Question: DV vs. DV

[Stile]

Is it really big difference if I use Microsoft DV codec (default) for Premiere 6.5 for capturing, editting, reencoding, exporting... or if I use MainConcept DV codec 2.4.4.
People say that Mainconcept DV codec is better but I'm asking is this difference visible in practical sense?
Thanks...

[wwaag]

Hey guys!!

Anyone have any answers? I'd be interested as well--also if there are any differences between MC 2.10 and 2.44. Is it worth $50 to upgrade? Thanks.

wwaag

[holistic]

In order to use the mainconcept DV codec in XP you need to do a little "hacking"
http://www.abcdv.com/article/articleview/10/1/3

Are you reencoding to DV ? or MPEG?

If you are reencoding to DV then the mainconcept DV codec will give better results than the M$ one.

If you are just importing the DV into premiere for conversion into another codec (ie: MPEG2) then it really dosen't matter what codec you use.


][

[Stile]

Hey, Holistic,
I am reencoding (DV to DV) but only one time (1. generation) so I think that M$ DV codec is sufficient, right?

[holistic]

...I am reencoding (DV to DV) but only one time ...

WHY? - just curious.

Regardless of why - Here is a tip I got from the pros on the Adobe Premiere forum a while ago.

They told me : So long as you don't do any filters, transitions and the like, just straight cuts - then there is no change made to the file (other than the removal of "segments".)
Basically, since there is no reencoding of the data stream, it can be saved with no generational loss.

I am now starting to store my family videos this way (harddrives are cheap enough). Then as I get time, I re "import" the files back into Premiere - add transitions, titles, filters etc... and encode into mpeg2.

If you must add transitions / filters then I suggest a better codec than the M$ one.


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[Stile]

Why?
Beacuse I am adding transitions and filter in Premiere 6.5 and Premiere render it (reencodes DV into DV). But I didn't notice the difference in 2. DV generation between M$ DV codec and Mainconcepts.