Still photos

[vabal4]

I'm using still photos in an HD project and I want to size them correctly. Most photos were shot with digital SLR at high res. If I use 2000 px as max horizontal dimension, what should the ppi setting be (72, larger?)? Thanks

[Bob]

It doesn't matter, ppi isn't used in video. Only the pixel dimensions matter.

Size them to the dimensions of the video frame plus an allowance for panning and zooming if you will be doing that. You can scale down the imported image without issue, but you don't want to scale up past 100% or the image quality will degrade. Also, if you will be panning and zooming, be sure Scale to Framesize is off.

[vabal4]

Thanks for the answer. I understand the dimensions, 16:9, for high def, but I still don't really understand the answer because ppi affects file size. Seems a good idea to have PrEl use smallest file size of course, so the process does not get bogged down. If I use 72 ppi does this mean it won't have to be upsized? Can you explain in more detail? Thanks a lot.

[Steve Grisetti]

As Bob says, PPI really makes no difference when you're working with online or onscreen photos. All that matters is the measurement, in pixels, of the width and height.

A 1000x750 pixel image, for instance, is exactly the same size when used in a video at 72 ppi as it is at 300 ppi. It's still the same measurement, in pixels, across and up and down. Make sense?

[vabal4]

Thanks again. Another question...I am going to be doing a project with mostly still photos from a digital SLR (plus some from point and shoots) and with video from from the SLR and a point and shoot. I am not totally clear on the correct project settings. The digital SLR video is AVCHD 2.MTS. I have about 700 stills and I will be interspersing the video with the stills. I will be doing the project in segments. What would be the best project setting for the initial segments and what would be the best export to eventually bring all the segments into one project for final output to Blu-ray disc? I have been poring over your PrEl muvipix guide book but unable to find a clear answer. (By the way, the book has been a most excellent resource for most all of my questions! Thanks!)
Virginia

[Chuck Engels]

You don't say if the video is 720p or 1080p but it doesn't matter as the program will set up the project for you based in the first clip you add to the timeline. Add the video from the DSLR first, then the still images

[Steve Grisetti]

You do have to make sure that a video clip is the first clip on your timeline, however, because the program uses this first clip to decide which settings to use on the project. Do that and, as Chuck says, the program will set up your project settings automatically. Otherwise you'll need to do it manually and select the Force Settings option.

Meantime, don't forget to resize any photos you're going to use in a high def project to no larger than 2000x1500 pixels in size.

And, of course, be aware that, to edit hi-def video, you'll need a good fast computer -- ideally a Windows 7 64-bit computer with an i7 or faster processor and 4 or more gigs of RAM.

[vabal4]

Okay, got it. I will make sure I add the DSLR video first to the timeline. (It is 1080p) What would be the best export setting to eventually bring back the individual segments into one project for final output to Blu-ray disc? M2t-H264 1920x1080i 30? MPEG2 1920x1080i 30?
(Computer specs: Windows 7 64 bit, AMD PhenomII x4 945 processor 3GHz,, 8GB RAM)

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

Hi Virginia and welcome to Muvipix.

Just to address the PPI portion of your question. PPI relates to printed images. I hope the following example might help.

Suppose you have a 100 x 100 pixel image. It will always be a 100 x 100 image when viewed as a screen image. But it could be printed at many different sizes. If you set the image to print at 10 PPI, then you’d have a 10″ x 10″ image. If you set the image to print at 100 PPI, you’d have a 1″ x 1″ image. Note that adjusting this value doesn’t effect the number of pixels in the image at all, it just changes how big the print will be.

[Steve Grisetti]

Are you outputting short, completed segments that you want to now combine in a final mix-down for output to BluRay?

If so, as I say in my book, you'll want to output each segment using Share/Computer/AVCHD with the preset for M2T H.264 1920x1080 30. Combined in a new project, these segments will produce a great looking BluRay disc!

[vabal4]

thanks everyone and yes, Steve, I am outputting short segments for combining for final output to BR disc. I appreciate all the help and explanations and feel well prepared to get my project going.
Virginia