Any Video Gurus Here?

Hi James,

The transistion should have no effect on the problem. The transistion is the same size as the video you create so it won't be that.

Adding a 640x480 image to the end of a 640x480 video is a common occurence and should also not produce the problem.

Btw, adding two video clips that are of different sizes or different formats to the same timeline in Camtasia (one is an AVI and the other is a MPG, as an example) will cause a major malfunction in the case of the formats, but may not be harmful in the case of a different sized image.

Make sure (double check) the output size when you render the video to make certain it is the same size as you started with when you began creating the video. It is entirely possible to start with one size and render in a different size in Camtasia. You get to make the size choice, so you also need to make sure your render size is set to 640x480 and not to a smaller setting. Again, double check your output size.

~Bill

Right click both video files and go into properties advanced and see file properties, you will be able see exact details of each video and compare details and settings widths etc.
Sounds like project completion settings or get details of original video widths as above and shrink or enlarge image to exact size an try again.

Hope this helps and hasn't confused you further,
Regards landlord

Hi James

I suspect that your issue is one that I have encountered many times, when video output just doesn't do what you expect. The solution is usually found via much trial and error, but it is all down to pixel resolution.

Images use square pixels, whereas video uses non-square pixels. Depending on input and output formats, video pixels can be 1:1.098 or 1:1.33 (I think). On the more advanced editing packages such as Premiere / Vegas / FinalCut, you can choose output based on pixel resolution. Mixing non-square video pixels and square image pixels often leads to a problem.

Like I said, I usually find that a good deal of trial and error finally gets me the output that I need, but it will depend on your software options.

If you have Photoshop, you could try opening a new 640x480 image but select a custom resolution, there should be an option for video resolution which will have non-square pixels. Drop in your original image and the new output should be a slightly different shape to the original.

I'm giving this advice from memory as I am not at a computer with my graphics and video software right now.

If you don't have Photoshop or if you have it but this doesn't work, then send me the files and I should be able to sort it for you in Premiere - I couldn't do it immediately but could certainly do it within 24 hours.

If the files are too big for email, then you could use an ftp service like wetransfer and send them to me at kate at digileaf.co.uk (obviously relace at with @)

Good luck
Kate

Hi James

First off, I must say that it was very late here in the UK when I saw your post last night and I was very tired, so I was mixing my technical terms in my previous reply; when I was referring to pixel resolution, I really meant pixel aspect ratio.

Anyway I have had a look for you and got it sorted. I have sent you the fixed files. All seems to be working fine now.

Just to explain what the issue was as it may help other people too ... Basically, although your video dimensions said 640 x 480 they were really '640 x 480 widescreen' and therefore the actual video element was not really 480 pixels high, but it was contained in a traditional wrapper of 640 x 480.

What I did was create a new blank graphic in Photoshop using the Film & Video Preset and choosing the option for NTSC D1 Widescreen Square Pixel (this was a bit of trial and error to get the right Preset option). Then after saving it, I resized it (whilst maintaining the aspect ratio) to a width of 640 and it automatically set the height to the correct height of 360 pixels. Then I resized your arrow image to the same height and copied & pasted it in to the new graphic.

Put simply the solution was therefore, to create a new graphic with the frame size 640 x 360. However, it is useful to understand the steps involved in finding the right dimensions, in case you have a similar issue in future, where your original video is a different frame size.

Hope it all works for you now.

Regards
Kate