Newbie: Poor quality

[thundersnows]

Hi,
I have minidv tape and want to transfer it to cd.
I don't have DVD-RW right now, so my option is to create VCD, SVCD or Divx.
I'm using Ulead VideoStudio to transfer from the tape to my hardisk with DV format.
I've tried VCD format, but the result is awful. I used to watch VCD Original (sold at store) movie, but the quality is acceptable. How can I make a VCD to that quality ?

I've tried SVCD format too. And the quality is acceptable, more like my Original VCD. Since my player don't support SVCD, is there anyway I can make VCD with this SVCD format ?

Right now, I'm trying to make a Divx movie. But the result is very awful, worse than VCD. I'm using VirtualDub with Divx 3 Codec. I've followed the instruction from this site. Is there something I missed ?

Btw, when I'm transfering from my tape to hardisk, should I choose DV format or DVD format ? Right now I'm using DV format.
I've tried to convert it to DVD format and the file size is smaller and quality more likely the same. But I'm afraid if someday when I get my DVD-RW and I want to make DVD, will the quality not as good as DV ?

Thanks, I'll appreciate any help.

[Craig Tucker]

Are you using firewire to transfer DV to your hard drive, what are you using to encode. I would suggest TMPGenc.

[shujuan]

To create a vcd this is wht i do..

After test & trying in many cds.. this is the best quality which i can do for VCD

1. I using a prog call VirtualVCR ( i using pctv pro tvcard) & record into AVI format. I set the frame size into 352x480 Colour format YUY2 & using a PICVideo MJPEG Codec for compression

I set frame size into 352x480 becos when encode mpg the graphic will be better as big to small alway the best thing to do
I set the brightness to abit darker so when see in tv will be nice or not to bright

2 After recording is done. I use VirualDub to do the edit. (when u set the size big When u rec u will saw line so u need this prog for editing & Deinterlace)
--> User filter , choose Deinterlace , Blend fields together (BEST)
--> After edit, cut those which u dont want
---> Before SAVE Make sure this setting is done --> Video , FULL PROCESSING MODE , --> AUDIO , FULL PROCESSING MODE
(if nv set u will end up with those crack sound)


3. After Save is done, Use TMPGEnc to Encode into MPG . After encode is done u can burn in vcd. & watch it in both tv & pc

I dunno DVD becos is ex cd-rw to me

[Craig Tucker]

To create a vcd this is wht i do..

After test & trying in many cds.. this is the best quality which i can do for VCD

1. I using a prog call VirtualVCR ( i using pctv pro tvcard) & record into AVI format. I set the frame size into 352x480 Colour format YUY2 & using a PICVideo MJPEG Codec for compression

This is where you are going wrong you are capturing an analogue signal and thus introducing considerable quality degredation. You need to get a firewire card and transfer the video stream digitally.

[thundersnows]

Here's my hardware specification :
AMD Athlon XP 1800
SDRAM 512 Mb PC 133
Hardisk Quantum 7200 rpm
AGP 64 MB Ti 4200
Firewire IEEE 1394 VIA (i don't know the brand, but it quite cheap card)

I'm using Ulead VideoStudio for all processing, from capturing minidv to my hardisk, and for encoding too.

[Craig Tucker]

Sorry I got you and shujuan mixed up. So you are using firewire to transfer your DV stream.

Give TMPGEnc a try for encoding. It is free for mpeg1 and has a 30 day trial for mpeg2.

[ZippyP.]

Give TMPGEnc a try for encoding. It is free for mpeg1 and has a 30 day trial for mpeg2.

But make sure you "capture" to your PC as a DV file not DVD. DV is a straight transfer from the tape to your HD.

[LeoNapier]

TmpGenc is the way to go as far as encoding is concerned.

You might want to consider checking out the guides on the left to create an xVCD (bitrate 2500) rather than a compliant VCD (bitrate 1150) in order to get better quality.

My DVD player also doesnt support SVCD but plays xVCD's just fine!

As for the max bitrate of an xVCD that your player can handle its a matter of trial and error.
Some players can deal with high bitrates on VCD, others dont.

Just read the guides on xVCD and good luck!

[thundersnows]

Yes, I transfer the video using DV Stream.
Btw, what bitrate should I specify for VCD, SVCD, Divx, DVD ?

[Craig Tucker]

VCD is fixed at 1150kbps, SVCD can be upto 2520kbps, DVD can be upto 9.81Mbps. Don't know of any limits on divx. See what is at the top left of this page for more info.