@Beardeboss

In your previous post to the forum, from 2018, you were advised that these are user to user forums, so not a contact for any Magix staff. Hence no-one from Magix will reply to you!

However, I have to say that purchasing the MainConcept codec is highly unlikely to enable you to achieve any improvement to your footage. It is now quite "old" and, when users have attempted to use it whilst creating mp4 files and using Hardware Acceleration, the result is (almost) always a file of zero bytes! I have it installed on my computer but I honestly can't remember the last time I actually used it.

However, I think there is a more "serious" issue inherent in your post. Why do you wish to export SD 720 x 576 to AVCHD DVD? Your blu-ray player can play a standard DVD without problem and there is really no visual benefit at all in attempting to upscale your source video. It is, and will always remain, Standard Definition; it can never be the High Definition that AVCHD offers! Not forgetting that the maximum playback time of an AVCHD DVD is about 30 minutes. It is entirely possible that your TV is carrying out some degree of upscaling, but that is a wholly different thing.

There is a quite common misconception that it is possible to increase the resolution of a given video file. To do so, "additional pixels" must be created and added to each individual frame. How is any program to know which pixels need to be added, and where? It is not sufficient merely to "duplicate" pixels.

Although you cannot "increase the resolution" of your source footage you can make some attempt at "improving" it, e.g., by means of Sharpening and/or the use of a plugin like NeatVideo (to remove or at least reduce "picture noise").

HTH

Jeff
Forum Moderator

@Beardeboss

Hi

My opinion differs to @johnebaker and @emmrecs as I have used the MC encoder for many years as it used to be the default encoder in MEP and have had good results.

The zero byte bug only occurs with HWA encoding to .MP4 and not with AVCHD Transport Stream so it would be entirely suitable for what you are proposing. MP4 encodes fine Software only, and is much quicker than the Intel encoder SW only.

I could see a benefit for you (theoretically - I have not tried it) in that you could potentially create a higher quality SD Disc using AVCHD than with (MPEG2) DVD, and using the MC codec because:-

1. you are not limited by the maximum 9800kbps bitrate of DVD.

2. You are not transcoding to MPEG2 DVD which is a lower quality less efficient codec.

3. You can set higher AC-3 Audio bitrates with MC (than with the Intel encoder).

4. You could fit far more material on a Bluray than on an MPEG2 encoded DVD by using AVC H.264 encoded at healthy SD bitrates (the 30min limitation Jeff is referring to is for Full HD bitrates).

5. You could play around with a lot more parameters in MC if you are au fait with that, like 2 pass, Target quality, different Rate Controls, etc.

You could Up Res to HD in MEP but most of us have come to the conclusion that modern TV's do a better job of (hardware) upscaling than the editing software so best to just burn it as SD if it were filmed in SD.

Should I go on.....😄

Peter

Yes guys. Many Thanks for all the replies.

I Think that Scenestealer is more in touch with what I am wanted to do.

Sorry if I explained in wrong.

I was looking to contact Magix direct but could seem to find the form to fill in just many FAQs.

I think that the support form that I managed to find last time to fill in is somewhere in there still but can't seem to locate it?

So if anyone has a direct link for it then that would be good, so I can contact Magix Directly. But yes back to the original question.

I am wanting to put Standard Mini DV-AVI (VHS) captured via my Canopus ADVC-100 to Disc using the AVCHD Format.

The Footage is Just Standard 4:3 720x576interlaced.

I don't know if you know but SD 576i and 576p arei both supported in the AVCHD 1.0 Format.

The reason for not just going with MPEG-2 as said Scenestealer mentioned.

I can get a good 2hours good quality Footage very comfi at around 8mbps but for most times

Using Premiere Pro with The TMPGenc AVCHD for DVD Preset then I can get a good enough quality at 4mbps even. I understand that upscaling to HD is not a good idea.

Using the file created with the said software I can then load it into TMPG Authoring Works and make a AVCHD disc onto DVD that will be playable on my Bluray Player, using the Created 720x576i. I left the deinterlacing to the Television to handle since I think that it does a good job.

What I was hoping was to be able to encode and author/burn disc straight to AVCHD Disc in Magix. As mentioned, I can select the AVCHD for DVD but then the resolution is either 720p or 1080. If I had the Main Concept Encoder then would I see more of the presets and be able to select the SD Resolution.

@Beardeboss

Hi

Please use this step by step guide here to contact support.

Forum Moderator

@Beardeboss

Hi

My opinion differs to @johnebaker and @emmrecs as I have used the MC encoder for many years as it used to be the default encoder in MEP and have had good results.

The zero byte bug only occurs with HWA encoding to .MP4 and not with AVCHD Transport Stream so it would be entirely suitable for what you are proposing. MP4 encodes fine Software only, and is much quicker than the Intel encoder SW only.

I could see a benefit for you (theoretically - I have not tried it) in that you could potentially create a higher quality SD Disc using AVCHD than with (MPEG2) DVD, and using the MC codec because:-

1. you are not limited by the maximum 9800kbps bitrate of DVD.

2. You are not transcoding to MPEG2 DVD which is a lower quality less efficient codec.

3. You can set higher AC-3 Audio bitrates with MC (than with the Intel encoder).

4. You could fit far more material on a Bluray than on an MPEG2 encoded DVD by using AVC H.264 encoded at healthy SD bitrates (the 30min limitation Jeff is referring to is for Full HD bitrates).

5. You could play around with a lot more parameters in MC if you are au fait with that, like 2 pass, Target quality, different Rate Controls, etc.

You could Up Res to HD in MEP but most of us have come to the conclusion that modern TV's do a better job of (hardware) upscaling than the editing software so best to just burn it as SD if it were filmed in SD.

Should I go on.....😄

Peter

Yes Excellent Post There Peter, very well hit the nail on the head.

Excellently explained.

Do you happend to have a list of the actual drop down menu options presets available in the Main Concept Encoder Menu from the Disc Burn Tab.

I am guessing that I may have to experiment with my own settings to match up the settings that TMPG Does on there AVCHD for DVD preset. I think it is a 3.1 Main Profile they use but not 100% up on the exact spec for strict complience for AVCHD DVD (to play on bluray) I know the max bitrate is 18mbs due to the limitations of the speed of the DVD Disc spec that it spins at. As say Most of my SD 576 encodes are well under that, so yes if I can get this worked out then I will probably go with the Main Concept, as say is only a daft £4 anyways, well worth it yes.

@Beardeboss

Hi

Thanks for the thanks.

Yes, there is a slight issue in that the Encoder Presets only contain HD presets in the Burn section but you can find a suitable SD preset (.prs) file in the following folders C:\ProgramData\MAGIX\Movie Edit Pro Premium\2017\Default\Presets\ and copy and paste it into the /MPEG4-AVCHD or MPEG4-Blu-Ray folder whereupon it will become available in the disc burning preset dropdowns. This may also work for the Intel encoder MxMpeg4Intel-AVCHD, MxMpeg4Intel-Blu-Ray, presets folders. The MC presets are in the folders called MPEG4-xxx mentioned above.

Peter

Yes many thanks for the replies guys I appreciate the kind hospitality of all of you helpful chappies on this excellent forum. Yes just a quick update I have ended up purchasing both magix programs MEP and VPX pro. I have also found after purchased the Main Concept Plug in that it can only be used with MEP as in VPX there isn't a option in the settings screen to switch from The Magix MP4 Encoder to the Main Concept MP4 Encoder. So it looks like If you want to use it then you need to in MEP only. So I did try a few tests and only once somehow did I manage to create a MTS File by customizing the Main Concept AVCHD 1920x1080i Preset and switching thr resolution to 720x576i lower field first to match my DV-AVI Source files created via my Canopus ADVC 100. Source from VHS capture to DV-AVI lower field first. I did try searching the locations that you suggested but think that they are in a different place being in MEP 2021 Latest version under Windows 10. I managed to locate them after a Windows 10 Search in C:\USERS\PUBLIC\MY DOCUMENTS\MAGIX. There are several different folders labelled each with different Preset Names so I was a bit confused to which ones was which and noticed that the .prs names are different to the extension name given when making and saving a custom preset pss. I think I could really use help with making a proper compliant preset for AVCHD DVD 720x576i lower field first and 4:3 aspect ratio that I can get to show up and use from the disc burn menu. I noticed that there are alot of different extra options available with the main concept MP4 Encoder on the settings. As say I did try selecting a setting that I thought would work to test from the main dialogue export MP4 just to test from the main timeline but it kept making zero byte files or telling me some of the parameters where incorrect for the setting of the export and wouldn't allow me to proceed. I think I managed one time a export to MTS MP4 codec before giving up. I did try both check and uncheck use hardware encoding but same results I kinda lost track of what combination of settings I had used to get it to work the one time. So ended up getting myself mixed up and abit confused. I guess I will be ok once I get a proper compliant preset dialled in. If you can get time to make a preset that I can download and try, that would be appreciated. Hopefully can get the option to make a AVCHD DVD-5 Disc from the timeline directly to the disc burner that will work in my Bluray Player.

@Beardeboss

How to access/use the MC Codec in VPX:

Program Settings>Import/Export.see the dropdown arrow in the highlighted box. The alternative to "Default" is "Main Concept".

HTH

Jeff

@Beardeboss

Hi

Once you have downloaded the MC Codec to you system, it should be available to both Magix programs and to subsequent versions. Once you select it as Jeff has shown you will need to restart the program to use it.

 I did try searching the locations that you suggested but think that they are in a different place being in MEP 2021 Latest version under Windows 10. I managed to locate them after a Windows 10 Search in C:\USERS\PUBLIC\MY DOCUMENTS\MAGIX. There are several different folders labelled each with different Preset Names so I was a bit confused to which ones was which and noticed that the .prs names are different to the extension name given when making and saving a custom preset pss.

The path I showed possibly will not contain the prs files because I think on my system they were in that location when I had MEP2017 and a subsequent new version created a new perpetual folder which copied them to the path that you found them in. This was an improvement by Magix to avoid us needing to download the same data in the new version when it was the same as in the earlier version. The same files are in both locations on my system.

So - If you open the \Public\xxxxx\>Presets>MPEG4 folder and copy the SD 768x576 PAL 4-3.prs to the Presets>MPEG4-AVCHD folder - then go to the Burn section of you project and choose AVCHD DVD disc option - open the Burn window then extend the dropdown and you will see the SD preset. You can then open the MC encoder settings - select AVCHD compatible then in the Advanced window modify the parameters ie bitrate if you desire - and then back out and save the preset in the first Burn window where it will remain in the dropdown choices with the changed parameters for use next time.

BTW the saved user preset is a .PRU File and is saved in another location as you have found.

Peter

@Beardeboss

Hi

. . . . if it is necessary to add on this extra codec and if so what benefit does it offer . . . .

The MainConcept is an optional extra and is not necessary for the program to work.

I personally would advise against using the MainConcept codec as it has issues when using Hardware Acceleration and can produce empty (0 byte) files.

. . . . AVCHD DVD with TMPEG Authoring working which allows 720x576i at PAL 25fps to DVD as MP4 AVCHD that will play on my Blu-Ray Player . . . .

What is the source video resolution in the project.

Is there a reason for not burning a standard DVD as these will play on a BD player?

John EB
Forum Moderator

@Beardeboss

How to access/use the MC Codec in VPX:

Program Settings>Import/Export.see the dropdown arrow in the highlighted box. The alternative to "Default" is "Main Concept".

HTH

Jeff

Yes very good. I will check but seem to recall that in VPX current version there is only an option for selecting the main concept for MP2 on that dialog box. Where as in MEP it says as shown. I Dunno if I have not got it installed properly on VPX somehow?

Very good thank you for the reply Peter yes it is me I am not up to speed on Either VPX and MEP but am really enjoying them both so far learning. Yes I will have a go at what you said. I don't know if the preset needs turning for best compatibility with the AVCHD Spec? I think it is 576i lower field first the level 3 profile main max bit rate 4mbps is what I normally do for SD as AVCHD mpeg4. Mts. I am not sure the exact difference between mp4 x264 and AVCHD mts? I know that files that I create of the same SD 720x576i lower field first via Tmpenc plugin in via premiere pro using the Tmpenc AVCHD for DVD are then imported directly into TMPG Authoring works and go straight through as a AVCHD DVD without any further re-encoding where as the files I did manage to make from MEP and VPX when imported into TMPG Authoring Works it said they needed to be transcended again to AVCHD DVD spec. Comparing the 2 encodes one from premiere using the Tmpenc plug in x264 Encoder and AVCHD for DVD the difference I can see is that the header nitrate is listed as the maximum actual nitrate of 4mbps of which is correct. Where as the MEP and VPX MP4 files are listing as 18.5 nitrate even though they are actually only the Same 4mbps as per the custom preset. My aim is do the editing on the timeline of my vhs capture then put it straight to Disc as AVCHD DVD in one goes. I think that once I get going it will be good. I know that discs are going out of fashion these days but I still like to make a disc for myself and family that like the old skool stuff. I don't know if it is possible for anyone to do a test of what I am wanting to do with regards to burning disc as AVCHD first DVD. SD. Once again many thanks for the help guys. It is really appreciated

@Beardeboss, @Scenestealer

Hi

. . . . Once you have downloaded the MC Codec to you system, it should be available to both Magix programs  . . . .

I think that may have changed - I have the MC codec installed for MEP (reference purposes only) and it is not available in VPX - it has to be installed separately.

. . . . TMPG Authoring Works it said they needed to be transcended again to AVCHD DVD spec . . . .

I suspect that is because the exported file is not compliant to what TMPEG AW is expecting I was testing this program earlier this year as an alternative to DVD Architect (DVDA) and it also refused my compliant AVCHD video exports ie 1920 x 1080i at the correct bitrate (nitrate is a chemical) which DVDA copied directly into the disc. I ended up not buying the program as it could not do what I wanted.

Unless you are doing something special with the disc menus or creating complex discs, why are you not using MEP or VPX to do the whole process from capture, through editing, to disc complete with menus and chapters?

John EB

Hi yes I have copied from my original post at the top.. I was hoping to figure out how to export SD 720x576i to AVCHD DVD Disc, I know that at present there is a option for that but I can't seem to select an SD resolution only 1080 and 720. Normally I do AVCHD DVD with TMPEG Authoring working which allows 720x576i at PAL 25fps to DVD as MP4 AVCHD that will play on my Blu-Ray Player. Is there a way to do this with Magix and if so does the Main Concept offer more choice for the lower SD Resolutions

I wish to use AVCHD for DVD as @Scenestealer quiet rightly quoted. The quality is better than mpeg 2 and at 4mbps can easily get 2 hours video on a DVD-5. I just need a reliable preset dialled in that I can save and pull it up from the disc burn. Hopefully then I can do the job lot in Either MEP or VPX

Should also say my source files are sd Avi 720x576i lower field first. Vhs captures via my canopus ADVC 100 via firewire captured via the capture model Mini DV in magix MEP and VPX

I dont want to up scale just keep them at the native resolution SD 720x576i lower field first AVCHD HD x264 MTS which I believe is a valid spec under the Blue Ray Rules. I understand that the disc made will only be playable in my Bluray player and not DVD player and that is ok.