Hi All,

Client has WMVs (Arrrrgh!!!)

I know I have to convert them to QTs in Sorenson.

Could anybody recommend Sorenson settings ( 1 or 2 pass, VBR or CBR, Bitrate?) for best quality?

Final product will be projected as WMV

Is there ANY way this will look good in the end? (sigh...)

And as long as I'm asking, best WMV settings for projection?

thanks very much,
Chuck 

Wmv,s are all from highspeed very good looking Vc1 Hd files and down to something that not even the cat would like to have, what are the bitrate and resolution of the clips you are going to convert.

It's 720x480, doesn't show bitrate in Media Player.

Where else could I find it?

:40 seconds, 30MB.

Thanks!

The easiest way is to just look at " properties " in media player while the clip is running, there are also special apps that are telling you all about your clips.

Seems to be good hispeed clips by the way.

Anybody please?

Suggested Sorenson Settings???

WMV to QT?

And back to WMV???

Thanks!

grovechuck:

:40 seconds, 30MB.

Set a similar rate for your QT from Sorenson and again when going back to WMV.

I would probably use a MJPEG B QT codec in Sorenson for getting the file to Avid

Thanks for the reply Andrew!
I'd never even heard of/used MJPEG B QT!

Found it (Apple Motion JPEG B, right?) in Sorenson.

It defaults to 1 pass CBR, I can't set the bit rate, is that OK?

I tried it, but didn't get audio.

The WMV has Sonic Cinemaster mce audio decoder audio codec, is that relevant?

In Sorenson (WMV> QT) I'm using MPEG-4 audio codec.

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance!!!

To not loose any quality I'd select the Avid QT 1:1 codec, if quality is an issue, if not, the MJPEG B QT is a good option too. The file size will be huge though bif you select 1:1.

Regarding the audio, do you have sound when you play the wmv file in Windows Media Player?

You definitely need the right audio codec on your machine to make it work.

Just Google "Sonic Cinemaster mce audio decoder audio codec" and I am sure you'll find a wealth of information.

Thanks Andy, I'll try 1:1, see how the quality/size compares.
I do want best quality here.

The WMV has audio. AndrewAction suggested 2 encodes; one for audio, one for video.

I'll look for the Sonic codec, not quite sure how to install it in Sorenson if I find it though...?

I have the ffdshow codec pack installed on my system. It is freeware, so won't cost you anything!

Once the pack is installed, Sorenson should be able to utilise the codec.

Regarding the audio, I suggest you use "wave 16bit uncompressed", in the QT options tab in Sorenson..

Whether you choose to encode audio and video in separate files, or embed the audio in the QT file shouldn't really matter. The resulting files should fast import in MC.

The ffdshow pack is audio and video codecs?            

Is Sonic Cinemaster part of it?

I'm not at my Avid now, but I'll definitely check it out!

Thanks Andy!
Chuck 

Andy, Is the download a Marine Screensaver?

Try this one instead http://ffdshow.en.softonic.com/.

Although Andrews settings might work, I would also use Avid 1.1 for video and a wav file 16 - 48 for sound, as Andy already has said, to get the highest possible quality, this seems to be files that could have good quality.

The audio encoding settings from Squeeze might even be called " little endian "

As the files are playing with audio from wmp , you seem to have the correct audio codecs on your sys, are they also playing with sound from inside of Squeeze?

Have you tried to import them directly into Avid, works with 3,5 and most wmv files, don´t know if it came after your version of 2,8 or not but might be worth a try.

( Edited my post a little after my first morning cup of coffee )

Thanks guys!
I've been busy downloading NINETY WMVs!!!

50- 200MBs each!!!    AAAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!   ahhh...i feel better  ;^)

After I converted the WMV to QT (JPEG B) I got no audio, but the WMV WOULD play audio in Sorenson. 

I'll try 1:1, though I am a little worried about file size.

No. I can't import the WMVs directly into Avid.... MOST unfortunately.

I guess you (Tomas?) have gone to sleep and woken up while I've been working on this! I could use some coffee, too!

Thanks everyone for your help, you've been most generous with your time.

I'll report back tomorrow. (my tomorrow, your tonight?)

Cheers!
Chuck