Panasonic DV to Microsoft DV(conversion?)

[Sillyname]

I installed virtualdub and had to install the Panasonic (VFW)DV codec as per instruction.

Virtualdub has no trouble opening Microsoft DV files using the Panasonic DV codec.

But when I bring the files that I filter through Virtualdub into Mediastudio, Mediastudio seems to think I have to convert them when they are mixed with Microsoft DV codec clips.

Is there a way around this? I heard that the Panasonic DV codec was basically the Microsoft codec enabled for Video for Windows use. Is there just a line I can change in the header of the DV file, instead of going through any lengthy conversions?

In other words, how can I cut out this conversion step, going from virtualdub to Mediastudio because my editor does not want to do any trimming and editing outside of Mediastudio. He is a linear fellow working in a non-linear world. Think "Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer".

Oh and we must stay in DV format, as we are turning miniDV copies over to a director who will hand it off to god knows who. So we are not interested in frameserving, unless there is a way to frameserve from virtualdub to Mediastudio.

[Sillyname]

I believe I was looking at this backwards. I will get my editor to do all his trimming first and then will frameserve to virtualdub...

Virtualdub has a "Print-To-Tape" feature, does it not?

[Cornucopia]

You're probably right with that workflow change, but just so you know, it's mainly a fourCC change that is required, IIRC.

Try AVIFrate. Simple and to-the-point.

Scott

[Sillyname]

The editor seemed happy with the workflow idea, too.

Will try AVIFrate. Thanks Groucho!

[daamon]

@ Sillyname - Just off the top of my head, I wonder if it's not so much a mix of DV clips (DV, after all, is DV - for video) but more a mix of Type1 and Type. The difference being the way the audio is stored in the file.

There's the DV Type 1 to DV Type 2 Converter tool out there if this is the problem...

[Sillyname]

Since installing the Panasonic DV codec, we've had 3 corrupt DV files and a problem with the Panasonic codec showing up as a Directshow(or was it activemovie?) codec in the registry, when it should just be a video for windows codec that leaves my system alone. Either way it was conflicting with all the videos that I had previously captured as Microsoft DV. I did not want to let the Panasonic DV codec to become the dominant DV codec on my system, especially if it was corrupting my DV files. Some of them were showing to be Panasonic DV, even though they were captured as Microsoft. When I uninstalled the Panasonic codec, they reverted back to Microsoft(???).

Typically a situation like this would be a tweaker's wet dream but I do not want to tweak, so I uninstalled the Panasonic codec and virtualdub. I don't need to save that much money.

So I am back to square one...

Anybody know where I can BUY a filter or plug-in that will help me restore old VHS captures? I will PAY money for it. I do not need to buck the system. I just need something that works without me having to break anything that already works. Perhaps a program that uses my existing DV codec instead of insisting I install a VFW compatible codec. That is sloppy and only for those who are so paranoid about Microsoft's offerings that they could possibly render their system helpless.

Again, I am in this for the video, not for how much I can save. I do not pirate things, so I am used to buying software. Any ideas on what I can use for under $200 will be greatly appreciated. If no such thing exists, then the world isn't as big as I once thought. I can't imagine a freeware program is the only thing that stands in between me and a $1,000+ plug-in for After Effects. I have After Effects, for what it's worth, so if there are any restoration tools I can purchase for it that do not cost more than After Effects itself does, then I'm all ears.

Please? I really want to do good work.