12 Replies Latest reply: Apr 7, 2009 6:04 PM by Kodebuster RSS

    VirtualDub to DV-AVI ~ Red Line...

    Kodebuster Community Member

      Using VDub to DV-AVI before loading into PE4, I noticed that my converted file had the infamous 'Red Line' above it, suggesting it should be rendered for better viewing (and workflow).

       

      How I got here is not pretty, but I'll give you the workflow:

       

      An old analog tape to Sony Mini-DVD Handycam.

      Export from Handycam as Mpeg2.

      Mpeg2 to Windows Movie Maker (WMM).

      Export from WMM as DV-AVI type I

      DV-AVI to VDub, output as DV-AVI II.

       

      The reason I don't go Mpeg2 to VDub is I get a constant Audio Compression error, so I goto WMM first.

       

      Surprisingly, this seems to work fine and the vid/audio quality is acceptabe (considering where I started).

       

      Because of the 'Red Line', the monitor view within PE is ugly, but Burn to Folder and play is okay (no jerk or sync issue).

       

      I don't recall seeing Red on DV-AVI from VDub in the past, and was wondering if others witness the same (or maybe it's my weird workflow on Assets for this Project)...

       

       

       

       

       

        • 1. Re: VirtualDub to DV-AVI ~ Red Line...
          Steve Grisetti CommunityMVP

          That's too many conversions for me, kodebuster!

           

          Try this:

           

          Open a Premiere Elements project with the DVD/Hard Drive Camcorder settings and import your original MPEG2 into it and place the video on the timeline. (This program setting will automatically reverse the field dominance of the video.) Then output a DV-AVI.

           

          The new DV-AVI should be perfect for use in any future project.

           

          This is my preferred way to convert DVD and MPEG files now.

          • 2. Re: VirtualDub to DV-AVI ~ Red Line...
            Paul_LS Community Member

            No need to use VirtualDub. Once exported from MovieMaker uses DVDate (link below) to convert to type 2 DV-AVI. It does not touch the video so the conversion is quick and there should be no red line after conversion.

             

            http://paul.glagla.free.fr/dvdate_en.htm

            • 3. Re: VirtualDub to DV-AVI ~ Red Line...
              Kodebuster Community Member

              There's actually a method to my maddness...

               

              The reason I goto VDub is because the original analog has sound in only one (1) channel.

               

              VDub with Audio Full Processing allows me to set the output audio to Mono, which fixes my single channel dilema.

               

              If not for this I would go straight to DV-AVI via PE4 or WMM.

               

              I can fix the Red Line with rendering, but I don't recall seeing Red with VDub in the past...

              • 4. Re: VirtualDub to DV-AVI ~ Red Line...
                Robert J. Johnston Community Member

                In Premiere Elements there's either a Fill with Left Channel or a Fill with Right Channel audio effect that can take care of the missing channel for you.

                • 5. Re: VirtualDub to DV-AVI ~ Red Line...
                  Kodebuster Community Member

                  RJ, can you elaborate...

                   

                  I'm running PE4 and don't find an option to left/right fill a channel.

                   

                  The only option is for gain/normalize and nothing fancy appears in the Audio Mixer except the usual stuff.

                   

                  Might this be a new option with PE7...

                  • 6. Re: VirtualDub to DV-AVI ~ Red Line...
                    Robert J. Johnston Community Member

                    Those two audio "effects" are transitions. Make sure you select Audio Effects and not Audio Transitions.

                    • 7. Re: VirtualDub to DV-AVI ~ Red Line...
                      Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                      Kodebuster,

                       

                      With your AV on the Timeline, go to Effects and choose Audio Effects from the drop-down. You should then see ~17 Audio Effects. In my setup of PE4, Fill Left  and Fill Right are #7 & 8 (top row). Now, if you have more VST's, or added Effects, the exact placement will likely differ.

                       

                      I'd also suggest that you look into doing the Capture via an A-D "bridge," like the Canopus, or Pyro. This will save one MPEG compression, and also any conversions, as they both will Capture as DV-AVI Type II. Other than the Audio, you should be good to go.

                       

                      Something that I often do with mono Audio is just copy (or bring in another instance of that Clip) to a second mono Audio Track. Now, I'm using PrP2, so there could be a reason to NOT do this in PE. I'm also Exporting the Audio as DD 5.1 SS via the Minnetonka SurCode plug-in, and I'll manipulate the two mono Clips, placing them, and adding other Effects to them, in different places on the Audio "stage." Usuallly, I'm just doing this with SFX Clips, and not the full Audio for an AV Clip.

                       

                      Hope that this helps.

                       

                      Hunt

                      • 8. Re: VirtualDub to DV-AVI ~ Red Line...
                        Kodebuster Community Member

                        Okay RJ, I've got it, you da man.

                        I have over 50 hours of analog footage on tape, that just became a little easier to handle.

                        The ability to fix the channel problem via PE makes life more enjoyable. The file sizes that VDub creates for DV-AVI are simply hugh when compared to the file size generated under PE or WMM (for DV-AVI).

                         

                        One gold star is on its way, from me to you...

                        • 9. Re: VirtualDub to DV-AVI ~ Red Line...
                          Kodebuster Community Member

                          Hunt, I was aware of the A-D Bridge options, but to my surprise my Sony Mini-DVD had an option for analog passthru that actually worked quite well.

                           

                           

                          The downside was that I could only convert in small 30 minute chunks, but overall I'm satisfied with the resultant AV quality.

                           

                          It looks no better or worse than the original analog.

                           

                           

                          Now that I have a simpler work around for the single channel issue, things are looking up...

                           

                          • 10. Re: VirtualDub to DV-AVI ~ Red Line...
                            Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                            Good luck, and let us know if you get stuck anyplace.

                             

                            Hunt

                             

                            PS thanks for taking the time to help with so many questions in this forum. It is appreciated.

                            • 11. Re: VirtualDub to DV-AVI ~ Red Line...
                              Robert J. Johnston Community Member

                              Glad you found the effect.

                               

                              I really hate the star system. In fact, I'm not going to participate in this forum any more.

                              • 12. Re: VirtualDub to DV-AVI ~ Red Line...
                                Kodebuster Community Member

                                RJ don't leave us, your expertise will be sorely missed.

                                 

                                I know I can always find you on Muvipix, but others might not.

                                 

                                Okay, I'll take the Star back, (if it's at all possible with this new forum format)...