DV-AVI types 1 and 2

[vettesea]

Hello

Just a quick question or two here.

I have just read that Windows Movie Maker captures and produces DV-AVI type 1 files.

Is there any real quality diference between 1 and 2, or is it just a compatibility issue? i.e what encoders will accept one or the other?

Is it worth me converting prior to encoding? Or even getting other software to capture in type 2 format?

Cheers

[redwudz]

Type 2 seems to be more compatible with most software. If you use TMPGEnc or Virtualdub, use Type 2. There is a converter in the 'Tools' section that will covert it to Type 2. Movie Maker isn't the best, but is quick and easy. My favorite is WinDV, because it has a preview feature and will do Type 2 or 1. DVIO also works well. They are only an import interface, so if you do editing you will need other programs. Mainconcept encoder will import DV and encode on the fly, although better quality is with encoding from a saved DV file on your HD. Between the two types is just compatibility, I believe from the way they handle the audio, probably check the glossary for more info.

[vettesea]

Thanks for the reply

Funny that you should say type 2 on TMPGenc. I have been using the WMM files in TMPGenc with no problems or errors and they are type 1. Is it worth me converting, do you think that I will gain any quality?

[State Of Mind]

It is not a quality issue that you should be worrying about when it comes to Type 1 or Type 2. Only compatibility. Type 1 I believe is the type that VirtualDub complains of not recognizing the audio stream (because the audio and video are "crammed" together or something, so Type 2 has no bad spots.

[State Of Mind]

Just use WinDV to capture at Type 2 and use Adobe Premiere to edit.

[Specialist]

Ulead MediaStudio Pro 7.01 can use *either* Microsoft DV type-1 or Microsoft DV type-2.

I prefer DV type-1, in most cases, because DV type-1 doesn't carry the redundant audio stream carried by type-2 and, therefore, is easier for the CPU to process.

According to Microsoft, "for video capture, where maximum throughput is crucial, it is better to use a type-1 file, because type-2 files carry redundant audio data."

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/directx9_c/directx/ht...pe2dvfiles.asp

You'll note Microsoft also states DV type-2 is a better choice for "real time" editing.

I suspect this may be an outdated reference to the old-style, so-called "real-time" PCI cards that seem to have fallen out of favor in recent months as CPUs have advanced and as software-based real-time performance has improved.

I suspect the reference may not apply to software-based real-time performance - as I have done comparisons and have noted no real-time advantages whatsoever where DV type-2 is concerned.

DV type-2 *might* - in some circumstances - offer more compatibility with other applications.

On the other hand, an application that does not support *both* DV type-1 and DV type-2 may not be an up-to-date application, which would prompt me to avoid it.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net