Best setting from VHS/HI8 to DVD?

[fandecine]

Hi!
I just got a DVD+RW and would like to convert some HI8/VHS tape to DVD. What is the best capture setting (like 640x480) to convert to DVD?
Thanks.
LD

[Tommyknocker]

Capture at the highest setting you can without losing too many frames. Then convert as normal.

[fandecine]

What do you mean by "normal"?

[housepig]

some people will say that anything over 352x480 is wasted on VHS source material. Personally, I disagree, so I capture at 720x480 as an avi with Huffyuv codec, 48Khz audio.

Then I convert to mpeg-2 with TMPGenc, at the same settings, 2-pass vbr with 224khz Layer-2 audio.

The result is an mpeg that's within spitting distance of the original quality.

your mileage may vary.

[vitamine]

some people will say that anything over 352x480 is wasted on VHS source material. Personally, I disagree, so I capture at 720x480 as an avi with Huffyuv codec, 48Khz audio.

Then I convert to mpeg-2 with TMPGenc, at the same settings, 2-pass vbr with 224khz Layer-2 audio.

The result is an mpeg that's within spitting distance of the original quality.

your mileage may vary.

can I ask what kind of equipment you use to capture? can what kind of connection to the pc? usb? firewire?

[Tommyknocker]

I have to agree with Housepig. I have the ADS IDVD, and it captures VHS at 704 x 480. And when I convert to a DVD, I cannot tell if I lost any quality at all.

[i-on-s]

352X480 will be your best bet if you have very little h/d space to work with but if you have anuff and want the best Q than go for 720X480 you will not see much difference between the 2 if your vhs looks like shit but i use 352X480 on VHS stuff all the time and i can't tell the difference my eyes arent that great anyway my guess would to be to make samples and name them and burn them all onto a dvd+rw and see what one looks the best name them like tmpgenc4pass.m2v or cce18pass.m2v or whatever program you use and pick which one looks the best.

good luck.