SatStorm's advices for the new Video Enthusiast

[lordsmurf]

"a picture's worth a thousand words". A clip in this case.

Who's gonna provide the space and bandwidth? This is why I don't give out many samples.

[trhouse]

How about e-mail?

Thanks for the info about software showing dropped frames on another thread ( iuvcr, virtualdub, ati ). I may try virtualdub next if I can't get iuvcr to cooperate soon.

[SatStorm]

Well, let's see: you need 2 clips right? Lets say 20 MB each for 352 x 576 for about 30 seconds each. Overal 40MB/ 1min

Do you know how much time I need using the amazing Hellenic Internet connections to send you a 40MB email? About 12 hours!
Do you know how internet costs here?

Why you simply don't test it yourself?
In less than half of hour, you gonna have all the answers you need yourself!

[lordsmurf]

How about e-mail?

You're kidding, right ?

[countryboy]

I'd like to add my two cents, but slightly off the main topic of the above discussion. Nevertheless, I think it may help "absolute beginners" (if they read it).

Sometimes, on different forums, we can see questions from newbies: "How to burn DVD-R?" or "How to backup my DVDs?" SatStorm gave some advices for newbies, but in general there are only two ways for people starting with all this. Search for info or quit. If you want to use your PC for playing with video, you have to read a lot - or you will never get good results. If you do not want to read, buy yourself a standalone DVD recorder and enjoy what it does for you. That is it.
I started to burn DivX CD-Rs about 2 years ago, lately I switched to DVD+R, but I still think that I am in the beginning of all this. And this is because everything on this scene is changing so fast: new codecs, new software, new hardware. SatStorm is absolutely right in one thing: you do not need to buy the latest and the most expensive to get good results. After all, most of us do this just for fun (though sometimes this "fun" gives us real hard time and costs a lot). It is not about being a professional after a week of playing with a DVD burner equipped PC. Most of us should just say "thank you" to the authors of, say, DVDShrink, or VirtualDub, or TMPGEnc, or whatever software we use, especially when it is free. Also the contribution of guides' authors is extremely valuable - they share knowledge coming from experience, and it's also free. But nobody should expect that results come same day you start doing something. Not with this kind of stuff.
So, once again. The best thing newbie can do is read guides and search forums - or stop making a mess.

Greetings to all maniacs, thanks to everybody who shares solutions.

Countryboy

[W_Eagle]

@Countryboy

You are right on.
Only, reading alone isn't enough, by no means.
A lot of trials and experiments should be done prior to getting the gist of it and prior to getting satisfactory results.

[Redeye07]

Wow, what a lot of REALLY USEFUL information, SatStorm!!! This article should be REQUIRED READING for all newbies. I enjoyed reading it very much. You gave me answers to questions that I didn't even know I had. Thank you for writing it.

As an intermediate newbie (knows just enough to really mess things up), I have already discovered some of your suggestions to be absolutely true in my experience.

Search for info or quit. If you want to use your PC for playing with video, you have to read a lot - or you will never get good results. If you do not want to read, buy yourself a standalone DVD recorder and enjoy what it does for you. That is it.

Truer words were never said! I actually got so frustrated at one point that I considered getting a standalone DVD recorder, but what fun is that?

[tomreedtoon]

I appreciate what SatStorm said. I even understood some of it. However:

1) I understand you're not a native English speaker. That's okay. But grammar and spelling are not the main problem with your guide. It's the wordiness. The sentences need to be short, contain one basic thought per sentence, and be organized into paragraphs.

I'm on vacation this week, and away from my computer. But when I return home, I volunteer to go through your guide and edit it. I hope to make it clear and to the point. I'll send it to you before I post it here, so you can make sure my version says what you want it to say.

2) My only complaint about your style is that you spend too much time arguing with people who might disagree with you. It sounds like you're waiting for someone to start a fight with you. That happens in Internet chat rooms, not in civilized society or places like dvdrhelp.com.

2) I'd appreciate someone who does NTSC captures with the American standard to make appropriate suggestions for needed changes. For instance, are the same cards SatStorm recommends suitable for US NTSC use, or are others better, or whatever?

3) I'd like to include the caveat that I've passed around to various video forums. WORKING WITH DIGITAL VIDEO IS AKIN TO EXPERIMENTAL WITCHCRAFT.

This means that NOTHING, repeat, NOTHING in digital video, works reliably all the time. If you took SatStorm's setup, moved it to his neighbor's house twenty feet away, and tried to do captures, the system would blow up in your face and you'd find your soul roasting in Hell like mu-shu pork.

I work in a TV station which has been struggling, with PRO equipment which costs upwards of two million dollars, to start using digital video for over two years. It still doesn't work reliably. It will NEVER work reliably. People in this forum are amateurs working with equipment from manufacturers who don't give a damn about compatibility with anything else. They don't even care if their capture cards work, as long as they get your money. Read through the forums here and you will know the truth of this statement. Do you think you can do better than these frustrated pros?

So, if you expect to do digital video, be lucky if you get ANY results at all, let alone good results.

[lordsmurf]

But grammar and spelling are not the main problem with your guide. It's the wordiness. The sentences need to be short, contain one basic thought per sentence, and be organized into paragraphs............I'd appreciate someone who does NTSC captures with the American standard to make appropriate suggestions for needed changes. For instance, are the same cards SatStorm recommends suitable for US NTSC use, or are others better, or whatever?

Good to see you again.

Anyway, SatStorm's suggestions are pretty good for Europe, as long as you fit into the financial situations and source types that he describes.

In the USA, you can include several more cards, notably ATI, and the rules for video are a bit different here. Most of my headbutting was done in other posts above.

And, yeah, it's a bit too wordy for a new-comer that's already confused. Sectioning it up with headlines would make it more readable, as well as removing the anti-argumentative stuff. The whole argument style could easily be summed up as "advice made by a European with PAL formatting and in a lower-income society... suggestions may not be perfect for NTSC or American areas".

My witchcraft is doing pretty well. A few bad hexes this past month, but the pot of brew is doing good, as is the magic wand. :P

[oldfart13]

@oldfart13:
How is possible to be confused from an article that starts like "Keep in mind that I'm European..."?
About the way I speak English, I already said "I'm sorry for my poor english". It is not my native language, I never went to school to lern it (I learn it myself watching MTV Europe almost 15 years ago). May I guess that you can learn Greeks the same way? Watching a Greek music channel for example?

Ah...no...it doesn't work that way. My father's native language was German, also spoken by many of my relatives here. I do not understand or speak German. On the street where I grew up people spoke English, German, Italian, Greek and French. I only speak and understand English. I got into the anime scene in the late '70's but after watching Japanese TV for 20 years, I still do not understand that language. Watched Chinese movies and TV since the early '80's. No on that language either. So, though I understand your problem with English not being your native language, it still pays to not use words like "ain't" which my 95 year old Grandmother doesn't even use and her native language is German!

[SatStorm]

@ oldfart13: Sorry, but I'm not that clever to understand what you mean. Is this something with the political correct thing you use so much in US, or it has to do with not understanding my post?
If it is the second, it is really interesting because I hear complains only from US users... I don't understand why europeans don't have any problem with it.

@ tomreedtoon: I appreciate your help, I'll be glad to correct grammar/ dictation mistakes. It happens very often with my posts, friendly users send me corrections to update it.

Few things to answer now:
1. I think that you tent to belive that this "article" was something I done days. Wrong: It is simply something I wrote in 8 hours (2 days at work on extended lunch breaks....), and I post it direct. I spent no time at all to work it. I'm supprised with the fact Baldtrick link it to the newbie articles section.

2. No, I don't argue. Because of my mediterenean nature, I like to express my points and answer to all the questions. So, if someone say something and I have an establish opinion or knowledge for it, I asnwer. I don't understand why this looks like "waiting for someone to start a fight". In the matter of fact, I'm waiting for someone to post so to start a conversation. That helps me to learn new things and also helps me realise how different Europeans / Asians and Americans think (or approach) the same things....

3. Well, why to change someones article? Isn't just better to post a new article with other suggestions? I mean, this is the point of the forums, right? I suggest, you suggest, he suggest... It is not I suggest, you try to change my suggestions, he try to prove me wrong, etc...
You have other suggestions? Just post them on the forum the way I did!

4. Ehh, I'm a pro.... I don't like to speak for myself, but let's say that I set up the hardware and the software for a digital satellite subscription service in Europe (DTV service). So, when I advice, I really know well why I say what I say.
By the way, let me inform you that most local TV Stations in Europe, still using VHS and SVHS tapes from Beta sources for their transissions. The most advance stations, only recently start digitize their archives. And suprise, they using very "amatuer" hardware: Or DVD standalone recorders, or PCs like the one I describe.
Only the Germans had spent money to digitize their archives! They took them 10 years for it! BBC followed (still in the proccess...) and Italian RAI now try something like it (their archive is a chaos....). Spanish TVE gonna start in 2 years. For most other TV broadcasters around Europe, digitizing archives is currently a scifi story...

Just to understand the situation, the European MTVs and VH1s, are using NTSC mpeg 4 archives right now for their needs! Only the german and Polish department, digitize PAL archives. That explains why MTV look so bad the last 4 years, and why older european music hits disapeared from their playlist. And we talking for MTV here, it is a huge Viacom service!

@lordsmurf:
"advice made by a European with PAL formatting and in a lower-income society... suggestions may not be perfect for NTSC or American areas".

The whole world has a lower income compared USA. Not only "Lower - icome society" Also the prices are much higher here that there... So, even if we had the same income, we still have to pay more for the same things you get cheaper....


@ All
Because I get many emails from US users about all this, why someone don't write down and post to the forum an article like "Advices for the future USA Video enthusiast"? It is far better than try to correct my article! Less time, better english, maybe better advices....

[W_Eagle]

@tomreedtoon:

Please allow me to share different views.

I understand you're not a native English speaker. That's okay. But grammar and spelling are not the main problem with your guide. It's the wordiness. The sentences need to be short, contain one basic thought per sentence, and be organized into paragraphs..

To my view, you are missing the point here. SatStorm is an highly experienced amateur video enthusiast. His articles, including this one, are highly illuminating and offer valuable assistance to newcomers and experienced amateur video enthusiasts alike. His way of putting words and sentences together is quite irrelevant. I never had any problem following his ideas and suggestions -- which is what counts. I'd rather read SatStorm's articles written in a may be not perfect English than others articles written in perfect English but with no value, or but little value to their contents.

I'd appreciate someone who does NTSC captures with the American standard to make appropriate suggestions for needed changes. For instance, are the same cards SatStorm recommends suitable for US NTSC use, or are others better, or whatever?.

SatStorm gave you the answers in the article above. You can use ATI cards and you may need TBC (Time Base Corrector) to capture VHS movies. Other than that, I see no difference between PAL and NTSC.

This means that NOTHING, repeat, NOTHING in digital video, works reliably all the time. If you took SatStorm's setup, moved it to his neighbor's house twenty feet away, and tried to do captures, the system would blow up in your face and you'd find your soul roasting in Hell like mu-shu pork.

I work in a TV station which has been struggling, with PRO equipment which costs upwards of two million dollars, to start using digital video for over two years. It still doesn't work reliably. It will NEVER work reliably. People in this forum are amateurs working with equipment from manufacturers who don't give a damn about compatibility with anything else. They don't even care if their capture cards work, as long as they get your money. Read through the forums here and you will know the truth of this statement. Do you think you can do better than these frustrated pros?

So, if you expect to do digital video, be lucky if you get ANY results at all, let alone good results.

Wrong.
You see pal, I worked as a senior technician in our national radio station, national TV station and private video studios. Now I work as an electronics engineer for an High-Tek company. I'm making home videos (SVCD, CVD and lately DVD) for about 2 years now. Indeed, it takes a lot of time, a lot of readings and a lot of experiments prior to getting the gist of it. Yet, once a step is mastered, consistent results are achieved. Not minding conforming to industrial standards, each and every time I get exactly the results I aimed for.
So, my friend -- never say never. The professional industry may be still struggling with digital video while so many of us amateurs are getting consistent results -- according to our needs and means. Before you say "any results are a matter of luck" -- do your own experiments and see for yourself. To project the industry difficulties into what we, amateurs, are doing here, is all wrong. The industry may not do it satisfactory (to their standards) yet -- we do it, each and every time, with consistent results.
At times, professionals can learn from amateurs. Actually, in the history of electronics and telecommunications it happened in the past, like when radio amateurs discovered the value and use of short waves radio.

Take care

[countryboy]

The professional industry may be still struggling with digital video while so many of us amateurs are getting consistent results -- according to our needs and means.

Good point, W_Eagle. A lot of people are just satisfied with a quality I can never accept (even more often we see it in MP3 scene). Some are trying to get the best possible results/quality. It is all about different approach, different needs - and different possibilities. If you just use someone's shared knowledge - good, enjoy. If you are creative amateur and invent something new - great, you make it easier for many others. IMHO, SatStorm did a good job sharing his experience, which he undoubtedly has.

Countryboy

[W_Eagle]

A lot of people are just satisfied with a quality I can never accept (even more often we see it in MP3 scene). Some are trying to get the best possible results/quality. It is all about different approach, different needs - and different possibilities.

Well, look at my situation.

I learned movie history, was involved for a time in movie making and a lover of quality movies of all styles. When Cable TV (and later on, Satellite TV) started here, in Israel -- an abundance just opened before me. So I started achieving good movies on VHS tapes. Quality was not great -- yet, it was all I could get at that time -- and I was happy with it, with the new possibilities opened for me.

When I discovered amateur video archiving about 2 years ago -- and this wonderful website -- new possibilities opened before me and I was very happy with it. My means at that time allowed only VCD/SVCD/CVD. So, (after a lot of readings and experiments, including frustrations and getting pissed of) I started archiving movies on SVCD or CVD. 2 or 3 disks per movie to get satisfactory results (given the limitations of the media/format). Anyhow, technically speaking, results were far better than VHS -- including long lasting archives.

Recently, with the drop in price of DVD burners and media, I started achieving movies into DVD disks. I'm very happy with it.

You see, friend, besides my love for movies I have also passionate love to technology. Learning new technology is a challenge to me. Mastering it is highly satisfying.

The bottom line is:
Yes, technologically speaking, there is room for far better quality than present home made DVD disks, made out of analog output of Satellite TV receiver. Present results are all I can get with present technology and my means right now. I'm very happy with the possibility to archive good movies, movies that I love, on home made DVD disks. Indeed, technology is moving ahead. 3 steps are almost at our door -- namely, double layer DVD-R/W disks, Blue Laser players and burners, HD TV. I'm sure more steps of advanced technologies and better quality are yet to come.

All-in-all, home digital video achieving is definitely a possibility opened to all interested (with enough means). Furthermore, home digital video achieving can be done with consistent results -- it isn't a matter of blind luck, as was stated here by someone.

IMHO, SatStorm did a good job sharing his experience, which he undoubtedly has.

This all of us here agree upon -- along some (IMHO unjustified) criticism expressed by some.

[oldfart13]

"@ oldfart13: Sorry, but I'm not that clever to understand what you mean. Is this something with the political correct thing you use so much in US, or it has to do with not understanding my post?
If it is the second, it is really interesting because I hear complains only from US users... I don't understand why europeans don't have any problem with it".

First off, my info says I am in Canada, not the USA. B-I-G difference. At least here there is the pretense of multiculturalism. I can hear on the street at any time of the day a polyglot of languages, from European, Asian and aboriginal peoples. BUT...other than English, I don't speak any other language. If you do, you have my respect. I was only trying to say that learning another language from watching someone else's TV is not going to work with a lot of people. It never worked for me. Second your use of the slang word "ain't" is VERY irritating. I don't know, is this something you simply HAVE to use? Why not the correct term "isn't?" My point was that not even my old world Granny uses that kind of slang and she has been in Canada for 50 years. True, her command of English isn't as good as my Aunt (Queen's University German teacher and linguist) but still she doesn't use it. I came out of a school system in the 1960's that tried to stress good grammer. Perhaps things have changed since my day...

Back to your guide. It's a fine piece of work, just that it isn't going to work for everyone everywhere depending on your equipment hook up and your TV system. You will have to stress that in future.

And now, I think I've had enough of this topic.

Happy Thanksgiving (Canada). My turkey dinner awaits!

[SatStorm]

Okey, I understood!

I don't know why I use "ain't" so much and I didn't know that it sound so iritating! I'll change it tommorow if is a so much big deal...
Basicly, I found it faster than "it isn't". And because I type blind, I don't really think what I'm typing... That explains lots of my typos also.
After all, I post on a forum, I don't give a school or a job report... I feel relaxed to post here, if I loose this feeling, I won't post again.
Mediteraneans need to feel relaxed to socialize. And forums are another form of socialication I think...
Anyway, I'll try to stop use it so much.

By the way, since my "english school" was 80s US pop videos and old looney toons cartoons, it isn't my fault that I learned that kind of english! This is the english you present to us, the non english speaking natives! You present them by cinema movies, cartoons, jokes, music. I'm simply mirroring in my expressing what I receive from you!
If that is iritating, then you are iritating to yourselfs and you didn't realise it yet! You needed me to understand it. Anyway, this gonna turn very of topic, so better stop here...

My native language is Greek and I speak english and few Germans. I love Germans, I always did, but unfortunatelly, I never had the change to learn this amazing language. The last 3 years, I'm trying learn it through watching satellite german TV, like I did 15 years ago with english. Well, now I'm 30 and I don't learn easy any more. I try but it isn't the same. I hope in 5 - 10 years to learn the basics. I don't harry, I have a full life in front of me to succeed it!

@W_Eagle: You know, I once involved with the YES package. They wanted technicians and Greece / Cyprus was a good source for them. Just a story of mine...

[trhouse]

Apologies to Satstorm and LordSmurf. I didn't realize the limitations of the internet at your respective locations. I intend to try your advice at some point. At the moment, I have my own equipment limitations like a capture card that converts to mpeg1 or 2 only and completely different software. That is one reason for the curiosity about how well you are doing using your recommended technique. I suspect if you have installed much hardware, you know it does not always go as smoothly as the manufacturers suggest so this may take some time. I do not doubt the sincerity of your recommendations.

[W_Eagle]

At the moment, I have my own equipment limitations like a capture card that converts to mpeg1 or 2 only and completely different software. That is one reason for the curiosity about how well you are doing using your recommended technique. I suspect if you have installed much hardware, ...

If you have read SatStorm's article above, not much hardware is needed -- the very basic hardware will do (for capturing). Capturing directly to MPEG1 or 2 saves time, yet, it has its drawbacks.

In order to have full control on your desired results, the best is to capture with the (free) software VirtualDub (from ANY capture card, or video card with VIVO, with one of the following CODECs: either Huffyuv (freeware) is the best, but it needs lot of file space or PICVideo's mjpeg codec. It costs about 30 euros to get it, but offers good compression and good quality the same time. You need nothing more for Capturing.

For encoding the cheapest and among the best solutions we have, is simply the "TMPGenc Plus" Encoder. It costs 50 Euros and it is a bit slow, compared some other, much more expensive encoders.

For Authoring, you have plenty of solutions. The easiest working solution, is "TMPGenc DVD Author", which costs 70s Euros. Plus, you can buy both TMPGenc Plus encoder and TMPGenc Author for 99 Euros, which for me is an amazing deal. An alternative to TMPGenc Author might be DVD Lab. It costs 80 Euros and has some interest features to play with. For freeware, there is only one solution: IFOedit. Ain't easy, ain't fancy, ain't beautiful. But it is free.

[thundercrush]

Newbie here on DVDR stuff, Sandstorm thanks for your advice. Many things you said I would agree with. However, for newbies like myself, the best way to give advice is to keep things simple in explanation, short and to the point. Your info is great but It took me along time to read.

This is what I do/did, It is very similar to your advice!
You are correct you don’t need a lot of power on capture but you do need power on processing. I would recommend 2ghz or higher CPU for processing video/audio captures. I don’t have a billion hrs to spare so I like the encoding/processing to be done as fast as possible.
I looked for a good graphic card for games and that could also capture, why pay for more hardware or double hardware, right?
I found a perfect match for my desire, a Graphic card and a great Capture card in 1.

Asus V 9520 VideoSuite GeForce FX 5200 128MB DDR VIVO+DVI 8X AGP http://www.accupc.com/itemDetail.jsp?pid=vav9520vs less than $110.00

Next Sound Card, Soundblaster cards are cheap and are very compatible sound cards for capturing audio in the inline port. Less than $40

Software changes daily but what I use right now is,
Capture to AVI
1. Original virtualdub, the virtualdub mods seem to cause video/audio sync problems.
Virtualdub downfall there is no scheduler, yes there is a mod virtualdub-vcr that has a scheduler but it causes me captures to have sync issues.
2. Virtual VCR with scheduler. I have not used this yet, but I hear it is good.
These are free! I like free! And they are better than any pay stuff.

Capture to MPEG-1 / 2
1. WinDVD-Recorder, $119.95
This is new and actually does very well for my mpeg-2 captures. Many features including a Tivo like scheduler or for me a regular scheduler since I capture by S-video or composite.
I set to record at 1 /2 DVD 352x480 set the schedule and go. This is pay software so if you want to pay for capturing to mpeg. This is the best I have tried so far for mpeg capture recordings.

Editing
Here is the deal with me, and being a newbie, Audio/Video Sync issues are the biggest problem and concern. 100% pinpoint quality is not.
This is why I agree with you about using virtualdub, to capture and edit commercials.
It seems virtualdub holds the Audio/Video together and I never had sync issues with virtualdub capture and editing.
MPEG editing is very touchy!
I had problems with sync issues therefore I never did any straight to mpeg capturing until now.
1. With the latest version of Womble MPEG-VCR, so far I have had success with editing commercials with out loosing sync with the audio/video. TMPGEnc is to hard and I had sync issues, I hate sync issues!!
2. WinDVD-Creator 2 Platinum- I need to check this out, since WinDVD-Recorder. I like to test out the editing feature in this software.

So if you don’t use Womble mpeg-vcr or want to save money then capture AVI with virtualdub and encode the avi to mpeg-2 with TMPGEnc Plus or MainConcept MPEG encoder.

Conversion / Encoding
1. TMPGEnc Plus $50.00 cheap
2. Mainconcept MPEG Encoder $150.00 more expensive faster encoding.



For Authoring to DVD
TMPGEnc DVD Author $70.00 it is simple nothing fancy and who cares about menu screens just get me to the video! Or if you get WinDVD Creator 2 Platinum this will also work.

For Dvix,
Dr. Dvix is very easy! I have made over 80 divx movies through virtualdub, and I just used Dr. Divx last night for the first time! I had to laugh!! I could not believe how easy it was and the quality of the final Divx product was tremendous.

Since I’m a newbie, my thoughts may change daily, I always read stuff here and on doom9 and if someone comes up with something else, I am all ears!

[W_Eagle]

Software changes daily but what I use right now is, Capture to AVI
1. Original virtualdub, the virtualdub mods seem to cause video/audio sync problems.
Virtualdub downfall there is no scheduler, yes there is a mod virtualdub-vcr that has a scheduler but it causes me captures to have sync issues.

There is a piece of software, external to VirtualDub itself, works with any version/MOD of VirtualDub, Called "VirtualDub Timer" -- you can find it also in the "Tools" section of this website. It serves as a scheduler to VirtualDub where you can set up start time and end time.

Being a very green beginner, as you stated, it may be better not to recommend software, for the simple fact that it may confuse other beginners, who may not read your response thoroughly, failing to note that you are a beginner yourself.

So many of us hate to waste time unnecessarily, yet, as you noted yourself -- at your early stages of this stuff -- capturing directly to MPEG 1-2 has its downfalls, since any editing or manipulation of the recorded video is a pain in the b*t.

[tomreedtoon]

W_Eagle, you said:

To my view, you are missing the point here. SatStorm is an highly experienced amateur video enthusiast. His articles, including this one, are highly illuminating and offer valuable assistance to newcomers and experienced amateur video enthusiasts alike. His way of putting words and sentences together is quite irrelevant. I never had any problem following his ideas and suggestions -- which is what counts.

It isn't strictly grammar I'm bothered about. SatStorm gives his personal opinions about what he believes other people think. And he does so at length. I found his ideas were good, but you have to dig for them, and most readers find that daunting.


I then gave the facts about Digital Video being equivalent to experimental witchcraft, and W_Eagle denied them:

So, my friend -- never say never. The professional industry may be still struggling with digital video while so many of us amateurs are getting consistent results -- according to our needs and means. Before you say "any results are a matter of luck" -- do your own experiments and see for yourself. To project the industry difficulties into what we, amateurs, are doing here, is all wrong.

If amateur digital video is in such great shape, compared to pro companies, how do you explain the screams of agony in all the posts here on dvdrhelp.com? They can't all be idiots or nontechnicals. No, they're people with good intelligence and technical skills who are running into the brick wall of reality. And spraypainted on that brick wall are the words, DIGITAL VIDEO NEVER PROVIDES CONSISTENT RESULTS.

As I said, this is largely the result of video card manufacturers who slap chips together and call something "the ultimate capture card." Never mind dropped frames, unsynchronizable audio, incompatible formats, arcane software, drivers that go bad or just disappear in your system - they got your money, and you're stuck.

If digital video WAS reliable and repeatable, don't you think there would be standard-format software, hardware and even computer systems for it? Have you seen a major computer manufacturer sell a consumer-packaged system saying "This will make DVD's from your home videos and TV shows and replace your VCR"? Such a system would sell better than Rush Limbaugh's hillbilly heroin - but nobody sells one. There'd be too many angry customers and product returns, because no one can build such a system. It wouldn't work reliably.

I have talked to many amateurs in this business. The best have achieved perhaps fifty percent results - that is, half of the disks they burn won't play reliably. They hate the cost of DVD-R's because half of them will go into the landfill, no matter what they do. That they haven't machine-gunned their computers is a testimony to their courage and their blind faith that someday, somehow, someone will develop digital video that works. But neither you nor I will live to see such a day.

[lordsmurf]

I have talked to many amateurs in this business. The best have achieved perhaps fifty percent results - that is, half of the disks they burn won't play reliably. They hate the cost of DVD-R's because half of them will go into the landfill, no matter what they do. That they haven't machine-gunned their computers is a testimony to their courage and their blind faith that someday, somehow, someone will develop digital video that works. But neither you nor I will live to see such a day.

I wouldn't say half.

Out of all the video work I do... ALL OF IT... about 10% never leaves the computer (mistakes and/or software errors/limitations), another 10% dies due to media (playback compatibility, coasters, and all media-related problems), and about another 10% because the analog playback equipment or digital recording equipment refuses to cooperate but that blame is eqaully shared with the crap source (old VHS tapes, defective captures from other people, etc).

So every time I sit down to do something contructive, about 30% is for learning/mistakes/BS and the other 70% is results that are great.

And I do know I'm on the high side of that number. I'd venture a guess that anybody claiming better is either forgetting a few things or has limited interaction with video (only using a few limited pieces of hardware or software with only one or two limited goals).

[SatStorm]

Just to add that I wrote this article difficult and "fat", because I simply don't like the "How To" attitude...

It is simply to write "How To"'s or to advice what YOU think is the best. The difficult part is to try to explain the "Why To" of those "How to"'s and that is what I tried with this article!

After all, this article itself is a good test for someone so to answer to himeself the great question: "Am I for this hobby or not?"
Why? Because it is not easy, exactly like this Hobby
If you can read it and understand it, then you have certainly what this hobby needs: 1. Patience & 2.The ability to understand non good english arcticles (you gonna find plenty of thems in the net)


Finally, as a person, my ideology is pretty straight and the following phrase from China explain it better than I could: "I won't give you my fish to eat if you are hungry, but I can teach you anything about fishing if you wish"

For all those they simply want to transfer VHS to DVD and dig to all this, just an advice: Go buy Standalone Recorders! They can do this task at least as well as the PC root!

[countryboy]

That is right. PATIENCE is a keyword. And three last posts show that it is all about the same: how to get good results using tools that are quite far from perfection. I am probably one of patient amateurs with not enough time to master all this digital video black magic. But I want to have some fun and to be just a litle bit creative. That is why I stick to my PC, not standalone DVD recorder. But I have a lot of problems. And if someone with experience and knowledge wants a confirmation of what people are talking in this thread,just read my post in DVD to DVD-R section - don't want to repeat it here.
Being patient is important, but in the same time all of us amateurs want to see the result: good video on CD or DVD, made by myself! So even if you know for sure that good results are sometimes just impossible to achieve, please keep helping less skilled people with your posts, replies and guides. I am talking now to all who share knowledge in this section. Thanks.

Countryboy

[W_Eagle]

I then gave the facts about Digital Video being equivalent to experimental witchcraft, and W_Eagle denied them:

Well, there are 3 types of people in this website and forum:
1. People seeking assistance, advise and guidance concerning Digital Video Hobby;
2. People sharing their knowledge and experience;
3. People expressing doubts and negative opinions -- not based on their own experience.

You, my friend, seems to belong to the third category. You formed an opinion, based on the difficulties of the industry -- not on your own experience making DVD/VDC/SVCD/CVD/DVD. Somehow I get that nothing I may write will make you change your mind -- for you have formed an opinions and it looks like you are not going let facts change your opinion.

Anyhow, facts, out of my own experience are:
1. It took my a long time, a lot of reading, especially on this website and many experiments prior to me mastering my way around.
2. Once I've mastered my way around -- concerning SVCD/CVD -- I get consistent results, exactly the results I aim (given the limitation of the format) -- each and every time, without exception.
3. Concerning DVD burning -- all my unsuccessful results are due to the media used. Other than that, results are consistent, each and every time, exactly the results I aim (given the limitation of the format).

So, what is witchcraft for you is an empirical science for me.

Yes, you probably are not going to change your opinion, neither are you likely to experiment yourself. So, go on spreading negative opinions, while the rest of us enjoy our hobby.

As long as you enjoy spreading negative views, be my guest. Should you seek some real joy, you may start your own experiments.

Have a nice day.

[tomreedtoon]

I've made a proposal to W_Eagle by e-mail. Let's just say that he is about to receive a real-world experience concerning digital video, not the pipe dreams of some video corporate hypemaster. That is, if he takes me up on the offer.

[Redeye07]

After all, this article itself is a good test for someone so to answer to himeself the great question: "Am I for this hobby or not?"
Why? Because it is not easy, exactly like this Hobby
If you can read it and understand it, then you have certainly what this hobby needs: 1. Patience & 2.The ability to understand non good english arcticles (you gonna find plenty of thems in the net)

ABSOLUTELY TRUE!!! I have a friend who wanted to know just how complicated this hobby is. I told her that you need (1) a TON of patience and (2) the willingness to dig through a LOT of obscure verbiage written by people who do not have English as their first language. She said, "NO WAY!"

P.S. In Texas the usage of the word "ain't" is considered friendly and informal.

[nicosagr]

Hello friends,

I am new to this area of interest.

I have some problem with a new video card I installed in my computer. I know it has nothing to do with this specific thread but the reason I am writing here is that beign new in the forum I do not know any other way to attract the attention of SatStorm.

And it is to him that I want to explain the problem because he ... speaks my language. I am also from Hellas (origin).

SatStorm prosfata agorasa mia karta nVidia FX 5200-VT128 kai ehw kapoia problimata. Zw stin Saoudiki Arabia yia polla chronia kai edw den yparhei kapoios na me voithisi. An theleis se parakalw grapse mou sto nicosagr sto yah** yia na milisoume kai na sou exigisw to provlima hwris na kourazoume tin ypolipi parea. Sigoura xereis poly perissotera apo mena s'auton ton tomea kai isws mou dwseis lysi. Euharistw kai perimenw.

Sorry guys for the small incomprehensible paragraph above, but it's always easier to say something in my language.

Regards,

Nicos

[SatStorm]

@nicosagr: Hi, Send me a Private Message or an email for help.

The following is in Greek, sorry

Geia sou file, steile mou email sto satstorm_gr@go.com i steile mou P.M. Eyxaristos na se boi8isw!
Eixa ena 8eio mou palaia stin Saoudiki Arabia... Itan naytikos ekei sto kotero tou basilia. Twra bebaia menei edw stin Ellada (ston Bolo).
Perimenw mail!

[MADRE22]

Great article. I wish someone would write one for dv to dvd