Newbie in need of help with ATI AIW 9200 and capturing

[ducko]

hello,

I have a ATI AIW 9200 which I use to capture a TV show. My problem is this, I have it capturing at what is default.. then changed it to what Lordsmurf had on his website. Neither of these settings allow for me to capture to where when I'm done encoding it to .mpg that I can burn it on a CD and watch it onto the DVD player connected to the TV and NOT have the show all fuzzy.

Can someone perhaps (yes i've looked through the helps/howto's) tell me in "Idiot" terms what is the best settings to use for a ATI AIW 9200 - I'm using MMC 8.9 to capture with in mpegI format, encoding with TMPGENC and using nero to burn to CD.

I need it to encode in VCD because I make a copy for a friend and they're DVD can only play VCD not SVCD.

Any help would be appreciated. TIA.

[lordsmurf]

VCD is fuzzy. Nothing can be done about that with direct MPEG-1 captures.

[ducko]

VCD is fuzzy. Nothing can be done about that with direct MPEG-1 captures.

What I thought as well, but when played on the computer in DVD player, it plays perfect almost theater quality. But on the TV it doesn't. That is what i'm looking to rectify.

[bottle-necked]

You can try using Video Soap and adjusting the settings, that may help. And try capturing without soap (i don't use it myself)

You could try capturing AVI then encoding MPEG1 VCD with Tmpgenc.

Adjust for max bitrate 1,150Kbps, instead of MMC's default of about 1.130Kbps.

Good luck.

[ducko]

Have you tried SVCD yet?

yes, but due to a friend also needing a copy of the show, they're dvd player can only see VCD, not SVCD. though I could do SVCD for me, which I have and it still comes out fuzzy.

all I'm asking is correct specs. to make sure I have it setup right.

the tv screen i'm viewing on is a 32in.

[bottle-necked]

I asked that question then seen in your post (again) you coudn't use SVCD, so I changed it.

32" is sure going to stretch those little 1.150Mpbs out. haha.

I like MMC captures but I think I can get better quality by capturing AVI then converting with Tmpgenc. It might not be a lot of quality difference but every little bit counts.

Good luck.

[bottle-necked]

You know, that word fuzzy makes me think you're using VideoSoap and it's set on soft focus or something. I don't use soap because I think it lowers the quality of the capture, but my source (sat) is real clean anyway.

Good luck.

[ducko]

32" is sure going to stretch those little 1.150Mpbs out. haha.

Okay so you're saying the size of the TV screen will also distort the end product of the CD? (I was wondering if that might be the problem)

can someone tell me what "Video Soap" is?

*Note I am a noob when it comes to this, I've read the guides and they aren't in laymans terms.

TIA

[bottle-necked]

VideoSoap is ATIs attempt at filtering. The included this item back in MMC version (whatever?. I can't remember). I don't use it myself because I think it washes the video and lowers the quality. I can see it being useful if you are trying to capture from an antenna input or from a bad VHS tape, but if you source is clean you don't need it. (IMO)

In ATI MMC just edit the template for VideoCD. Keep clicking next until you get to the screen for bitrate then change the bitrate from 1.13 to 1.15 (click it once then use your arrow keys). Click Next. There is the Video Soap menu. It will have Light selected. I use "none" but you can play with the settings by leaving it set to light then click on Next. There is Soft Focus and it's set to 21% by default. Fuzzy? Probably coming from right here.

Good luck.

[ducko]

thanks bottle-necked, I'll check those settings and give it a whirl.

what is the default to capture too?

480x320 or 704x480? or what?

[bottle-necked]

VideoCD is 352x240 for NTSC (here in the US). Max bitrate is 1.150Mbps, audio is 44.1K and 224K Stereo. Click on this link https://www.videohelp.com/vcd

Good luck.