Using a DVDRecorder as a MPEG Encoder for custom DVDs. Help!

[Jsteehl]

Hi all,

I have been reading tons And I'm close but need some advice.

I have a ton of home movie video for "clients" some analog (VHS, Hi8) some miniDV and I'm making custom dvds for them.

Normally I capture to the PC (AVI) then to encode to MPEG2 and author. But encoding to MPEG2 (even with CCE) takes a long time and ties up my rig.

So, I was thinking of going Analog or DV -> DVD Recorder -> DVD-RW -> PC -> Demux and reauthor. Anyone doing this?

Some questions…

- What is the best DVD recorder to do this with? Quality is the biggest issue.

- At the highest quality settings how do the mpgs look when compared to a software encoded mpg?

- Does a DVDRecorder with a HD make it any easier? I was thinking I could do some cut/deletes before going to DVD-RW.

- Are there any models that allow you to go out from a PC NLE (Print-to-Tape) directly to the DVDRecorder? How about ADVC-300 to DVD Recorder?

I really appreciate any help. I'm drowning from all these tapes and am desperate for a better and faster workflow.

Thanks!!!!

-Jason

[mracer]

So, I was thinking of going Analog or DV -> DVD Recorder -> DVD-RW -> PC -> Demux and reauthor. Anyone doing this?

Some questions…

- What is the best DVD recorder to do this with? Quality is the biggest issue.

- At the highest quality settings how do the mpgs look when compared to a software encoded mpg?

- Does a DVDRecorder with a HD make it any easier? I was thinking I could do some cut/deletes before going to DVD-RW.

- Are there any models that allow you to go out from a PC NLE (Print-to-Tape) directly to the DVDRecorder? How about ADVC-300 to DVD Recorder?

1. Yes, see here: https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=252695

2. Pioneer, Panasonic, JVC, Sony, Toshiba, Phillips (No LiteOn, No ILO)

3. Not as good as 2 pass VBR in a good software encoder but can make really nice MPEG2 with a good quality source in one hour and two hour modes.

4. DVD recorder with a hard drive would make things easier for you. I also recommend a DVD-RAM recorder like the Panasonics for capturing video to be authored on a PC.

5. Yes all of them from an analog output. Yes an ADVC-100 or 300 can easily feed any DVD recorder from a DV NLE software, like Adobe Premiere Pro. File->export to tape->record, will send the timeline out through an ADVC to the DVD recorder.

[kabanero]

- At the highest quality settings how do the mpgs look when compared to a software encoded mpg?

Jsteehl,

Before I bought JVC DR-M10S I was using different software encoders like CCE, MainConcept, TMPGEnc and some other. Now I only use JVC as my real time hardware MPEG encoder because the quality is outstanding.

3. Not as good as 2 pass VBR in a good software encoder but can make really nice MPEG2 with a good quality source in one hour and two hour modes.

This is because he uses Panasonic, and Panasonic is not the best in quality.

In december I edited and authored DVD of the wedding for my friend . He shot the wedding on Sony VX2000. DV quality was amazing. Final editied video was about 2 hours. I used JVC for encoding in FR mode. Video was almost identical to DV.

- Does a DVDRecorder with a HD make it any easier? I was thinking I could do some cut/deletes before going to DVD-RW.

NO.
I use PC and Womble MPEG Video Wizard. Works like a charm and saves a lot of time compare to editing features on HDD stand alone recorder.

- Are there any models that allow you to go out from a PC NLE (Print-to-Tape) directly to the DVDRecorder? How about ADVC-300 to DVD Recorder?

Yes.

5. Yes all of them from an analog output.

Jsteehl,

Print-to-tape function in NLE doesn't work with analog. And I think you don't want to deal with analog when editing your DV on PC.
JVC DR-M10S is the only stand alone dvd recorder with FireWire that will accept input from PC (as far as I know). I use Vegas 5. After I edit the video I use Print-to-tape function to record directly to JVC.

Regards.

[mracer]

3. Not as good as 2 pass VBR in a good software encoder but can make really nice MPEG2 with a good quality source in one hour and two hour modes.

This is because he uses Panasonic, and Panasonic is not the best in quality.

I respectfully but completely disagree with you. The realtime MPEG encoder in a DVD recorder cannot do 2-pass VBR encoding. No matter how good the single pass encode may look, a 2-pass encode in software will be technically superior. That is of course assuming the video encoded to compare between the two methods is equal and a "quality" software encoder and proper settings are used.

In the DV to DVD example you gave kabanero, I have zero doubt that a Procoder 2, 2-pass High Quality VBR encode will beat "any" DVD recorder on the market.

In addition, I here and now challenge you and the other anti-panasonic person here on your need to slam Panasonic DVD recorders and their owners. People who are secure in their choices feel no need to tear down others. You might note, that "I" have not questioned your choice of brands. Stop and ponder that.

[KavMan]

i saw little or no differance in the 1 or 2 hour mode in the sony hx900 i got hyped into buying which is supposed to have this out of this world vid quality compared to the panny e100 which i was going to replace

listen people

the top dvd recorders in the 2 top modes will have very very comparable quality
maybe using some damn magnifying glass you can see some differance, lol?

don't believe the people trying to bash one brand because they have another and are trying to feel good about their purchase

i forgot that japanese site that has mpg's of the same video of many of the top brands
do a search
just take a look at them at the same modes

[pepegot1]

JVC DR-10S does a great job and actually improves the video somewhat. I used to use ATI 9800 AIW, but this is much better.

[gshelley61]

I think it is true that a DV stream saved as a file on your computer and then converted to MPEG2 with a good multi-pass software encoder certainly has the potential to look better than the hybrid VBR output of a standalone DVD recorder (probably not at the higher bitrate, shorter duration settings, though).

It is analog capturing where the DVD recorders noticeably outperform most computer video cards. The video pre-amp, processing and sampling sections of the name brand DVD recorders simply do a much better job of analog to digital conversion, IMHO. The MPEG2 encoder is fed a very high quality signal to encode. After nearly two years of trying, I never did get the clarity and detail I was looking for using the computer method.

I know there are high end professional computer capture cards available that do a really wonderful job, but they cost many times more than what a decent consumer DVD recorder goes for.

[Jsteehl]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I'm looking into the JVC DR-M10S now. Are there any other DVD Recorders that record from a PC NLE via Firewire (Print-To-Tape)? This seems to be a key feature for me and so far the JVC DR-M10S is the only deck that I hear will do it.

Thanks,

-Jason