Macros746! - Need your expertise - re: AIW-avi-cap

[Skunkwerx]

Macros746,

Thanx for your previous advice and links to rage3d, after a few days of tinkering with the Huffy codec and virtualdub, I was able to cap (what I believe) an acceptable file.

To recap, I have an AIW Radeon, P4 Syst and Pioneer DVD-R. HD is a 7200 UDMA 66 drive (this is what I "think?" may be adding to my dropped frames issue?)

Trying to cap from a broadcast quality VHS source to PC and author to DVD-r. MMC cap attempts in MPEG were horrible and could not produce a 1:1 quality image.

Initial tests with Virtualdub yield nice caps but with too many droped frames, I wanted to compare my settings with yours to see if I am along the right lines or if I'm overkilling.

Frame size:
352x480 or 480x480
FPS:
29.970
Locking audio to frame box checked.
Compression:
Huffy - set to "LEFT?" on both.
Filters:
NONE
Audio:
MP3 256kbit

30 sec avi captures are about 250 - 300 megs.

Converting AVI to DVD mpeg with Tmpgenc using the template using INVERSE TELECINE and DE-INTERLACE filters.

Am I going in the right direction? Any pointers or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Skunkwerx

[Macros746]

Skunkwerx,
You might want to try tinkering with the MJEG codex instead of Huffy. Huffy IS slightly better but MJEG set to 18 for quality (after you select it go to the configure button) will yield almost the same results with fewer dropped frames and less Hard Drive space. Now I can capture to Huffy without loosing frames (many frames I should say) at 640 x 480. I am not sure what accounts for the difference. I should also point out that according to the capturing articles I steered you to at Rage3d seem to suggest that capturing at the resolution you are is overkill. You say 'broadcast quality' ...does that mean that it is TV previously recorded onto VHS? If so I think you should stick with the 320 X 480 capture. Because, logically, if you are recording from a source that was recording from a source with a maximum resolution of 320 X 480 then you arent' going to gain anything but headache for your CPU and HD by capturing at a higher resolution. I agree that the only way to get really good quality capture with MMC is to jack up the MPEG 2 or MPEG bitrates through the roof. Now you can get really good looking files this way but then you just have to reencode them to make them compliant...so why bother? I think that your '66' harddrive is hurting you. I am sort of surprised that a motherboard running a P4 and a 7200 RPM HD would access at 66....why isn't it running at 100? Is it not compatible or are you just using the wrong cable? You might want to consult Sefy on this as he is much better at hardware issues than I am. I think I answered all of your questions...if not, drop me a line.

Macros

p.s. email directly if you like...I don't mind.

[Sefy]

I would suggest you do as Macros mentioned, and also make sure you are using the latest software updates for your AIW, I think there is a new MMC 7.5 version which came out not long ago.

[Macros746]

I can address the 7.5 issue. I have downloaded it and it works beautifully on my system BUT it does not work on everyone's system. And, although it is more stable and has slightly better capture quality, I still go with the tried and true VirtualDub for capture. In short, if you are feeling adventurous and like to tinker with software to get it to work, download 7.5 and give it a go, otherwise, stay with what you got.

Macros

p.s. The transparent TV function is VERY cool though...completely useless but cool.

[Skunkwerx]

MJpeg... hmmm do I need to install this codec as well?? Does it go by another name? I (from memory) didn't see it selectable in Virtualdub.

Yes the video is live video shot on BROADCAST equipment and tape carts and transferred to VHS. 320/352x480 seems to be working fine for now. I see your point regarding overkill now.. thanx for the pointer.

For me, MMC even with MAX'd settings do not yield usable Mpeg /mp2 files unfortunately. No dropped frames but they always seem grainy.

Have you tried MMC 7.5?
For what I'm trying to accomplish...is it worth the install in your opinion?

I' Udma 66 because I didn't upgrade the HD drive, its older. I up'd the system, but the drive MUST be next now.

Thank you again for the continued support.
Skunkwerx.

[Macros746]

Yes, you do have to download it. MJEG is on the tools page under Picvideo MJEG codec. You can find a way to unlock it in google or you can try the doom9.net site and see what they have to offer. It is a great codec and well worth the time to download it. As to 7.5...if you are willing to uninstall MMC completely manually if it doesn't work go for it. It has some cool new features and, in my experience, is more stable that 7.1. Search the forum for download sites....

Macros

[VTOM]

Please help!

I have terrible interlace effects from ATI AIW radeon, when I capture from Vdub. When I use MMC 7.1, there is no interlaced effects, and it would be beautiful if it weren't for the proprietary codec used.
Here are the things I've tried:
Vdub - capture at 480x480 with preview mode. (cpu and HDD not a problem, xp 1800+ with raid 0 udma 100=never dropped a frame yet), But the interlace combing is terrible.
I have tried turning on the de-interlace filter in Vdub - doesn't work.
I have tried bi-cubic vertical scaling (/2) - doesn't work either.
I have tried tmpenc de-interlace filter after a Vdub capture - doesn't work.
I have tried iuVCR capture with x480 vert. res. - doesn't work either.

The funny thing is, Vdub works fine if I set res to 352x240, but that sucks, and of course MMC de-interlace always works, but with poor mpeg encoding.
Why is this such a problem, and how is MMC getting around it?

Please Help!