BEST capture and authoring software for VHS 2 DVD?

[defense]

I was just curious as to what would be considered the "best" software to capture or author to DVD from VHS. I have never done any type of capturing before and I have some home videos I want to capture to my HD and then burn to DVD.

Basically, what i'm trying to accomplish is to be able to make indexes for the movies as well as chapter points.

For example, I have three home VHS movies which are all different. I want to put them on the "same" DVD, so I want to be able to make an index of when the first movie ends and the next one begins. I'd also like to put chapter points in each of the movies.

I have DVD Maestro, but being that i've never captured, i'm not sure if I can use that program for this. I know the files I get are "ATI" files because of the ATI video card I have...so if anyone can tell me what would be my best option to do accomplish that..i'd appreciate it.

I will do research on this too, but I thank anyone for any info on this in advance.

[VinnySem]

Defense,
After some fiddling with settings, recently I've had some good success capturing to an AVI with VirtualDub and the Huffyuv codec. From there, you can use CCE to make DVD-compliant video streams. CCE will split your audio out, although not in AC3 (mpeg2 audio I think). You might be able to convert to AC3 with AC3Machine or the like. Import into Maestro and author away.

I just looked on the BeSweet website, it can extract AC3 audio from an AVI, so we're off to the races!!!

VirtualDub is freeware, you already have Maestro. As far as CCE.... *says nothing*

[BJ_M]

i like these questions "BEST"

best would be a AVID Media composer or Henry system or a few other such systems..

since that would set you back about $75,000 - $150,000 (or more) - i guess you mean BEST with a certain price range .

:wink:

[disturbed1]

AVID

Make sure you get the media keyboard with Avid template overlays, and that trick ass editting wheel. Makes it much easier.

[housepig]

depending on your capture card, if it doesn't like Virtualdub, try VirtualVCR or iuVCR.

VirtualVCR is good, free and highly customizeable. iuVCR is not free, but good, highly customizable and gives me better audio sync than VirtualVCR.

that is, if you can't swing the $75K

- housepig

[defense]

thanks all for your help. VinnieSem and HousePig, especially thanks to you two because I think your info will be helpful in actually allowing me to get this done. I appreciate your time.

@BJ_M...I guess I haven't learned yet..huh? lol...I do remember the responses I got when I first came aboard and asked "BEST" in terms of authoring packages, and I was thinking TMPGENC was the "best" at the time...lol. Anyway, as far as the price for the "BEST" programs for this task.....the person spending that kind of bread must be making some serious dockets in return. I'll check out the "Virtual Dub" and other methods mentioned here. Thanks once again for all the info.

[disturbed1]

To capture, I'd look into what everyone else has posted, V-Dub, iuVCR, etc.

For some editting, you want to try Vegas Video, it's pretty snazzy, but ~$500. I like it better than Premiere, it's just easier for me to work with, plus the ac3 encoding is great.

Other programs I had fun with editting video is ABC Video Roll, and AIST's Movie X-one. Both of which are/were free.

AVI_IO is a great capture utility, which some have better luck with than V-Dub. Look into the various V-Dub mods, such Virtual Dub VCR + sync.

Neo DVD is nice, but pretty basic like Ulead DVD Movie Factory.

Highest quality will come from capturing uncompressed, edit, filter, encode. Real time software encoders (ligo's gomotion, included with all ATI cards, and Ulead software), can leave alot to be desired.

Once you cap, edit, filter, encode, just import the elementary streams into Maestro, and author away.

Creating a menu can be as simple as using Paint to make a bitmap, or Photoshop to design a multi layered PSD.

[scottvf]

I use vegas 4.0 for capturing on my digital camera. I have a pinnacle firewire and analog caputure card. ( waste of money after I found vegas+dvd, since it blows pinnacle studio 8.0 away) I haven't got around to putting my vhs tapes on dvd yet. I have a leadtek my vivo card with also let's me have video in and out. I'm going to try both pinnacle and my video card and see which one is better. I have a lot of Accu-Stat tapes to put on dvd (pool tournament tapes- http://www.accu-stats.com/ ) Best video's if anyone likes to watch pool.

[txpharoah]

:arrow:

[txpharoah]

"Best" for pros? Probably an Avid or similar high-end system. Spend at least 5-6 figures. Anywhere from $10,000 on the low end up to $150,000 or so on the high end.

"Best" for home? Probably an ATI or Matrox or Canopus high-end setup. Spend at least $200 if not $5,000

[Will Hay]

Having an ATI card myself I'd suggest the Virtualdub route.
I use the MJPEG codec at quality 19/20 as I can't see any quality difference between that and the (freeware) huffyuv and the former is one third the file size.
I suppose what I'm saying is, in response to a comment as to whether Vdub likes the ATI...
...yes it does, it loves it
Will

[VinnySem]

I agree with disturbed, capture uncompressed without a codec, then edit, then let CCE compress when you encode. That should give best quality video.

[pbemer]

Well, I'm a newb and with my first capture, Sonic's Video Factory was easy as hell to take two captures and join them into one. But then again, it was the first one I tried. For ease of use, I give it two thumbs up. :thumbup: :thumbup:

[BJ_M]

Sonic's Video Factory = great value and great not expensive program

[defense]

thanks once again for all the responses....now I can at least experiment with some methods. As I said..i've never captured anything, so this will be a new experience. @Distured.thanks for the info on Vegas Video..sounds like it can really take care of business...also, thanks pbemer and BJ_M...Sonic sounds like another good option...

i'm really not looking into anything "professional"..I just want to be able to take some home VHS tapes and put them all on DVD. I guess I can probably get about 3 VHS tapes or about 6 hours onto 1 DVDR, right? I hope so..I thought I read that somewhere. That's basically what i'm looking to do and also create an index and chapter points between the movies.

@anyone, by encoding with CCE as someone mentioned...is that going to increase the quality of these VHS captures? Thanks again in advance

[BJ_M]

sonic video factory is the cheaper low endish version of vegas , vegas 4 wil produce excellent video quality --

video factory -- hmm , not as good

you can frame serve from both of them though (see news page) , frame server works with video factory

[pbemer]

BJ_M - Vegas Video 4, is it at easy to use as VF20 but with more features? Because if it is, I'd jump up to it when I'm done messing with VF.

[Brpod]

:P For value for money, and some pretty good quality I would seriously consider buying a DV Camera (Sony) with and Av in. This will allow you to copy your VHS onto a DV tape with almost no loss in quality. This Tape can then be captured to your PC via a firewire card to AVI format, again with almost no loss. The AVI can be converted to MPEG2 (Tmpgenc with a standard template) and authored and burned to DVD using Ulead DVD Movie Factory.

The main purchases required would be a decent DV camera (varies$300-unlimited), Firewire card ($50-100), DVDMF ($50) & Tmpgenc( $88).

If you shop carefully you should be up and running with good quality DVD's for under $500. (assuming you already have a DVD burner).

Added advantage to this of course is that you will also now have a DV camera for those home movies.

TTFN :P

[Brpod]

Oops, capture with Windows Movie Maker 2 or software that came with the card.

[BJ_M]

BJ_M - Vegas Video 4, is it at easy to use as VF20 but with more features? Because if it is, I'd jump up to it when I'm done messing with VF.

it is generally as easy to use (same style layout) but a multitude more features , many you may not need right away or at all unless you are doing pro editing

[pbemer]

BJ_M - Thanks for the info on Vegas Video 4. I'm luvin VF20 so when I'm ready for something more, I'll definitely move up to it. Thx!