Something better Tmpeg Enc

[02fx4dude]

Hi all,

I've been doing basic mux/demux, transcoding and authoring for several years. Recently I started capturing HD video OTA and wanted to convert to DVD to save some of the recordings I've made.

I ran the video, 1920x1080i, thru TMPEG Enc, 2.510 I believe, and it looked awful. Yes I undestand I'm downconverting, but I would think starting with decent input it wouldn't look bad. Anyway, I tried playing with bit rates, multiple pass, no B-frames, etc. Still couldn't get a decent looking DVD out of it. So for S&G's I downloaded the free HDTV2DVD, took the resulting mpeg2 file and authored a DVD and it looked great. In fact thru an upconverting player PQ was almost as good as the original 1080i.

So, for high quality video conversions, is there a better encoder than Tmpeg Enc or should I go into the settings some more. I do plan to encode uncompressed AVI files from home video for DVD authoring.

Thanks

Brian

[stars]

Hi....

I used to use Tmpeg Enc but the output wasnt that good so I change to...

HC encoder its freeware and a darn fine mpeg2 encoder try it....

stars....

[Soopafresh]

Depends on the type of video source. I've been capturing OTA HD for some years, and the trick is determining whether the video is true 29.97 fps, 59.94fps, or 23.976fps film pulldown.

29.97

Conan
Leno
Letterman


23.976 pulldown

Earl
Office
CSI

59.94 (but can be converted to 23.976)

Lost
Grey's
Anything on ABC

If you want truly outstanding Mpeg2 encodes from your transport streams, you'll need to become familar with DGindex and basic Avisynth.

[manono]

Yep. And is he just dropping these Hi-Def caps into TMPGEnc and relying on the encoder to resize them for him to DVD resolution? If so, I'd say no wonder they wind up looking like crap. I don't know why anyone should expect otherwise.

[02fx4dude]

OK, Cool. Thanks for the replies and the good info. I'll be checking into both those encoders in the next few weeks.

Interesting info on the frame rate, I assumed (yeah, I know) that all broadcasts were 29.97fps. The particular video I was doing was a CSI episode.

Brian