In theory, which way would be better?

[Lcarvone]

I think this is the right forum for this question.....

I am using a Hauppage PVR-250 for all of my captures and then Ulead Moviefactory2 or Sonic MyDVD to create the finished DVDs. Captures are usually done in Half-D1 or Full-D1 depending on the source. Often the Full D1 captures are over the 4.7 gig limit for my single layer burner even with commercials cut out. My question is this.....would it be better to change my capture parameters so my captured file will fit on a standard 4.7 gig disk (which would be a pain since I'd have to switch my capture parameters frequently) OR would it be better to capture to the Full-D1 all the time and then let DVD Shrink resize to fit the 4.7 gig disk?

Any thoughts, comments, etc are appreciated.

[smearbrick1]

I believe most people will tell you to capture at the highest quality possible. Then, if you need to, re-encode. This way, you aren't having to guess at quality. In fact, most would tell you to capture as an .avi and not convert to mpeg2 on the fly.

[thecoalman]

I'd suggest capturing to what's going to fit on the disc...two reasons why.

1. From my understanding the 250 produces great results, reencoding will result in quality loss. Maybe just a slight bit to a lot, depends on exactly what your doing. Make sure you use an editor that supports only reencoding the parts that you have changed.

2. Reencoding the video makes no sense, you have just eliminated the reason for capturing in MPEG in the first place which is not having to encode the video. If your going to do that you might as well capture AVI.

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=257651

Use the calculator here to determine bitrate: https://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=VideoHelp_Bitrate_calculator

[edsmith77]

lcarvone.
I use the PVR250 to do my captures. And I love it. I have tried several different settings. First (and my most normal method) is to use the Standard DVD option. I then use TDA to edit out the commercials then create the necessary DVD folder. If it is over the disc limit, I use Shrink to get it to the right size then burn with Nero. I am very satisfied with the quality.
I have also tried the 12Mb capture rate in the PVR250 software and was able to capture without any problems at all. However, TDA would not accept that MPEG2 file as it was way over the accepted limit for DVDs (9.8Mb). The original file size was 34Gb. Yes, 34Gb it was about 6 hours of TV stuff. Once the commercials were cut out I was left with about 12Gb worth of stuff left. So I arbitrarly cut the remainder in half and authored to two (2) separate folders, used shrink on each and still had very good quality tv shows.
So from my perspective, I say if you have the energy go ahead an capture at a high rate then use shrink to get it to fit on one disk. I cannot believe you would be disappointed. If you are lacking the energy then use the Standard DVD option (~6Mb/sec) and capture away. However, if you go over about 2 hours of finished product you will probably have to use Shrink anyway. So......

[lordsmurf]

Transcoding (DVD Shrink) is a horrible idea if you have the means to just DO IT CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME THROUGH.

[edsmith77]

Smurf,
Well my results are very good. Whether or not you like Shrink.

[GKar]

Transcoding (DVD Shrink) is a horrible idea if you have the means to just DO IT CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME THROUGH.

I agree, better to size code correctly with a bitrate calc. I can't see how you wouldn't lose quality by transcoding it down.