Is My Current Computer Capable?

[Sckinhunter]

Computer Specs
ASUS M2N MX Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800
Radeon X1300/X1550 Series video card with 512MB memory
SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio
Memory (RAM) 2.0GB
Lightscribe 18X DVDRW ATA
2 Raptor hard drives set up in striped array
Windows 7 Pro

I intend to copy and archive old VHS and 8mm tapes using a Thomson ADVC110 digital video converter as well as using USB to download HD video taken using a Sony HDR-SR11 Handycam (AVCHD format). For now all I want to do is simply take and archive all the video to a hard drive and later edit and copy the videos to DVD and maybe eventually Blu-Ray disks. I can’t afford a new computer for now so have a few questions regarding best approach using the equipment I have for what I want to do.

1. First and foremost. If I use my current computer to copy and archive the video, will the quality be as good as if I were to buy a high end computer with some ultra-expensive video card. I know I could get faster results but am mainly concerned with archival quality. This also applies to sound quality. My system information states that my computer has a High Definition Audio Controller although I am not really into gaming or using my computer for music. Will the bits I download using this computer be as good as what I would get using an ultra expensive computer.
2. What is the “best” software to use for archiving and eventually editing the video? Know this can be subjective choice at best and while I am competent building computers and manipulating software I have only basic experience at editing video. Looking for a best all-around software that will be good for a few years and that is Blu-Ray capable.
3. Will using 64 bit Windows 7 make any difference in what I want to do as my current system can probably work well with it?

[jagabo]

I intend to copy and archive old VHS and 8mm tapes using a Thomson ADVC110...

1. First and foremost. If I use my current computer to copy and archive the video

Yes.

will the quality be as good as if I were to buy a high end computer with some ultra-expensive video card.

Yes. The ADVC converts to DV, the computer just stores it in a file.

2. What is the “best” software to use for archiving and eventually editing the video?

WinDV or DVIO for capturing as DV AVI. Unfortunately, you can only put about 20 minutes of DV AVI on a 4.3 GB DVD -- unless you compress it further. Your best bet would be MPEG 2 for DVD, AVC for Blu-ray.

3. Will using 64 bit Windows 7 make any difference in what I want to do as my current system can probably work well with it?

Win7 64 bit won't make much difference until you get into serious editing with memory hungry editors like Premiere or Vegas, and have over 4 GB of memory.

[Baldrick]

Please don't cross post. I deleted your other thread.

[yoda313]

Your best bet would be MPEG 2 for DVD, AVC for Blu-ray.

Yes thats a very good suggestion.

You could use freeware avstodvd for creating a dvd from your original camera video. Or you can use hcenc or quenc to convert it to mpeg2 and then load it into the authoring program of your choice. Of course you can use avstodvd to create a mpeg2 file directly without authoring as well.

As far as bluray creation multiavchd for avhcd and tsmuxer for bluray are good avenues to look into. ripbot264 also has avhcd output.

[jagabo]

By the way, the best thing you can do for your caps it to use a S-VHS deck with a line time base corrector.

[Sckinhunter]

Many thanks jagabo, Baldrick and yoda313 for the replies already. Apologize for the cross post. Wasn't sure about which category to use. In follow-up:

1. Not familiar with most of the software for ripping DVDs and Blu-Rays that is suggested. More familiar with mainstream products such as Blu-ray Creator Express, Cyberlink Media Suite and Roxio Creator 2011. By familiar, I don't mean direct experience with them but they seem much more mainstream for a novice (which is basically what I am when it comes to editing content especially) and what I am looking for is a software program where I can downloaded my content (8mm, VHS, AVCHD), edit it and then burn DVDs and/or Blu-ray disks from the same software package. I looked up some information on WinDV and the distinction between it and DVio is that WinDV allow a set up for numbers of frames captured and breaks it up into segments (DVio apparently does not). Does capturing more frames give you better quality? Realize if it does it probably requires more storage but can afford that. WinDV would be a better choice but also want something that has a robust library of transitions/titling capabilities when I do get around to editing all the video I simply intend to archive for now. Read up some of the threads on multiAVCHD and tsmuxer and somewhat above my head (so many darn formats). Do these programs have a good authoring capability? Are these programs better for getting a higher quality download but not as robust for editing (Example - does the bitrate control mentioned in HC Encoder imply a higher quality download)? Realize most of these are free (a good thing) but don’t mind investing at least $100 or so for a good software that meets the needs I outlined. On the other hand, I am willing to take the time to learn ones that are capable of initially producing a higher quality archive and eventual transition to DVD or Blu-ray.
2. jagabo - What is a good S-VHS deck with a line time base corrector? I have a Panasonic PV8450 VHS player that I planned to use to playback the VHS tapes (please don’t laugh) and saw your thread referring to the Panasonic ES15. The info (graphs and all) as well as technical references are well above what I know and would appreciate some more info.

Appreciate everyone’s help!

[jagabo]

What is a good S-VHS deck with a line time base corrector?

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/286055-VCR-buying-guide-%28S-VHS-D-VHS-Professional%29
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/232830-Test-of-various-VCRs-Image-Quality-from-VHS-...%28Big-Pics%29

What a line TBC does:
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/306272-Computer-video-capture-vs-vcr-to-dvd-combo?p...=1#post1882662

They can also fix worse problems like flagging at the top of the frame.
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/240245-Top-of-picture-skewed-when-transferring-VHS-...=1#post1433709

[yoda313]

Does capturing more frames give you better quality?

How do you mean?

If its a dv tape than it captures exactly what is on the tape if you do firewire. All other capture devices that use either composite or component only record at a given framerate. Perhaps you could elaborate more on what you mean.

Perhaps you mean bitrate? That is the quality measure of a video file. More bitrate GENERALLY means a better picture assuming a good source to begin with. Lower the bitrate and compression artifacts will be more visible.

does the bitrate control mentioned in HC Encoder imply a higher quality download)

I believe you are misusing the term download. A download gernerally means you take a file from point a to point b. You either have it all or you don't.

When working with video we generally use the term "encode" to describe the process of creating a new file or output from the original source.

As I just mentioned earlier in general the higher the bitrate the better the quality of the output given a good starting source. Of course all things are relative. And not to mention a larger bitrate will result in a larger file size.

what I am looking for is a software program where I can downloaded my content (8mm, VHS, AVCHD), edit it and then burn DVDs and/or Blu-ray disks from the same software package

Again you are mixing up the term download here.

For analog video like 8mm (ie the little cassette) and vhs you have to play the tape and then capture it in realtime. That is what we mean when we say "capture". It is being recorded into a digital file. Now you can transfer with some camcorders digitally over firewire in full digital form (dv-avi). And some have "analog-passthrough" that can transfer the vhs tape from a seperate vcr into the digital form. The models vary and have to have an input mode and the ability to do that. You would get an .avi file that can be readily editable.

As for avchd do you mean a newish camcorder that records to avchd? This can be copied as files from your camera via either the memory cards or through usb (only advisable if its a straight file copy not an analog capture over usb - would be of significantly lower quality).

If we can get some of these terminlogies corrected I think we can make some headway.

Pinnacle makes some usb capture devices that could copy from a vcr and you could use their software to edit and create dvds. We here tend to frown upon so called "one click wonders" for lack of full control over the entire process. But for beginners it can be a life saver for managing time and limiting what needs to be learned and mastered.

------------------------------

Please note there is a much simpler process for the standard definition tape formats if you wish to make dvds from them:

A standalone settop dvd recorder.

All you have to do is put a blank disc in the recorder, connect the camcorder to the inputs on the dvd recorder, press record on the dvd recorder and press play on the camcorder. Once its done playing stop the dvd recorder, edit the menu if it has that ability and finalize the disc. Thats all.

If you get a dvd recorder with a harddrive I believe they have some basic editing abilies like triming before you create the disc.

That would be a much simpler process that would not require a computer.

However that is for standard definition only. I guess there is now finally a bluray recorder available in the US but it would still be prohibitively expensive for an amateur video enthusiast. The pc route would be needed for high def material and some time learning software.

[Sckinhunter]

There are a number of Panasonic AG-1970s out there for fairly cheap. Is that a good start?

[yoda313]

There are a number of Panasonic AG-1970s out there for fairly cheap. Is that a good start?

I just got that model the other month. Seems to be very good. I have only used it a few times but I like it so far.

Please review my post I just made for your other inquiries.

[Noahtuck]

Does capturing more frames give you better quality?

How do you mean?

If its a dv tape than it captures exactly what is on the tape if you do firewire. All other capture devices that use either composite or component only record at a given framerate. Perhaps you could elaborate more on what you mean.

The first sentence in his post,

I intend to copy and archive old VHS and 8mm tapes

Back in the day when i would capture VHS, back in the day when we had 500mhz & below pc's, LOL!!
I would have issues with mega dropped frames.

I use a PCI Hauppauge PVR 250 to capture VHS and Cable on a 2.5 ghz dual core with 4gigs of ddr2 ramm and i have no problems getting a good capture.
SO personally i don't see any real problem with you getting good cap's.

I need to get a good PCI-E HD capture card for my quad this summer though

[Sckinhunter]

Yoda313,
Missed your post since I didn't refresh before I posted. I think we have it clear that I have the computer power to capture my video and first off I do want to "capture" (got that term down now) and archive all my video to hard disk drive before I start burning them to DVDs. Blu-ray burning may come in later down the line but capturing and saving all this data comes first. Maybe it will help if I back up some and outline the equipment that I have to work with and start from that point because it appears to me that I might need some other equipment before I can do this effectively.

• For capturing 8mm tapes I have a Sony TRV480 Hi-8 Handycam with both USB and iLink (IEEE 1394) connections for video capture.

• For playback of my VHS tapes I have a Panasonic PV-8450 (4 heads but not in line TBS as far as the manual indicates). Planned to run the Panasonic-8450 through the Canopus ADVC110 and into computer with a Firewire connection.

• Sony HDR-SR11 – Hopefully there are no issues here as it connects directly to the computer via either HDMI cable or USB. I do not have a HDMI connection so for now it will be via USB.

From what I have gathered so far:

1. Do I need a VHS player with built in line TBS? Does the Canopus ADVC110 help with this issue at all? Does the Canopus ADVC110 help clean up the video being transferred? Does it function in any way like in line TBS does?
2. Will I need a better DVD burner other than the Lightscribe 18X DVDRW ATA that is set up in my computer?
3. Would a video capture card such as a Hauppauge be a solution to capturing video from all of these devices?

Again, appreciate any suggestions on how to get the best results with the equipment I have and appreciate any suggestions regarding what else I really need. As I noted earlier, some of the recommended VHS players such as the Panasonic AG-1970 were currently available at very good prices although I think it pays to buy from a reputable dealer as some appeared well used. DVD burners for now appear to be a lot more expensive but would appreciate any suggestions there as well if my current Lightscribe is not going to give me very good results.

[jagabo]

Do I need a VHS player with built in line TBS?

Need? No. You will get better caps with one though. And you'll get better compression (less artifacting) when making DVDs.

Does the Canopus ADVC110 help with this issue at all?

Time base errors? Not at all. The ADVC110 is a capture device. It takes analog video (and audio), converts it to digital form, compresses with the DV codec, and sends it to the computer via firewire. The computer then puts that in a DV AVI file -- an AVI file with DV encoded video.

Does the Canopus ADVC110 help clean up the video being transferred?

No.

Does it function in any way like in line TBS does?

No.

Will I need a better DVD burner other than the Lightscribe 18X DVDRW ATA that is set up in my computer?

No.

[yoda313]

Would a video capture card such as a Hauppauge be a solution to capturing video from all of these devices?

If you want to capture directly to mpeg2 assuming you get a model that has hardware mpeg2 encoding. Then you would be able to do simple edits with mpg2cut2 and go straight to authoring dvds.

But if you want to do serious editing like fades, wipes, disolves and other filtering processes you should capture to dv-avi. That would be best for editing beyond simple cutting. Than you would convert to mpeg2 after editing and then author that.

Sony HDR-SR11 – Hopefully there are no issues here as it connects directly to the computer via either HDMI cable or USB. I do not have a HDMI connection so for now it will be via USB.

I don't know the specifics for that particular model. You would only use the hdmi to capture with if you had something like the blackmagic series cards to capture via hdmi. But that would be uncompressed and require a raid harddrive settup and a pretty beefy computer to work with it.

Since you mention hdmi this is definetely a hd model camera. I would check the documentation to see if you can do a straight file transfer over usb. That would be the best to simply copy the original file over. Than you would have to downconvert to make a regular dvd. Avstodvd could do that to. Editing natively in high def formats before converting to dvd is a finicky matter in this current state of software and hardware evolution. You would have to let us know the specifics of the file formats and resolutions you shoot at with the high def camera.

Jagabo covered the other questions very well. That should cover your most recent post. Please feel free to disect this more and we can translate were needed