MC 1.4.2 bad results...

[LSchafroth]

I used to use MC 1.4 when encoding DivX files to VCD and the results were great.

I captured some 8mm analog video of my son's band concert and compared the new MC 1.4.2 to TMPGEnc 2.5xxx (can't remember version).

I captured 2 minutes at 720x480 and the same 2 minutes at 352x480 using my PCTV PCI card. I have XP so I use IuVCR.

I resized and filtered the 720x480 down to Half D1 and filtered the one already at 352x480. the results were exactly the same. I could nto find any difference, nor could my wife or kids. (needed different opinions)

Anyhow...the MC encoded files had stairstep effects on all the edges of people heads and etc. It also looked somewhat jumpy like it was playing at 15fps instead of 30.

The TMPGEnc files were smooth with no filtering at all. I applied DNR (7) and Sharpen (4) and noticed no difference in the footage at all.

MC took 2 minutes 34 seconds. TMPGEnc took 2 minutes 43 seconds. MC used to kill TMPGEnc in speed but does not appear to be the case anymore and the quality was horrible with MC.

Did I do something wrong with MC? Field order? Not sure why the results were so poor.

LS

PS I think I will capture all my footage at Half D1, filter and encode them. I read that 704x480 then resizing and filtering gives best results with the BT chipset, but I cannot see any difference.

[LSchafroth]

One more note. When I loaded teh MC encoded files into DVD-Lab it complained about the PCM file needing converted to LDPCM or whatever and converted them. When played back they are a loud buzzing sound. It did not do this with TMPGEnc.

LS