Capping VHS Whats your Opinion on this

[Quigonsean]

Just wanted some opinions. I've been capping vhs in mpeg2 at 720x480 @ 5000-5500 total audio and vid. Since vhs is so much lower resolution and all from dvd. Would it be better to say cap in 1/2D1 (352x480) but crank the bitrate up to like 8500 ? What do ya'll think?

Tanks in advance
Sean

[Bondiablo]

Yes but if you're thinking lowering the resolution and increasing the bitrate will give you the same file size as before, it won't. However if you used 352x480 and stuck with 5000-5500 you'll get the same file size as before but the picture quality should be better.

[Marco33]

I've run.

720X480
704X480
356X480
356X240

All at 8000 bit rate.

VHS to MPEG2

The 720X480 & 704X480 IMHO didn't give any better of a picture than that of the 356X480. Yet, the 356X240 was a drop in picture.

So the 356X480 would be the way to go.

4000 bit rate is tolerable but a drop from VHS.

hmm... if you are going to set your bit rate to 5000+-. That means you will have to re-encode or split to 2 disks. So if you are going to re-encode, then why not max out the bit rate.

I've been toying with 8000.

[DivXExpert]

true vhs has a lower resolution. but it still looks better at a higher res. imo

[davideck]

I capture VHS at 720x480 4500/5100; This allows 2 Hrs to fit on one DVD.
In my opinion, this is a sharper image than 352x480 4500/5100.
For Super VHS, I capture at 720x480 8000/9100. Only one hour per DVD, but the quality is as good as the original.

[hwoodwar]

IMO, if you are going to be capturing VHS at 1/2D1 res (352 x 480), using a CBR of 5000-5500 you are wasting disk space. I suggest you use VirtualDub to analize the video bitrate, or just watch the video bitrate during capture through VirtualDub. You will probably find the bitrate to be no higher than 4500 and possible as low as 4000 max bitrate. Then I would suggest you use 2-Pass VBR with a minimum of about 1500, average 3000 and a maximum of whatever you determined. Based on my experiences at 1000/2200/4000, to CD (at 352 x 480), I seriously doubt you will be able to see any significant quality difference between a 1500/3000/4500 2-Pass VBR and a CBR of 5500, and it will allow you to record a lot more on one DVD. 2-Pass VBR does take longer to encode.

[Quigonsean]

Thanks for the info guys. Yeah I guess I'll stasy with 720x480 To do 2 hrs I gotta stay aroun 5 grand or so. I thoughtmaybe if I lowered the res. the file would be smaller so I could use a higher bitrate. But I guess full D1 @ 5 grand is better than 1/2 D1 @ a higher bitrate. Well thanks for the help.


Sean