Encoding guides frustrations

[ikileo]

Went thru several guides on encoding and all i can say is I feel more noob than ever.
Currently capturing TV Programs using MPEG2 (is it advisable) with my Pinnacle PCTV Stereo using the PCTV Vision program that came with it.

Should I record using other software? Anyway, I've been using VirtualDubMod to encode these MPEG2 files with mixed results (mainly not very good). Encode with DivX Pro, though people have recommended Xvid (advisable?). I know VDub is good for post processing, but how about encoding? I haven't got the hang of Avisynth yet; not very good with scripts. I don't think I can use TMPEGenc 'cos it's already in mpeg format.

Played around with Vdub filters when compressing/encoding to DivX but couldn't make stuff much better. It all comes out too 'soft'. Always wondered how those guys who release fansubs of anime can make the quality of the anime so good ?! My compressed files never turn out too good. Other better alternatives to VDub/VDubMod for encoding and DivX?

Thanks for helping me out.

[GbMedusa]

In the Capture Cards review section, there are comments here basically stating the included drivers/software is not the best. This guy recommends using other software for capture and post-processing.

A search of your card on this site may reveal other suggestions from users.

[Stormin Norman]

Your best bet would be to buy a DVD-RW drive, very cheap these days (nice pioneer for around 60 bucks). cap, edit using like DVDlab, and burn to DVD-R. An other would be forwarded to guides on the left of the menu on this website

[ikileo]

hmmm...seems like the drivers and software is not very likeable.
But my main problem is the compression. DivX, Xvid? They didn't say which program is good to utilize these compressions ie: Vdub ...

Any recommendations for encoding? Your experiences...

[jdizzy40]

Pardon me for asking a basic question, but what is it you are trying to produce and to play on what? Are you trying to produce a DVD or files to play on a portable handheld etc. The Tuner you have, does it have a hardware MPEG 2 encoder or is it software based?

[ikileo]

I am trying to just makes compressed files of the TVshows (sitcoms/series..etc) that i record. Like episodes of animes that they realease to burn on a CD or DVD to watch on computer. Not on TV. Hmmm...not too sure whether it's software/hardware, all I know is that I had to activate it online. Any way to find out? The default is mpeg1.

Sidetrack: If I do wanna watch it on TV using a dvd player, I'd have to burn it on a DVD right? But since it's already in mpeg2 format like a DVD/SVCD, and it's like 2gigs for a half hour show, how do i fit more eps instead of 2 in the dvd-r? .Vob?

[Soopafresh]

Consider AutoGK, it does an excellent job of Mpeg to AVI conversion. Just uninstall the app called DAE immediately after you install AutoGK.

[ikileo]

auto gordian knot?
how's the learning curve, might give it a try that one when i get home this weekend.
Still utlizes compression codecs (xvid blah blah blah..) to compress? Has effective/good tools to clean up?

[ikileo]

anyone can still help me out with my queries pls?

[jimmalenko]

Tried autoGK yet ?

I like this guide for it.

[physics223]

AVOID autoGK like the plague. It has spyware... not a nice thing to put on your system. There are a lot of better converters out there, how about trying STOIK Video Converter?

It's pretty good...

[jimmalenko]

AVOID autoGK like the plague. It has spyware... not a nice thing to put on your system.

The spyware is a piece of piss to get rid of, too

[physics223]

Many have said that it can easily be uninstalled. Bull.

You're just fooled. Spyware like that CAN'T be easily uninstalled. I got my trusty SpySweeper to prove that.

[jimmalenko]

Believe what you want, dude. I followed the instructions in a guide found here to remove the DAE, both from within control panel and by physically deleting the associated dll file that comes with it, and a couple of months later and still no spyware problems for me. Obviously it's gonna find it hard .... no, not hard - extremely difficult to run without its dll file to reference its subroutines from within.

Of course I must be either being fooled, living in a dream-world, high on crack cocaine, or just extremely fortunate

[ikileo]

autogk didn't quite fit my palate. stickin' to Vdub wif mpeg2 import. trying to figure out how to optimise xvid.

[spectroelectro]

If you just want to store compressed video files and view 'em on your computer, xvid is a good option. It's free and the compression is excellent. Virtualdub might not be the best software to use for capturing, though. Mainconcept 1.41 can do real-time mpeg-4 encoding, so that's something to think about, and scenalyzer is probably one of the best all-around capture programs out there. But if Virtualdub works well for you as a capture program, you might as well stick with it.

One other option you might consider is to get a cheap PCI video card like the Leadtek Winfast TV2000 or the Hauppauge. With an el cheapo Leadtek I was able to install the freeware Xvid encoder and get it running real time. Of course in real time you don't get 2-pass operation and consequently the files are larger than they otherwise would be, but...hey! It's real-time on-the-fly divx encoding. You can't beat that.