User Defined Template (MPEG)
This dialog box lets you customize settings for the video files you are making from your production. These particular settings are for MPEG 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 (AVI): 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 compression type for the video clip:
n MPEG-1: Select this option if you want a good quality video clip that is portable, and you do not need to burn it to DVD. (You can use this option if you are burning your production to a Video CD.)
n MPEG-2: Select this option if you want a good quality video clip, which you may be able to burn to DVD-Video or SVCD (depending on the settings).
n Bitrate: To decrease the quality, drag the slider to the left. To increase quality, drag the slider to the right. (This slider is not available if you are outputting to VCD or SVCD.) Higher quality means less compression and a larger file, and lower quality means more compression and a smaller file.
n Video CD Format (MPEG-1 encoding only): Select this check box if you plan to burn any video clip encoded using this custom setting to a Video CD.
n Frame rate: Select the video standard for the video file:
n 29.97 True NTSC: Select this option if you want your project recorded to the NTSC (National Television Systems Committee) video standard. (This is the standard used in the U.S.)
n 25.00 PAL: Select this option if you want your project recorded to the PAL (Phase Alternate Line) video standard. (This is the standard used in much of Europe and Asia.)
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).
Note: In order to be optimized for DVD-Video, an MPEG-2 file’s Frame Size setting must be one of the following: 704 x 480, 704 x 576, 720 x 480, 352 x 240, 352 x 480, or 352 x 576. For the NTSC standard, the Frame Rate must be 29.97, and for the PAL standard, it must be 25 fps.
Audio settings
n Compression: Select the codec you want to use to compress and decompress the audio file. (Only the codecs that are available on your computer will display in the Compression list.)
Note: If you plan to burn to DVD-Video, the Audio compression settings that are suitable for DVD are LPCM and AC-3.
A codec is technology that allows you to decompress or compress data.
Note: In order to play an 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 Windows computers.
n Bitrate: To decrease the quality, drag the slider to the left. To increase quality, drag the slider to the right (this slider or may not appear depending on the codec you have selected in the Compression drop-down list). Higher quality means less compression and a larger file, and lower quality means more compression and a smaller file.
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.)
Note: If you plan to burn to DVD-Video, the Sampling Rate must be set to 48000 Samples/sec.
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 which channels this audio file will play on:
n Stereo: Plays on both the left and right stereo channels. (Select if you plan to burn this file to DVD-Video.)
n Mono: The same sound comes out of both speakers. This option results in a smaller file size.
Note: If you plan to burn to DVD-Video, the Channels setting must be set to Stereo.