Just can't get started. Why am I making it so difficult??

[werc]

I have spent hours scouring these forums and guides, and for some reason, things are not clicking for me. For xmas I got a new digital camcorder and a dvd burner. What my main goal is, is to get years of home movies onto dvd at the best possible quality. I would like to do some basic editing as well. What I am struggling with is what programs to use for each step of the process. So much of what I read seems to contradict, as to what gives the best results. Maybe I am making this more complicated than it needs to be (at least I hope that I am). Any straight forward suggestions as to what process to follow and what programs to use would be very appreciated. Cost is somewhat a factor, but quality and ease of use are priority. Whoever helps me gets this figured out has my eternal gratitude!!

[Beavis]

Need some more details. Does your DV camcorder have an analog-to-digital pass through? You need some way of getting your old movies onto your hard drive in digital format. If it's got the converter, you "capture" your old tapes via firewire as a DV AVI file on your computer. If it doesn't, you'll need some type of capture card or device. Then edit the AVI files. What to use here depends on how much you want to do. VirtualDUB is free. Sony Screenblast is a great package at a reasonable price. I don't care for Ulead or Pinnacle Studio stuff. The last step is conversion of the AVI to MPEG for the DVD's. TMPGenc or CCE will handle this (so will some editors, too). Then author / burn your DVD's with the tool of your choice, such as TMPGenc DVD author.

[werc]

The camcorder does have analog to digital pass through, so I think I have at least that much figured out. It is just a matter of what programs to use to capture, edit, etc. Thanks for your reply.

[FulciLives]

Need some more details. Does your DV camcorder have an analog-to-digital pass through? You need some way of getting your old movies onto your hard drive in digital format. If it's got the converter, you "capture" your old tapes via firewire as a DV AVI file on your computer. If it doesn't, you'll need some type of capture card or device.

Yes this is the first step you need to figure out. How to get your "old videos" into digital format on the computer.

I too suggest using your digital camcoder if it has analog-to-digital pass through. If it does not then you need a capture card or capture device. In which case I think your best bet in terms of not only quality but also ease-of-use would be the Canopus ADVC-100

As for editing ...

I mostly capture pre-recorded stuff from VHS or LaserDisc or TV shows etc. so I don't need extensive editing. So I am outside my expertise here. VirtualDubMod is what I use but it really is only good for simple cut editing when you just need to trim the start and end points of your capture or cut out a whole section (good for removing TV commercials). If you need to do more extensive editing like re-arranging clips and adding transitions and text and stuff like that then you need something more advanced. This is where I can't really help because I'm not sure what is really good or not. I know Premiere is good and so is Vegas but both of those cost a fortune so I'm sure you can find something cheaper that still works well. I too have heard that Pinnacle products and software are not the best however a lot of people do seem to like Ulead editing software.

After that you need to convert to MPEG-2 format and for that I suggest either CINEMA CRAFT ENCODER (aka CCE BASIC) or TMPGEnc Plus 2.5 with TMPGEnc being the easier of the two to use. Both produce excellent results but CCE is much faster so that is the trade off ... faster but more difficult to use.

As for authoring your best bet is TMPGEnc DVD Author with the AC-3 plug-in for converting your PCM audio to AC-3 audio.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
Although this really doesn't make much sense some people have reported that they loose A/V sync when using a digital camcorder in analog-to-digital pass through mode. Those who have such issues seem to think that using ScenalyzerLive as their DV capture application solves the problem. Again it doesn't make sense on paper but seems to be the case in reality. This is just one pitfall you may discover and seems to be a little known which is why I thought to bring it up now.

GOOD LUCK !!!

[donpedro]

Didn't they included in DVD Writer or Digital Camcorder (or video card) some video editing software ? Sometimes they do.

Biggets trouble that is ahead of you is to get old analog tapes to digital format avoiding Out-Of-Synchronization issue. Best solution so far is to use Standalone DVD Recorders to get it on DVD.

[LetsRip]

P.S.
Although this really doesn't make much sense some people have reported that they loose A/V sync when using a digital camcorder in analog-to-digital pass through mode. Those who have such issues seem to think that using ScenalyzerLive as their DV capture application solves the problem. Again it doesn't make sense on paper but seems to be the case in reality. This is just one pitfall you may discover and seems to be a little known which is why I thought to bring it up now.

GOOD LUCK !!!

In my case, I also found that Scenalyzer was the only application that prevented audio/video sync issues when transferring DV from my Sony D8. I don't quite understand it either, but it works.

[vettesea]

I have used various capture programs.

For a free and easy to use editing program use Windowes Movie Maker 2, exclusive to XP. It is free to use, it will allow you to capture in DV-AVI format and it will intrduce you to basic editing/transistions etc. Once I have completed the "film" I then use both TMPGenc programs to encode and create the DVD files.

There are guides out there to help for each of these tools although MM2 really doesn't need one.

Sometimes I do struggle with picture quality abit after encoding, particularly if there is fast movement, it can get a bit blocky. I need to play arround a bit more with TMPGenc to try and remove this.

Anyway you need to give it a try first with MM2 and see what you think, then you can decide if it is worth spending the money on better software.

[daamon]

Hi werc,

All good advice and info given above.

Once you've got your head round that and figured out what tools you're gonna try, check out:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=209803&highlight=

...and all the links that it refers to for info on the process, tools and specific details and useful guides.

Good luck...

[vettesea]

Daamon

Some of the notes you made in previous links are excellent. I am quite looking forward to trying this out with some footage that I have been working on recently.

Can I ask, do you ever have trouble with syncing (is that spelt right) up voice and picture when you split them prior to encoding?

[daamon]

Some of the notes you made in previous links are excellent.

Only some Only kidding... Thanks for the feedback - all the info was gained from reading, reading, experimentation, reading and asking the odd question. It's only fair to then share it back.

I am quite looking forward to trying this out with some footage that I have been working on recently.

Have fun. I hope it works out OK for you.

Can I ask, do you ever have trouble with syncing (is that spelt right) up voice and picture when you split them prior to encoding?

No - never. But my source has only ever been from a DV cam to DV AVI captured with Adobe Premiere via firewire - all common and reliable elements to the process. When "capturing" (actually transferring), I make sure that all unneccessary apps are shut down - anything that'll sap CPU usage that I can do without (e.g. firewall etc.).

[vettesea]

Daamon

I was thinking more along the lines of when you put the two back together again in TMPGenc DVD Author. At this point you now have two files, sound (from ffmpeggui33) and movie (from TMPGenc Plus) that have been taken from your edited AVI file that came from your original capture (phew).

You are saying that you never encounter sync problems there?

Another point, you are based in the UK, as am I. I find that the guides for TMPGenc seeem to concentrate on US NTSC readers. In your experience have you simply gone word for word with the guides but changed to PAL etc where necessary?

[daamon]

Hi vettesea,

I was thinking more along the lines of when you put the two back together again in TMPGenc DVD Author ... You are saying that you never encounter sync problems there?

Nope - never any problem - audio.ac3 from ffmpeggui and video.m2v from TMPGEnc Plus into TMPGEnc DVD Author as separate files. All OK.

Another point, you are based in the UK, as am I.

Yep. Where do you call home?

I find that the guides for TMPGenc seeem to concentrate on US NTSC readers. In your experience have you simply gone word for word with the guides but changed to PAL etc where necessary?

Yes, kinda. I predominantly use this guide:

https://www.videohelp.com/guides.php?howtoselect=4;43#303

...as it's pretty impartial (i.e. says "for NTSC..., or for PAL..."). Also, there's not a great deal of difference between them (as far as I know). The main things are:

NTSC: 29.97 fps, 720 x 480, Max. GOP length = 18. Audio* = WAV (PCM), AC3 (2 channel) and MP2 likely to be OK, though not in NTSC spec.

PAL: 25fps, 720 x 576, Max. GOP length = 15. Audio* = WAV (PCM), AC3 (2 channel) and MP2.

* These are the audio formats that are easiest for the home video maker to use, though there are others...

All the other settings in TMPGEnc are (pretty much) to do with the quality etc., irrespective of NTSC or PAL. There may be some obscure ones, but I don't know of them / use them.

That said, plenty of reading is also useful...

[vettesea]

Daamon

Many thanks for the help on this, I completed a DVD over the weekend and the results were very pleasing. Can I just ask you a couple of questions:

Using the settings advised the analyzing and encoding took nearly 7 hours for a one hour film (this is fine as I just left it running overnight) is this a normal ammount of time?

When capturing from a DV camera (in my case Panasonic GS50) can I assume that what I am filming is 4:3. I was curious what I should select as aspect ratio and source aspect ratio. As I say, I assume I am capturing in 4:3 as I can find no setting on my camera to state otherwise. However I do want to watch on a widescreen telly. What would you advise?

Finally, during encoding I notice in the bottom left hand corner it states 6000fps, even though I set a maximum of 9600. Do you know if it is just taking this value because that is what a set the average bit rate to be.

Thanks Again

[daamon]

Hi vettesea,

Many thanks for the help on this, I completed a DVD over the weekend and the results were very pleasing.

No problem. Good to hear - well done.

Using the settings advised the analyzing and encoding took nearly 7 hours for a one hour film ... is this a normal ammount of time?

Obviously, it depends on the spec of your PC, but sounds about right for a decent PC setup. I've read that there are faster decoders that produce comparable quality, Mainconcept MPEG Encoder is one, but then they're much more expensive than TMPGEnc. Other encoders I've seen people recommending are: Canopus Procoder and Cinema Craft Encoder.

I shall probably stick with TMPGEnc as, like you, I leave my encodes to run overnight. Might try the others if they do a trial download...

When capturing from a DV camera (in my case Panasonic GS50) can I assume that what I am filming is 4:3.

DV cameras (I believe) record in 720 x 480 / 576 (NTSC / PAL), and so the resultant DV AVI following transfer from cam to PC is in the same resolution. Some may be able to change the aspect they record in. To find out th resolution of the DV AVI file, use GSpot or AVICodec on it (gives loads of other useful info too).

I was curious what I should select as aspect ratio and source aspect ratio. As I say, I assume I am capturing in 4:3 as I can find no setting on my camera to state otherwise.

I have to confess, I just followed the settings recommended in the guide I gave you (or left the default ones alone) and all came out well. I doubt if there is a setting on your camera, so don't worry about it.

However I do want to watch on a widescreen telly. What would you advise?

I've never encoded DV AVI to widescreen MPEG2, but I'd suggest doing everything the same, except setting it to 16:9 (widescreen) and testing it out on a short clip then author and burn to a re-writeable DVD-/+RW.

Good luck...

[Sam Ontario]

I have spent hours scouring these forums and guides, and for some reason, things are not clicking for me. For xmas I got a new digital camcorder and a dvd burner. What my main goal is, is to get years of home movies onto dvd at the best possible quality. I would like to do some basic editing as well. What I am struggling with is what programs to use for each step of the process. So much of what I read seems to contradict, as to what gives the best results. Maybe I am making this more complicated than it needs to be (at least I hope that I am). Any straight forward suggestions as to what process to follow and what programs to use would be very appreciated. Cost is somewhat a factor, but quality and ease of use are priority. Whoever helps me gets this figured out has my eternal gratitude!!

As an alternative to the experts advise, why not buy a DVD Recorder?

[georgepds]

Following up on sams advice

The absolutely simplest way to get video into mpeg, IMO,is with a replaytv .

Once it is recorded, you improt it to the computer using DVarchive.

Now you can author a DVD using Tmpeg dvd author, and burn it with the same program.Or, more simply, just copy it as a data file onto a disk, and play it in an mpeg iso compatible player

If I try other path, I'm plagued by audio video sync problems

[aguillon]

Just to add to what was said - I have recently picked up a Canopus ADVC 50 video capture card for the very same purpose you are looking at - except that in my case I do not have a DV cam so I do not have a pass through for Analog, which is the reason why I chose the ADVC50, which has its own analog inputs.

My personal experience: fantastic audio synch. Seems that the card has a superior audio-video interleaving engine (similar on the ADVC 100). For capturing and simple editing, I have used Virtual Dub, for more complex editing like titling and adding transitions etc Pinnacle Studio 8 has worked well for me, and as far as re-encoding TMPGEnc , authoring TMPGEnc DVD Author.

Works well and the results are stunning