Capture, Author, and Burn question........

[sc0ttL]

I am new to this and would like for you guys to offer your opinion. This is the sequence I use when capturing, authoring, and burning:

1)capture S-video from VCR to computer HDD using V-DUB. Resulting file is .avi
2)convert file to mpeg2(DVD) using Main Concept encoder
3)Author DVD file using TMPGNec DVD Author
4)If necessary, shrink DVD using DVD Shrink
5)Burn to DVD using Nero 6

Obviously, this takes a lot of time. If you guys have another approach that will yield better quality video in a shorter amount of time please share.

Thanks in advance for replies.

[teegee420]

You have a good work protocol. I suggest you stick with what works. If you want to experiment a little you could try capturing straight to mpeg-2 with Main Concept. I haven't tried it myself but that's because I just the ATI software that came with my card.

[sc0ttL]

thanks for your reply teegee.

I am using main concept, instead of v-dub, to capture now. However, I can only capture to .avi and then run back through the encoder to mpg2. When I try to capture using a mpeg2 codec, an alert window pops up that says "start capture failed". I am trying to capture using Main Concepts mpeg encoder. The compression is YUY2, fps=29.97, resolution=320x240.

Any thoughts?

[daamon]

Hi sc0ttL,

You can skip step 4 by reducing your bitrate when encoding to MPEG2 in step 2, see the DVDRHelp Bitrate Calculator for help on that one. Also, look into Variable BitRate (VBR) as this can help to reduce the filesize without reducing quality.

Also, if your audio is uncompressed WAV (PCM) then for footage longer than 60 minutes you'll be having to reduce the bitrate of the video and so reduce quality.

If you compress the audio to say AC3 (OK in NTSC & PAL lands) or MP2 (OK in PAL land, probably OK IN NTSC land but not part of the DVD spec) at 224kbps you can get anywhere between 75 and 100 minutes at a decent bitrate for the video (8,000 down to 6,000kbps respectively). A good WAV -> AC3/MP2 tool is ffmpeggui.

I've never capture direct to MPEG2, so I shall only repeat what I've read here rather than state it as fact. Think of it as just some info for you too look into...

Capturing direct to MPEG2 can (not does) mean that the encoder doesn't have enough time to do as good an encode as possible because it has to deal with the next frame so quickly. The result is that encoding on the flt to MPEG2 isn't as good as capturing to AVI then encoding afterwards.

I guess it depends on how you're encoding to MPEG2 as I think I've read that there are dedicated bits of hardware that will do this, rather than software and a capture card. Like I said, info for you too look into...

...resolution=320x240

This isn't an official resolution in the DVD spec, and so you might have problems authoring or during playback. I'd suggest either 352 x 240 (VCD equivalent and same as VHS resolution) or 1/2 D1 which is 352 x 480.

Do some test captures (a few minutes) to AVI and MPEG2 directly, as well as to different resolutions and see what's best. Only you can decide.

Hope that helps...

[pijetro]

Hey, good going sc0ttl. It took me months to get my bearings straight. Your steps are correct. As far as time, and less steps goes, there are some "ONE TOUCH" programs out there, but they will definately dissapoint you somewhere in one along the line.

Capture in 352x480, and encode for the same resolution as mentioned by daamon...

Good luck!!

[northcat_8]

I am going to agree with everyone else. Your process works...I wouldn't change it.

You will want to capture in AVI format if you need to do any editing anyway, so unless you are just capturing and 100% of the capture is headed to DVD AVI is the way to go.

A little curious though...since you use TMPGEnc DVD Author, why don't you use TMPGEnc Plus to convert to MPEG-2?

Also as Daamon said lowering your bitrate would allow you to skip step 4, but in my process I do the same thing. I make the DVD at the highest quality I can, then I use IC7 or shrink to compress the files other than the main movie.

[sc0ttL]

northcut

I have tried encoding from avi to mpeg2 using TMPGEnc Plus. It produced good results, but took around 6.5 hours to encode 90 minutes of captured video. I used Main Concept 1.4.1 to do the same thing and it only took 1.5 hours and the quality was comparable.

Thanks for your reply earlier.