Procoder 2 disappointing encode results

[mikeDV]

I've been using Procoder 2 to encode some DV footage from my miniDV camcorder, specifically the Canon Elura 65, and have found that there is a clearly noticable degradation in quality from the original DV footage to the encoded footage. Plugging the camera directly to the TV through the A/V ports shows nice clear picture but when I encode in Procoder 2 and burn to a DVD and then watch it, the picture has visible graininess and artifacts. I realize the source is not perfect, it's not like it's a professional camera, but I still wouldn't expect to see such clearly visible degradation. I use the mastering settings on Procoder, with bitrate at 9000 VBR 2 pass, and everything else set at maximum as far as I know.
Also, I don't know if this has something to do with it, but when I play the original DV-AVI in Media Player the picture is larger then when I play back the encoded mpeg . . . when i press full screen, the encoded 4:3 picture doesn't take up the whole screen ( it leaves black bars all around itself) like the raw DV-AVI, even though they are supposedly both 720X480 NTSC.

[vhelp]

It's been my experience, when using PC v1.5 and encoding DV from
a dv cam, which is pure interlace..

..that source quality might be closely obtainable if one incorporates
a CBR encode instead of VBR. In my dealings w/ footage on DV, I would
encode with CBR and 9000 bitrate, and encode as interlace in PC v1.5
encoder.

I think (theory here) that the reason you are not getting results hoped
for is on account of your footage being produced without a tripod.
Anything done hand-held is in most cases open for disaster in the things
of bitrate distribution per disk-r and VBR mode. In my experience, and my
suggestion, for non-tripod filmage, a CBR and highest bitrate would be
a better choice.

When the footage is done with a tripod, then the choice of VBR or CBR
is left up to you, according to your whole process, including your skills
level, and your final goal..

..With a one hour film, you should be able to fit on one dvd-r disk.
If you must go two hours per disk, then your only choice will most likely
be VBR and two-pass method, factoring in with a bitrate calc into the
equation here.

My suggestion would be:

** if non-tripod, use CBR 9000 birtate, encode as interlace
** if tripod used, use either CBR, or VBR (w/ bitrate calc) and interlace
** run various tests using these suggestions to find what works for you

The rest is up to you. Test, test, test, till you feel you can live with
what you can do with your current level of skills/knowledge, etc. In time
you will become better at your process, and find you can do even better

-vhelp 3626

[lordsmurf]

This all comes down to your settings.
The player thing is likely unrelated, view it on a tv set.

[guns1inger]

In my experience with PC2, mastering quality is inferior to highest quality when encoding DV, be it CBR or VBR, however highest quality can produce pretty good results.

[lordsmurf]

In my experience with PC2, mastering quality is inferior to high quality when encoding DV, be it CBR or VBR, however high quality can produce pretty good results.

I wouldn't agree to that on an "absolute" front, but it something I'm glad you mentioned. That could help. I've also noticed PC2 being a bit questionable in "Mastering" mode, unlike PC1. "Highest" and "High" are always quite nice, on the other hand.

[guns1inger]

I have certainly noticed it with DV source material. I don't think I have tried using it on DVD backups via DVD-RB, simply because I have become a little gunshy (oh, and the added time it takes doesn't help, either)

[mikeDV]

THanks for the suggestions guys, I'll try some of them out and post on the results.