Can I Expect DVD from Digicam to be same quality as Original Tape?

[Kodachromekid]

I purchased a recordable DVD drive with the intention of transfering all movies taken with my Canon Optura 60 digital video camera so I wouldn't have to keep buying tapes and playing them through the camera. I have copied some movies to DVDs, but my first question is if I get all my video capture and audio capture settings and recording settings set properly, should I expect that the quality of the DVD be equal to that of the original?

The reason I'm asking is that so far, there is a definate difference in the quality of both sound and audio in the recordings I've made. After having read many of the messages in this forum, I know there some thing that I need to experiment with to try to tweak things into being better. But before I drive myself nuts trying, I just want to know what I can expect as an end result?

I guess one of my first specific questions is can I expect that the video capture device I have purchased (Plextor PX-AV100U ConvertX) will be able to capture video adequately? Secondly, I started using WinDVD Creator 2 for capturing and creating DVDs, but after reading some of the posts here, I am trying TEMPGEnc. The video has improved some using TEMPGEnc's default settings but I'm still seeing a lot of image deterioration (when compared to the original video tape) when the camera is zoomed or especially when it is panned. Are there settings in TEMPGEnc that I should try to adjust to improve the image in those areas and if so what are they and how much?

Regarding the Audio, if I am just recording voices and non critical things, the audio is acceptable. But if I try to record concerts or musical performances, there is noticible wavering from time to time. What do I do to try to improve the audio?

Finally, if I can manage to get the video and audio captured and saved, will WINDVD Creator 2 be acceptable for creating the DVD of the files? I'm not really trying to achieve anything close to professional. I'm just hoping to be able to save the videos I take in a DVD that is as good as (or close) as the original video from the Camera.

Thanks in advance for any guidance and if there are any questions anyone has about my equipment or settings that will help them give me advice, ask away.

Greg

[edDV]

...

but my first question is if I get all my video capture and audio capture settings and recording settings set properly, should I expect that the quality of the DVD be equal to that of the original?

No, the DVD will be compressed about 3-4x further. It is adequate to distribute your video but isn't the same as keeping the master in DV format.

For family camcorder videos, I recommend you keep the master as DV format because these are intended for long life passing through the generations. The higher quality will be used by future encoders for future ultra resolution displays.

[jagabo]

Do not use the ConvertX to capture from a digital camcorder. Use Firewire. That will get an exact copy of the digital video and audio that's on the tape. That is the whole point of having a digital camcorder.

[Kodachromekid]

Do not use the ConvertX to capture from a digital camcorder. Use Firewire. That will get an exact copy of the digital video and audio that's on the tape. That is the whole point of having a digital camcorder.

Wow, do I ever feel dumb! I sure wish I'd asked this question before purchasing a video capture device.

Well, on to my next newbie question. I think my computer is out of PCI slots. Are there external Firewire boards that can then plug into USB 2 ports or are there any other recommendations? I'm assuming the firewire cable (which didn't come with my camera) is a standard cord available most places.

[edDV]

Do not use the ConvertX to capture from a digital camcorder. Use Firewire. That will get an exact copy of the digital video and audio that's on the tape. That is the whole point of having a digital camcorder.

Wow, do I ever feel dumb! I sure wish I'd asked this question before purchasing a video capture device.

Well, on to my next newbie question. I think my computer is out of PCI slots. Are there external Firewire boards that can then plug into USB 2 ports or are there any other recommendations? I'm assuming the firewire cable (which didn't come with my camera) is a standard cord available most places.

No for USB2 . What are the other cards? You can get combo firewire/USB2 etc. or if necessary a new motherboard.

[Kodachromekid]

No for USB2 . What are the other cards? You can get combo firewire/USB2 etc. or if necessary a new motherboard.

I have a straight USB2 card that I now plan on replacing with a USB/Firewire combo.

So once I get that done, what software do I need in order to transfer the video/audio from my DV Camera using the Firewire. I have Win. XP as an operating system. . . . and what format will that file be in . . .i.e. will it be in some format that I can still import into WinDVD Creator to then save to DVD?

[jagabo]

what software do I need in order to transfer the video/audio from my DV Camera using the Firewire.

Two programs that a lot of people like are WinDV and DVIO. Most video editing software can capture from DV camcorders. I don't know WinDVD Creator but I would guess it can capture from the camera. You can even use Windows Movie Maker which is probably already on your system (I don't really recommend it though).

what format will that file be in . . .i.e. will it be in some format that I can still import into WinDVD Creator to then save to DVD?

It will be an AVI file. Some programs do give you the option of converting to other formats (MPEG for example) on-the-fly but that isn't generally recommended. The conversion usually isn't the best because the software has to work in realtime (so shortcuts are taken). You also run a higher risk of dropping frames because of the extra work required to decompress the DV and recompress it with the desired codec.

There are two types of DV AVI files -- type 1 and type 2. Type 1 has the multiplexed audio and video that comes from the camera in the AVI file marked as a video stream. Type 2 files have a second copy of the audio marked as an audio stream (and are therefore a little larger). Some software only works with one or the other. If you use WinDV or DVIO you can select either format. Try short captures with each and test them with WinDVD Creator.

[Kodachromekid]

Thank you VERY MUCH for all your help and information. I'm anxious for the Firewire card to arrive so that I can apply it. Don't be surprised if I'm back with more questions at some point, but hopefully they won't be quite as newbie-ish.