Camcorder AVIs and VirtualDub

[freemink]

Hi.

I capture video from a Sony Camcorder using ULead VideoStudio. The AVIs are pretty huge (as would be expected) - about 4GB for 20 minuntes video. Of course I can then use Ulead VideoStudio to convert to other compressed formats (vcd/svcd/dvd..). That's fine.

What I don't understand is why I am having trouble working directly with the (almost) uncompressed AVI in other apps like VirtualDub or DrDivX. So if I open my 4GB (20 min) AVI in VirtualDub, and save with compression (DivX Home Theatre profile for example) it comes out at an amazing 200MB - but the quality is awful. Same in DrDivX.

To be clearer, I can 'work' with the large AVIs fine, but when it comes to saving with compression, it all goes pear-shaped. Not literally pear-shaped of course.

Any advice appreciated...

tia, darrell.

[Cobra]

You don't say what format the AVI is in - if you don't know then run it through GSpot and that will let you know.

Give AutoGK or the more complex Gordian Knot a try. They are able to hit a target size very accurately. Try it on a small section and see how it goes.

Good luck,

Cobra

[freemink]

THanks for the reply:

GSpot says:

Size: 4,095 MB (or 4,193,379 KB or 4,294,020,204 bytes)

Stream Type: OpenDML AVI

FourCC: dvsd Name: DVC/DV Video

Runtime: 00:19:12 (28,791 fr)
x:y : 720x576 (1.25:1) [=5:4]
Bitrate: 6405 kb/s
FPS: 25.000
Qf: 0.618 bits/pixel

Audio: PCM Audio
Birrate: 1024 kb/s (512/ch, stereo)
Fs: 32000 Hz

I'd still like to know how to use VirtaulDub for such a file?

[teegee420]

Did G-spot confirm that you have a compatible video decoder installed? When you converted to Divx in Vdub did you run a two pass encode? If so have you tried using a higher bitrate?

[freemink]

Yep, GSpot confirmed that there are 4 compatible codecs installed.

I think I ran a multipass using VirtualDub - but I'm not 100% on that. What I usually do is select the DivX codec (Home THeatre Profile) default settings. As part of the Config for this codes you can select 1 pass, multipass. But it's not clear.

Also I get the same results in DrDivX and that is using 2-pass encoding..

I'm obvioulsy missing something. Basically I can usually convert AVIs/MPGs to DivX using DrDivX/VirtualDub default settings. Usually this is fine (except I occasionally get audio sync probs with DrDivX). I don't have to change any settings. BUT when it comes to the AVIs I capture from camcorder the defaults don't work at all well. Lots of horizontal lines and jumpy video.

Just trying to understand what makes these caprured AVIs different from other video files I have worked with.

Cheers,
darrell.

[teegee420]

Also I get the same results in DrDivX and that is using 2-pass encoding..

Don't bother using the profiles. Set it to create a certain file size instead. Try about 230mb for your 20 minute clip.

[freemink]

Thanks.
I'll give that a go next time...