DV codec question (Virtualdub and such)

[Thorn]

From what I can tell, the MS DV codec is directshow and therefore Virtualdub can't read it. People have said that the mainconcept codec is an alternative, but can anyone give more info? Does it completely replace the MS codec (meaning I can't encode any dv unless I register) or can it work side by side? Is there any quality difference (I'd hope DV is DV...)

By the way, my reason for this is to get DV video into virtualdub to filter it before sending to TMPGenc (don't know if it's the codec or my camera that's noisy, but since mine was one of the earlier DV cams and from SHARP so I suspect the latter). Is there another way around this or does avisynth use DV?

Thanks

[D_Knife]

Uhh, I remember there is a FREE canopus codec available. I just don't remember where I saw the link. You might search this forum. or the Canopus site.

[Dragonsf]

Or you can use the Adaptec Codec.I posted a link somewhere else in the forum.

[mb1]

If you don´t want to pay for a dv codec then use the free available panasonic dv codec (no freeware but free available with no restrictions).

It is basically the same as the ms dv codec but adds vfw compatibility. So it works without any problems f.e. in virtual dub.

regards
mb1

[Thorn]

Wow. I couldn't find the panasonic codec, but I installed the decode-only canopus codec and it is crystal clear. The MS codec has a LOT of noise by comparison for playback, is that normal? Anyway, the canopus codec didn't install correctly (so their type convertor failed miserably) but if you just use the correct fourcc code when opening in virtualdub it works like a charm.

Thanks for your suggestions, guys. I may have to redo some DV caps -- the MS codec might have been the source of some of the noise in my DV projects. I'll have to see if the noise was a playback thing or if my encodes will improve too.

[Thorn]

Well, from what I can tell from my tests, the big problem for the MS DV codec really was the playback (?). The converted files don't look significantly better, but at least I can filter in virtualdub now.

[Anonymous65]

The MS codec installs as default in low resolution mode. To enable full resolution, open the media player and in options select High quality.

The MS DV codec is much slower than the Morgan (or Main Concept?) DV codec (not free)when capturing, so replacing the MS codec is a good idea. I have not tried any other DV codecs.

[Thorn]

Thanks for the info. BTW the MS codec has good quality playback when full-res is enabled. I think I'm fine now with just the ability to decode with the Canopus codec since most of my DV footage is transferred from my DV cam so it's not 'captured' by my pc. I just encode a few title clips so I think I'm all set up encoding with MS and decoding with Canopus.

[JPHenry]

Thorn -

sorry to be a newbie here amongst the advanced...but how come you want to send your DV files into VDub first before going to TMPGenc? I've just been sending them straight to TMPGenc - is there something I could be missing?

Thanks

[DVWannaB]

Thorn -

sorry to be a newbie here amongst the advanced...but how come you want to send your DV files into VDub first before going to TMPGenc? I've just been sending them straight to TMPGenc - is there something I could be missing?

Thanks

JP,

It is wise to do your post capture filtering and video tuning in a program like Virtualdub. You can then use Virtualdub to send (aka frameserve) to TMPG. Frameserving is best because this way you dont have to create a new VERY LARGE *.AVI file to save your post capture processing. Another great feature is that TMPG works much faster if has to work on just encoding. When it has to post-processing and filtering on your video and also encode, it can be very slow.

[JPHenry]

OH shoot - now what post-processing and filtering do I need to do? I've just been capturing old VHS tapes into Premiere with Canopus ADVC-100 - so all the files are DV (720 x 480)

I make all my edits in Premiere and then frameserve out to TMPGenc using Rui's guide for High Quality MPEG2.

I think it looks outstanding - but is there something else I should be doing?

Thanks again.