Mpeg Before or after Capture ?

[zepolli1]

Using the plextor m402u , I can capture at high quality or low quaility (for longer running tapes ) when transferring from VHS.

Is it better to capture at the high quality (full D1) and then use something like Tmpg Express to convert to 320 x240 or should I just use that lower setting when recording ?

I thought someone had said that it is better to capture at the highest possible and then encode down, rather than encoding on the fly...or do you think Ill see a difference at all..anybody else have results?

thanx,zep

[Epicurus8a]

You are like to receive varrying opinions on this, so do what looks and sounds best to you.

As far as I am concerned, the "best" method involves no re-encoding at all. Re-encoding is time consuming and can result in lower quality. If you discover your file is a bit too big (15% or less) it's okay to re-encode. Any more than that, then re-capture at the correct settings.