Best/preferred video mode to save as, out of these choices

hi guys

just started playing with a bit of video editing with a new editor .... Movavi Video Editor (V12)

1) referring to the attached image showing my choices, which would be the preferable format to save in to keep quality ( ignoring file size) ?
2) which would be the next best choice to use that keeps the best quality possible but reduces overall file size ?

as an experiment I did do some editing ( added text title and did colour balance only) and saved as AVI with MPEG-4codec
noticeably lower visual quality than the original and compressed file size from 71MB to 8MB

The original file is from a Canon 5D3 which is xxx.MOV by default


Thanks lots
Dave

From my own experimenting with AVI, MPEG2 and MPEG4, I didn't see any quality difference among them, so I save all my video files in MPEG4 which is the least sized among them.

You're talking about an editing format?
If you're talking about a final rendering format, what is the default under than "For Uploading Online" tab?
How does that editor handle the native Canon MOV with H.264 codec for editing?

Why not keep as an MOV?

Is there any way to see the underlying settings?

MP4 with h.264 codec is going to be the best format for distribution. The problem is that it is not giving you any codec settings - especially bitrate.

I do see the tab to the far right that that is marked "For uploading online". That should be MP4/h.264, and should be a reasonably high bitrate. Try a render and see if it improves on the quality of what you tried earlier.

None of the visible settings looks like a good mastering format. AVI or MOV can be, but it depends entirely on the codec within the AVI/MOV wrapper, and what its settings are.

Although mostly obselete, the WMV codec may be worth trying for mastering. Some versions were very high quality. Many older PC-based editing programs were built around WMV renders.

It also looks as if you could scroll down to show more containers/codecs?

RDKirk wrote in post #18145343
You're talking about an editing format?

no, for saving as....

see image below

as in does it load and able to edit it ? .... yes no problems .... I just didn't/don't know if its the best/most versatile format to same the edited file in ?


Dave

SYS wrote in post #18145314
From my own experimenting with AVI, MPEG2 and MPEG4, I didn't see any quality difference among them, so I save all my video files in MPEG4 which is the least sized among them.

not a lot between those actual formats, no, but compared to the original .MOV, quite noticeable


D

AlFooteIII wrote in post #18145357
Why not keep as an MOV?

Is there any way to see the underlying settings?

well, that isn't a real problem ... , hard drive space is cheap these days

well some of the settings are shown at the lower right, to the left of the export button

if I do a right click and properties on one of the original files I get these settings for bitrate etc .....
which is kinda interesting as it's showing a different frame size in there .... any ideas why ?

Dave

SailingAway wrote in post #18145482
MP4 with h.264 codec is going to be the best format for distribution. The problem is that it is not giving you any codec settings - especially bitrate.

I do see the tab to the far right that that is marked "For uploading online". That should be MP4/h.264, and should be a reasonably high bitrate. Try a render and see if it improves on the quality of what you tried earlier.

None of the visible settings looks like a good mastering format. AVI or MOV can be, but it depends entirely on the codec within the AVI/MOV wrapper, and what its settings are.

Although mostly obselete, the WMV codec may be worth trying for mastering. Some versions were very high quality. Many older PC-based editing programs were built around WMV renders.

It also looks as if you could scroll down to show more containers/codecs?

OK on the MP4 with h.264 codec

see earlier reply for bitrates

uploading for online .... see 1st image below


your last comment re scrolling down for more .... see 2nd image below .....


Dave

Thanks for all the responses guys, appreciate you taking time to do so
hopefully I have answered all queries back to me

Any other thoughts will be gladly received

I'm not into really serious video editing ...nothing for commercial use, so hence, I haven't really and probably wont get into top class
editing software. As a result, I really have the 2 requirements stated in the OP

1 ... save one copy in best possible format, regardless of file size
2 ... saving another copy in format that gives good quality but reducing the file size as much as practical ( good balance between quality and size)


I really like the quality that the 5D3 produces, best video capable camera I have had to date
It only has one failing ... the rolling shutter that CMOS systems have

I do storm chasing and when recording lightning flashes, the rolling shutter method produces horrible dark and light bands across the frames
For getting reasonable lightning recording, I am still using a 2007 age Fuji S9500 that is CCD and a global shutter, but sadly, is a 640 x 480 sized image


Dave

In looking at your first image, I see what you are saying -- your project is set as a 720 project, not 1080 (the native size of your footage). So, among other possible issues, you are downsampling your video. When you then view the file, assuming you're going back to full screen, you're seeing a frame that is 66% the size trying to fill the same space.

^^^What Al wrote!^^^ You need to match your editing project settings with the dimensions of the original footage for best results.

The MOV bitrate specs aren't bad, but it doesn't tell you what codec is within the MOV wrapper. Oh, this is from a camera recording? Most likely it's an MP4/h.264 in the MOV.

I'd try a render to the Youtube 1080p settings and see how that looks for "reducing the file size as much as practical" but preserving visual quality. Check the bitrate, see how it looks.

For "best possible format" it's still not clear what's going to produce the best results. Skip most of what's on the "Save as Video" tab. Try AVI/free MJPEG, MOV, AVI/h.264, MP4/h.264, and WMV and compare bitrates and appearance.

***edit***
It appears that Movavi Video Editor isn't well supported - no manual available on their web site, though there is for their other products. You might want to ask about the best quality for mastering / archive by emailing support. Or maybe just get into an editing platform that is supported and better known, where you can find a user community, youtube videos, etc.

SailingAway wrote in post #18146317
^^^What Al wrote!^^^ You need to match your editing project settings with the dimensions of the original footage for best results.

The MOV bitrate specs aren't bad, but it doesn't tell you what codec is within the MOV wrapper. Oh, this is from a camera recording? Most likely it's an MP4/h.264 in the MOV.

I'd try a render to the Youtube 1080p settings and see how that looks for "reducing the file size as much as practical" but preserving visual quality. Check the bitrate, see how it looks.

For "best possible format" it's still not clear what's going to produce the best results. Skip most of what's on the "Save as Video" tab. Try AVI/free MJPEG, MOV, AVI/h.264, MP4/h.264, and WMV and compare bitrates and appearance.

***edit***
It appears that Movavi Video Editor isn't well supported - no manual available on their web site, though there is for their other products. You might want to ask about the best quality for mastering / archive by emailing support. Or maybe just get into an editing platform that is supported and better known, where you can find a user community, youtube videos, etc.

I agree with all this, but I think the bolded will be the specific answer to the OP.

AlFooteIII wrote in post #18146085
In looking at your first image, I see what you are saying -- your project is set as a 720 project, not 1080 (the native size of your footage). So, among other possible issues, you are downsampling your video. When you then view the file, assuming you're going back to full screen, you're seeing a frame that is 66% the size trying to fill the same space.

Greetings, Al,

Yeah, the penny dropped late last night, some time after I has done all my responses in the thread. You have hit the nail on the head with your comment.
And it answered my query as to why I was seeing 1080 when I did a file properties in Win Explorer but only 720 as a project size in the program
I have discovered I can set the project size to 1080 and will do so from now on

Always takes some one else to point out the obvious It's why we ask Q's on forums, fresh eyes help us see things that may have been overlooked


Dave

SailingAway wrote in post #18146317
^^^What Al wrote!^^^ You need to match your editing project settings with the dimensions of the original footage for best results.

The MOV bitrate specs aren't bad, but it doesn't tell you what codec is within the MOV wrapper. Oh, this is from a camera recording? Most likely it's an MP4/h.264 in the MOV.

this is what I found online ...
Canon 5D Mark III Basic Video Specs
•1,920 x 1,080 (Full HD / 1080p); 1,280 x 720 (720p); or 640 x 480 (VGA) recording
•MOV file format, with variable bitrate MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 encoding
•Choice of two compression types; ALL-I (intraframe) or IPB (intraframe)

will give it a try

looks pretty respectable and likely to look better when I get the input and output frame settings corrected for 1080 instead of 720

There are probably better ones out there, I had been using the Movavi Video Converter prog for a couple of years and was doing all I asked for converting between different format types ... have only within the last week paid for and downloaded the editor version of the program.
Clicking on the manual in the help tab takes me to an online manual. There is also chat and email support available on the page.
And unless I get into Pro video/editing, this should keep me out of trouble


Dave