comparing DVD recorders and computer (VHS/miniDV to DVD)

[kthan]

Can you compare the pros and cons of computer (and/or DV hardware) and DVD recorder when converting VHS/miniDV into DVDs?

I knew that DVD recorder seems to be very straightforward (no need to separately burn) but less flexible in editing (maybe similar when using DVD recorder w/HD).

What I wan to know is picture quality (color correction, noise reduction, etc.) between the two? Since I was recently disappointed at the picture quality of DVD from old VHS (the quality of DVD didn't match to the original VHS, no matter what), I was curious if I can get it through computer (via connecting device). Also, how would you compare miniDV (from computer) conversion?

If computer route can get better picture, even if it takes more time, I would go with the route.

Other than this, if you let me know other pros and cons of each, it would be very helpful. Thanks.

[edDV]

Several issues here. It depends if you want a straight encode to a DVD with simple menus, or if you desire to run correction filters, edit, create effects, author complex menus, etc.

DV format is very high quality and can be transferred losslessly into a computer for editing and filtering. Then the DV format result can be encoded and authored in software with great control or played back to an external DVD recorder.

VHS is noisy and poor video quality. The noise will limit MPeg2 encoding success since noise inhibits motion detection. Some DVD recorders are better than others handling VHS sources but manual computer filtering is needed for best results. It gets complicated and there is much trial and error to find the right formula.

See the many articles in "capturing" and "restoration" forums.

[Marvingj]

Which is better, PC capture or DVD Recorder capture? They both have pros and cons. The ones that I have found already are listed below:

PC Capture and Encoding is better because:

Less fiddling about with captures if encoding to VCD i.e. no stripping out the audio (or dumuxing) needed.
Encode DVDs to a specific bitrate.
Capability of masking VHS overscan areas, especially the bitrate hungry botton 'stripe'.
Ability to make films at different resolutions e.g. half D1

DVD Recorder capture is better because:
Slightly sharper picture quality.
Much quicker end product: record film and edit, no long encode needed as already converted to MPEG.


As the list stands, PC capture is better for VHS conversions and the DVD Recorder is better for off air capture.