Is this jitter??? (Sample video includ

[jlietz]

I have been capturing vhs-c tapes with Virtual Dub. The eventual goal is to burn to DVD. I don't have any problem with the captured avi (plays very smooth), but when I convert to MPEG-2 the image "shakes" every 3 seconds or so. I have posted a 10 sec sample (5mb) at http://jlietz.home.mchsi.com/sample2.mpg Pay particular attention to the flag - it is most noticeable there.

I am using TMPEG to convert. I have followed Lord Smurf's guide, but I have also tinkered with the settings. I have changed resolution, bit rate, CBR, CQ, VBR, field order, etc... All converted files have the "shake" every 3 seconds or so. The original cap was 352x480 using the PICVideo MJPEG codec with quality set to 19. I have used VDub to scan for bad frames in the avi. It has found none. Any help or suggestions is appreciated.

[Tommyknocker]

In my profession, I have what is called CND -- cannot duplicate malfunction. Does this occur no matter what player you put it in? Also, you can always reset your setting in TMPGEnc by selecting the template using the Load function.

[lordsmurf]

No, that's not a video problem or jitter.

That's operator error (maybe). The cameraman was losing focus (and/or maybe depth of field) and that's what's happening. I suggest not using autofocus.

That's why the date/time imprint always stays the same quality.

It seems to be from a camera that has focus tracking that doesn't work real well. Don't feel bad. My $5000 still photo cameras have "focus tracking" that doesn't work real well either. I turn it off in the custom controls.

[jlietz]

You mean I can watch videos in something other than Windows Media Player?
I just downloaded ZoomPlayer and tried it. It seems to me that there is still "shakiness", but not as much. Or maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me. I also tried BSPlayer, but it didn't work right. Video played very slow. What are you using to view the sample?
Thanks.

[jlietz]

No, that's not a video problem or jitter.
That's operator error (maybe). The cameraman was losing focus (and/or maybe depth of field) and that's what's happening. I suggest not using autofocus.
That's why the date/time imprint always stays the same quality.

Ok, but why would the captured avi not show the same problem? I can see the issue with the autofocus, but (you guys just have to trust me on this point as I can't post the 21Mb avi) the "shakiness" doesn't show up in the avi. When I view the sample the date is shaking too. I wonder if you are not seeing the same thing I am, just as Tommyknocker.
Also, lordsmurf, thanks for the guides. I wouldn't have gotten this far without them.

Thanks

[Tommyknocker]

I looked at your video in Virtual Dub mob. I will try Media Player and then PowerDVD and then WinDVD players.

Interesting.

Windows media player shows a black screen.

PowerDVD shows jerkiness.

WinDVD shows perfect video.

[johns0]

To me that looks like artifacting due to lower bitrate

[jlietz]

To me that looks like artifacting due to lower bitrate

I used a bitrate of 4000, which is appropriate for 352x480 resolution. I have tested at higher bitrates with the same results.

[johns0]

What resolution are you capturing at?

[vhelp]

I don't know what you talking about when you say "shaky" when viewing
the flag.

I think that what you are seeing is the LENS trying to focus. Case you didn't
realize (back in 1994) while you were taking footage, someone had interupted
the focalness by passing by, causing the cam to fudge a bit while re-focusing.
But, that was while the person panned to the right while you shoot footage.

Horizontals are always hardest to obtain in good quality, and that all depends
on the scenes being shot, and the focal length (zooming distance) and the
level of CAM shakage etc.

But, I didn't notice anything wrong w/ that clip. I thougth it was great

-vhelp

[vhelp]

Oh, one more thing.

Do you recall the "Field order" setting that you encoded w/ under TMPG ??

And, How excactly did you capture your footage ?? ..capture card etc.

If you encded to a dif. "Field order", when you play on your DVD player,
you may notice some jumping, but that all depends on your enocoding
of the Fields. But, again, I didn't notice anything wrong w/ that footage.

-vhelp

[lordsmurf]

As vhelp states, maybe we just can't see any shakes, as it's a problem on your system's viewer... whereas the video is fine (though losing focus/depth from time to time)... I'd be willing to look at the AVI too... you've just got to find a way to get it to me (and e-mail won't work).

The clip was fine... it's just losing focus a few times.. quality and all else looked great... I viewed it in several players, and even looked at it in Womble.

[jlietz]

As vhelp states, maybe we just can't see any shakes, as it's a problem on your system's viewer... whereas the video is fine (though losing focus/depth from time to time)...

Well, it is a system problem. I viewed the video through WMP with my laptop and saw what all of you are seeing - clear video with the occasional loss of focus. I never considered that it could be my system.
One more thing. Does anyone have any reason to believe that my problem is caused by anything but my video card?
Thanks for all your help.