@DesertSweeper

First, exactly which version of VPX do you now have?

Second, to "modify" the export fps you need to click on the ellipse (three dots) on the Export screen>Frame rate setting and you will then see a screen into which you should be able to type 20, but this setting seems to not be recognised and kept! (I'm running VPX 14, version 20.0.3.176). Since I've never needed to use this option I'm not sure whether this is a glitch/bug or I am simply not understanding something!

@johnebaker, @cubase @browj2 can you confirm whether you can change any Export setting to allow 20fps?

One other thought: I think the free utility Handbrake would allow you to convert your 20fps to a more common 25fps.

Jeff
Forum Moderator

I have the latest version like you @emmrecs and the three dots is also a token feature on mine. Well you can type in any of the same values found in the drop-down picker and that will stay there. @johnbaker that option is ticked but makes no difference. I will just have to finally get my head around Vegas - a system I abandoned years ago - as I found it totally counter-intuitive. But it does export correctly and saves external converting.

@DesertSweeper

This may be a stupid suggestion but have you tried exporting using a multiple of the frame rate, 60fps? To see what the smoothness is like?

Ray.

@DesertSweeper

This may be a stupid suggestion but have you tried exporting using a multiple of the frame rate, 60fps? To see what the smoothness is like?

Ray.

Thanks for the tip @CubeAce - just tried that but same result. I am kinda thinking it is something else. As @johnebaker points out - adding intermediate images should fix it. perhaps Pro X just does not like this HikVision footage....

@DesertSweeper

Can you MediaInfo read the data to post here? Maybe there is another reason beyond frame rate. We don't have similar footage to test.

Ray.

@DesertSweeper

Hi

. . . . Pro X just does not like this HikVision footage . . . .

Most video editors do not like security camera footage they record with variable framerate as my Hikvision cameras do..

As @CubeAce has commented a Mediainfo analysis will tell you if this is the case - see this tutorial on how to setup MediaInfo and analyse a video clip for all the data required.    

In the video section of the analysis if you see this line:

Frame rate mode: Variable

then try converting the CCTV video to constant framerate using Handbrake or Avidemux.

HTH

John EB

Thanks gents - I will do this over the weekend as I have no time this week with work, but I already know the answer - the Cams absolutely DO vary their framerate - you can observe this behaviour in Blue Iris which I use. It is interesting that Vegas somehow fixes this though.

It is interesting that Vegas somehow fixes this though.

I don't think that's correct. Vegas users can encounter the same problem.

My impression is that it's the degree of variation that determines whether a video editor can handle a VFR file. A small variation and the editor will average out the framerate but huge variations are too much for editors to handle.

But, as usual, I'm always open to correction.

@ericlnz I am just importing the same file into each, trimming away after 30 seconds and exporting to Magix MP4 untouched (aside from trying the Intermediate Images option in Pro X). In Pro X I cannot alter the output frame-rate and the resulting render is dreadful. In Vegas I can not only enter 20FPS but I can also select "Allow source to adjust Frame Rate" at the time rendering, and I suspect this is the magic-sauce that fixes the issue in Vegas. I will play more on the weekend when I have time

@DesertSweeper It would be interesting to see the variation.

To quote from a johnebaker post - Download and install MediaInfo and analyse one of the video clips and post the results, see this tutorial on how to setup MediaInfo and analyse a video clip for all the data required.

Here is the MediaInfo post gents:

Format                                   : MPEG-4
Format profile                           : Base Media
Codec ID                                 : isom (isom/iso6/iso2/avc1/mp41)
File size                                : 99.8 MiB
Duration                                 : 2 min 24 s
Overall bit rate                         : 5 793 kb/s
Writing application                      : Lavf58.45.100

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Codec ID                                 : avc1
Codec ID/Info                            : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                                 : 2 min 24 s
Bit rate                                 : 5 793 kb/s
Width                                    : 3 840 pixels
Height                                   : 2 160 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Variable
Frame rate                               : 19.980 FPS
Minimum frame rate                       : 3.003 FPS
Maximum frame rate                       : 41.667 FPS
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.035
Stream size                              : 99.8 MiB (100%)
Codec configuration box                  : avcC

As predicted the Frame Rate is highly variable. Because I have to wade through a huge amount of footage I am trimming in Vegas as it just works - as I said before when you tick "allow the source to adjust frame rate" it renders smooth footage. If you want some source footage I can dump a small recording onto a cloud-service of your choice.

@DesertSweeper

Hi.

No need. I think you have your answer. A jump in frame rate of that magnitude is impossible for a video editor to render or possibly even read correctly if it can't read the individual frame duration information telling the program how long to repeat that frame for before moving on to the next frame for encoding.

Ray.

 as I (Desert Sweeper) said before when you tick "allow the source to adjust frame rate" it renders smooth footage

Vegas appears to deal with it OK. Why can't Magix?

You'll never get 20FPS H264 out of Magix, even with a constant frame-rate file. The frame rate type has nothing to do with it.

@DesertSweeper

If you want some source footage I can dump a small recording onto a cloud-service of your choice.

That would be great, DS. I am installing a DaHua CCTV system (which I assume is similar) so would be interested in processing that variable frame rate video of yours.

@DesertSweeper Hi, most of my phone footage is variable, I'm sure a constant frame rate is easier on the software then a variable frame rate but I don't notice the difference between the two - constant & variable, mine isn't quite as varied as yours is tho, I'd be interesting in playing with a sample source footage in Magix MS, VPX & Vegas. 👍

A few of mine 😂

@Former user @DesertSweeper

Hi Gid.

I know you have always said you have no trouble with these types of files and the only difference here if you were successful is the way your Ryzen CPU is interacting with the program. In which case this would be a win for AMD over Intel in this use of the program.

Ray.

@CubeAce Hi, yep I'm willing to try anything, , when I see written on most sites that variable isn't ideal I accept that but yep I don't notice the difference, to be honest I'm just curious, I want to see how their file works on my system/software, ya never know it might play like pants & the export might be 'nasty - super choppy' or it might work as smooth as silk, it all helps to understand what does & doesn't work, & if It was me making this post I'd be interested in any & all feedback, ,

@DesertSweeper Hi, can you click your icon at the top of this page - My Profile & fill in your Signature with the full name of your CPU, GPU & amount of RAM, also inc the Windows & Magix version you're using, this will then show at the bottom of your comments,👍

@Former user

Hi

. . . .  I accept that but yep I don't notice the difference . . . .

Unless you are doing face to camera shots you wouldn't notice that the audio may be out of sync with the video - with the frame rate range shown in the MediaInfo data you should see lip sync errors in face to camera shots.

John EB

I uploaded them to OneDrive - two examples. The smaller night-time file I provided a Vegas render showing how smooth it is - cannot get that in XPro

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Air7KCZi-fmzg8V4joNmtCasV909lQ?e=GCOOEC

@DesertSweeper

I opened and scrubbed both those videos with no issues.

Lack of 20FPS has got nothing to do with variable frame rate.

@DesertSweeper

File file is not being read correctly within the timeline video editor on my machine.

It is skipping some frames and lengthening others. If you look at the security time stamp while the file plays you can see the time speed up and down and jump.

The only conclusion I can make from this is it is not the video encoding on the export that is the problem but that the file cannot be read to play correctly within the program on my machine.

Ray.

@DesertSweeper

I opened and scrubbed both those videos with no issues.

Lack of 20FPS has got nothing to do with variable frame rate.

I also have no problem within the editor - it is when you render - the result is nasty for me