Improve Hauppauge USB-Live2 capture quality

[Aro]

Thanks a lot guys.. Just one more little question. I could probably figure out how to reseize it, or set the PAR or DAR as You mentioned - but if my video plays and looks well, is it something I should worry about - or is it fine to ignore?

I do use Handbrake as I have to convert the files to somewhat smaller size for storing. Unfortunetely, with the amounts of tapes I have and need to work through (About 6000), I just can't afford the necessary storing space to deal with files this big. Thankfully, with Handbrake and H264 encoder, there's not much quality drop, with about 1/10th the size.

[Aro]

Hi again everyone,
I hope perhaps You'll be kind enough to answer one more question from me. I've now digitised around 100 VHS tapes, using the same set-up. Hauppauge capture card, AmarecTV and Lagarith.
After capturing lossless, I then convert the AVI file into MP4 on Handbrake, with H.264 codec and some basic settings (No deinterlacing or such). I'm overall very happy with the outcome, but I shared some of the files with a friend of mine who likes to convert those to classic DVDs and watch them on his TV.
...and here lies the problem. He told me that after converting the files to DVDs using PowerDirector 365, He experienced blurring in motion. He does not experience it with other people's captures which He often converts in such a manner.

Could You perhaps guess what could be the issue here? Could the Lagarith codec be the problem, or perhaps my friend could alter the settings on his end in PowerDirector or similar to avoid those issues?
I'll be thankful if You'll find time to reply.

[davexnet]

Hi again everyone,
I hope perhaps You'll be kind enough to answer one more question from me. I've now digitised around 100 VHS tapes, using the same set-up. Hauppauge capture card, AmarecTV and Lagarith.
After capturing lossless, I then convert the AVI file into MP4 on Handbrake, with H.264 codec and some basic settings (No deinterlacing or such). I'm overall very happy with the outcome, but I shared some of the files with a friend of mine who likes to convert those to classic DVDs and watch them on his TV.
...and here lies the problem. He told me that after converting the files to DVDs using PowerDirector 365, He experienced blurring in motion. He does not experience it with other people's captures which He often converts in such a manner.

Could You perhaps guess what could be the issue here? Could the Lagarith codec be the problem, or perhaps my friend could alter the settings on his end in PowerDirector or similar to avoid those issues?
I'll be thankful if You'll find time to reply.

It's possible Handbrake created videos marked as progressive instead of interlaced. If so, it could cause this problem.
Either submit a sample or look at one of the file's details (specifically "scan type") in Mediainfo (text view)

[Aro]

Hi,
Thanks a lot for Your reply! Yes, on mediainfo, the MP4 file is listed as Progressive, under "scan type" category.

[davexnet]

Hi,
Thanks a lot for Your reply! Yes, on mediainfo, the MP4 file is listed as Progressive, under "scan type" category.

When the file is accessed it's going to handled as if it were progressive.
If the video content is actually interlaced, that's potentially a problem.

It's possible the Lagarith source also was marked as progressive, but when encoding to the mp4 it can be handled with
the proper (manual) intervention

[Aro]

I don't have the Lagarith lossless AVI file at hand now, but I do have HuffYuv AVI capture-source and then MP4 conversion. Avi file is listed as interlaced, while mp4 file is listed as progressive. Probably safe guess it will be true for Lagarith as well?

So was I doing something wrong with my handbrake settings?
Also, do You know if my friend can do something to get around this issue while converting the files to DVDs, on his end - with the "flawed" mp4 files at hand?

Thanks a lot, sir. I'd be very grateful if You could advice me on that front when You'll have some time.

[davexnet]

In DVD converter AVStoDVD, when the files are added to the project, you can right click on the files in the window,
Edit source title info/Video scan type/Interlaced. This will yield an interlaced DVD (no problem)
An alternative might be attempt a deinterlace at this stage, but some damage has already been done (see below)

This should give an improvement, but see jagabo's reply when I asked about this myseff a number of years ago:
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/398436-In-VirtualDub-where-is-the-capture-BITRATE-...ng#post2592253

[Aro]

Thanks a lot!
First for Handbrake settings. I typed in ":interlaced=1:tff=1" in video advanced options. Now I get:
Scan type : MBAFF
Scan type, store method : Interleaved fields
Scan order : Top Field First

Is this actually good?

Also, would it be advisable - after reading Jagabo's reply on that topic - to set Encoder Profile as High422, which would keep the MP4 file in the 4:2:2?

Thanks!

[jagabo]

Thanks a lot!
First for Handbrake settings. I typed in ":interlaced=1:tff=1" in video advanced options. Now I get:
Scan type : MBAFF
Scan type, store method : Interleaved fields
Scan order : Top Field First

Is this actually good?

Yes. It's what's expected with x264 -- which only uses MBAFF for interlaced video (as opposed to PAFF)

Also, would it be advisable - after reading Jagabo's reply on that topic - to set Encoder Profile as High422, which would keep the MP4 file in the 4:2:2?

Not much outside a PC will play 4:2:2 encoded AVC. Stick with 4:2:0 if you want wide compatibility. Make sure the 4:2:2 to 4:2:0 conversion is done properly (interlaced mode).

[Alwyn]

I get the heebygeebies when I hear of Interlaced MP4s.

If your friend's Power Director cannot accept Lagarith, I suggest you deinterlace with Handbrake and convert to MP4 and try that in Power Director.

[Barrythecrab]

Powerdirector will ingest Lagarith, perhaps a codec installation is needed.

[Sharc]

I get the heebygeebies when I hear of Interlaced MP4s.

What's wrong with it? Interlaced is interlaced, and .mp4 is just a container. The problem is sometimes (too often?) that the conversion 4:2:2 -> 4:2:0 interlaced is done incorrectly (chroma mistreatment) - sometimes done badly by the tools. People often don't even notice the flaw though.
Btw. there is a good chance that the TV player's deinterlacer is on par or even better than Handbrake's deinterlacing.

Another problematic scenario is when progressive video is flagged as interlaced (for whatever reason) and the player is forced to deinterlace it.

[Alwyn]

What's wrong with it? Interlaced is interlaced,

It would appear PowerDirector doesn't like it. Perhaps because:

When the file is accessed it's going to handled as if it were progressive.
If the video content is actually interlaced, that's potentially a problem.

Anyway, mine was only a suggestion. The idea is we try to solve the problem, not discuss theory.

If it works, Aro can get some guidance on better deinterlacing.

[Aro]

Thanks a lot for all the replies. I'll experiment with the options presented, communicate with my friend and let You know how it worked!
You guys are the best.

[Aro]

I get the heebygeebies when I hear of Interlaced MP4s.

Would You suggest using other format? Sorry for all the naive questions, I don't know much about it - I went with MP4 since it's common and I went with Handbrake since it was first free software which was recommended to me. I'd be happy switching if there's a better alternative format, method or software.
I need to compress those big AVI files unfortunetely, since I just don't have the budget for that amount of space with the amount of tapes at hand...

Problem with interlacing on Handbrake is - on my PC at least - it takes ages. Like 20 hours for 1.5 hours of video? That's a bit ... rough. I wanted to keep it as it is, so "interlaced", I had all the filters off. Had no idea that it was being changed (or not changed, just wrongly categorised as?) to progressive.

In any case, big thanks again - I'll experiment with it, but in the meantime, if anyone thinks I should use different format, software, conversion method - please let me know!

[Sharc]

@Aro:
mp4 is just fine. In case you don't get along with Handbrake, skip it and try the following:

1) Unzip the attached Aro.zip to your desktop. You should now see the folder icon 'Aro' on your desktop
2) Open that folder in explorer (double-click on it). You will now see 3 files in the explorer window: ffmpeg.exe, deinterlace_.cmd, interlaced_cmd.

For interlaced encoding:
3a) Drag and drop your .avi file (from wherever it is) onto the interlaced_.cmd -> The interlaced encoding will start automatically. Wait until it finishes.....

For deinterlacing + progressive encoding:
3b) Drag and drop your .avi file (from wherever it is) onto the deinterlace_.cmd -> The deinterlacing+encoding will start automatically. Wait until it finishes.....

4) The compressed encoded .mp4 file will be in the same folder where you had your .avi

(If it doesn't work upload a short snippet of your .avi)

[Aro]

Big Thanks, I'll certainly give it a try also! As for Handbrake, it's not that I don't get along with it - it's pretty easy to use, I just want to final result to be ok.
Oh and perhaps I'd have one more question - if I decide to stick with Handbrake. Should I fix the aspect ratio while converting the files? I wrote about it on the last page here a while ago. I get Aspect Ratio of either 5:4 for Pal or 3:2 for NTSC videos for the lossless capture AVI files with either Lagarith or HuffYuv. I didn't notice it being problematic, but since I'm trying to fix some things, maybe that would be wise change to make also?
Sorry if I'm stretching Your patience here.

[Sharc]

Sorry if I'm stretching Your patience here.

No problem, but a "Handbraker" may explain the 'Dimensions' Tab in Handbrake to you.

[Aro]

Sorry if I'm stretching Your patience here.

No problem, but a "Handbraker" may explain the 'Dimensions' Tab in Handbrake to you.

Fair enough - just to be clear, I'm perfectly happy to do it on any tools that allows me to do it easily enough and effectively, just the way I read that last reply got me thinking You suggested it in case I have issues with Handbrake.
I'll try out both for sure and thanks once again.

[Aro]

Maybe someone will find time to take a look at it. It's mediainfo text data on two files, original AVI and the "final" mp4.
Does everything look ok? (Thanks regardless).

Original AVI file:
Format : AVI
Format/Info : Audio Video Interleave
Format settings : WaveFormatEx
File size : 79.8 GiB
Duration : 2 h 54 min
Overall bit rate : 65.4 Mb/s
Frame rate : 25.000 FPS

Video
ID : 0
Format : HuffYUV
Format version : Version 2
Codec ID : HFYU
Duration : 2 h 54 min
Bit rate : 61.3 Mb/s
Width : 720 pixels
Height : 576 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 5:4
Frame rate : 25.000 FPS
Standard : PAL
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:2
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Interlaced
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 5.911
Stream size : 74.8 GiB (94%)

Audio
ID : 1
Format : PCM
Format settings : Little / Signed
Codec ID : 1
Duration : 2 h 54 min
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 536 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Stream size : 1.87 GiB (2%)
Alignment : Aligned on interleaves

MP4 File (Converted using Handbrake):
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media / Version 2
Codec ID : mp42 (mp42/iso2/avc1/mp41)
File size : 2.06 GiB
Duration : 38 min 39 s
Overall bit rate : 7 644 kb/s
Frame rate : 25.000 FPS
Encoded date : 2025-07-10 19:06:58 UTC
Tagged date : 2025-07-10 19:06:58 UTC
Writing application : HandBrake 1.9.2 2025022300

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : Main@L3
Format settings : CABAC / 5 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames : 5 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 38 min 39 s
Bit rate : 7 439 kb/s
Width : 720 pixels
Height : 576 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 4:3
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 25.000 FPS
Standard : PAL
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : MBAFF
Scan type, store method : Interleaved fields
Scan order : Top Field First
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.717
Stream size : 2.01 GiB (97%)
Writing library : x264 core 164 r3186 585e0199
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=5 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x1:0x111 / me=hex / subme=8 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=2 / 8x8dct=0 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=18 / lookahead_threads=3 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=tff / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=3 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=0 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=25 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=50 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=18.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Encoded date : 2025-07-10 19:06:58 UTC
Tagged date : 2025-07-10 19:06:58 UTC
Color range : Limited
Color primaries : BT.601 PAL
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.601
Codec configuration box : avcC

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AAC LC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID : mp4a-40-2
Duration : 38 min 39 s
Source duration : 38 min 39 s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 198 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel layout : L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 54.8 MiB (3%)
Source stream size : 54.8 MiB (3%)
Title : Stereo / Stereo
Default : Yes
Alternate group : 1

[Sharc]

Looks correct to me. It's interlaced 720x576i25, TFF, 4:2:0, DAR 4:3.
A player/TV should have no issues with it and deinterlace it on the fly during playback.

[Aro]

Looks correct to me. It's interlaced 720x576i25, TFF, 4:2:0, DAR 4:3.
A player/TV should have no issues with it and deinterlace it on the fly during playback.

That's great to hear.
Thanks for Your time over those 2 days, it's been extremaly helpful.

Now I'll have to wait and see if my friend can make it work on his end. I'll keep You guys updated, perhaps You'll find this professionally interesting )?

[jagabo]

I get Aspect Ratio of either 5:4 for Pal or 3:2 for NTSC videos for the lossless capture AVI files with either Lagarith or HuffYuv.

That's because AVI doesn't really support aspect ratio flagging. Many programs will use the relative frame dimensions as the display aspect ratio. 720x576 = 5:4, 720x480 = 3:2. It's up to you to make sure post-capturing filtering and encoding is aware of the "display aspect ratio" or "sampling aspect ratio" (sometimes called pixel aspect ratio). The general equation between the three is:

DAR = SAR * FAR

where:

DAR is the display aspect ratio, the final shape (width:height) of the displayed picture
SAR is the sampling aspect ratio, the distance between samples horizontally:vertically
FAR is the frame aspect ratio (pixels wide:pixels high)

You may need to force the SAR or DAR in your software.

[Aro]

You may need to force the SAR or DAR in your software.

[Attachment 87771 - Click to enlarge]

Would that be a correct way of doing it?
Thanks!

[Alwyn]

Problem with interlacing on Handbrake is - on my PC at least - it takes ages. Like 20 hours for 1.5 hours of video? That's a bit ... rough.

On the Video tab in the "Video Encoder" droplist, choose an option that uses any GPU on your system as opposed to straight "h264". On my laptop, if I use H264 (Intel QSV) I get 80fps encode speed. If I use "H264 (x264)" (ie using the CPU) I get only 6fps.

[Aro]

Problem with interlacing on Handbrake is - on my PC at least - it takes ages. Like 20 hours for 1.5 hours of video? That's a bit ... rough.

On the Video tab in the "Video Encoder" droplist, choose an option that uses any GPU on your system as opposed to straight "h264". On my laptop, if I use H264 (Intel QSV) I get 80fps encode speed. If I use "H264 (x264)" (ie using the CPU) I get only 6fps.

Would it not negatively affect the quality? I also have encoder preset set at slow, I guess I could move it to fast - but I had the same reservation about it.

[Alwyn]

Would it not negatively affect the quality? I also have encoder preset set at slow, I guess I could move it to fast - but I had the same reservation about it.

Possibly, but life is short! I think you'll agree that 20 hours for 1.5 is not workable. Make one mistake and it's 20 hours back.

Anyway, give them a test; try each encoder and the encoder presets and see if there's any difference. Theory is fine but when practicality achieves 95% of the quality and you're much more productive, the tradeoff may be worth it.

[Aro]

Would it not negatively affect the quality? I also have encoder preset set at slow, I guess I could move it to fast - but I had the same reservation about it.

Possibly, but life is short! I think you'll agree that 20 hours for 1.5 is not workable. Make one mistake and it's 20 hours back.

Anyway, give them a test; try each encoder and the encoder presets and see if there's any difference. Theory is fine but when practicality achieves 95% of the quality and you're much more productive, the tradeoff may be worth it.

Ha! That's a good point.
Although, You know - turns out Yadiff-Bob is actually pretty fast, very doable. I've been using Decomb->EEDI2BOB before and that's painfully slow in comparision. Even if it's better, yes life's too short I agree )!

I think I will have to deinterlace it anyway if I continue using Handbrake. Keeping files interlaced through advanced options on Handbrake is problematic, turns out on many videos I get the same blurry picture that my friend has been complaining about.

[Sharc]

I think I will have to deinterlace it anyway if I continue using Handbrake. Keeping files interlaced through advanced options on Handbrake is problematic, turns out on many videos I get the same blurry picture that my friend has been complaining about.

Interlaced is not "problematic" as such. Interlaced video has to be properly deinterlaced by the player during playback (unless your monitor is a legacy CRT). If it is not getting deinterlaced you may obtain what you (or your friend) describe as "blurry". Also, the player should preferably be set for "double rate" ("2x" or similar) rather than "base rate" deinterlacing. The quality one eventually gets depends on the deinterlacer of the player.
If you deinterlace your captures before encoding and encode progressive, a high-quality deinterlacer (like QTGMC) usually eats up much more CPU power than the progressive encoding, hence slowing the overall process significantly down - unless your graphic card supports decent HW deinterlacing as well.

[Aro]

I think I will have to deinterlace it anyway if I continue using Handbrake. Keeping files interlaced through advanced options on Handbrake is problematic, turns out on many videos I get the same blurry picture that my friend has been complaining about.

Interlaced is not "problematic" as such. Interlaced video has to be properly deinterlaced by the player during playback (unless your monitor is a legacy CRT). If it is not getting deinterlaced you may obtain what you (or your friend) describe as "blurry". Also, the player should preferably be set for "double rate" ("2x" or similar) rather than "base rate" deinterlacing. The quality one eventually gets depends on the deinterlacer of the player.
If you deinterlace your captures before encoding and encode progressive, a high-quality deinterlacer (like QTGMC) usually eats up much more CPU power than the progressive encoding, hence slowing the overall process significantly down - unless your graphic card supports decent HW deinterlacing as well.

Thanks for the technical explanation. I think I kind of get a gist of it, although obviously not completely ).
I think there could be some issue with enforcing keeping the files interlaced through advanced settings on Handbrake. Many of convertions fail after I put those "commands" in the advanced box and while some look good, other look strange - in motion.

Here is a sample:
https://mega.nz/file/CVx3mIxA#m5SvcISdy0kJ6deJQp9E-tEPQTsGORLh3k2kEYgxfIE

Although what's interesting is that when I play it on the Mega without downloading, it looks perfectly fine - only on my computer it blurrs... so it's perhaps VLC player (in my case) sort of reading it wrong in terms of it being interlaced? (Sorry for the confusing nature of my description, but I just don't have the proper understanding of how it all works).

Will try out Your software option next.