AVI Generation & Video Codecs

AVI Generation Settings

Q.	What AVI Generation Settings should I use?

A.	There are a number of factors that can determine what settings should be used to create an acceptable AVI:

·	Available Computer Memory

·	Computer (CPU) Power

·	Graphics Card Memory

·	Codec Used

·	Length of AVI Required

Within SYNCHRO Software Ltd, we find the following setting give an acceptable AVI generated in a reasonable time

Export AVI Dialog:	Setting:	Notes:
Resolution->Resolution:	1280x720
Resolution->Frame Rate:	15
Resolution->Compression	Microsoft Video 1 at 1.0
Resolution->Split-Every	0	If a long AVI is required, consider creating it in segments. Please ensure you have the necessary software to re-assemble the segments!
Contents->Rendering Engine	OpenGL/DirectX/Software
Contents->Anti-Alias	2X/4X

See Exporting an Animation for more information

These values are provided for guidance ONLY. The settings you used are largely dependent upon your computer's capabilities, so some experimentation may be necessary.

AVI Will NOT Play

Q.	My AVI Won't Play

A.	Occasionally you may find that AVI's created in SYNCHRO will not play in Windows Media Player (or other media players). If this happens:

1.	Check that the CODEC used to create the AVI is compatible with your chosen media player (you may have to search the web to determine this)

2.	Test the AVI in Windows Media Player Classic (usually in C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\mmplayer2.exe) We have found that "Classic" player is able to play certain files better that other media players, and offers more helpful error messages...

Adjusting Animation Playback Speed

Q.	How do I adjust the animation playback speed?

A.	If you go to the Play menu you will find the Play->Focus Time Play speed and Play->Animation Play Speed options...

Video Codec Frequently Asked Questions

Q	What is a CODEC?

A CODEC (a video COmpression and DECompression algorithm) is used to create a video file of reduced size (while maintaining most of the quality) and to enable the video file to be played.

CODECs are NOT supplied by SYNCHRO, but several are installed as a standard part of your Windows system. Additional CODECs may installed by third party software, for example DIVx or TSCC. (Becuase of this SYNCHRO cannot offer support regarding the availability of CODECs on any particular workstation or operating system).

When you choose to Export an animation sequence as an AVI, SYNCHRO allows you to select from a list of CODECS it has found on your system SYNCHRO.

TIP:	Alternatively, to display the list of CODECs currently installed, select ÿ Start->Control Panel and double-click Sounds and Audio Devices. Then select the Hardware tab, Video Codecs from the list of Devices, and then select the Properties button and the Properties tab.

The following guidance on the choice of CODEC is based on general use and portability...

Windows Default/Standard CODECs for AVIs

CODEC	Filename	Output size	Comment
Cinepak	iccvid.dll	Medium	Good image quality; playback speeded up.
Intel 4:2:0 Video V2.50		Medium	Computer could not read the file.
Intel Indeo® Video R3.2	Ir32_32.dll	Medium	Computer could not read the file.
Intel Indeo Video 4.5	iyuv_32.dll	Medium	Good image quality; playback speeded up.
Indeo ® video 5.10		Medium	Computer could not read the file.
Intel IYUV Codec	iyuv_32.dll	Medium	Computer could not read the file.
Microsoft RLE	msrle32.dll	Medium	Computer could not read the file.
Microsoft Video 1	msvidc32.dll	Medium	Medium image quality; playback at normal speed.
Microsoft H.263	msh263.drv	Medium	Computer could not read the file.
Full frames uncompressed		Large	(For comparison) Writes out uncompressed bitmap images sequenced into an AVI. Best image quality; playback at normal speed.
Microsoft H.263 Video Codec	msh263.drv	Medium	Used primarily for video-conferencing, video-telephony, and internet video. Computer could not read the file.
Microsoft H.261 Video Codec	msh261.drv	Medium	Used primarily in older video-conferencing and video-telephony products. Computer could not read the file.

Other (Typically Commercially Available) CODECs

CODEC	Filename	Output size	Comment
Techsmith Capture codec		Small	Capture (compression) requires a licence. Playback (decompression) is freely available.
DivX ® 6.2.2 Codec		Small	Requires a licence.
Toshiba Video Codec	tsbyuv.dll		Required by Windows when used with Toshiba video hardware.
Microsoft UYVY Video Decompressor	msyuv.dll
XviD MPEG-4	iyuv_32.dll	Small	Good image quality; playback at normal speed.
Microsoft MPEG-4 (1)		Small	Requires a licence. Good image quality; playback at normal speed.
Microsoft MPEG-4 (2)		Small	An MPEG standard that can be used for internet, broadcast, and on storage media. Good image quality; playback at normal speed.
Microsoft MPEG-4 (3)		Small	Requires a licence. Good image quality; playback at normal speed.

Checking Your Installed Codec

Q.	How do I know which Codecs I have installed on my computer?

A.	In Windows XP, do the following

1.	Start Windows Media Player

2.	Press the ALT key to access the dropdown menus (if not already displayed)

3.	Press "Help"->"About Windows Media Player"

4.	In the About dialog that is displayed, press the "Technical Support Information" link

5.	Scroll down the displayed list to the "Video Codecs" section...

Comparison of Video Codecs

Q.	Which Codec should I use?

A.	This really depends on how you intend to use the resulting AVI (i.e Presentation or Review) SYNCHRO Software Ltd cannot recommend or endorse a particular 3rd party product or solution, however Comparisons of Video Codecs are widely available on the Internet...