What`s the BEST firewire MPEG capturing software??

[Stormz]

Hi all,

I`ve tried quite a few trial versions of capturing software, but can`t seem to track down one that is both configurable and reliable, which will capture/encode straight to Mpeg so that I don`t have to pfaff about with re-encoding avi files before using TMPGenc DVD Author (the best so far) to dump it onto dvd.

When capturing from a DV-cam I had some success with `Ulead DVD Movie Factory 3`. It let you configure the bitrate and captured the whole tape direct from the dv-cam. But when it came to capturing from hi-8 (which was using the dv-cam as a pass-through to the pc), it was very hit and miss how much it captured.... sometimes it would stop at 20 min, sometimes longer, but would never capture the full 1.5 hours, even though I specified 1 hour 35 min in it`s settings.

So I tried a bunch of other software (Lot`s more Ulead stuff, Pinnacle Studio Pro etc), but all were similar or worse than DVD 3.

So far, the only one that has done what I asked is Sonic MyDVD 5, which captures the full hi-8 tape, but only at 4000kbps. It doesn`t have a 6000kbps option, which is what I would want for hi-8 stuff. I don`t want to use the 8000kbps option as then I woudn`t fit the 1.5 hours of hi-8 footage onto a single dvd. I`d use 8000kbps for capturing from a dv tape, but not from hi-8 or VHS.

So, anyone know of some reliable software that captures via firewire at 6000kbps for 1 hour and a half, and encode straight to Mpeg????

Cheers.

[Stormz]

ok, just to make this easier.....

Would the people who capture 1.5 hrs from hi-8/vhs tell me what software and process they use to get it to dvd please.

[upshot]

The jury is still out on this one...

As I understand mainconcept 1.4.2 is your best bet for realtime mpeg encoding via firewire. I've tested mainconcept pvr but, it's got some development problems the biggest being that it caps at 25fps and that's no good for ntsc land.

Bear in mind you will need a processor with some umph - like a P4 2.2 ghz and up to get a smooth realtime encode.

There are other progs out there that will do it but they suck. Many will argue that It's not worth trying to do the realtime encode thing unless your using ATI AIW cards with the bundled software... The best results will be had if you cap AVI (huffy or PICvideo) and convert to mpeg after...

[lordsmurf]

The guy above me nailed it pretty good.

I'll repeat this too: MainConcept 1.4.2 in capture mode.

[Stormz]

My setup is Athlon 1.2, and iirc a gig of sdram. XP Pro.

[Osm3um]

I too have run the gambit on which program to use. I even bought a Plextor M402u to see if that would help.

The Mainconcept seems like a dream I mean it can go to Mpeg, AVI, DivX etc. It goes to whatever codec you have installed. It also buffers the data so that I have't dropped a frame on my athlon 1700.

HOWEVER, it has frozen on me post capture while it is working on the buffer data AND the timer simply does not work. Which means no capturing in the middle of the night.

I was also happy with Ulead VS8.

Hope that helps,
Bob