Max Bitrate for VHS captured AVIs -> MPG

[smokin*1]

I captured VHS to AVI and was wondering if there is a standard max bitrate that is achievable using this method. I have been using 5000 when converting to MPEG2 but was curious as to whether this is overkill.

[RoopeT]

This depends quite a lot of the resolution you did the capture, capture quality and the resolution you're encoding. Are you making a DVD / XSVCD or what?

If you're capturing from VHS there's no point encoding at a higher resolution than 352x576/480, and then 5000 is OVERKILL, 2000 should be more than enough.

[smokin*1]

First off, thanks for the reply...I didnt think I was gonna get an answer on thos one

Well, basically I have to capture at 720x480. My Pinnacle card, although it allows other framesizes, when capturing without using their default presets I noticed I had synching problems with the sound. I guess I could go back and play with changing the defaults and the not sure I will have any luck. Isnt it better to capture at 720x480, even if converting to a smaller framesize? Either way, most of the time I keep the 720x480 as I am looking to lose as little quality as possible in my encoding. I am making DVDs. 2000 definately is not sufficient but on the other hand, I cant really notice much of a difference between 3000 and 5000. Thats why I was asking if the cables only allow a lossless capture at a certain bitrate since I was seeing much of a difference between 3k and 5k (could just be my eyes though).

I am capturing all sorts of stuff...factory VHS, homemade VHS, DirectTV digital capture (using S-video cables). I prefer to loss as little information as possible, at $3 a piece and will eventually get cheaper I dont mind using a DVD-R on 120mins of video but then again, if I am just wasting space then I wont bother with the high bitrates. I like leaving the option open for reencoding these to smaller bitrates in the future, possibly smaller even smaller framesizes since 352x240 never looked that bad to me and requires alot less bits/second. I wanted to leave as much "information" there for these future downsamplings as who doesnt love have 4-6hrs of video on one disc

Anyways, sorry for rambling and hope you or someone can elaborate a bit

[RoopeT]

Isnt it better to capture at 720x480, even if converting to a smaller framesize?

Sure it is, if you just have enought HD space What codec are you using when capturing?

Again ,if your source is VHS (either homemade or bought) I'm pretty sure 352x480 @ 2000 is enough (or better still, VBR 2500 max, 2000 avg). I would at least test it and try to see the difference.

I prefer to loss as little information as possible, at $3 a piece and will eventually get cheaper I dont mind using a DVD-R on 120mins of video

I live in Finland, here a DVD-R disc is about $20. That's why I would mind using too high bitrate. Anyway, I don't have an DVDwriter but am just making SVCDs. 352x480 would be a good resolution to use as it is a standard DVD resolution and most if not all DVD players can play SVCDs on that resolution too.