explaining that, Jon. I thought MVP would have a setting somewhere for converting video when transferring from a video camera, but if there isn't, I'll keep looking elsewhere on my PC for the problem.

You're welcome. I don't know if this will help, but there's someone here with a similar problem and a suggested solution.

[slogger81]

Well, I don't know what caused it, but my old Hitachi VM865LE is finally communicating with MVP and my PC.
I read the post from RichardS and was going to try that, but when I plugged everything in and started capture this afternoon, it all worked a treat.
Jon, your post lead me to a PC Advisor forum, where exactly the same problem was reported. I had tried updating the 1394 driver a few weeks ago, but it did not find a better driver than the existing.
As I said, I don't know what has changed, the only thing I have done recently is to update the Flashplayer on my PC. Could that be the culprit?
Anyway, thanks for the advice, it's nice to know that there are people out there with fresh ideas and encouragement.

[RichardS]

Originally Posted by slogger81 Well, I don't know what caused it, but my old Hitachi VM865LE is finally communicating with MVP and my PC.

That's good to hear. I hope that it keeps working.