Analog to DV pass-through process

[qlizard]

I am going to start converting my old VHS family tapes to DVD using the DV pass-through on my camcorder. I'd like to get 2.5 - 3 hours on a DVD. The tapes are about 14 years old but of reasonable quality. I've tried to read and learn as much as possible and plan to follow the following steps. I'd like some input on whether the process seems sound, or what I've got wrong or could improve.

1) VCR (SVHS JVC w/ TBC) connected to camcorder to convert analog to DV. Camcorder connected w/ firewire.
2) Use WinDV to transfer data to computer. I'll probably use DV type 1 because I like editing with UVS7.
3) Edit video as needed (with UVS7 in my case).
4) Output DV avi file. I have the panasonic DV codec installed so I'll probably use that to output, since I've read it is superior to the MS codec.
5) Encode using Procoder, since it excels with interlaced video. I plan to resize the video to 352 x 480 (NTSC) and process using 2x VBR at around 2800 average bit rate and 4000 max.
6) Author with DVD Workshop and burn.

Ok, now a few questions. First does this appear sound or what should I change? And second, if I wanted to adjust color or brightness (some of the video is a little washed out) or otherwise filter it, should I use the editing software (I'd probably have to upgrade to a more advanced editor) or should I run it through Virtualdub before editing (in which case I'd have to use DV type 2)?
Any thoughts are appreciated.

[holistic]

Greets to qlizard

* line (4) is redundant. Try frameserving to procoder.

http://www.debugmode.com/pluginpac/frameserver.php
http://www.avisynth.org/

DV Type 1 to DV Type 2 Converter for VirtualDub
https://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=195

If you see no difference in a 2800 / 4000 then by all means use it. Personally I find that bitrate to low, but this is a personal preference.

Myself ,I use premiere 6.0 and use its supplied filters. So all I could recommend is try a short 5 minute clip with the filters from VideoStudio and then from ProCoder and see if : A) there is a visual difference and B) a drastic change in encode times.


If you get avisynth working with ProCoder it to has filter (scripts)
http://www.avisynth.org/index.php?page=FiltersByCategory

][

[redwudz]

Not the particular tools I use, but everthing seems sound. I use WinDV, DV2, Virtualdub to edit, TMPGEnc to encode, TMPGEnc DVD Author to author and burn. You should try to do a short clip, maybe 5 minutes and process it with your method. Burn to RW and see if you like the results.

[qlizard]

Thanks for the replies.
Holistic, I've been a little hesitant to get into avisynth (brings back memories of FORTRAN), but I can see the advantage in time (and maybe quality) by frameserving into procoder. Thanks for the links, I'll give it a shot. Do you think this bitrate is too low even at 1/2 D1?

[Steve Stepoway]

One warning. Holistic suggested the Ulead type 1 to type 2 converter. My experience is that it turns the audio to hash (a loud hiss) starting at the 4GB point (about 18:52 for me using full D1 for capture). For small files, it's fine, but you probably don't want to use it for converting a whole VHS tape. Sadly, testing it with a short clip doesn't show this. It bit me, and I have to redo several hours of work.

[DaveS]

qlizard - two things ... I have used the procoder median filter which 'removes single pixel nosie' on occasion (helped w/ some older tapes) - works as advertised but it is pretty heavy handed - eyebrows lost detail too...try a lighter gaussian blur in procoder if you aren't doing corrections somewhere else and need to smooth out your source a little

you didn't mention audio but try for 256k or maybe 192 depending on your source; AC-3 if possible is much smaller than PCM therefore more room for your video on the disk