TMPGEnc vs VS6/7 vs ATI Library for DVD

[syeager]

I have been experimenting with several tools for converting AVIs to DVD quality mpeg2, either D1 or 1/2D1.

TMPGEnc 2.521.58.169, using Lord Smurf's guide produces some nice, but somewhat jerky video. Small filesize. Took 10.5 hours for 1.5 hour AVI.

VideoStudio 6 using similiar specs to Lord Smurf's produces smooth, nice video. About 25% larger than TMPGenc's file. Took 8-10 hours (missed when it completed).

ATI Library, 9.02, must use my ATI 9500 Pro to aid in it's mpeg conversion, using full DVD settings. It produces smoother, clean video. Filesize almost exactly the size of the TMPGEnc file, just 3% bigger. Only took about 2 hours.

Now, the ATI sounds like a wonderful choice, but there is a hitch. ATI Library offers no filtering, so I cannot get rid of noise. Worst of all, it inverts the video vertically! All this could be solved with virtualdub(mod) and VFAPI, but the ATI Library only sees black video (but audio is good).

VisualStudio 6 was good, but it has no filters for removing noise in the video (it does, but it blurs it badly), so we again need virtualdub(mod) and VFAPI (which works perfectly).

TMPGEnc has its own filter which works well and can also use virtualdub(mod) with no need for VFAPI.

So, give me your opinion and suggestions. I need to either:
-solve frameserve issue for ATI,
-save AVI out of virtualdub(mod) to avi and then use ATI,
-lower quality settings a bit for VS6 to get filesize closer,
-find out why TMPGEnc is 'jerky'.

Please help.

[lordsmurf]

ATI MMC, and use VideoSoap in v8.0 or higher (8.7 is most stable).

If your encodes are "jerky" in TMPGENC, you've got something set wrong. Probably interlaced order on source, maybe IVTC or framerate or something.

[syeager]

I have an ATI TV Wonder Pro that produces some odd vertical lines at 352x480. Some of the 720x480 and 704x480 is nice, but I am still experimenting with it.

VideoSoap is a challenge. If I set it too low, I get almost no effect. If I set it high, I get these odd motion effects/tears in the video during substantial motion. I need to spend a lot of time on this.

However, using the Library in ATI MMC, I can convert AVI to MPEG2 at High (720x480) and Medium (352x480) with nice results. But I cannot use VideoSoap there not configure it besides the default (which produces some nice results). But it is inverted and no filters. Frameserving would be great, if I can resolve the 'black video' issue. Maybe it is using something wrong with colorspace or something.

I will work on the TMPGEnc settings. You said somewhere that ATI uses Field B instead of Field A and if you do not switch this, it will playback jerky, but I am pretty sure I switched that. I will tweak it some more and see if I can try anything else. (Hard to do when it takes so long to convert. Anyone got a nice template?)

Anybody else use ATI MMC Library to convert AVI to MPEG2? Anybody else frameserve from virtualdub(mod) to ATI File Player / Library? Anybody know why frameserving with VFAPI to VS6 works but ATI and Windows Player (and Ulead File Player) does not?

[vico1]

I`ve found that frame-serving with an Avisynth script to TMPGEnc can produce simply amazing results.
Avisynth has a whole host of filters, and can support many, many others that can be customized to no end.
IMHO Avisynth (though there is something of a learning curve) is the way to go with TMPGenc renders.


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The Devil`s always.....in the Details!

[lordsmurf]

Most capture card, including ATI AIW, are TOP FIELD FIRST captures.

[vico1]

Disregard, mis-post

[syeager]

I have had others suggest Avisynth, but it uses VFAPI to frameserve, as I am. So Avisynth does not help (although it does have a lot of power, but that is another issue).

I still need a frameserving resolution to the VFAPI to various apps, include ATI Library.