Video quality poor

[Kerrie]

OK, I need more help! I posted a short clip regarding sound for a children's program. After I finally put the video together and burned, I realized the quality of the video was poor, primarily the video that was from my Canon Elura. The only thing I changed from the original video was change the size and position from 360-240 and 100% to 435-160 and 140% (to get the kids up closer, crop out the ceiling). I spliced in some other video from a second camera, my canon ZR800, which looks fairly clear (for indoor light).

So, thinking I can just review posts here with other individuals who have had a similar problem with their video, I tried changing some field options: reverse field domain, deinterlace, interlace, etc. which did not improve it at all (and some made it worse). I found RJ's post about Gspot and ran the video clip, but I couldn't find any info regarding the video that indicated a problem. I just now burned the original AVI that was captured from the camera to the computer to dvd and the video looks clear on the dvd.

So,does anyone have any suggestions what went wrong and how to improve it? I am stumped and bummed about the poor quality!

[wmvvideo]http://muvipix.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10355/katie_kindergarten.wmv[/wmvvideo] I am trying to put the video up, otherwise, if you go to this post you can see the video:
viewtopic.php?f=38&t=5528
Thanks in advance!!!

[momoffduty]

Not sure, but if I had to guess could be the scale is over 100%. Your scale is at 140% and wondering what is the max on scaling video. Some of the others may have an idea to help.

[Kerrie]

You know Cheryl, that was just what I was thinking. I just took the original AVI and set a few sections to different scale sizes. I was hoping to be able to crop out some of the unwanted scenery by zooming in. I am going to burn the disc and see if there is a difference with different scale settings.

If that is the case, I wonder if it is because it is an older camera?

As always thanks so much! Kerrie

[Chuck Engels]

If that is the case, I wonder if it is because it is an older camera?

It shouldn't have anything to do with the camera Kerrie. Digital Video is Digital Video for the most part. 720 x 480 video is still 720 x 480 video no matter what camera. Yes some cameras take better quality video than others but the scaling of that video in editing is still the same. The quality of your video should not deteriorate just because you scale the video up or down, but rather how much you scale the video up or down.

[Kerrie]

I guess I figured out, I just can't zoom in very much without losing resolution. I did a quick video at different scales and really the best I can do without distorting the image is 110. I haven't done a lot with video before and didn't think of this when I set the camera up on the kids. I think of when I zoom in on stills, you can go up so much more without a loss of the picture! I am learning! So, I am going to just start over from square one!!!

Thanks Chuck and Cheryl!

[momoffduty]

Kerrie, a suggestion would be to use a picture in picture effect with your closeups. Use the clip effect to add a border and can crop some of the video if desired. Place the close up on top of the other video every so often.

[Kerrie]

Great idea Cheryl, I was just playing with the clip effect. I think I can still get my desired effect I want. This little production has become quite a project!