VHS to DVD

[Marco33]

Is this the right spot for this question and if so, any good guides? The capture gudes talk about from TV and cam corders... just looking to go from VHS to DVD.

Tried one guide but, having audio sync problems... that's a new one.

[DJRumpy]

Check the CONVERT section to the left. It should have some useful guides. If your looking for an answer to a specific problem (sound sync issue), then post some information as to how your converting from VHS to DVD. What capture device, software, encoder, etc your using. You should also let us know when the sync problem appeared. Did it appear in your captured file, or only after you converted to MPEG? You get the idea...

[Marco33]

Using Virtual dub. Seems to be a fram rate issue. If I have a 30 number the audio is way off... 14 seems to make the sound closer.


This setting is giving good results

Audio setting

CD quality


Video

MS Mpeg4
320X240-UYVY
Frame rate 14.9256 (not too sure how I got this)
Data rate 3000

[DJRumpy]

You should capture using the framerate of your source (29.97 for NTSC TV/Video, or 25 for PAL). Check under your OPTIONS menu in VirtualDub. Ensure that 'Sync To Audio' is checked. If your PC is too slow, it will begin dropping frames. If this option is NOT checked, then the audio will loose sync with the video. Make sure this is always checked when your capturing video. If the Frames Dropped number keeps climbing, then try capturing at a lower resolution. You should also capture with the Huffman codec if possible (requires large amounts of HD space), or using uncompressed AVI video for the best results in quality.

[Marco33]

I downloaded the Virtualdub_sync.exe. It has a new setting " add drop frames to mach audio" That seems to work very well.

Set NTSC 29.97
didn't check the sync audio setting you taulked about.


Anybody have good resultes putting a VHS movie (Brand new) to DVD?

I have a movie you just can't get on DVD (thanks george) and wonder about how well it will come out.

[DEC]

Cap @ NTSC Film rate and encode to mpeg2. You wont lose as many frames that way. I've done it @ 19.97 fps and it still looks good as SVCD.

[Marco33]

Now I have a good *.avi file. Need to convert this to Mpeg (DVD). Tmpegnc is fine but... any others?

[DJRumpy]

CCE is the best, bar none for encoders. Search google for it.

The 'Sync Audio' setting is exactly the setting you needed. I don't know what you downloaded. The original author of VirtualDub hasn't put anything new out in a while. There are modified versions of the original, but as far as I know, they all use the same setting for this.

The original version also has the setting. From the menu's, select the following:

FILE | CAPTURE AVI
CAPTURE | SETTINGS

Select the 'Lock Video Stream To Audio' checkbox.

If your capturing NTSC, you should capture at 29.97 frames per second. The resolution is up to you. I would suggest at least 352x480 if your capturing from VHS. Also make sure you use a temporal smoother, or some other 2-d/3-d cleaner on your captured avi before you encode it. These will help to remove analog noise that wastes bitrate.

[Marco33]

I have CCE but only use it through DVD2DVDR. I don't know how to make an ECL file so CCE can see my avi file.

[bhutchins]

I have had problems encoding and getting good picture on my high resolution tv, but here's how i get great results:

1. capture to .avi (I use Canopus AVDC-100 and DVIO)
2. convert w/ tempeg to .m2v @ .wav, settings:
352x240 low res dvd - looks better on my tv,
(720x480 High res dvd looked equally good on lower res tv's)
2 pass vbr
filters per http://www.vcdhelp.com/dazzlecapture.htm
3. Author & Burn (I use sonic, no synch problems)


TV: Sony 36XBR400
DVD: Sony DVP-NS700P

[Marco33]

Wav? Do you have this wav file before or after encoding and how did you get it?

[bhutchins]

tmpeg will create the .m2v and .wav file in the same directory. try using the wizard, select low resolution dvd, then select your other settings

[Marco33]

Hmm, I ended up with an mp2 sound file after Tmpegnc.

[DJRumpy]

Marco, it just depends on your output settings in TMPGenc as to what your final output will be. MP2 is fine for a DVD project.

[Marco33]

Well, after xtensive trial & error & error. It is very obvious to me that my system is just too slow for capture. I guess my copies of the trilogy (mint WS non SE) will have to sit on the shelf.

Thanks George.

[DJRumpy]

Marco, even a slower system should be able to capture 352x240 using uncompressed AVI, or Huffman AVI, without dropping frames. You haven't filled out your hardware profile, so I have no idea what kind of system your using. Make sure your not trying to use a highly compressable codec like DivX, or XviD. Even with a PIV 2.4, I'm only now able to capture using DivX, at 720x480

Use the Test Capture mode in VirtualDub to test your capture settings. Start with the simple settings. For your audio, set it to Uncompressed PCM audio at 16Bits (either 44.1 Khz for VCD/SVCD/CVD, or 48KHz for DVD projects).

Set your Video Compression to either 'Uncompressed RGB', or Huffman Codec.

Set your size to the basic VCD resolution (352x240). Under the capture menu, select the TEST CAPTURE mode, and watch the 'Dropped Frames' counter. Slowly increase your capture resolution until you see this counter start to climb. If it starts climbing, your capturing beyond your CPU or Hard Drives ability to keep up.

You should also Defragment the drive your capturing to. It can have a huge impact on performance, if your drive is too fragmented, the drive heads must jump all over the place to write your catpured file.

[Marco33]

I can capture 352X240 but, after I get this to DVD the picture is not good.

I feel that if I could capture at 704X480 the picture would be better. Yes...NO?

When I try at 704X480 the finished avi sound is garbled and the video plays fast.

[DJRumpy]

Try something in between then. 640x480, or 480x480. You can always resize your captured video when your ready to encode. Yes, it would be best if you could simply capture at full D1 or 601 resolution, but if your system can't keep up, you'll have to settle for less, or upgrade.

Try 352x480. This is a valid DVD resolution (half D1), which can yeild good results for quality. If you want more resolution, slowly step up the vertical resolution until you get the best quality possible, without dropping frames.

[Marco33]

Thanks, I'll try that.

[Coop]

Marco - I'm late to the game in replying, however does your capture card use WDM drivers? If it does, alot of what I've read on this forum indicates that Virtualdub doesn't work very well with WDM drivers.

I've been using Virtual VCR capturing to AVI and then TMPG for conversion to MPEG2

[Marco33]

ah, never too late.

The problem seems to be that my capture card just isn't up to it.

I think someday I will invest in a card that captures direct to mpeg2.


Unless George desides to release the original trilogy on dvd...

HA, I kill me.

[DJRumpy]

Coop, that may have been true sometime in the past, but VirtualDub captures flawlessly for me with WDM drivers. I've used it with multiple different capture cards, all without issue.

[Marco33]

Coop, that may have been true sometime in the past, but VirtualDub captures flawlessly for me with WDM drivers. I've used it with multiple different capture cards, all without issue.

Yes, master.

[DJRumpy]

LOL..you couldn't have planned that better...