Can I decide which DV codec to use to capture from VHS

[maff1965]

Hi
I am using the Canopus ADVC100
How do I pick which codec to capture with, in various programs, like ScenalyzerLive, Vegas 4, and so on?

Thanks
Maff

[vhelp]

hi maff1965,

The short answer, no.

You see, the ADVC-100 has a hardware DV chip. But, once you have it
(final .AVI source) on your harddrive, you can use pretty much any codec from that point on.

There are a few difference in opinion on which codec provides the best
final quality. Just test them out for yourself and see..
* canopus
* mainconcept
* pannasonic
* etc.

..take it easy.
-vhelp

[ZippyP.]

So, vhelp, what you're saying is that the ADVC-100 has already "captured" the video in DV format but you need to select a DV codec in order to play, edit or convert it. Correct?

[energy80s]

Yes, that's correct.

[VCD GURU]

I have the Canopus ADVC 50.

It uses a hardware codec from canopus when it processes the video.

But what i find strange is that when i check the AVI on my HDD after capture it says Microsoft DV codec.

Well this must be because i am useing windows.
Microsoft wont let me use anything else than their own crappy shit

If it is possible to change the codec for dv capture in windows let me know.

I know i can convert the AVI with Canopus DV file converter.
I can convert from Micrsoft codec to canopus i think. But what is the use of that since it has already been captured with microsoft?

I wont win any quality on that :P

Oh well think i am a bit confused about this issue.

Any reply would be nice!

[Dragonsf]

The codec's named is branded in the FOURCC code of the avi.
This is independant of your capture.Look in your registry to see what codec is behind this code.
During 'capture', the only choice is type-1 or type-2.But the frames are not reencoded in any way.Think of the capture as a simple file transfer.
The codec is only needed for playback/editing/reencoding(like transitions).

[yg1968]

Type 1 DV avi uses directshow and thus the Microsoft codec. Type 2 can use a different codec. If you wish to capture in type 2 DV avi, you can use DVIO or DVapp. You would also need to install a vfw codec. For example, the Panasonic DV codec.

[Dragonsf]

Type 1 DV avi uses directshow and thus the Microsoft codec. Type 2 can use a different codec. If you wish to capture in type 2 DV avi, you can use DVIO or DVapp. You would also need to install a vfw codec. For example, the Panasonic DV codec.

That's right, but remember, the chosen codec is only used for playback and rerendering.Not for the "capture". And type-2 is somewhat size limited (depends on the application).
BTW:I'm using VDub for capturing into type-2 and use avisynth as frameserver for conversion.

[henk schuifkaas]

BTW:I'm using VDub for capturing into type-2 and use avisynth as frameserver for conversion.

You mean you're capturing dv with virtualdub? Didn't know it did that. I tried it a while ago and it couldn't capture through firewire. I didn't have any dv-codecs installed then, could that by why?

[wwaag]

I use Scenalyzer to control capture from my ADVC-100. It has a large number of capture options--type 1 or type 2 DV as well as a number of other formats compatible with editing cards such as Matrox, Studio DV, Canopus, etc. It also has an option for audio only (WAV) captures.

I usually type 2 since it is compatible with Premiere, Vdub, and Avisynth. I can also load the the type 2 file directly into either CCE MainConcept for encoding.

wwaag

[donpedro]

Some info about DV "capture"....

Capturing DV - the same quality AVI from all applications?

[rma155]

donpedro,

I am now convinced that when you capture DV there is compression involved and as a result there may be some loss. When I capture using Video Studio 7, I check the properties of the captured clip (by pressing the i button) and it lists the compression used (the DV codec) and the compression percentage (11%). As a test, I specified no compression and the captured file was an order of magnitude larger (huge file, 17GB for 9 minutes). This leads me to believe that capturing is more than just a transfer of data to the PC, it involves compression and maybe loss. Am I wrong on this?

[Dragonsf]

BTW:I'm using VDub for capturing into type-2 and use avisynth as frameserver for conversion.

You mean you're capturing dv with virtualdub? Didn't know it did that. I tried it a while ago and it couldn't capture through firewire. I didn't have any dv-codecs installed then, could that by why?

There is of course a trick to get VDub capturing from DV:
First you have to check, if the DV is connected and converting:can be done with DVApp in preview mode.Then use AVI-IO to switch the capture device.When AVI-IO shows your video from DV correctly, you can fire up VDub in capture mode.The problem is, that VDub can't (I don't know why) switch the input device.
You can only use a DV codec, if you aren't capturing from a DV.If you want uncompressed avi, it's IMHO really tough to capture without massive framedrops.

[flaninacupboard]

rma, video studio has the ability to recompress incoming DV, so it perhaps is. solution, don't use it. DVIO or DVapp will record the incoming DV file, and do -nothing- to it. if you watch the cpu usage on your computer you'll know, mine sits around 3% there's definitely no re-coding going on there!

[donpedro]

rma155, all what I know about this is from some web so if they are correct, I should be too

If you capture from DV source (firewire) than you are just copying data.

DV source can be your camcorder (compression was done when video was stored on tape) or something like Canopsus ADVC-100 that converts (encode, compress) analog signal to DV signal (compression was done in that device). Both are just copying data from device output to PC without loss.

If you capture from analog (or whatever is the right name) card into DV AVI, software DV encoder is used. This time quality depends on software DV encoder that is installed on your PC.