When I Import I get these two notices , what do they mean ?

craig-kotval wrote on 1/20/2018, 9:26 AM

I am newbie

Up until now I have been using GOpro Studio so I have successfully used a editing software but I wanted something more stable so I bought Magix Movie Edit Pro Plus 2016 Ver 15.0.0.90

When I try to download clips out of the media pool onto the time line I get these two alerts :

I am so new to this that I don't know how to proceed, I have tried searching the tutorials and the PDF manual and cannot find it.

I have experimented different combinations but when I view it in the timeline it plays at a lower quality

What am I doing wrong ?

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 1/20/2018, 10:15 AM

The first message means the file you are trying to add is on a memory card, memory stick or you are trying to load the file direct from an attached camera into the project, in all 3 cases this is not best practice as the devices will have to be plugged in every time you want to work on the project, so the program is asking if you want to copy the files to the computer - I recommend you do this.

The second message means that the project settings do not match the video resolution you are importing, in this case your project is set to 1920 x 1080 whereas the video file is 1280 x 720 the aspect ratio, 16:9 and the framerate are the same 29.97 fps.

Depending on what format and resolution you are going to export or create a DVD or BD you have to decide whether to leave the project settings as they are or let the program adjust the project to match the imported video.

Note - if you are combining mixed resolution videos eg 1920 x 1080 and 1280 x 720 then I would ensure the project is set to, or remains, at the higher resolution video. Whether you change the project resolution or not with mixed resolutions, one or the other size will bring up the second message.

HTH

John EB

browj2 wrote on 1/20/2018, 10:26 AM

Hi and welcome to the forum,

You need to understand the basics and I suggest that you view the Magix tutorials and my tutorials on Getting Started in MEP and Basic Editing 1 and 2.

1. The latest version of MEP2016 is 15.0.0.114. You should update by going to Help, Update online.

2. Your first image is a warning that you are likely using an SD card, like the one from the camera to import a video into MEP. Importing a video into MEP does not mean that the material is imported, it means that MEP uses the file located somewhere that is always accessible. If the file is not accessible, MEP will tell you when you load the project. If your SD or flash drive are not available, then MEP will not be able to find the file. If you delete the file, then MEP won't be able to find and use it. So, you first have to copy your files onto a hard drive connected to your computer and import into MEP from there. If this is not your case and you want to continue using the device on which the file is located, then click the box to ignore the message.

3. The second image is telling you exactly what it says - your project is set up as HD - 1920x1080 at 29.97 fps and the video clip that you are importing is at a lower resolution than your project, 1280x720 which is standard definition. Firstly, if you are in NTSC-land, that is, North America, the standard is 29.97fps; if in PAL-land, Europe, then it is 25fps. Secondly, the message is informing you of this and giving you the opportunity to change the resolution of your project to match the incoming video. If you adjust the project, it will become SD, if not, then it will stay HD, but remember, you cannot improve on the resolution of an SD file, so don't expect the output to be an improved resolution. You set up the parameters of the program in the startup screen for a new project or by going to File, Project settings (shortcut E) and changing them there.

4. As for the playback quality, it should be no better, no worse that the original if your project is set up for the same or better resolution than the video clip. Is the lightning bolt at the lower right of the Preview monitor lit? If so, turn it off.

John CB

John EB beat me to it.

craig-kotval wrote on 1/20/2018, 12:15 PM

Thanks Guys

I have updated my software version

The files I am grabbing are on a external hard drive , Did I copy them incorrectly to the hard drive ? Am I missing data that should have been copied ?

I friend of mine told me to film in 720 and that I did not need the higher quality of 1080 Did I make a mistake ?

Should I always film in 1080 ?

Ok , now I understand what it was saying. When I started my project I said I wanted the project in 1080 but my files are only 720. I guess its set up to warn you if you were trying to convert the 1080 to 720. In my case you are saying that no matter which I choose its going to stay 720.

browj2 wrote on 1/20/2018, 2:59 PM

Hi Craig,

If you have copied your files to an external HD connected to your computer, that should do and that is the way that most of us do it - to a drive that is not C (the operating system drive). Also, we make sure that we have a backup in case a drive fails. Normally, I only get the message that you got if I use a flash drive. Strange that you got the message.

Your understanding about the resolution of a project is correct. I have HD projects with a mixture of 4K, HD, SD and lower. I usually export to HD or burn to a Blu Ray.

If you are planning to only burn DVD's, then the best that you will get is SD, which is what you filmed in. However, if you want to burn to Blu Ray disks in HD or export to HD, then you should film in 1080 as a minimum. I have started filming in 4K with a cell phone handed-down from my wife. Since my projects are usually HD, 4K allows me to zoom in quite a bit with no loss of resolution. The drawback is that the original files are larger.

Think of the future. Even 4K will be passé, so you may want to film in the best resolution that you can. I have been editing some old footage shot on VHS and imported at 720x480, wishing I had better resolution. I'm also editing some DV footage, also in 720x480, wishing that I had set the camera to record in wide screen at 16:9. As well, I have tried to change all of my cameras to shoot photos at 16:9, except for my DSLR which does not have that format. I almost never print photos, so I would like the display format to be 16:9 thus avoiding cropping in the video editor.

HTH

John CB

Scenestealer wrote on 1/20/2018, 5:58 PM

Hi John CB

Just a couple of points on your comments:-

Normally, I only get the message that you got if I use a flash drive. Strange that you got the message.

Not strange - this is a standard warning that is asking if you would like to copy the file to the Project Folder. It appears even if you have copied the file previously to any hard drive internal or external and are now trying to import it to MEP. It is asking if you wish to create another copy of the file to the default MEP Project Folder if you have previously copied it from your camera to a different folder path. It is designed to keep everything together in a place where it will be included in a Project folder backup if you wish to create one down the track.

1280x720 which is standard definition.

To be clear - 1280 x 720 is considered HD not SD. 1920x1080 is differentiated by calling it FULL HD.

@craig-kotval

1280 x 720 is useful if you are shooting at a higher progressive frame rate (50 or 60P) and wish to burn a Bluray because there is only a possibility to burn BR at 24p or 50i or 60i. The higher frame rate would be useful for creating smoother action footage - typically shot on GoPro.