Conversion time?

[dvdrules]

Hi, I have a video blaster digital vcr card and captured a 2 hour movie. I then used the file exporter to generate an mpg file. I tested my methods by only converting about 5 minutes of the movie in Ulead MovieFactory 2 to create a DVD and it worked fine (sort of - that's another story). My question is this, when I try to run the entire 2 hour movie mpg file through Ulead MF2, it took FOREVER! The DVD output size showed as 4.1 GB before I started the convert. Almost 24 hours later, Ulead MF2 shows only about 50% conversion progress on the file. What the $#%^ I can't wait 2 days to convert a 2 hour movie. I removed and reinstalled the application but still get the same result. Ulead is the only app I have found so far that will open and work with the Creative mpg files. I have a P4 1.6GHz with 60GB and 40GB ATA133 drives (data files on one drive and OS on other) and 384MB DDR PC2100 memory - no other apps running at time of conversion. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[Gazorgan]

If you filled out your Profile information, we could give you a better responce. Depending on what the capture format was, filtering, resizing, number of passes, etc it could take anywhere from 6 hours to 2 days.

CPU? RAM? Operating System? Free disk space? Final resolution? Capture Resolution?

Personally on multi-pass VBR encodes to SVCD I spend 10-12 hours from a DVD source( as low as 4 with CBR or lower quality). This is for a 3 CD/ 2 hour movie, multi pass VBR, AC5.1 conversion, high precision, with some filters and resisizing. All on an Athlon 2400+ in W2K with 512 MB DDR.

[FractalAB]

I also have the Video Blaster Digital VCR. You can use PowerVCRII to trim the movie and it only takes a few minutes. This process also changes something in the MPEG stream to make it readable in other applications. There has been quite a bit written in the "Capture Cards" section of the DVDRhelp site. You probably would find it helpful to read through the various solutions.

For me, I record from VHS to a 'custom' format (size: 480x480, audio: 128kbs; Video: 2.2Mbit) and then export to MPEG2 with the included program. This allows me to split most movies over two CDs in an (almost) standard SVCD format. I say 'almost', because the Blaster records audio at 32khz. My $50 (at Walmart) Norcent DP300 plays that non-standard format just fine, so I simply use Nero to author a non-compliant SVCD. This works great for me. I have no problems with audio sync, the picture is crisp and clean, and it is captured as MPEG2 in real-time. It cost me $70 for the card and $50 for a standalone player that is compatible with the 32Khz audio stream. This was cheaper for me than most other MPEG2 capturing solutions.

I have chosen the above route to escape the "reencoding" nightmare I used to have capturing to AVI and using TMPEnc or MF2. This method is not perfect, but it records MPEG2 in real time and 30-60 minutes after I stop recording a tape (or TV program), I have a good quality SVCD disc to play.

FractalAB