Video Bit Rate

[knotnow]

I use Ulead Video Capture & Ulead DVD Moviefactory 2 to capture with, using a Pixelview xcapture card. What video bit rate is best to use constant or variable? And how should I determine what video bit rate to use for best results? Should I just use the Video Bit Calc?

[thecoalman]

I use variable, it wil use higher bitrates during motion scenes and lower ones for slow action...

The bitrate to choose depends on what you want, the resolution.... etc.

6000VBR using 720x480 will produce great results and get you about 1.5 hours per 4.7 disc. If you're using a resolution of 720x480 once you go below 4000 the quality will quickly deterioate... You can however use lower bitrates than 4000 if you use a lower resolution with decent results.

Each resolution has a sweet spot for a particular range of bitrate. For example if you use a lower resolution and very high bitrate you are only wasting space since it can't get any better at certain point. On the other hand high resolution using low bitrates will produce terrible results compared to the same video using a lower resolution.

[knotnow]

My Ulead DVD Moviefactory is set on variable rate at a max of 8000kbps. I capture at 720 x 480, giving me about 1hr 20min. Is that a good setting to be at?

[Nelson37]

Using Ulead to capture and encode in real time is a bad idea.

If I had some vague idea what hardware you are using to capture and what your PC specs are (that is what your profile is for) I could tell you exactly how bad. But it is definitely bad.

[knotnow]

Using Ulead to capture and encode in real time is a bad idea.

If I had some vague idea what hardware you are using to capture and what your PC specs are (that is what your profile is for) I could tell you exactly how bad. But it is definitely bad.

Computer specs are updated. Your probably right, it probably would be better to capture to avi first. The results that I'm getting are pretty good though. I just wasn't sure if my video rates needed to be changed.

[thecoalman]

I haven't used Ulead softwaqre for direct MPEG capture but the results I have seen were sufficient. Having a faster machine helps a lot.

AVI will produce a better end product though, try the same video doing both and compare. Only you can decide what's best for you...

[Nelson37]

VBR is more efficient, but more CPU intensive. Real-time capture and encode is extremely demanding of CPU, Video, Hard drive, and software.

There is no correct bitrate, any more than there is a correct amount of ketchup to put on your freedom fries. Season to taste.

Bitrate calc will tell you estimated filesize. Software actual bitrate used will vary to a greater or lesser extent from specified, usually related to general level of dark scenes in flick, and/or brightly lit and action scenes. So the calc answer is not precise, just a rough estimate. If going for one movie per disk, no reason not to max it out.

[knotnow]

Thanks for all responses to my questions. Will try different capture ideas & see what gives me the best results. I guess if the finished product looks as good as the source, then there's not more you could ask for.