Do DVD resolution mpeg2 captures require to be encoded ?

[perfection]

I do all my capturing using a capture card and do my capturing from cable broadcast at PAL dvd resolution and bitrate mpeg2 format.

This is then encoded and compiled in dvd structure with chapters, menus and first play menus

My question - do i need to use a quality encoder like Cinema Craft or Mainconcept at any stage or would i be going too far and underacheiving in terms of quality ?

[Soopafresh]

Only your eyes can say. And that is all that matters. It depends on how picky you are, ultimately. A recent study concluded people like HD because the images are BIG, not because they are clear or grain free. For us video nuts, we're concerned about sharpness, lack of artifacts, etc. For most folks, the concern is over the experience of viewing.

[yoda313]

do i need to use a quality encoder like Cinema Craft or Mainconcept at any stage or would i be going too far and underacheiving in terms of quality ?

Isn't that doing the same job twice? If I understand correctly you are capturing to an actual .mpg file in dvd spec for pal. If this is the case then all you need to do is put it straight in your dvd authoring app and proceed to the dvd creation.

Now if you are doing a lot of editing in between then you may want to consider a quality mpg encoder like tmpgenc. However if this is your desired path then you do not need to reencode:

capture

author

burn

Assuming the only editing you want to do is removing something simple like commercials or what have then you do not need do anything else to the video. Use something like mpg2cut2 and snip out the unwanted material. Then plop the trimmed mpg into your dvd authoring program and you are all set.

The only need for encoding is if you are in a different file format, say avi for example, or are not in dvd specificiations. Since you are recording in mpg and are in dvd specs than all you need to do is put it in the authoring program and you are all set. Now if you receive error messages from your authoring program about compatility issues then you will need to reprocess the file accordingly. Other than that nothing else is required.