What programs is best suited to capture.

[coorrel]

Hi,
Recently realised that many of my old family VHS tapes will not play soon, so I decided to convert them DVD so the whole family can watch on a normal TV.

I have read many thread about people using different programs to capture, author and convert, eg vdub, tmpenc dvd author, ulead movie factory, premier pro... Although I have not much experience in capturing, I would like to known what programs are recommend for capture, author and convert to produce a good quality DVD video. Preferably one that can code for menu structure and such, to make different family events easily accessible. I don't mind if the program have a steep learning curve since I really need to get this done or I'll be in big trouble.

I plan to buy one of those USB video bus capturing devices eg USB+2xaudio and capture from VHS from a VCR.

All inputs are appreciated.

[thecoalman]

Whatever device you purchase will come with software for capture. That is usually the best application to use to capture since it's designed to work with the card.

From there you have many options for editing and authoring.

[redwudz]

It depends on how much editing and filtering you need to do. VHS video is usually not that clean or high quality. If you capture directly to MPEG, editing and filtering can get complicated and you may run into sync problems. If this is your case, you might think about a Canopus 110 or similar and capture to DV. If you have a DV webcam, you may be able to use that instead, if it has passthrough. DV is easy to edit and filter. VirtualDub can do it. Then you encode and author the results to DVD.

If you are capturing from VHS tapes, you probably need a TBC to stabilize the video, or a VCR with built in TBC.

I wouldn't recommend a USB to MPEG device. It might work OK, but you may be disappointed at the results. Just my opinion.

As far as capture programs, it depends what your capture device is. Also on what specs your computer has.

[coorrel]

Let's just assume my machine has the same spec as yours and same capture device as yours, now my question is what programs would you use to capture, author and convert VHS to DVD.


Thanks

[Barnabas]

coorrel,

Rather than buy a USB device, go with a firewire device and capture via DV. You can then use windows movie maker, Win DV or lots of other programs to capture with the same results.

Capping from VHS has lots of problems, video tape is poor quality to start with, and dropped frames are common. Best to capture via firewire to DV. You can then use VirtualDub to enhance the results before encoding to mpeg2. You should also invest in a TBC, or buy a VCR like some of the JVC's that have a bulit-in TBC and digital noice reduction which can REALLY help the look of old tapes.

[redwudz]

I use a Canopus ADVC-100 external DV converter. The VCR composite output goes to the ADVC and it outputs DV video. I transfer that to the computer via Firewire and WinDV. I edit and filter with VirtualDub Mod, then frameserve the video to TMPGEnc Plus encoder. The audio I save out as a WAV in Virtualdub and encode to AC3 with ffmpegGUI. I take the encoded video and the AC3 audio and combine that in TMPGEnc DVD Author, make menus and burn to DVD.

I don't use a TBC because I don't do that many VHS tapes and my VCR works good enough. The ADVC has the advantage of locked audio/video sync. Sync loss is a big problem when capturing video. (Though the ADVC doesn't really capture, just converts internally.) You can also do this with a camcorder with video passthrough.

Another method popular around here is a Hauppauge WINTV-PVR 250 capture card. It captures directly to MPEG-2, so you just need to edit, then author and burn. There is the usual problem with editing MPEG video, but an editor like MPEG-VCR works well.

For capture cards and capture information, you might take a look at Lordsmurfs site, digitalfaq.com.

[slacker]

coorrel,

My methods are an evaluation and distillation of everything I've read on this site and others over 18 months. If you have VHS tapes which are PRECIOUS, and want to both preserve and view them...

1. FORGET the capture cards, dvd recorders, blah, blah.

2. Transfer your VHS to miniDV tape using a reliable VCR and a camcorder such as the Sony HC90, FX1, Canon Optura 500 or something EQUIVALENT. Ultimately, store those tapes away in a safe deposit box somewhere. At 25mbps they are your masters.

To make dvds for viewing, transfer the above miniDV material to your PC using a 4 or 6 pin 1394 connection. This will be in DV format. This is highly editable.

Import, edit and burn your DV material using Adobe Premier Pro, Sony Vegas, or Ulead MediaStudio Pro. Anything else I can't vouch for.

For many, many reasons, this process works, it's tried, it's proven, it's reliable, and you should NOT be disappointed.

Stray from these recommendations and suffer the fate of ALL video newbies, i.e. bad video and wasted time.

[coorrel]

Ok, now that I have ideas on what kind of process that is needed to be undertaken I will put it to action soon enough, need to get a capture device first. Some of those card can cost quiet a bit so I will decide a method upon a closer evaluation.


Thanks guys.

[sjmaye]

coorrel,

2. Transfer your VHS to miniDV tape using a reliable VCR and a camcorder such as the Sony HC90, FX1, Canon Optura 500 or something EQUIVALENT.

I need to transfer VHS, VHS-C, and 8mm tapes to my PC (AVI format). I do not own a camcorder. I am assuming the models you mention above have inputs such as composite video, s-video.... to hook to your VCR outputs.

The models you mention seem great, but a bit on the high side of my budget. What feature or specification should I be looking for when camcorder shopping? Or is the ability to input/recorder from your VCR standard on all models of MiniDV camcorders?

[thecoalman]

Or is the ability to input/recorder from your VCR standard on all models of MiniDV camcorders?

It's not standard but I think you'll find that most models have this feature. it's in the manufacturers interest to provide it since it doesn't require anymore hardware (they all have RCA jacks for playing out to TV). Essentially they only need to provide a setting to allow the jacks to be used for input.

As far as the quality I've seen another member mention here that you won't see any difference between models of the same manufacturer, the lowliest of cams to the highest priced ones use the same DV codec to process the video. You may see a difference between different manufacturers. The difference in the prices for the same manufacturer is reflected in how well it records live action.

The above advice posted by the other poster is some pretty good advice if you want to archive your footage in a high quality format. I'd take it step further though. you don't have to record directly to mini-DV tape. You can pass the analog signal to the cam which will convert it to DV-AVI and transfer it directly to HDD as your converting it. From there you can edit your footage removing the garbage you don't want such as the video of your feet. :P

Once your done save it as DV-AVI and you can send it back to the DV cam via firewire for archiving.

[lordsmurf]

I do not find DV a favorable method of archiving VHS. It introduces compression errors with all the colorspace conversions from source to DVD.

You have a couple options. Go with an internal capture card, or a DVD recorder.

If you do NOT want to edit, DVD recorder is easy. Buy a JVC DVD recorder. It'll not only transfer, but improve quality.

For a capture card, either get an MPEG card (minimal editing), or a card that can captured uncompressed or low compressed AVI. ATI All In Wonder cards are great, Philips-chipped cards do well also, for AVI work. ATI AIW also does MPEG well. For AVI, the Canopus DV converters are alright, I guess.

But the capture card or DVD recorder is only one of many steps. Do not forget to invest in a high qualtiy VCR, and you may need a TBC.

Software is secondary to the hardware, and it'll change from device to device. DVD recorder needs no software at all.

Good luck.

[davideck]

I do not find DV a favorable method of archiving VHS. It introduces compression errors with all the colorspace conversions from source to DVD.

What colorspace conversions do you think are taking place?

I agree with slacker; very good advice for lots of reasons.

Mini-DV is 25Mb/s and is the most transparent recording medium currently available to the consumer. DVD is about 8Mb/s. More compression errors with DVD. Not as good for archiving, but very convenient for viewing.

[SatStorm]

NTSC DV is 4:1:1 You loose colour info when you trasfer VHS to DV

PAL is another thing: Is 4:2:2 so you loose nothing

For my PAL VHS tapes (some of them 25 years old) I use the standard method:

Set Up:
SVHS Deck with line TBC > Good quality S-Video cables > ACE encancer / TBC > Good quality S-Video cables, capture card (an old asus 7700 excellent for VHS to PC captures).

Capture method:
- PicVideo AVI ( 19 ) at 704 x 576 framesize
- Avi editing using Virtualdub
- Software filtering
- Resizing
- Encoding to mpeg 2 using TMPGenc plus
- Author using TMPGenc Author
- Burn using Nero Express

Results: Excellent
Time needed: 1 VHS tape per day

Of course, you need excellent quality DVD-Rs if you wish to keep them. I always burn my projects twice:
1 Authored
2 As data, non authored / edited: Pure mpeg 2

The "data mirror" discs, as I use to call, I store them somewhere safe with perfect (for DVD-Rs) conditions

I use the author ones for viewing

[glenpinn]

hi there.
i think this guy wants input regarding what programs to use to actually TRANSFER (or capture as its commonly called) his analog videos to his pc, and what to use to process the video to dvd.
he already stated he was getting some kind of capture device, so im not entering another debate about video capture devices, its all been said so many times and the arguments never end, there is no "best" way to capture anolog video to your pc, use what suits u best and what works best for you. i have my own ways of doing it and i personally like the way i do it with brilliant results.

i can however give my opinion as to what programs i personally use to "transfer" my video and process to dvd, whether anyone else likes them or not is totally irrelevant, i use them because i believe them to be the best ive ever used and give me great results, and i certainly hope a debate doesnt follow this about the pros and cons of different dvd processing software. i use the following because i prefer "stand alone" dvd processing software programs, i get better workflow and feel more in control of what im doing.

1. to "transfer" my video onto my pc (in type2 dv avi) i use WinDV 1.2.3 it works with all my capture devices (canopus ADVC-110 and DV camcorders) and never failed yet.

WinDV 1.2.3 available free here at
http://windv.mourek.cz/

WinDV 1.2.3 setup guide for capturing in type2 dv avi
http://www.dvd-guides.com/content/view/33/59/

2. encoding to Dvd mpeg2 i use TMPGEnc 3.0 xpress.
3. basic authoring and burning i use TMPGEnc Dvd Author.
4. advance Authoring and burning i use Dvd Lab Pro
5. for trimming or joining mpeg files ill sometimes use TMPGEnc mpeg Editor.
(both tmpgenc dvd author and dvd lab pro have built in burning tools)

btw, software thats included in a piece of hardware is not included because its the best suited software for that piece of hardware (as mentioned previously) its all a matter of sales and most hardware manufacturers get special deals from software manufacturers to package thier software with the hardware, its that simple.
ive seen some good quality hardware packaged with some really crappy software and vice versa, its all just a matter of being able to get the best possible package to sell thier product.

i rest my case, cheers everyone.....GLEN (and no, i dont have shares in TMPGE but maybe i shoud have)

[davideck]

NTSC DV is 4:1:1 You loose colour info when you trasfer VHS to DV

4:1:1 sampling is more than adequate for VHS chroma bandwidth.

[harley2ride]

You can get an ADS PYRO AV/LINK which is a nice external capture device and it includes ADOBE Premiere Elements 3 (which is like a SE version of Adobe Premiere), all for around $155.00, and have everything you need to capture, edit, author, and burn. I haven't personally tried the new Premiere Elements 3, as I'm still happy with Adobe Premiere 6.5.

[SatStorm]

ADS Pyro AV/Link is an excellent device, but many users report that a TBC is neccessary when you wish to capture VHS tapes

@davideck: Visually, you see a difference. All the pro's and semi pros said so, I have no reason not to believe them.
On the other hand, I'm a PAL user. My knowledge about NTSC can't be compared to LS' for example.

[thecoalman]

btw, software thats included in a piece of hardware is not included because its the best suited software for that piece of hardware (as mentioned previously) its all a matter of sales and most hardware manufacturers get special deals from software manufacturers to package thier software with the hardware, its that simple.

<Enter Alex Trebeck:> "No, so sorry that's incorrect." :P

Most major hardware manufacturers include their own software for capturing, usually it comes under the guise as TV recorder, pvr whatever name they place on it. This is not the software you are talking about such as the SE editions of Ulead, Pinnacle products.......

A few that come to mind off the the top of my head are Winfast PVR for Leadtek products, MMC for ATI, WinTV for Hauppage. This is specific software for that particular manufacturer/card. again it's designed to take full advantage of the card and generally is the best software to use for capture.

[glenpinn]

hi again.

so i was a "bit" incorrect about the comments about software/hardware packages, but it does happen in a lot of cases, maybe not as coalman pointed out so i retract my statement "partially"

as harley pointed out the ADS PYRO seems to be a nice deal, but that pyro doesnt have audio/image sync lock (that im aware of) that is available on the canopus ADVC-50 AND 110 devices, but having said that the PYRO is much cheaper as well, and if it did have the audio/image sync lock at that price, would be an even better deal.

cheers everyone....GLEN