Realtime capture VHS to MPEG2 with free software-possible ?

[arminio]

Because I don't have much space on HD to capture first into Huffyuv and then encode into MPEG2 for DVD, is there any possible way to capture directly into MPEG2 ?

Where to find some (free ) MPEG2 codec to do that ?

[FOO]

Depends on your capture hardware.
I do it all the time with good results with ATI

[Gazorgan]

Update your profile so we can see what you are using.

It's possible, but the results will be mediocre. The best you can hope for is it will look exactly like the VHS tape. Your source is VHS, and you aren't filtering. You are also using Constant Bitrate, versuse the supier Variable bitrate.

[Will Hay]

How much space do you have?
As Gazorgan quite rightly points out, you need to help us help you by filling in your computer details.
Basically, in my opinion, if you're attempting to source free codec's then I'm guessing, like the rest of us, you don't have the pennies to purchase high-end capture equipment, no?
In that case you're going to struggle.
You won't find a codec that will give you decent realtime mpeg2 capture that can compete with avi I'm afraid.
If you do, let me know will you?
I have the ATI 64mb DDR ViVo (which is a budget card) but for me produces excellent avi's using the PicVideo mjpeg codec at a third of the size of huffyuv.
Unfortunately for you the PicVideo codec isn't free
On the flip side it's worth the money
Will

[arminio]

Well, I use Miro TV card for capture on Pentium III (1GHZ) and have only 20 GB of HD (I can free up to 25 GB top).

I always used hufyuff for capture in resolution of 640x480 for shorter videos (of hour or so) or less resolution for longest materials because I usually encoded into VCD or SVCD so anything bigger was not necessary and resolution was great (with or without ay "postproduction" on captured material).
But now I would like to make DVD and for that, the only satisfied resolution is full DVD resolution - capture in anything smaller will reduce quality when enlarge to DVD resolution.

I know that DVD support lesser resolutions but I am not sure that anythng below full format is fully compatible.

Is there any way I can capture in 25 GB in full DVD reolsution with some acceptable compression codec ? Obviously, the best choice will be some of MPEG2 software recorders - but taht is also expensive solution ... so obviously, any hardware solution is also out of question

[Sartori]

You could capture 20gigs (or 40gigs if you free up the extra space ) worth and then convert it to mpeg , if you used a frameserver , you could set it to a specific frame and convert up to that . Then delete the 20gig cap and capture another one (overlapping the first by a few seconds) , then again frameserving from the frame after the last converted one . Then join the mpegs together at the end .
Yea , I know theres other ways and the cheapest is to buy the above mentioned mjpeg codec or buy another HD , but to answer the question , an answer is above , I used to do it until I got pissed off with it , er.. then I bought a bigger HD until I filled that too

[pccfm]

I am used to using DV pass-through method to converting VHS tapes to DVD-R.
It came out pretty good result. But time consuming and HD space are make me tired.

After while, I was look for faster way to converting VHS, also concerning quality as well. I was thinking buy standalone DVD recorder, but cost too much for me.

And finally I found the best way (at least for me) to convert.

Here is what I am doing now..

First, I bought Asus TV Tuner Card from
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=Go&description=Asus%2CTV%2CTuner%2CCard for $55.99.

I think it is one of the best TV cards you can get compare to ATI and Pinnacle.

Second, I look for real-time software MPEG2 encoder.
I was trying few programs, but end up to Win DVD Recorder. It is pretty good quality and it also encoding AC3 (2 Channel) direct from your audio.
My friend has Panasonic E20 standalone recorder, I recorded same VHS movie, compared and hardly say the difference between these two DVD-R movies.

Third, I am using TMPGEnc DVD Author too create a menu and movie for burning.

To me, these methods are pretty easy, simple way to converting VHS to DVD.


You can get Demo version of Win DVD recorder here
http://www.intervideo.com/jsp/Product_Download.jsp?p=WinDVDRecorder
and you can find something elses..

[housepig]

you could also try the PicVideo MJPEG codec - I tested it head to head against Huffy, and to my eyes it gives comparable quality in about half the size of Huffy (about 6-10Gb/hr, to Huffy's 26Gb/hr)

but I would say, unless you are using hardware that's going to assist with the encoding, capture as avi and convert - you'll see much better results.

[arminio]

Sartori:
>You could capture 20gigs (or 40gigs if you free up the extra space )
>worth and then convert it to mpeg , if you used a frameserver , you
>could set it to >a specific frame and convert up to that . Then delete the
>20gig cap and >capture another one (overlapping the first by a few
>seconds) , then again

I used that method for SVCD (2 CD encoding) but in this case I think I'll need to do many segments (3-4) because source is 2 hour video. Also, joining resulting MPGs is never too smooth and sometimes can produce problems


pcffm:
>I am used to using DV pass-through method to converting VHS tapes to
>DVD-R. It came out pretty good result. But time consuming and HD
>space are make me tired.

How is quality of DV encoded video ?

[pccfm]

Well, using DV pass-through method is best quality you can get.
2 hours movie transfer to HD will takes about 25~30GB space.
So, it takes 2 hours for transfer only, and encoding to DVD(Mpeg2) will takes another 1:30~2:00 hours time consuming ( I am using CCE 2.11) on my system.

However, if the movie isn’t really valuable to me (like special events home movie) I wouldn’t use DV pass-through. Mostly I using direct capture method which is acceptable video quality and sound; specially TV show or copying movie from cable TV.

If you want to know about DV to DVD, check this site has everything you want to know.

http://forum.doom9.org/forumdisplay.php?s=905cb0cdd8b2f52c6f5141530c5bf930&forumid=59

[arminio]

you could also try the PicVideo MJPEG codec - I tested it head to head against Huffy, and to my eyes it gives comparable quality in about half the size of Huffy (about 6-10Gb/hr, to Huffy's 26Gb/hr)

but I would say, unless you are using hardware that's going to assist with the encoding, capture as avi and convert - you'll see much better results.

I think I'l try with PicVideo because all info I found at Internet sounds promising .. . now, can you tell me what's the best PicVideo settings for capture in full 720x576 DVD resolution ?

[housepig]

I think I'l try with PicVideo because all info I found at Internet sounds promising .. . now, can you tell me what's the best PicVideo settings for capture in full 720x576 DVD resolution ?

I use quality setting 18 or 19, depending on how much disc space I want to take up.

if you look in the Other section at left, you'll find Comparisons, which has frame grabs from MJPEG encodes at quality settings 1 - 20.

[arminio]

I've seen that comparison and checked few sites with size comparison and I dec is a good choice ... but, what with other settings ?
I read that it has problem with colors ...