capture quality

[yic17]

I like to capture PS2 RPG videogames like Final Fantasy, Xenosaga and edit them into self-made movies. I first record it using VHS tape, then I transfer into my computer using Dazzle Capture Device.

one problem I find is, the video quality MPEG file on computer is never as good as the original quality from PS2 to TV.

Is there any possible way for the captured file to be as good quality as the original quality?

thanks.

[hrlslcbr]

Don't record to VHS first. It degrades quality too much. If you can, capture directly to your computer.

[yic17]

what program can I use to capture directly?

because if I use moviestar, there is no sound.

[hrlslcbr]

what program can I use to capture directly?

because if I use moviestar, there is no sound.

You get sound if you capture from VHS but not from your PS2?
You could try VirtualVCR or Virtualdub.

[yic17]

moviestar captures sound from VHS or PS2.
but it doesnt output the sound meaning I cannot hear any sound.
it only captures it.

so, if I capture directly while playing the game, there wont be sound.
the sound will only appear when I open the captured MPEG file.

I just tried virtualdub.
but it seems like Dazzle only allows moviestar to capture.
it doesnt let any other program to capture...

should I get another capture device that will work with all other programs?

[hrlslcbr]

should I get another capture device that will work with all other programs?

If you can, buy a better capture card (hauppauge or ATI cards are good).
If you don't want to spend more money, use your sound card to capture (you'd need a RCA to 3.5mm mini jack cable). Most sound cards (even integrated ones) let you capture (line-in) while listening to what you're capturing.

[yic17]

what's a good and cheap capture card I should get?
I searched a bit and found this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815116620

is it good? can I get good quality from this?

[yoda313]

Just a word of advice you may want to hook up an external tv to watch your video games because some capture cards have noticeable lag time while recording. Meaning if you press your gamepad button it will take 1-2 seconds before you see what happens on the computer during capture. If you just want movie scenes you wouldn't need to worry as much - just get to that part of the game and play then capture on the computer. The lag won't be present on the recorded file its just the reaction time between the controller and the capture card. Once recorded it will be in synch.

[yic17]

hmm.. how will I be able to do that?

if I capture directly from PS2 to PC.
and use nvidia nview output to my TV..
the TV will show what's exactly on the screen
which means it will show the SAME lagging one that is capturing on the screen rite?

or is there any other way to output to the TV?

[hrlslcbr]

Yes, what yoda said is true. I only have experience with a sapphire theatrix card which doesn't have any lag (well, it does, but something in the 10ms range ) when using the uncompressed video output. If it encodes to MPEG-2, it has 2-3 seconds of lag.

I believe some hauppauge cards don't have lag, but I don't know which ones.

[yic17]

so how am I able to capture into the computer while output to the external TV?

[hrlslcbr]

so how am I able to capture into the computer while output to the external TV?

You should first check if there is lag while capturing with your card.

[yoda313]

Well you could pipe it through a vcr then through the capture card. You can hook the vcr up to a tv and watch it live without lag. Then the signal will be piped to the capture card and you can record as normal. Just don't record to video tape let it pass through to the capture card.

[yic17]

that means I need two output places from the VCR rite?
but my VCR only has one video/audio output..
so it can either go to the TV or to the capture card..

[yoda313]

Well what about your antenna out coax on the vcr?? Just hook that up to your tv.

[yic17]

@_@ ... it works!!

Dazzle thing can get in and out.
I connected the VCR to Dazzle to computer for capturing.
and use the Dazzle output to the TV.
now I dont need to record using the VHS..
now I'll get good qualities!!

dang.. THANKS A LOT guys!!

[yoda313]

Good going Enjoy the results

[hrlslcbr]

Great. Just make sure you capture at the maximum resoultion your card allows for the best results.