Digital Workshop

Hello Opus Guys! Again, I'm here asking for your knowledge...

I created a video player where I put files in video with mpg2 NTSC format - DVD resolution (720 x 480, 29 frames / second, 9400kbs video, audio 224kbs) resulting assembly made in sony vegas 9 64 bits. This player has standard control buttons, so the user can interact with the vídeo in display.

In video properties, I select the options: Automatically start, scale to fit, play once, Rendered video type (diagonal edges of the video are rounded to fit the window's video player). The video window expands the video to the size of 732 x 547.

But the video hangs when starting preview in the publication. I believe it is a problem with the video file format. This video file play in windows media player and in the preview window opus to select the video file. But in the preview of the publication, lock everything to the point of need to close the Opus.

Maybe missing codec? I have QuickTime 7.6 installed, various codecs such as win7 and xp codec pack codecs k-lite mega codec pack ... I tried uninstalling all, reinstall one by one and the problem continues. Does anybody have problemas with MPG2 format in Opus 6not work with Opus 6?

What video format I must to use in the player, that will give me a resolution similar to the NTSC DVD format? I tried the wma format that worked, but at lower resolution, without good quality in view of the final image...

I await suggestions...

Don't use "Scale to Fit" and forget the "round corners." Eliminate those two things and it will work.

Still, it did not work. Caught in the same way. Would be some incompatibility in seven 64-bit codecs within the Opus, in pub test mode? Something to do with the problem that ocx error in the installation? The strange thing is that the play button, even using the action play video ready, is also not working with the video file is inserted, even in wmv format.
I tried with the Opus 5.5 and was even worse. It was just what was needed, see that I will have to abandon my favorite OS because of incompatibilities. I am a hard place, thinking back to the xp sp3 ... Arghh!

Go to the Properties for your Video Object. Under the "Video" tab on the right side, at the bottom you'll see "Video Type" with Chroma Key as the default. Click the "Change" button, then select "On Top." OPUS then uses your Windows Media Player instead of its own viewer. Since you said the video plays when you go directly through the Windows Meda Player, it should work.

Using this, you'll be unable to display anything "over" the video, nor can you use a Border.

Hi Nilson,

Thanks for the email, the example graphics and offer. However, the reason for the clean interface of our VCR module is that people generally want to add their own customisation that fits their project.

Firstly a couple of issues:

1. the OCX issue is not video related it's Plexus
2. there is no media (video) container called wma - it's wmv
3. Using Opus 6 under Vista / W7 will cause Aero to be disabled - which has numerous implications for graphics
4. Using rendered / Chroma key requires more processing power - so best to avoid No.3
5. Opus 7 is must for W7! And worth every penny!
6. 9.4mbps - what source are you encoding from?
7. Vegas Professional 9.0 - Sell It! Buy Movie Studio, if you must, and Opus 7 and lots of drinks with the change!

Now on to more technical issues:

1. MPEG1 is king! You can kick it, throw it, drop it and bang it and it still keeps on working. If well encoded, hence not Vegas, it will function very well in Opus including Chroma Key and Rendered on most modern systems from XP onwards. However, it will not scale well - especially from DVB!

2. MPEG2 is not king! At least not for Opus. It does produce fantastic quality video for DVDs and playback on PC's. That said, As Fred explains it will play and can be controlled in Opus using On-Top. However, this requires an additional codec (directshow filter) on some popular OS's namely XP and does mean that rendering / Chroma is OUT! As for other OSs, MPEG2 will play by default on machines running Media Centre - such as W7 Ultimate because WMC handles DVB and produces DVR-MS files AKA MPEG2 transport streams. Whether W7 / Vista without Media Centre can handle MPEG2 - I don't know - yet.

3. Codec Packs = bad idea - in general. Use programs with built in codecs (VLC) or individual codecs for a specific media container and or encoder. Try, very hard, not to mess with Windows defaults. If MPEG2 will not play in W7U, using our VCR module - then you broke something.

A usable solution:

Opus is capable of playing DVD resolution video with full rendering and full navigation (per our VCR module) using MPEG-4 Part II and various media containers.


The attached image is of our VCR module playing a clip from the Big Bang Theory (C) ABC .

It was a VOB from the original DVD at 5mbps; demuxed; AV synced; multiplex and then encoded to MPEG4 - Advanced Simple Profile (ASP) @ 2mbps. Played in the VCR using scaled to fit; rendered with a framed border and transparent text overlay. It accurately, finds video length, seeks, etc.

Mack

Oh forgot - no uploads! here's the pic - http://sandbox.interaktiv.co.uk/bbt.jpg

P.S also forgot the VCR module was running under W7x64 Professional

Still, it hangs. I removed the option of using DirectX, thinking there is a problem with aero interface windows 7. Neither worked. The problem is this. The video is functional in any player installated in the windows and even the Opus preview screening of the file, but locks the preview of the publication, when it starts. It's complicated ...
Mack, thanks for the valuable tips. I'll try other formats to video, such as the well spoken MPG1 and mpeg4 to see if it works.
Regarding vcr player, wanted to know if the code can be adapted to my player, for playing embedded videos in my publication. I enjoyed the vcr time bar of the video and also the alternate button pause / play, as well as the times total / partial video playing. How do I get these codes and embed them in the functionality of my player that works internally with the publication?

One last point for those wanting high quality video but still make use of Opus fantastic features, the MP4 video stream (audio was AAC) used the MP4V codec which is not available by default in Windows and although WMP will download MS MP4 codec and play your file - it won't in Opus.

MP4V is better known as Apple's MP4 - which means the dreaded Quicktime - however, Quicktime Alternative works beautifully without the c@@p! There are also commercial codecs that can be licensed should your application require it - but AQA is painless and won't mess with your other Window's codecs. It'll work in XP, Vista and W7 both x86 and x64 editions.

Hope this helps some people,

Mack

Ok, I got reasonable results with the format MPG1 with mpg2 codec. Decreased the size of arquvio maintaining quality. About the compatibility issue, I believe he can solve by working with xp mode under Windows 7, I'll post the results here soon.
As for vcr7, not yet found the code from the same sale on site interaktiv, only the vcr. I wonder if I can adapt this code for use in a player's internal publication, which will play videos inserted in it and compiled together. Or this code is only intended to operate independently in individual players?

Hi Nilson,

The VCR module is an Opus IMP file (both v6 & v7). It's a normal publication that can be adapted to work in any of your existing publications, then customised and republished.

You can find in it the Interaktiv Shop:

http://www.live.interaktiv.co.uk/index. ... Itemid=133

Mack

People, I found the problem! My Seven 64 was crazy because so many codecs and related facilities. I formatted the pc, reinstalled programs, including the Opus and the videos are playing straight into the player.

I appreciate all the valuable tips! Thank you!!