320x240 MPEG2 to put on DVD

[79Cam]

Hello everyone,

I see there are some geniuses on that forum, so I hope you have a solution to my problem.

I have videos from my childhood dating back to 1979 and up to the 1980s, and I have to digitize them before the tapes become unreadable. Given the definition of my father's old cam, I only got good results with 320x240, and I chose the MPEG2 format in order to burn it on DVD. Only after digitizing 8 hours of video did I find out that the resolution I chose was incompatible with DVD.

Anyway, I tried burning my videos to DVD using Ulead VideoStudio 7, first without conversion and then with conversion, but I got the very unclear Error 80041c21. Could it be due to a lack of computer memory?

I know I can burn those videos on VCDs, but since I have about 16 hours of videos, that would really be a nightmare. Moreover, the one time I tried it, I got some glitches in the image, and I want the quality of those precious videos to remain intact (at least for the human eye).

In summary, here are my questions:
1) Is there any way to put those videos on DVD with VCD-like quality, without glitches?
2) Must I rule out definitely burning them to DVD?
3) If the format and resolution I chose are unusable (which I hope is not the case), what should I choose given the fact that 352x240 gave bad results?
4) Can I convert those videos in a suitable format and resolution without making the image bad, or do I have to redigitize the whole thing (please do not tell me that I have to...)?

[Baldrick]

Convert to low resolution dvd, 352x240 mpeg1 or mpeg2. www.videohelp.com/dvd#tech .

[79Cam]

Convert to low resolution dvd, 352x240 mpeg1 or mpeg2. www.videohelp.com/dvd#tech .

The problem is that I tried digitizing it directly with that resolution, but the result seemed bad... at least what I saw in the preview window. Should it normally give results similar to 320x240?

Oh, and another problem I forgot to mention is that, using TMPGEnc, I could not convert my files because I used 29,97 images per second, which apparently is not compatible with 320x240 resolution... is there any way to convert it?

[vcdforme]

Convert to low resolution dvd, 352x240 mpeg1 or mpeg2. www.videohelp.com/dvd#tech .

The problem is that I tried digitizing it directly with that resolution, but the result seemed bad... at least what I saw in the preview window. Should it normally give results similar to 320x240?

I could not convert my files because I used 29,97 images per second, which apparently is not compatible with 320x240 resolution... is there any way to convert it?

Genius here:
Do not capture directly to mpeg.
Capture to AVI, then use TMPGENC to encode to mpeg.
29.97 is right. (if you're in the USA)
If these are important video's I'd suggest a higher quality
than VCD (but VCD is within DVD spec so long as you resample
the audio to 48k)
Am I losing you?
OK...if you're intent on using 325/240 resolution, do this:
Capture to AVI
open up TMPGENC
Use the wizard.
Select DVD Low Resolution.
Load in your file.
Go Go Go!!
You'll be done with a DVD ready 352/240 file, no resampling
necessary.

Others can probably help you better if you specify what
kind of equipment you're using.

good luck.

[79Cam]

Do not capture directly to mpeg.

Since I already captured 8h of video, is there any way to avoid starting all over again?

29.97 is right. (if you're in the USA)
If these are important video's I'd suggest a higher quality
than VCD (but VCD is within DVD spec so long as you resample
the audio to 48k)

I am in North America, so I use the NTSC standard; however, TMPGEnc mentions that 29.97 is incompatible with 320x240. So I need to convert if I want to put in on DVD. How could I do that?

By the way, VCD quality is sufficient because it corresponds to the definition of cameras in the 70s. And actually, I would prefer to keep the 320x240 resolution and put the whole thing on DVD... but it just seems impossible; so I need to find a way to keep the best quality possible and burn it on DVD. Otherwise I guess I will have to start all over again, but it would be such a nightmare! It would mean all the work I already put in that was useless.

As for the equipment I am using, it is only a VCR and an MSI external card; I can choose whatever format I want with VideoStudio, but the only format that gave good results was 320x240.

[adam]

320x240 at any framerate is non-compliant for DVD. The lowest resolution that the DVD standard, or the VCD standard for that matter, supports is 352x240. You could just convert your already encoded files to this resolution, but you'd get better results recapturing the source.

Our current NTSC standard dates back to the 50's, so I doubt your 70's footage is doomed to 320x240, and I don't see how an extra 32 pixels could cause that much damage either. I think your problem lies with either the capabilities of your capture software, or with improper use of it.

If you click on the What is DVD link to your top left it shows all the compatible resolution/bitrate combinations. You need to just pick one. I suggest mpeg2 at either 352x240 or 352x480 and of course its going to have to be 29.97fps.

[BSR]

but the only format that gave good results was 320x240.

What were you seeing that caused the video to look bad at other resolutions? Maybe post screenshots of both.

[79Cam]

You could just convert your already encoded files to this resolution [352x240], but you'd get better results recapturing the source.

What software should I use to convert those files?

It is possible that I do not use the software correctly, since I am a novice, but the problem with 352x240 is that the software seems to extrapolate in order to compensate for the additional pixels; when there are movements, you could see the pixels, while the image is just as it is on the video when I use 320x240. It doesn't seem logical to me, since the horizontal resolution is not supposed to be limited on an analog tape, but I just note what I see.

[adam]

You say your files are now in mpeg2 format? If so just treat them like the vob files on a DVD and follow the DVD conversions guides on this site. You'd just run the file through dvd2avi and then load the project file in TMPGenc. Then set the proper resolution and bitrate and start the encode. I would strongly recommend recapturing these sources though. You are seriously losing quality by capturing an interlaced source to 352x240 and making it progressive, and its even worse since you are converting twice to get there.

I have never used the software you are talking about, but my guess is that you just have the preview function set up wrong. 320x240 is a perfect 4:3 aspect ratio, which is what your source has. Any other DVD compliant resolution will have an improper aspect ratio, but will be resized at playback. This is how all digital formats are played. My guess is that your preview output is doing something to the image because you are not displaying it in a 4:3 aspect ratio. It probably has options to change this, but my ultimate suggestion is to just ignore the preview. Capture about 2 mins real quick at say, 352x480, and then watch the output on your monitor. I bet anything it looks correct, and substantially higher quality then your 320x240 output.

[vcdforme]

Sorry. But I can relate to the frustrations of having to do
things over. I've been doing this for over a year now, intently,
and still learning. Sometimes I just want to throw all of this crap
out the window. And some lessons have been expensive,
On the other hand persistance will pay off, and you'll learn to
eventually make some quality videos that will impress grandma
and your friends. Seriously, the coomputer way can't be beat.
BUT, If this is all too much, consider getting a DVD recorder.

320/240 is not an acceptable DVD format, 352/240 is.
DVD format is strict in what it will accept.
Just because your camera was done in 320, don't let it
stop you from seeking higher quality in your capture.
Read read read.
try here too for some good mpeg info:
http://www.digitalfaq.com/capture/avivsmpeg.htm

try a small test.
Capture AVI 720/480 (or at worst 352/240)
Use TMPGENC to encode your AVI into an mpeg file.
(use the wizard)

[79Cam]

I have never used the software you are talking about, but my guess is that you just have the preview function set up wrong. [...] Capture about 2 mins real quick at say, 352x480, and then watch the output on your monitor.

Thanks, I will try that.

Try here too for some good mpeg info:
http://www.digitalfaq.com/capture/avivsmpeg.htm

Thanks to you too...

I can try capturing in better resolution, but in fact when I compare to the tape I do not think it is worthwhile to capture in a higher resolution that 352x240. Anyway, I will make different tests... I pisses me off, but it really seems like I have to start all over again.

[vcdforme]

Do not capture directly to mpeg.

As for the equipment I am using, it is only a VCR and an MSI external card; I can choose whatever format I want with VideoStudio, but the only format that gave good results was 320x240.

Is this an external USB box?
What format choices does it offer?
If this is a USB device, I don't think it will capture to
AVI(as I suggested you do), USB lacks the bandwidth.
If that's the case, capture to the HIGHEST quality setting
you can. (If vcd is the highest you can do, you're in
trouble.)
then Load it into TMPGENC and re-convert
to your desired Mpeg choice.

hope that helps.

[79Cam]

Is this an external USB box?

Yes it is, but it is USB 2.0, and I do not think I am limited to VCD; I actually tried in 640x480 with another tape, and it was ok.

Why do you say it would be better to capture in AVI? Wouldn't the quality be better if I captured my videos directly into MPEG2, since my only purpose is to put them on DVD?

[vcdforme]

Is this an external USB box?

Yes it is, but it is USB 2.0, and I do not think I am limited to VCD; I actually tried in 640x480 with another tape, and it was ok.

Why do you say it would be better to capture in AVI? Wouldn't the quality be better if I captured my videos directly into MPEG2, since my only purpose is to put them on DVD?

That's good. Capture the highest quality you can.

True, it would be nice to capture directly to MPEG2,
but the sad fact is, most of the other programs that make
MPEG2 files "on the fly" or otherwise, literally suck.
(not all but most).
Even if they may look good, there are often other problems
such as: they don't follow proper DVD spec, or they simply
have other bugs. There's a reason you see TMPGENC plastered
everywhere on this board. IT's reliable, highest quality,
and WORKS!

Don't resist my friend, TMPGENC is your key.
Why AVI?
An AVI file will contain the most amount of detail.
If you can't do AVI, then the next best is the hgihest
quality MPEG2.
Then a high quality encoder like TMPGENC can make the best
intelligent use of that detail when converting your file.
i.e., The more info TMPG has, the better job it will do.
TMPGENC will get you into the COMPLIANT DVD realm.


gotta run,
cheers!

[baz161]

Hi,

I have done this with my home movies as well.

and what i suggest is to encode to a vcd file (well almost) i know that means recapturing again but its for the best result.

making it a vcd file will give u the proper video resolution which dvd will accept, the only thing to remember is when encoding in tmpg enc, change the audio to 48000 hz sample rate and set a max GOP as 18 (for ntsc, 15 for pal)

this will ensure it is dvd compliant. this will get you almost 7 hr's on 1 dvd i beleive, or less to accomodate menu's.

or you may want to encode at a slightly higher bitrate @1246 kbps, this gives over 6 hrs but is a higher quality.

i wouldnt suggest using mpeg2, as it doesnt handle as well at low bitrates. thats what mpeg 1 was designed for.

Baz