Win2k only 352x240 vdub any way to get 480

[hardwork12]

EDIT: Changed title to try to better express what I was looking for..

My first post so go easy. I also have to commend all of you who run, post and share your experience. I am now at a point where I can capture using Vdub and encoding to mpeg using TMPGenc and burning to VCD using Nero. Now I am trying to figure out how to optimize my picture quality.

I have the aver stereo PCI card for capture
OS is win2k

First project trying to optimize my video for VCD to watch on TV. The VCD is to be my 8mm collection of my family.

Right now I am running Virtualdub at 352x240, Huffy 2.1.1, 4:2:2 interleave, Audio 44100 16 bit PCM, 29.97 FPS (think I got this all right)

I am encoding to mpeg with TMPGenc, inverse telicine (no idea what this is), NTSC/film for VCD, defaults for rest (like non-interlace).

Now from reading it seems that for TV viewing interlacing would be better. My TV has a 480i capability from my component video feed from my DVD player. So here are my questions sorry for so many:

1) Will interlacing give me better picture quality (sound is great) and if so is there a way I can do this with win2k and the aver stereo TV card (uses the WDM drivers).

2) It seems that I can not interlace using virtualdub since the WDM drivers only seem to allow for 352x240 is this correct? Is there a different capture program I should be using ? Some talk about using VFW drivers unfortunately, at least for me, they do not work in win2k.

3) Any setting recommendations for virtualdub and TMPGenc that are obviouly not optimum based on what I stated above.

Sorry if some of this is not presented well I am still learnig the terminology .

Thanks All

[MarkLV]

Hi,

A few suggestions that may be helpful:

1) Try to use WDM "friendly" capturing program, if you have a problem to capture resolution better than 320x240 with VirtualDub. For example, try VirtualVCR (freeware too).

2) About interlacing, when you capture 480 lines from analog VCR/camcorder, you get interlaced avi. VCD format does not support interlaced encoding, so you will have to de-interlace it before encoding. You can use built-in filters of TmpgEnc, just pick up filter that use combination of both fields, not only even or odd.
Capture interlaced signal and de-interlace is better than capture only half - only one frame of two - you will have more details, but, still, it is not full potential of interlaced signal.
To get more from interlacing, you have to ENCODE interlaced signal, but it says SVCD or DVD, intead of VCD.

3) Inverse telecine/NTSC-film combination is good for ORIGINALLY NTSC/film source (24fps). I am not sure for 100 per cent, but I think Video8 is broadcast NTSC (29.97fps). If so, inverse telecine and NTSC/film will create jerking on motion scenes video. Bottom line,
encode as NTSC and do not use inverse telecine.

Mark.

[hardwork12]

MarkLV

When I used vritualdub I set the FPS to 29.97 that also seemed to give 0 dropped frames anything lower and I can see that the dropped frames were increased. Not sure but I would guess this means my source is 29.97fps.

What you stated about NTSC/film being 24 fps would probably explain why the VCD seemed to be slightly "jerky" most obvious when the image moved very quickly. I thought this was my imagination but I guess not. I will try to encode again with no telecine and use NTSC. I did not understand the comment under advanced settings in TMPGEnc it did state 24fps was used now I understand.

I will definitely try virtualVCR and encode with TMPGEnc and use the advanced setting of Deinterlace. First I have to see if I can capture 352x480.

Thanks Again

[MarkLV]

Hi,

About VirtualVCR, play with preview mode (on/off/smart tee), if you will have problems to capture 480 lines.

About capturing, I had more success - better resulting quality - with capturing 720x480, than 352x480. I think, de-interlacing of source with higher resolution + scaling down the resolution during encoding produces better results than capturing to low resolution + de-interlacing + encoding without changing of resolution.

About de-interlace, usage of TmpgEnc's filters is convinient and fast way, but to get better de-interlacing results (well, may be, better), before encoding, you can try to filter captured avi through VirtualDub's advanced de-interlace filters like "Smart De-interlace", "Area based de-interlace" or the one that you can find on the VirtualVCR's site.

Good luck, Mark

[hardwork12]

MarkLV..Thanks some great advice!!

Problem encountered

I installed VirtualVCR and first left the WDM drivers from the manufacturer for my AverTV stereo card. I installed the filters for VirtualVCR. Then configured VirtualVCR. When I say "preview" I get the sound but no real picture just two color bands. I tried installing the BTXXX drivers from the VirtualVCR link (modified I guess) and let it autodetermine the driver. VirtualVCR did not act any different I still did not get a video preview. Unfortunately the updated WDM drivers made it so the Avermedia software would no longer work either.

Any idea why the preview may not work in VirtualVCR?

I will get the system back up with the original configuration prior to installing the Updated BTXXX drivers. It is extremely hard to go back once the Updated drivers are installed. I will figure that out but have no ideas on how to get virtualVCR to work. I assume preview should have let me see the TV station.


The software VirtualVCR does look like it is just what I need now I just how I can get it to work.

EDIT: Back up and running as I was before installing the BT878 driveres from the virtualvcr web site. Tried a few different settings still not working. Is there possibly another program I can try to capture 720X480 ?

[tonyk]

I use PowerVCRII (from Cyberlink) with the AverTV Stereo and can capture up to 720x480. PowerVCRII is a commercial program that came with another TV card I have. It allows scheduled recording, MPEG 1 and 2, and works fine with the card, allowing capturing from the coax, composite and SVideo inputs. Seems much better than the included AverTV software.

I've also installed the BTXXX drivers available from sourceforge, which work fine.

By the way, I'm also using this on a Win2K system. I've also tried VDub, but when I increase the capture resolution, it locks up. I'm satisfied with PowerVCRII, so it's not a big deal to me.

Good luck, --Tony K.

[MarkLV]

Hi,

Try the followings:

1) Run BTXXX driver installer from sourceforge and clean all previously installed BTXXX drivers - there is such option in installer.

2) Reboot the system.

3) Install this driver.

4) Try to use VirtualVCR. Be sure that all parameters related to capture are correct (device, signal source - tv/composite/s-video - and so on).

5) Instead of VirtualVCR, try to use DirectShow capturing program that comes together with sorceforge driver - look at download section there.


Good luck, Mark

P.S. I am sorry, but I can not be more specific about your AverTV card, cause I use ATI TV Wonder VE. It is BTXXX based too and I tried and had success with generic sorceforge drivers on Win2k, but, still, it is different card.

[hardwork12]

MarkLV:

You are right on I tried that last night 2am 8) . The following post is one I have in the CAPTURE forum. Seems like this one was really placed in the wrong place so I was hoping to get more replys. I really appreciate your help maybe the other post will spark an idea that will help me on my next issue.



http://www.vcdhelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=123378

Thanks Again. Should have given you the link earlier. sorry