Encoding still image files - quality problems

The project is almost over, and of course problems are now rearing their ugly heads.
The .pct files I'm using for the menus seemed to encode just fine last week, with very little noticeable MPEG2 compression. Now however, without any changes to the files, the menus look terrible with blocks and noise all over the place! What the heck happened?
Here's a before and after comparison screen grab:
Before: http://www.moonbase9.com/images/apps/dsp/menu_before.png
After: http://www.moonbase9.com/images/apps/dsp/menu_after.png
The settings in DSP for MPEG2 encoding are the same for both shots. All my video material is pre-encoded .m2v files and AC3 audio. The only part I'm allowing DSP to encode are the .pct menus.
I've also tried encoding the .pct files in Compressor and the same thing happens, no matter what quality setting I use.

Hi There
Trty deleting the mpegs that DVDSP created for the menus as well as your DVDSP prefs, change the encoding preferences by say 0.5Mbps, let DVDSP encode again see what happens.
Cheers
B

Similar Messages

Still Image File Format

Had a question about the best format for still images in FCE. Tom Wolsky on his FCPBook site recommends creating a PICT file with an alpha channel. Richard Harrington at Lynda.com states that a TIFF works best.
Do you have any information or preference for one over the over. I will be creating files to be exported for web and for DVD.
Thanks in advance for your answer.

I don't think I said PICTs were best, just one of the file formats. PICTs are different in that they carry addressable alpha channels for transparency, while other formats like TIFFs and PSDs don't. You can paint a PCIT alpha like a mask and have it carry over to other applications.
TIFFs are good but they are usually larger than necessary, waste drive space, and have had problems with Final Cut in the past. For most things I just use Photoshop.
JPEG is OK for flat images as long as you use it at best quality. At any reduced quality it will recompress each time the file is saved. The quality can deteriorate.

Need basic "How To" for encoding still images for SD DVD slideshow

I recently purchased FCS2 and am not very computer savvy. I'm trying to create slideshows in DVD Studio Pro that are standard definition (so they can be played in most players), but are still excellent quality. The images I'm using are high resolution, professionally edited photos (with Adobe CS3 Elements). Once I burn it to a disk the image quality is very poor and after some trouble shooting I think I found my problem, the files are being resized automatically to fit with DVDSP and are losing quality. Can someone give me the quick "how to" with compressor to change my images to the correct settings? I've been reading and watching tutorials, but they all seem to focus more on video than still images. Any help is greatly appreciated.

When the final DVD plays on a computer or TV screen, the photo images in the titles are fuzzy even though they were clear 300 dpi images. (I know dpi doesn't matter in video). The title text is also a bit fuzzy and the title text that has animation applied to it is even more fuzzy. Yet the old MPEG video clips look fine - it's just my title graphics and text that look bad (embarrasing).
Remember that DVD-Video was designed for CRT TV sets, and was a major step up from VHS tape. However, when viewed on an HD computer monitor, or HD TV *, it is still ONLY 720 x 480, with is about 1/4 of the resolution as 1920 x 1080, which is about what we are used to seeing on those display devices. That is but only 25% of the quality. It can never look as good as HD material.
Good luck, and if I missed something, please point that out to me.
Hunt
* With the advent of BD players, and up-rezzing DVD players, things HAVE improved, when viewing a DVD-Video on an HD TV. The newer players have up-rezzing chips, that do a very good job of "improving" the viewed material's quality. However, even with those amazing chips, DVD-Video will NEVER be as good as a full-HD source. Also, computers do not have those up-rezzing chips, so when one views a DVD-Video on a high-rez computer monitor, it will still look pretty bad. There ARE a couple of new DVD software players, that improve the quality of DVD-Video played on a high-rez computer monitor, and a few look fairly promising. I speculate that we will see some more development in the DVD-Video area, especially as BD is not proving to be the big seller, that many promised. Even 3D is not helping BD realize its promise.

Still image file confusion.

Got an unusual problem...
Importing folders of JPG still images into CS5 to product a slide show.....
On random occasions Premier confuses individual image file names and replaces them with alternate files from within folders imported on the time line....
Ive re checked the original source of the files affected and they are unaltered...
At first I thought files may be damaged by a virus..... However I;ve used other editing software and they work perfectly........Wondering if anyone has a solution....

I've seen this same thing...drove me nuts! I reported it as a bug, so Adobe knows about it. Hopefully a fix will come along soon. A work around is to right-click on the files in the bin, choose Edit in Photoshop, then in Photoshop just do a Save As, and re-save over the old file using the same name and format. When you go back into Premiere Pro, it should be fine. Be sure to back up your original files somewhere...just in case. Hope that helps!

Why does PE7 create a duplicate still image file

I loaded PE7 and it located my Photoshop element calalog. That was fine however PE7 created duplicate or edited files. Not good when you photoshop elements catalog contains 20 thousands pictures. Is there a way to prevent PE7 from creating a duplicate still image. I had to delete the catalog and start over/

I've never seen or heard of this, md, and I don't know any reason this would happen.
Since this is a Photoshop Elements problem, I'd recommend you try posting your question to the Photoshop Elements forum and see if someone there can help you.

Nokia Asha 200 image file format problem

hello. I just bought a Nokia Asha 200 recently, and I am happy with it. The only problem that I am currently having is with my phone's captured image's file format. It used to be .jpg and then it suddenly became .nrw and I can't open it when I tranfer the images to my computer. Whenever I convert it it just becomes black. I restored the factory settings of my phone but the format is still .nrw.
I want to know what caused it and how can I revert back the image file format to .jpg.
Thank you so much in advance.
Good day.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Because Nokia s40 Phones automatically Enhancing the Image Captured and reduces it's size. The reason why you're Photos is in .nrw format because you didn't wait to process it. Follow these steps so it won't occuring again On the Camera Choose Options > Settings > Image Preview > Choose End Manually. Then wait for pictures to be processed you captured (sometimes you will notice that the image enhanced). It also can be done in the background. Hope it Helps.
I love T9 Bar Phones | I used to be a Sony Ericson fan before but they leave the low end Phones so I have to switch to Nokia | LG Optimus L5 II and Nokia 206 3

Creating Still Images/High quality JPG's...please help

We are in desparate need of creating quality still images from captured video. Basically, we have footage in mini DV format that we import into Final Cut HD using a Sony Clamshell deck. What is the best way to make high quality still images?
We tried it this way....Export Quicktime as Still image...and it just looks bad, Even after De-interlacing it within Photoshop. We need it to look exactly like it does if we simply press pause on the deck or pause within Final Cut.

When you start with DV material, the highest res you can for a still image capture is 720x480 (non-square) or the equivalent of a really bad quality cheepo still camera. (~640x480 square pixels)
To avoid the need to deinterlace, (the horrors of which are described below) find sections in your masterpiece that have VERY LITTLE motion, i.e. everyone/thing standing/existing absolutely still with the camera locked down on a tripod. These sections will yield the very best possible still images.
If you have motion the frame, the still images will exhibit 'tearing' which comes from the two fields of video being recorded ~1/60 second apart. The second field shows elements displaced from the first field - hence a kind of internal image shifting going on. The only real way to deal with these kind of images is to deinterlace them - that is - decide which field you are going to keep and throw away the other.
When you have deinterlaced the image, you have in effect reduced it from a 720x480 image to a 720x240 image. The image pixel count REMAINS 720x480 but with half the vertical information as the remaining lines are doubled or interpolated to build back to 480 lines.
Confused yet? I hope not...
Still, if you know you'll want stills from a project, it's better to carry around a small digital still camera, you'll get better results. Otherwise, plan on pretty small prints.
Good luck.
x
Do your part in supporting your fellow users. If a response has been Helpful to you or Solved your question, please mark it as such as an aid to other lost souls on the forum.
Also, don't forget to mark the thread Answered when you get enough information to close the thread.

Best still image file type to import?

Hello,
I am working with a graphic designer and the question is how should they set up their document and export for the best results importing to PrePro.
Are the Ps/Ai HD presets fine?

I work with very few pictures, but my understanding is that your picture will depend on what you are going to DO with the picture
Photo Scaling for Video http://forums.adobe.com/thread/450798
-HiRes Pictures to DVD http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1187937?tstart=0
-PPro Crash http://forums.adobe.com/thread/879967

How to make a podcast with one still image with iMovie 09

I'm using trying to transfer my podcasts to Vimeo. I've been using iWeb to create a person web site with video and podcasts. I have embedded Vimeo with "html snippet widge." I want to do the same thing with audio, however Vimeo only accept "video" files.
In my attempt to work around Vimeo's video issues, I had the idea to use iMovie 09 to create a "video file" using a single still image with my audio podcast play in the background. The single image would be consistent for the entire length of the audio. It seems simple...one still image file and one audio file.
All of my audio files are less than 45 minutes in length. The problem is that when I insert an image in iMovie I can't get it to last for more than 10:00 minutes of my podcast. I've had to drag the same image over several times, extend each image's length to 10:00 minutes until I have enough images to last the full length of the audio file.
I'm sure there's a simple way to do this with one image, used one time, and have the audio added.
Anyone understand my situation and have a good idea?

The most efficient method would be for you to do this in iMovie 6. You can download a version if you don't already have it on your computer. http://supportdownload.apple.com/download.info.apple.com/AppleSupport_Area/Apple_Software_Updates/Mac_OSX/downloads/061-3532.20070807.nq3ER/iMovieHD6.dmg
Put all your clips into a new iMovie project, in the order you wish them to play. Use the chapters tab and add chapter markers for each clip (except the first one; iDVD will add that one for you). Close iMovie.
Open an new iDVD project. Use the Media tab, then Movies, to locate your new iMovie. Drag and drop it onto the main iDVD window, taking care not to drop it into a drop zone. You should then see the title of your movie and the two options: Play Movie (which will play all the clips sequentiallly) and Scene Selection (which will take you to submenu(s) where you can select which clip to view).

I am unable to import Raw still images from a Nikon D 80 into Premiere Pro cs 4. All jpeg images ok

I am unable to Import RAW still Images from a Nikon D 80 camera into
Premiere Pro. All jpeg images import Ok. A web search suggests I need "plug-ins" for RAW, but I can not find same. Any suggestions as to how to inport RAW files to PP CS 4 would be appreciated. I have just updated from Premiere Elements 4 which had no problem importing RAW still images.
Roygo

The way I see it (correct me if I'm wrong) but Raw is supposed to be where you have total editing control of the shot (as opposed to the camera). I believe the next step is to do the editing (i.e. color balance, exposure, etc) then make a regular image from that to use in whatever output you desire (print, web, etc.) Think of raw as the negative. Just being in raw doesn't in it self make it better.
Edit. This is from premiere help files....
Supported still‑image and sequence file formats
Adobe Premiere Pro supports 8-bit per-channel (4 bytes per pixel) and 16-bit per-channel (8 bytes per pixel) still-image files. It converts images with lower bit-depths to 8-bits per channel and images with higher bit-depths to 16-bits per channel on import. High bit-depth files are supported at one single-precision float per channel (16-bytes per pixel).
AI, EPS (Adobe Illustrator and Illustrator sequence)
BMP, DIB, RLE (Bitmap and Bitmap sequence)
EPS
GIF
ICO (Icon File) (Windows only)
JPEG and JPEG sequence (JPE, JPG, JFIF)
PICT and PICT sequence (PIC, PCT)
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
PSD (Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop sequence)
PSQ (Adobe Premiere 6 Storyboard)
PTL, PRTL (Adobe Premiere title)
TGA, ICB, VDA, VST (Targa and Targa sequence)
TIF (TIFF and TIFF sequence)

Error when dragging and dropping still image into imovie

I am trying to place some still images into iMovie but when doing so I get the following error message :
"Import Problem
The still image file "file name" couldn't be copied as a JPEG image. The clip has been imported, but you won't be able to apply Ken Burns effects to it."
I really want to be able to apply the ken Burns effect. Can someone help with a fix to get around this problem.
thanks

Hi
Is Your photos .jpeg photos ?
I would download/buy GraphicConverter™ and convert the photos to .pic and
then use them.
Google: GraphicConverter
Yours Bengt W

How to output video as still image frames?

Hi there,
We need to convert a movie file which has something like 375 frames into 60 still image files. How could we go about doing this using After Effects?
We have a lot of movie files to convert, is there a way to batch process this so that we can have it processing over the weekend?
I'd really appreciate anyone's help!
Thanks!
Abi

That link is helpful.
So if I wanted to render a batch process, I simply add all the movie files into the render queue and then specify for each of the files where I want them to be outputted to... And then once the render button is clicked it will do all of the items in the queue?
For example, for one composition I have 'Best Settings' selected for 'Render Settings' and then for the 'Output Module' I have it set as 'Based on "Lossless" '...
The 'Output Module' settings I have as the format 'JPEG Sequence', 'Post-Render Action: None', 'Video Output' is ticked; 'Channels: RGB', 'Depth: Millions of Colors".
I am outputting it to a specific folder.
Are these settings more or less correct for what I want to do?
Apologies for basic questions being asked, I don't want to start the process for it to go wrong when I am not here to oversee it!!!
Thanks!
Abi

How do you export a still image from a sequence ?

I could easily export a frame as still image in CS3 (File / export / ...)
But how do you do this in CS4 ??... Adobe found another way of making something simple so difficult !... I try to export media, then select a still image format, make sure ''export sequence'' is *not* selected, but when I look at the output, what I get is not where I had stopped the cursor and appeared on the monitor, but I get the first frame of the sequence instead.
What am I doing wrong here ?
Thanks,
Rob

Your way should work, it worked for me.
Try reading this:
Select a clip in the Project panel or a Timeline.
Choose File > Export > Media.
In the Export Settings dialog box, select a still-image format from the Format menu. See Export Settings Format options.
If tabs are not visible below the Summary pane, click the Advanced Mode button.
On the Video tab, deselect the Export As Sequence option (if it is selected).
(Optional) To deinterlace the frame, select Progressive from the Field Type menu.
(Optional) To correct the pixel aspect ratio for display on computer screens, select Square Pixels from the Aspect menu.
Click the Output Name hot text.
Browse to the location where you want to save the still-image file, type a filename for it, and click Save.
In the Export Settings viewing area, drag the playhead to the frame you want to export as a still image.
Click OK.
Check no.10 did you drag the playhead in the export settings viewing area? Or did you do that on the timeline?
Good luck.

Create and export a still image form video?

How do I create and then export a still image from my video? Is it the same as freeze frame? It seems like that is different? I looked on youtube and a guy was telling how to do it, but he said to go up to share at the top and it is not there on my version. I think perhaps he was using an older version.. So to cut to the chase.. How do I create a still photo form my vdieo then export it to desktop or iphoto?

You seem to have added to "Save Current Frame" option to the destinations, but you are not using, if what you are outputting is a video file and not a still image file.
Now, click Next..., choose a file name and folder to save it on. That is just that.

Creating a clip from still images

Hey Thrill seekers. In advance thank you for your kindness to a premier newbie.
I'm working on a personal project for my local Habitat for Humanity Chapter. I'm capturing single images a 5 second intervals and want to create a time lapse film of the build. I'm also taking stills and putting them over the background created by the time lapse. Each week I learn a little more, and see more possibilities.
Right now I'm taking the stills, batching them through photoshop to crop to 1920X1080, and creating 500 frame clips with Quicktime Pro (seems to be a number that won't choke my computer) then using the clips in Premier Elements.
What I'd LOVE to do would be to just import higher rez stills, (and I know I can tell premier to make the stills 1 frame by default) but then be able to treat the entire group of 4,500 or so frames as a sinlge entity so I could zoom in/out and pan on the time lapse image. As it is now, I don't know how to do so and am locked into a single size and crop on the "video" clips.
I realize this is a premier pro forum and I just admitted to using elements. But if an upgrade would give me the capability I'd do so. I've got the trial version of pro, but haven't found out how to do it there either.
Again, thanks for your help, and be gentle.

There are a couple considerations:
1.) PrPro can only take images up to ~4000 pixels on the largest dimension. One can do a lot of panning on zoomed out images, far smaller than that. High-rez images will only bog things down. I would plan on just how many extra pixels you need and set the larger ones to that. One caveat: if you want to Import as a Numbered Sequence, you will need to be aware of the numbering, and keep that consistent.
2.) You can use a Numbered Sequence:
To import numbered still-image files as one clip
Make sure that each still-image file name contains an equal number of digits at the end and has the correct file extension—for example, file000.bmp, file001.bmp, and so forth.
Choose File > Import.
Locate and select the first numbered file in the sequence, select Numbered Stills, and click Open. When Numbered Stills is selected, Adobe Premiere Pro interprets each of the numbered files as a single frame in a video clip.
Note: Changing the default duration of still images in the Preferences dialog box does not affect the duration of numbered stills imported into a video clip. Each still becomes one frame when imported in this way.
3.) If you are Importing as a Numbered Sequence, there might not be much time to Pan & Zoom. Plan that carefully.
4.) I keep my stills in .PSD format, and Import that. Now, I shoot RAW, and process to .PSD in PS, so it's an easy workflow to maintain.
5.) You are talking about a lot of stills. I have done Projects with just over 2000 .PSD's, but most were sized to my Project's Frame Size, with only some being larger to allow for the Panning on a Zoomed out image. I have a pretty stout workstation, and have had no issues, but you ARE talking an HD Project (many more pixels, than my SD Projects) and many more still images.
6.) For "Stop Motion," I find that 3 Frames is about right for most of my subjects. If you do not want a "Stop Motion" look, then choose the Default Still Duration that works best for your concept.
I do not believe that PrE has the Numbered Sequence feature, and also chokes on larger still images well before PrPro does. Personally, I'd never attempt a Project of this magnitude in PrE, but I only have PrE 4, so maybe PrE 8 has better capabilities. I just do not know.
Good luck, and there will probably be other thoughts that pop into my mind. You might also want to post to the PrE forum, and link back to this post too, so people can follow along, and not end up posting the same comments in two places.
Hunt
[Edit] Forgot to add that the Sequences feature, alone, would be a good reason to go with PrPro, in lieu of PrE for a Project of this size. You can use those like "mini-Projects" within a "master Project." I most often use them like others do "Chapters."
Message was edited by: Bill Hunt - Added [Edit]

Encoding still image files - quality problems

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for