12.0Mbit/sec MPEG-2 Capture?

[hech54]

What's the advantage of capturing at 12.0Mbit/sec MPEG-2 (on a Hauppauge 350)? Isn't that out of spec(too high) for a DVD?

[guns1inger]

The advantage is a higher quality source to re-encode from later. You only get a CBR encode on capture. However if the file is long enough to require VBR encoding for the final disc, you are better off with a high bitrate CBR source file, than a low bitrate CBR final file.

[hech54]

I've got CBR @ 12.0Mbit/sec MPEG-2 available to me as well as a capture option.
ANYWAY....I had a feeling it had something to do with a re-encode for an exact fit OR it had something to do with having a better source for editing or filtering/enhancing.
Thanks....

OOPS...I meant that I have two options available.
12.0Mbit/sec MPEG-2
CBR @ 12.0Mbit/sec MPEG-2

[guns1inger]

OOPS...I meant that I have two options available.
12.0Mbit/sec MPEG-2
CBR @ 12.0Mbit/sec MPEG-2

I would be guessing they are exactly the same thing

[jagabo]

The one that's not marked as CBR is an auto VBR mode. It will make smaller files because it uses a lower bitrate when it the full 12000 kbps isn't needed (for example a half second of all black between a show and a commericial can use a much lower bitrate). It shoots for a 9600 kbps average with 12000 kbps peaks. From WinTV2000 use Pref -> Movies -> Advanced and you'll see:



For even better caps, you can also create your own template with up to 15,000 kbps, CBR or VBR.

[hech54]

Yea I've been scouring the settings in WinTV2000....VERY cool. 12000 or even 15000 sounds VERY intriguing but I'm not sure I could do it justice since my television reception is not "stellar" quality....and my S-VHS machine is not what it used to be...
No doubt I'll try it eventually though....I am a male after all.


Thanks for the tip.

[jagabo]

Yea I've been scouring the settings in WinTV2000....VERY cool. 12000 or even 15000 sounds VERY intriguing but I'm not sure I could do it justice since my television reception is not "stellar" quality....and my S-VHS machine is not what it used to be...:):)

Noisy sources are a big reason to use higher bitrates. Noise is very difficult for MPEG to deal with. Higher bitrates will lead to fewer artifacts and hence better results after filtering.

[SmokieStover]

Re-encoding mpg2 to mpg2 defeats the purpose of a hardware encoding card such as the PVR 350. Set the capture bitrate and resolution were you want it to be on the disc. If the source is too noisy, lower the sharpness setting in the registry.

On rare occassion I will capture in mpg2 @ CBR 8000 kbs, for re-encoding to VCD or WMV. Capturing @ CBR 12000 kbs never worked any better for me.

If filtering and/or encoding to a higher compression format than mpg2, I would capture in DV AVI.....less work, less time and better results.

[jagabo]

I capture at 15000 kbps with my PVR-250 when I want to convert to Xvid AVI. The MPG caps are cleaner than 8000 kbps caps.