PVR 150 won't do VCD on new computer

[darwin-t]

I used my Hauppauge card on my old computer, running Win Xp to record in VCD. since I've installed it in my new computer (also Win XP) I have been unable to set it for VCD. It doesn't appear in the list of "Quality Level"s. I did find VCD listed as a choice for output in another menu, but "Apply" is greyed out when I try to set it.

The driver for "Hauppauge WinTV PVR PCII (26xxx) shows the date of 8/15/2006 and the version is 2.0.48.24227

Thanks

[yoda313]

You have a couple of options (at least it worked on the pvr 250 that I used to have)

1 - uninstall the software and download the latest capture software from hauppauge. Nine times out of ten the latest update usually gets the kinks out.

2 - If I remember correctly you have an option to create your own recording profile. Set a profile to the vcd spec and then record a test file to make sure. THen simly use that profile in place of the regular vcd setting (which will be the same assuming you stick to the vcd spec)

[SmokieStover]

I used my Hauppauge card on my old computer, running Win Xp to record in VCD. since I've installed it in my new computer (also Win XP) I have been unable to set it for VCD. It doesn't appear in the list of "Quality Level"s. I did find VCD listed as a choice for output in another menu, but "Apply" is greyed out when I try to set it.

When you hit the "advanced" button opposite the "quality levels", a menu opens (Property Sheet) having three tabs at the top: Configuration, Video, Audio. Click on the Video Tab, select output stream VCD and the correct video paramaters (It may do this for you). DO NOT click OK at the bottom. Then click on the Audio Tab and select the correct parameters (it may do this for you).....again DO NOT click OK at the Bottom. Now click on the configurations tab and click inside the strip to the right of the greyed out "Save New Config" Box. Type in "MPG1 VCD" and hit the "Save New Config" tab, WHICH IS NO LONGER GREYED OUT.

The driver for "Hauppauge WinTV PVR PCII (26xxx) shows the date of 8/15/2006 and the version is 2.0.48.24227

Thanks

Based on my experience with a PVR 250, I wouldn't update the recording App or drivers from the Hauppauge web site unless you have real problems.

I don't think much of the VCD recordings from my PVR 250. Get much better results recording at MPG2 8000kps CBR and reencoding to VCD with TMPGenc express.

[darwin-t]

You guys are SO smart. That worked, and thanks SmokieStover for the detailed explanation.

The only thing is that it won't let me set the bitrate at a static 1150, it resets it to variable 1600-2000. If that isn't VCD compliant I can easily convert with WinAVI.

A followup question, which may be off topic here, how do you reencode with TMPGenc Expres? The only thing I've ever used in that program is the cut/paste feature.

THANK YOU.

I did a test with a 10 minute file. I used it straight out of the capturing program and again after running it through the cut/merge program. Then I burned a DVD and IT WORKED. I can't thank you both enough.

[darwin-t]

This is working out pretty well, thanks.

I'm converting about 64 hours worth of 8mm camcorder tapes to DVD for a friend.

I know that my DVD authoring program converts the sound in some way for DVD and since I set this up manually, I thought I might just have it capture it with the proper sound format so conversion wouldn't be needed. I'm not going to actually make any VCDs from any files I capture.

Thank you very much for your help.

[jman98]

I know that my DVD authoring program converts the sound in some way for DVD and since I set this up manually, I thought I might just have it capture it with the proper sound format so conversion wouldn't be needed. I'm not going to actually make any VCDs from any files I capture.

Thank you very much for your help.

I believe that all Hauppauge cards (I have the PVR-350) can only record MPEG audio. MPEG audio is technically invalid for NTSC DVD and some authoring applications may re-encode it to AC3. Some authoring applications will let you use it for NTSC DVD, but according to the specs it is only valid for PAL DVD.

There are guides to encoding with TMPGenc. A search can find them.

[SHS]

MPEG audio is technically invalid for NTSC DVD and some authoring applications may re-encode it to AC3.

MPEG audio is not invalid for NTSC DVD that due with the fact that min older DVD Player didn't support MPEG-Layer 2 audio at time and TMPGenc is not best option you want Ulead DVD MovieFactory.

[darwin-t]

What I'm trying now is capturing in Mpeg 2 with a screen size of 352 x 240 and converting to VCD. That way the onboard encoders are doing the work during capture instead of my CPU.

[SmokieStover]

What I'm trying now is capturing in Mpeg 2 with a screen size of 352 x 240 and converting to VCD. That way the onboard encoders are doing the work during capture instead of my CPU.

Is there any reason you need or want VCD?

Why not capture as DVD compliant mpg2. Don't worry about the mpg audio.....all but the oldest US sold DVD players will play it. Decompressing mpg audio and recompressing to AC3 does nothing but lower the quality. Decompressing mpg audio to LCPM lowers the quality less, but takes up far more space when burned to DVD.

For Hi-8, I would suggest the DVD Standard Play quality level......1 hour 30 min max per DVD.

DVD Long Play will give you 1 hour 58 min max per DVD.

Mpg2 4.0Mbit/sec (1/2D1) (352X480) will give you 2 Hr 18 min max per DVD. There is a preset variable bitrate setting for that quality level, but I think 8MM deserves better than that. I don't go lower quality than DVD Long Play for VHS home movies.

Unless you bought an MCE card, your installation disk will include Ulead DVD Movie Factory.

Test your first DVD by playing from a DVD player to a TV before you waste time capturing all those tapes. And don't waste time burning cheap media. Play that DVD all the way thru, and if either the Video or audio are not up to snuff, you need to configure your card before you move on.

[SHS]

Mpeg 2 with a screen size of 352 x 240 and converting to VCD

You can not do this with MPEG2 at that size
MPEG2 is for NTSC 480i or PAL 576i only
HalfD1 352 x 480/576
SVCD 480 x 480/576
FullD1 720 x 480/576