30 replies to this topic

[G_Bev]

The forum doesn't seem very user friendly...

My question is about Widescreen format in new projects in Creator 2009/Video Wave

I shoot video with widescreen on my Panasonic video camera. The software that comes with the camera displays the videos on my computer in 16 x 9. However when I start a new 16 x 9 project in VideoWave the video is "scrunched" to 4x3 in the 16x9 window....

Is there a fix for this? I have all the updates installed

[grandpabruce]

The forum isn't user friendly?  It sounds like your Panasonic isn't user friendly.  

Try typing "Panosonic" (without the quotes) in the Search box, and you should get some hits.

You forgot to say anything about what model Panasonic you have, or how it is connected to your computer.

Edited by grandpabruce, 27 August 2009 - 07:15 PM.

[G_Bev]

The forum isn't user friendly?  It sounds like your Panasonic isn't user friendly.  

Try typing "Panosonic" (without the quotes) in the Search box, and you should get some hits.

You forgot to say anything about what model Panasonic you have, or how it is connected to your computer.

The problem isn't with the camera. After uploading the video to my computer it appears as widescreen when I use the software bundled with the camera. But when I try to make a new video project and choose 16x9 the widescreen images is scrunched and doesn't fill the 16x9 frame.....

[ggrussell]

YES IT IS YOUR CAMCORDER!!!!!!!!!!!!  The software that came with the camcorder has been written specifically for your camcorder and knows how to display the non-standard format.  Some JVC camcorders have the same problem with the same file format.  They use a proprietary file format with the .MOD extension.  I understand that Creator 2010 can now import these files correctly, but Creator 2009 does not.

[G_Bev]

YES IT IS YOUR CAMCORDER!!!!!!!!!!!!  The software that came with the camcorder has been written specifically for your camcorder and knows how to display the non-standard format.  Some JVC camcorders have the same problem with the same file format.  They use a proprietary file format with the .MOD extension.  I understand that Creator 2010 can now import these files correctly, but Creator 2009 does not.

Hmmm. That's strange because the Roxio DVD player that came with 2009 displays it properly. Anyway, guess I'll just have to upgrade to 2010. I'm such a sucker....

[Jim_Hardin]

Hmmm. That's strange because the Roxio DVD player that came with 2009 displays it properly. Anyway, guess I'll just have to upgrade to 2010. I'm such a sucker....

A ‘Player’ and an ‘Editor’ are 2 completely different animals!

The problem was in your camcorder whether you want to believe that or not… Gary does not lie.

[rondo4]

I also have the same problem.  I have a Sony Handycam and I just filmed my daughter's shower and wedding in widescreen.  Upon Capture/Import, Roxio Creator 2009 squeezes the image into a full frame.  The camcorder is not hi-def.  Model number is DCR-DVD, 2006.
Power DVD plays it in Widescreen.  Windows Media Player plays it in Widescreen.  Roxio's player shows a black screen with no sound.  I tried to play a regular DVD through Roxio and I got audio but no picture.

Editors may be different than players but how does the average buyer know all there is to know about the differences when purchasing.  This is the second major problem I have had with the software and I think I just blew 100 bucks for nothing but headaches.  Roxio's techs give the same answer "update your drivers".

Is there a workaround for this problem?  If I can get the mini-discs imported into My Videos, maybe I have a chance to edit them in Roxio?  

[rondo4]

Followup to my widescreen problem.

I called Sony and it says the camera does not change the format to full frame when exporting.  The exported information (widesecreen) is the same for a player vs an editor.  I tried to capture/import the video directly from the D drive and I got the same results.  Maybe this problem was beyond the Sony tech's expertise, but it makes sense to this novice.

[grandpabruce]

Followup to my widescreen problem.

I called Sony and it says the camera does not change the format to full frame when exporting.  The exported information (widesecreen) is the same for a player vs an editor.  I tried to capture/import the video directly from the D drive and I got the same results.  Maybe this problem was beyond the Sony tech's expertise, but it makes sense to this novice.

Your camcorder is a miniDVD camcorder.  You don't capture at all.  You finalize the miniDVD, put it into your computer DVD drive, and copy the files, to a folder on your hard drive.

You can then use VideoWave to edit the files, and MyDVD to burn it to a DVD.

In VideoWave, click on File/New Production, and pick 16:9.  Then click on Add Photo/Video, browse to the Video_TS folder you just saved, and bring in your video.  It is important that you pick the 16:9, before you bring in the video.

[rondo4]

Your camcorder is a miniDVD camcorder.  You don't capture at all.  You finalize the miniDVD, put it into your computer DVD drive, and copy the files, to a folder on your hard drive.

You can then use VideoWave to edit the files, and MyDVD to burn it to a DVD.

In VideoWave, click on File/New Production, and pick 16:9.  Then click on Add Photo/Video, browse to the Video_TS folder you just saved, and bring in your video.  It is important that you pick the 16:9, before you bring in the video.

Grandpa,

Followed your instructions almost to the letter.  The picture came out normal frame 4:3 with black bars on either side filling out the 16:9widescreen.  The only difference in your instructions was that I made a copy of the miniDVD because I didn't want to make a mistake and accidently erase or damage my daughter's shower on the miniDVD.  The miniDVD is a +RW and I copied it to full size +RW.  Would that have made a difference?  I used Roxio's Copy application.

[ggrussell]

Making a copy shouldn't make any difference.  Some manufacturers do not follow industry standards so they can sell you THEIR software which works with their hardware.  It makes it very difficult for software companies like Roxio to customize their software for all these issues.  Since your files originate on miniDVD as VOB files, you may need to use the Sony software to transfer to the hard drive.

[rondo4]

Making a copy shouldn't make any difference.  Some manufacturers do not follow industry standards so they can sell you THEIR software which works with their hardware.  It makes it very difficult for software companies like Roxio to customize their software for all these issues.  Since your files originate on miniDVD as VOB files, you may need to use the Sony software to transfer to the hard drive.

I dug out the CD-ROM Disc and it has Nero Express on it.  Will I have a"Battle of the Softwares" if I install the disc with Roxio already on my PC.

Please remember you are dealing with a PC novice.  What the heck is a VOB anyway?

[Big_Dave]

If you Google VOB you will find the answer. I'll save you the time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VOB

Edited by Big_Dave, 30 August 2009 - 07:02 PM.

[rondo4]

If you Google VOB you will find the answer. I'll save you the time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VOB

Thanks Big Dave.  It's now crystal clear.

But, will NeroExpress play havoc with Roxio?

[ggrussell]

Didn't the camcorder come with software from SONY?  I think my last Sony camcorder came with Pixela for transferring and converting the files.

[rondo4]

Yes, the software is called Picture Package.  It also includes Nero Express 6.

[ggrussell]

What app was included for transferring the video?  I'm not familiar with Nero, but isn't that just for burning?  Try using what ever  was included for transfer and then try that file in Creator.

[rondo4]

What app was included for transferring the video?  I'm not familiar with Nero, but isn't that just for burning?  Try using what ever  was included for transfer and then try that file in Creator.

I loaded the CD to see what would happen.  I got 2 icons on my desktop.  One said Picture Perfect and the other said Picture Perfect Menu.  I tried the Menu and it said I first had to download Macromedia Flash.  I downloaded Adobe Flash 10 and it said it was successfully installed.  I clicked on Menu again and it gave me the same message.  I got a window that said to restart my computer and when I did, I got a blue screen that told me Windows had to shut down or all hell would brake loose.  It went on to say that I should go to safe mode or try to restart.

To make this long story short, I ended up uninstalling both Picture Perfect and Flash 10.

I will pay 50 bucks for anyone to come to my house and fix this mess. The Roxio tech insists I am not recording in widescreen but 4:3.  Then I must be seeing things.

[ggrussell]

You could post a sample file on UPforDown and we would be happy to check it out for you.  UpforDown is a frees service.  Just post the link here.

[rondo4]

Gary,

The Roxio tech first said to "import the disc directly into videowave and in the production editor window below and right click on the video and select Aspect Ratio Handling".  There I would see if the source was 4:3 or 16:9.  It told me the source video was 4:3.  I could choose to fill the 16:9 screen but all I would get would be a full frame which was cropped at the top and bottom to fill the screen.  Unacceptable.

The next Roxio tech gave me a hyperlink http://kb.roxio.com/content/kb/WinOnCD/000...R?set-locale=en
which tells you what Roxio 2009 will support.  I have a Sony Handycam Model DCR-DVD305 which is not on the list.  Someone else in this discussion group mentioned that Roxio 2010 might have resolved this problem.  I went ahead and checked Creator 2010 and my Handycam is not on that list either.  So I am screwed either way.  I hope the other guy with the Panasonic camcorder doesn't upgrade to 2010 without checking the list or he will waste his time and money.

This would be useful information for the buyer to have had prior to shelling out good money.  So, you guys may really like Roxio but it is useless for my purposes.

Right now I am just disgusted with the whole experience.  Thank you to the ones who tried to help but it was hopeless from the start.

It's been since June 6 since I bought Roxio 2009 and I am going to go to Best Buy tonight and yell my head off untill I get some satisfaction.