Trueblue Action card?

[Anonymous65]

I downloaded two VCD files that were recorded with two VCD desktop recorders, one of them is the Terapin unit, the other was the Malata unit. Both of the VCD files were so good in quality that I can not duplicate the quality even if I use uncompressed AVI and Tmpeg to encode the VCD file. The Terapin recorder uses the same chipset as is used in the Trueblue Action mpeg-1 capture card. My question is, does the Terapin and other VCD recorders have a lot of extra video processing to get the real-time high quality VCD's, or is it just because they use high quality chipsets? The Malata unit had video sharpness that was stunning! If the Trueblue Action card can perform like the Terapin, then the real-time VCD capture problem is solved!
If not, why doesn't anybody make a PCI card for real-time VCD capture that is at the same quality level as the VCD recorders?

[Anonymous65]

Oh, and for the ones that wants to download test files recorded by desktop VCD recorders, go to http://www.avdeals.com/DEMO.HTM

[glinckens]

I downloaded the clips and I can say that the quality of the captures made with my Trueblue Action card are about the same quality as the ones made with the Terapin.

The Trueblue is not optimally configured by default. After changing some capture settings to the same values TMPGenc uses for VideoCD, I got better results.

I'll try to upload a sample clip I've made to a website so you can judge the quality for yourself.

Regards.

[glinckens]

I managed to place a sample capture on geocities. Download it here:

http://www.geocities.com/nvisschedijk/trueblue.html

Comments are very welcome!

[Anonymous65]

Very nice capture IN REAL TIME!
What changes did you make to the settings?
I will be using NTSC, so it might be a bit different. I just ordered the card from Holland, so it might take a week or two before I get it.

[Anonymous65]

I have a question for the Trueblue Action owner. Does it come with a simple file cutter where you can set an in and out point and save the file after the ends are trimmed? Or do you need to get a MPEG editor/cutter to trim the file. Messing with a VCD encoded stream is very dangerous!

[glinckens]

See message http://www.vcdhelp.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=57220&forum=2&6 for the optimal settings I've found.
I'll keep experimenting, so watch the posts.

It only comes with it's own capture application and Video Studio 4.0 SE. You can't capture using other software, but that's not a problem because it's own app is good enough for the job. Video Studio 4 sucks, so I don't use it.

I use Cineplayer Editor to edit the captured VCD mpeg files. It works great, no problems at all. You could also use TMPGenc to cut your captures, but it's less accurate than Cineplayer Editor.

One big tip for (future) Trueblue owners:
Many other cards are identical to the Trueblue Action. These are generally called "PV-231". If you do a search on the internet for this, you'll find several sites with drivers and applications you can use with this card.
In my opinion the best is the software for the Grand VCD 2000 Plus: http://www.grandtec.com.tw/en.html

Regards.