Greetings,
I recently bought a new computer and discovered that with the Winfast Myvivo card I could actually save my old VHS tapes by burning them on to DVD. I was most excited by that thought until I started my research on how to do this. The amount of information on this topic is overwhelming! I have discovered so far that this is not as simple as I first thought. My first question is regarding the software I require to achieve a VHS to DVD copy. There are suggestions about things called virtualdub and virtualvcr and tmpgenc and lots of other things that appear to be mandatory in performing the task successfully. With my video card I received a copy of uleads moviefactory v2.5 and videostudeo v7. Why cant I use just one of those products to do the whole thing? i.e. capture, edit, author and burn? (I am still confused as to the difference between moviefactory and videostudeo cause they seem to do the same thing). I am guessing the answer here is probably along the lines of quality. Dont these products do an acceptable job on their own? Im not really looking for superb quality. My original VHS tapes are arent the best quality wise and all Im looking for is simple reproduction onto DVD (with a bit of editing).
Thanks
David
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welcome to the forum.
Generally speaking, capture with VirtualVCR using huffyuv or mjpeg, then edit with Virtualdub and convert using TMPGEnc offer slightly better results than capture straight to MPEG2. However, the results only have to please you, and if capture to MPEG2 is good, then run with it.
capture to avi will probably offer more flexibility than your MPEG2 settings in MF/VS too, such as bitrate, VBR, resolution, etc.
so, i guess you answer your own question ("acceptable quality") with your last 2 sentences.
Also, you have MF & VS already, so you dont have to fork out more $$ on tmpgenc and mjpeg codec."speed's just a question of money. How fast can you go?" - Mad Max, 1979 -
Thanks for your welcome and patience. I am prepared to give the "virtual" programs a go. I have downloaded virtualdub and virtualvcr and the huffy thingy. I noticed virtualvcr already has the option for MJPEG compressor. Ive downloaded the tmpengc but im aware that to continue to use the mpeg thing in the tmp program im going to have to pay for it. I need to be sure of the correct settings for these programs as the doco doesnt seem to be all that extensive. Ill take it one step at a time so Ill see you in the capture forum next I guess!
thanks again
david -
dmz, excuse my ignorance of videostudio. it appears, from these pics:
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/images/guides/179038/image001.jpg
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/images/guides/179038/image002.jpg
that you can capture to AVI using videostudio, in more or less the same way as virtualvcr
perhaps VS and MF are the way to go, since you already have them.
maybe try to get others opinions on these products"speed's just a question of money. How fast can you go?" - Mad Max, 1979 -
Hi DMZ, 8)
I've done some VHS to DVD projects myself (music videos). I've tried out both methods:
1. Capture to .avi with VirtualVCR & Huffyuv / Encode to Mpeg with Tmpgenc / Author with Moviefactory2
2. Capture direct to Mpeg2 with Moviefactory and then author.
I can notice very little difference in the quality of the finished DVD between methods 1 and 2. Once you have a fast PC (which you do !), I'd stick with MovieFactory and direct Mpeg2 capture. It will save you a lot of time and effort. Plus you'll only need to learn one piece of software instead of 3. There's a good user manual with MovieFactory - takes a while to get familiar with all the options, but once yopu get going it's a joy to use.
Hope this helps,
Moonstomp.Just because you're nobody, doesn't mean that you're no good. Just because there's a reason, doesn't mean it's understood. It doesn't make it all right ! (The Specials) -
Originally Posted by dmz
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i got a winfast xp2000 deluxe capture card, it came with software to capture with (the winfast pvr) this is probably the best software to use with this card as it lets you capture staright to dvd compliant mpeg2 format. it can be downloaded from the leadtek website for free. or you may already have it on a disc you got with your computer. your card should work very well with it.
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Thank you so much for being so kind and helpful. Maybe I will go the Movie factory route. I am a bit confused about the difference between Moviefactory and videostudeo as they both seem to do the same thing. I'll give MF a go as some of you suggested.
thanks again
david -
I personally have been exprementing a bit lately with VHS-DVD... the tapes I start with are not the best quality... but I must say that some of the longer ways, are worth it in the end and make it a lot more watchable.
I use Videostudio to capture...I usually capture them as AVI files, it very rarely drops ANY frames... I then use TMPGEnc to encode, then for dvds so far I've been using Moviefactory to make menus and burn! lol... I can say though that I have tried quite a few different programs and some definatly give you a better result... not only with quality but with things lie sync issues as welll..."I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." - Thomas Alva Edison -
Don't forget looking at the guides too!
:doh: What you heard is NOT what I said -
Thanks again. I tried using only MovieFactory and setting the format to DVD(high quality) and was very impressed with the results. The resultant dvd is good as the vhs tape which is what I wanted. I was going to try Videostudeo but it doesnt have the same formats as MF. Am I right in assuming that the DVD format is the best quality for VS?
One final thing. The dvd I created using MF used up 3.1gb for a 50 min vhs tape. Im sure it is possible to fit more on a 4.7gb DVD and retain the quality. What are the general factors/processes involved to do this please?
thanks
david
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