how to get dvd quality?

[ChillBill]

I got for x-mas, and finally started to use my JVC digital camcorder model GR-CVL725U. Iwas trying to capture the video to my comp using firewire, and was then going to reencode it to a smaller file type.

My question is when I connect it to my vcr, via rca cables, the picture is amazing, but when I try to capture it to my comp, using both of the programs in the capture section, and ULEAD video studio 6 SE DVD, the pic looks like crap in comparison...even on the best mpeg 2 settings.

Can someone tell me if this is because of my vid card, or is there just a better program for capturing at super high quality? BTW, I have an ATI all-in-wonder 128 rage pro vid card, but have no problem playing dvds or even mpegs that I have d/l and they have better quality.

I really don't care about how big the file size is, I just want the ability to capture it at the same quality that I can watch it on my TV directly.

Thanx

[meelis]

Do I understand correctly, that You use analog rca cables for capturing also?
If this is the case, You need to buy a Firewire card and cable for digital capute.
Note that 60 minutes of uncompressed DV avi takes about 12 GB of hard disc space.

[ChillBill]

I'm using firewire to connect to my pc, but when I connect to my vcr to watch it on my tv, I use rca cables.

My problem is that the video quality is so much better on the tv than it is on the pc.

[disturbed1]

Try to cap directly to dv, then encode to mpg using a good stand alone mpeg encoder, like TMPG, CCE, Main Concept.

Ulead's real time mpeg capture lacks the quality a stand alone encoder will give.

[ChillBill]

Distyrbed 1: if ulead quality isn't that good, then what proggy should I use to capture?

thanx

[disturbed1]

DVIO. It will capture directly to DV. This will maintain the same quality as the video on your DV tape. It's free, and available in the tools section. You should also be able to use Uleads capture program to capture to DV.

Then use your choice of a stand alone encoder.

[ChillBill]

I have actually already tried DVIO, and I got the same crappy quality that I got with the ulead.

I'm thinking that it could be my video card, its an old ati all-in-wonder 128 rage pro...i think i'm gonna get the radeon 8500 all-in-wonder.

also think of upgrading my motherboard and chipset from a p3 600, to a p4 2.53.

but i was hoping that i could get great quality now...even if it took longer to capture or reencode.

do you guys think it could be my grafix card and old motherboard that are screwing up the video that much???

thanx

[theDiatribe]

I think the key to high quality is capturing to AVI thru firewire then using TMPEnc to convert the file. Mess around with the encoding options, specifically the'noise reduction' settings. You might lose just a little of the crispness, but it'll clean up the picture a whole lot. I just captured a 30min DV from my cam and it took up 4GB. Converting it to high quality MPEG2 took 15hours and reduced to 2gig. slapped in on a DVD and it looks beautiful.