User Defined Template (AVI)
This dialog box lets you customize settings for the video files you are making from your production. These settings are for AVI files.
Once you have changed these settings, you can apply them to the video you are outputting from your production.
Note: If you are not an advanced user, you probably do not need to change these settings. Instead, it is recommended that you use a pre-selected setting in the Make Movie dialog box.
n Name: Enter a name for your custom video quality setting.
n File type: Displays the current file type for which this dialog box allows you to customize settings:
n DV: Select to customize settings for AVI files that are optimized for playback on a DV camcorder.
n MPEG: Select to customize settings for MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video clips.
n AVI: Select to customize settings for AVI files.
Video settings
n Compression: Select the type of codec you want to use to compress and decompress the video clip. (Only codecs installed on your system display in this list.)
Note: Because a computer must have a particular codec installed in order to play a video clip encoded with that codec, you may want to select a codec that is more commonly found on most computers—otherwise, some users may not be able to play the video clip without first downloading and installing the codec to their computer. Indeo and Cinepak are popular codecs.
Depending on which codec you select, an Advanced button may appear in this dialog box. To further change settings for the codec you have selected, click Advanced. For more information on the dialog box that appears for the codec, contact the company that created the codec.
n Quality: To decrease the quality for more compression and a smaller file, drag the slider to the left. To increase the quality for less compression and a larger file, drag the slider to the right (for some codecs, this slider may not appear).
n Frames: Specify how many video frames are encoded before the codec refreshes. Often, a smaller number means better video quality (and larger files), but this differs from codec to codec.
n Frame rate: Select the number of frames per second.
Higher frame rates have better quality and smoother motion, but larger file sizes. Some frame rates are compatible with NTSC, while others are compatible with PAL—and some frame rates are compatible with neither.
n Frame size: Select the size, in pixels, that you want the video clip to occupy on the screen. The frame sizes available vary depending on the output format you selected in the Filter By drop-down list in the Make Movie dialog box. A lower frame size (such as 160 x 120) plays in a smaller window, with lower quality than a higher frame size (such as 640 x 480).
n Pixel format: Select the color depth of the pixels in the video.
It is always recommended to choose RGB24, which will give you the best color depth.
Audio settings
n Compression: Select the type of codec you want to use to compress and decompress the audio file. PCM means uncompressed audio, and is a good choice unless keeping down file size is important to you. (Only the codecs that are available on your computer will display in the Compression list.)
A codec is technology that allows you to decompress or compress data.
Note: In order to play a video clip that has been encoded using a particular codec, a computer must have that codec installed. Because of this, you may want to select a codec that is more commonly found on most computers—otherwise, some users may not be able to play your video clip without first downloading and installing a particular codec to their computer. Most Microsoft codecs will be playable on most computers.
n Sampling rate: Displays the rate of audio sampling, which is one factor in determining the quality of a sound file. (The higher the sampling rate is, the better the quality of the sound, the larger the file size, and the more CPU resources used to process the sound.)
n Sample size: Select the number of bits used to store the incoming signal’s amplitude (the difference between the loudest and softest sounds). The greater the sample size, the better the sound quality, and the larger the file size.
n Channels: Select the channels this audio file will play on:
n Stereo: Plays on both the left and right stereo channels.
n Mono: The same sound comes out of both speakers. This option results in a smaller file size.