does the type of footage matter when using half d1 (vhs to dvd)?

[Rudyard]

I usually capture my VHS material at full 720x576 resolution but am interested in saving space by using half d1 (360x576??) as I have read there is no difference in quality as its VHS and doesnt have the higher resolution to begin with.

Does the type of footage on the tape make a difference to what resolution you should use, similar to bitrate - if its high motion higher bitrate or if it is smooth pans and tripod filmed you could lower the bitrate??

Or with resolution does it not matter the type of footage??

For the record I will be converting a large amount of my old VHS tapes which consist of old tv shows I liked and sporting matches (predominately Rugby League and a little cricket).

Thanks for any advice.

[guns1inger]

If the matches are against England, I suggest you divide them up and encode them by innings. Use a high bitrate for the Australian batting to keep the detail of the strokes and the running, and low bitrate for the English batting, because two men standing around on an oval doing bugger all doesn't need much . . . . . . . .

It is debatable about the value of half-D1. As with bitrate, it depends a lot on the source, and also on how you capture.

The best method is to test it for yourself. Find some representative clips of a few minutes in length, and try some different encodes. Use different combinations of bitrate and resolution, then put them all on a disc and see what looks good, what looks OK, and what looks like crap. Then decide.

[davideck]

I find it best to burn two copies of the test disc and use two DVD players to select between any two clips for comparison as they both play the same material in sync with each other.

[45tripp]

If the matches are against England, I suggest you divide them up and encode them by innings. Use a high bitrate for the Australian batting to keep the detail of the strokes and the running, and low bitrate for the English batting, because two men standing around on an oval doing bugger all doesn't need much . . . . . . . .

I find it best to burn two copies of the test disc and use two DVD players to select between any two clips for comparison as they both play the same material in sync with each other.

I find it best to have two women tending to me, one rubbing my feet and the other my shoulders, in sync. But some things are too luxurious for a poor soul.