Video conversion for a NOOB

[Theresa]

Hello all--
After several months of reading guides far over my head, trying to decode the technobabble, asking questions and getting every bit of software and hardware it seemed was the best, I'm at a standstill . . . because I just don't know how to proceed. Allow me to list what I have:
Software: ScenalyzerLive, Avisynth 2.5, TMPGEnc 2.5, DVapp, Virtualdub, VirtualdubMod, Convolution 3d, Canopus DV codec and Panasonic VFW DV codec.
Hardware: JVC HR-S9800U VCR, Canopus ADVC 110, Datavideo TBC-1000, and a 120 GB hard drive dedicated to the project, now the 'F' drive.

I have recieved much support when I have asked questions, but I am finding the answers too technical and assuming I know much more than I do. And much of it conflicts with others, which adds to my vast confusion. I am soon to get a digital camcorder with video pass-through. Should I forget trying to tackle the learning curve and just go that route? Would you all be willing to hand-hold a technologically-challenged mother through this?
I have been able to capture some video in Scenalyzer. I don't think I did it right, for I think I was supposed to create an 'index' before hand. Now I'm trying to figure out how to create a script in AviSynth. That's it. That's the extent of my knowledge, despite copeous amount of reading. What do you think? I really don't want to go the one-step route, but should I, based on how little I know?

Thanks
Theresa

[Nelson37]

You certainly have the necessary equipment to cover most tasks.

What source and with what connections are you capturing?

What seems to be the problem with what you have captured so far?

The Canopus should allow you to connect just about any source and capture it as lightly-compressed DV video.

Not sure Scenalyzer is best prog for you at this stage, SFAIK its advantage is to automatically break the video into "chapters" or segments, this can be done later. A simpler capture app might be more appropriate at this stage. WinDV is often recommended, many apps should handle this.

Do one thing at a time, get it right, then add the next step. After all is working, then worry about tweaking each task for best performance. But first, just get it working, you deserve some reward at that stage and it will keep you motivated.

Also would recommend starting with simpler source such as Cable or Satellite feed. VHS adds extra complexities which you may not be ready for yet.

Camera with pass thru could replace the Canopus. No better for capture, though it has the added feature of taking movies.

[Barnabas]

Try WinDV with your Canopus. That should be easier by far than using Scenalyzer.

Forget AviSynth for now, that has a bit of a learning curve. VirtualDub, or VirtualDubmod are MUCH easier.

I have a Canopus ADVC-55 here, and cap from Dishnetwork or Video tape easily. If you want to get into using VirtualDub and using filters, then it gets a bit harder, but you really only need to know the basics to get by.

[redwudz]

If you are thinking about using the camera pass through mode instead of the ADVC-110, you will get exactly the same DV output with the same sources, especially if your input is from a VCR and going through the TBC and the ADVC unit.

What are you trying to do? Convert VCR tapes into DVDs?

My method using a ADVC-100 to convert VCR tapes is:

WinDV to transfer to the computer hard drive. (No capturing involved, it's a data transfer)

VirtualDub Mod to edit and filter if needed.

ffmpeggui to convert the audio to AC3. (I save out the audio with VDM as a WAV after all editing then drop it into ffmpeggui.)

TMPGEnc Plus to encode only the video. (I frameserve the edited video directly from VDM to TMPGEnc.)

TMPGEnc DVD Author to convert to DVD format. (Add the AC3 audio and the MPEG-2 video, create chapter and menus and burn to DVD.

There's not much difficult with the above programs, probably the most challanging is figuring out the filtering and editing with VDM. The rest is fairly simple. You may one to set up WinDV so it transfers the whole video in one piece, if you use it, but otherwise it's easier than ScenalyzerLive to use.

I don't have a TBC, but I could use one. Avisynth is a good tool, but a little intimidating for beginners.

One step route, though will not as much control or maybe as much quality: Drop the DV after editing into ConvertXToDVD and let it do the rest.

And, Theresa, in the future please use a more descriptive subject title in your posts to allow others to search for similar topics. I will change yours this time. From our rules:

Try to choose a subject that describes your topic.
Please do not use topic subjects like Help me!!! or Problems.

Thanks, Moderator redwudz

[edDV]

...

I have been able to capture some video in Scenalyzer. I don't think I did it right, for I think I was supposed to create an 'index' before hand. Now I'm trying to figure out how to create a script in AviSynth. That's it. That's the extent of my knowledge, despite copeous amount of reading. What do you think? I really don't want to go the one-step route, but should I, based on how little I know?

Thanks
Theresa

Is there a reason you want to go the AviSynth route?

I agree with Nelson and the others that you should start simple and master some basic projects start to finshed DVD.

I'd recommend you start with a program like Adobe Premiere Elements which comes with extensive tutorial support and is ideal for DV format. In parallel you can learn Virtualdub and see how you like using the individual tools.

* A new $59 plug-in from Mainconcept makes Premiere Elements the ideal MPeg editor as well.
http://www.mainconcept.com/site/index.php?id=6886

[Theresa]

Wow--thank you all for weighing in. Let me start answering a few questions . . .

Nelson37 . . ."What source and with what connections are you capturing?"

Ok, now you are really going to see how dim I am. I am trying to convert my VHS-C tapes using a VCR which is connected to the TBC, which I have then connected to the Canopus ADVC. Then via USB to my computer. Did that make any sense? So I guess I'm ending up with a DV signal.

"What seems to be the problem with what you have captured so far?"

When opening up a file, with the captures I didn't create a tape-index, I get a box that tells me that the avi. file does contain a sclive tape-index. I'm surprized I figured that out.

I agree that Scenalyzer might be way over my head. I'll try WinDV.

"But first, just get it working, you deserve some reward at that stage and it will keep you motivated." Thank you; music to my ears.

"Also would recommend starting with simpler source such as Cable or Satellite feed. VHS adds extra complexities which you may not be ready for yet."

Ok, now I'm confused. I'm not trying to capture anything off of TV. Just my moldering, precious tapes of my son.

Barnabas, thanks for your imput. You concur with Nelson37 on WinDV. I'm definitely going that route. And I'm SO happy to know I don't have to use AviSynth!!! Relief!

redwudz--Thanks to you, too. Yes, I"m trying to convert VCR tapes to DVD's. Sorry I didn't clarify that point! And also very sorry for not using a good subject title.

Questions about these points:
"ffmpeggui to convert the audio to AC3. (I save out the audio with VDM as a WAV after all editing then drop it into ffmpeggui.)

TMPGEnc Plus to encode only the video. (I frameserve the edited video directly from VDM to TMPGEnc.)

TMPGEnc DVD Author to convert to DVD format. (Add the AC3 audio and the MPEG-2 video, create chapter and menus and burn to DVD."

Do these programs have text files to explain all to run them? I can see I'll be back asking for help through every part of the process otherwise. Hope everyone will put up with me.

Thanks, redwudz, so much for your advice. I have been at the point of despair several times with this project.

edDV--Hi, and thanks to you also.
I went the AviSynth route based on advice from previous posts. I'm flying blind and just doing what I'm told. But seeing how impossible it was for me to figure it out, I felt there was no way to get this project going. It's so good to see I don't have to tackle that program yet.
I've heard really great things about Adobe Premiere Elements---it's good to see it mentioned about. I can get a rebate on it until Oct. 31, too! You all can tell I'm a mom.

Thank you all, more than I can tell you.
Theresa

[edDV]

Wow--thank you all for weighing in. Let me start answering a few questions . . .

Nelson37 . . ."What source and with what connections are you capturing?"

Ok, now you are really going to see how dim I am. I am trying to convert my VHS-C tapes using a VCR which is connected to the TBC, which I have then connected to the Canopus ADVC. Then via USB to my computer. Did that make any sense? So I guess I'm ending up with a DV signal.

No, you would connect the ADVC to the computer with IEEE-1394 (aka Firewire or I-Link)

[edDV]

edDV--Hi, and thanks to you also.
I went the AviSynth route based on advice from previous posts. I'm flying blind and just doing what I'm told. But seeing how impossible it was for me to figure it out, I felt there was no way to get this project going. It's so good to see I don't have to tackle that program yet.
I've heard really great things about Adobe Premiere Elements---it's good to see it mentioned about. I can get a rebate on it until Oct. 31, too! You all can tell I'm a mom.

It will be easier to learn and has many tutorials on the web plus tutorial DVDs and Books.
You can still use Virtualdub + TMPGEnc DVD Author as a parallel path and decide which way to go from there.

http://www.totaltraining.com/prod/adobe/digitalvideo_premelemts.asp
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/032126794X

These are often available on Ebay (get version 2 to match the product). When you are done you can sell them back on Ebay.

[redwudz]

ffmpeggui is easy, just drop the WAV audio onto it and it converts to AC3. I don't mess with any adjustments with it. AC3 audio takes up less room on the DVD. This is a add on, don't worry about this for the moment.

Frameserving eliminates creating an extra edited file of your VirtualDub output. Guide: https://www.videohelp.com/virtualdubframeserve.htm You can figure this out later, it just speeds things up and save on hard drive space.

TMPGEnc encoder has a 'Wizard' mode. Just select DVD and it will take care of the rest. Fine tuning can come later.

TMPGEnc DVD Author is also easy to use.

These programs all have guides from simple to complex. If you look at the tool page of each, near the bottom you will see the guides available. Some have built in guides or help screens.

The first thing you want to do is to get the video onto the computer hard drive in DV format with your ADVC. The rest depends on what you want to do with it. DV is about 13GB per hour, so make sure you have at least twice that much space.

And don't listen to everybody, me included. Just find a way that works and build on it.

EDIT: And I agree with edDV about Adobe Premiere Elements. It may be the easiest way to go.

[edDV]

"What seems to be the problem with what you have captured so far?"

When opening up a file, with the captures I didn't create a tape-index, I get a box that tells me that the avi. file does contain a sclive tape-index. I'm surprized I figured that out.

I agree that Scenalyzer might be way over my head. I'll try WinDV.

Start with the simpler free WinDV. Scenalyzer has the advantage of detecting scene breaks by optical analysis of the picture. Since you are starting with VHS, that feature is good if you can figure out the program.

[Theresa]

Hi EdDV

No, you would connect the ADVC to the computer with IEEE-1394 (aka Firewire or I-Link)

(wow, I figured out the quote thingy . . .)

See? Told you I was dim. Yes, I have it connected via Firewire. (this is really embarrassing)

And thanks for more clarification---I'm relieved to know I can use Adobe Premier to figure this out. And I'll start working with WinDV tomarrow. I may be able to do this after all . . .

redwudz--Thanks for your further explainations on your points. You flatter me by thinking I know more than I do, but I will read all the guides and tutorials--I'll do my homework. Then I'll be back for further explaination with a very clear subject line!!!!!!!! And not listen to you?? I'll be back begging for help! I hope you all continue to be this patient!!

Thanks!
Theresa