Transfer from DV tape to DV AVI. Does it matter ...

[vanhao]

Greetings,

I understand that capturing from DV tape to PC is merely a file transferring process. But since there are many different DV codecs, does it matter which program I use to capture/transfer the DV tape to DV AVI? If the capturing program doesn't let you select a specific DV codec, is it true then that some program can capture/transfer better than another?

Please recommend me the best program and/or DV codec to use. Thanks so much in advance.

[redwudz]

I like WinDV because it has a preview window, but DVIO also works well. If you want more than freeware, Scenanalyzer or a bunch of other programs. As far as I know they are all the same in transfering. The codecs on your computer, though, can effect playback quality.

[Almost Human]

I like WinDV best because it will transfer in type-1 or type-2 DV-AVI. Mostly it depends which program you are going to use to edit and/or author with.

Pinnacle Studio 7 and many editing programs only work with type-1. VirtualDub only works with type-2. Ulead's VideoStudio and TMPGEnc work with both.

[vanhao]

I like WinDV because it has a preview window, but DVIO also works well. If you want more than freeware, Scenanalyzer or a bunch of other programs. As far as I know they are all the same in transfering. The codecs on your computer, though, can effect playback quality.

Thanks for the tip redwudz I currently use Windows Media Maker to transfer DV tape to DV AVI, but I usually do not trust free tool from Microsoft to give the end users the highest quality results. I don't mind paying for a commercial program in order to get the best results. Scenanalyzer right? I will do some research on this tool.

I also learned something from your post. Codec will only affect playback, but has no bearing on capturing/transfering process. And all these times, I have been worrying about not having the right codec to capture, lol.

Thanks very much redwudz

[vanhao]

I like WinDV best because it will transfer in type-1 or type-2 DV-AVI. Mostly it depends which program you are going to use to edit and/or author with.

Pinnacle Studio 7 and many editing programs only work with type-1. VirtualDub only works with type-2. Ulead's VideoStudio and TMPGEnc work with both.

Wow, there is more to it than just me clicking on the capture button. Thanks for this info Almost Human Sounds like type 1 is compatible with more editing programs than type 2. Type 1 should be my default of choice then. Thanks very much Almost Human

[jg0001]

That's sounds a little backwards. I'm pretty sure most programs (Premiere, Studio 8 & 9 (Studio 7 is quite OLD)) use Type-2 not Type 1.

[jelir]

Please recommend me the best program and/or DV codec to use. Thanks so much in advance.

I've been using studio 8 and the result is very impressive

[proxyx99]

I have to agree. Studio 8 gives exceptional DV quality for it's price. I'm also using all sorts of stuff but keep on coming back to Studio. Beside some stability issues (I never had any though) there is something about Pinnacle that makes it very likable. DV capture is flawless. Vegas 4, winDV are other programs that I use the most for capture. Ulead videoStudio seems to be also quite capable. I tried Scenalyser, very nice, but prefer integrated tools.