WinDV - captures in segments ?

[Tafflad]

On advice here have started using WinDV to take care of my captures (VHS via TBC & ADVC300)

It automatically saves the video in 15min segments. Is this 'correct' .... is there a simple way to stitch them together, or do I need to wait until I use the NLE for post processing.

A simple point as well ... when it comes to end of tape ... only way I can see to 'stop' capture is to press 'cancel' ......... which always raises doubt of losing what was just captured, is there any more elegant way of stopping/completing the capture .. or is pressing 'cancel correct'

[gadgetguy]

To capture the whole tape to one file, set the discontinuity threshold to 0 and the filesize to the 1000000.

[Tafflad]

simple when you know how

For the ones already done, is there a simple way to stitch them together.

[jagabo]

VirtualDub:

File -> Open AVI File
File -> Append AVI Segment (automatically appends sequentially numbered files)
Video -> Direct Stream Copy
File -> Save as AVI

[Tafflad]

VirtualDub:

File -> Open AVI File
File -> Append AVI Segment (automatically appends sequentially numbered files)
Video -> Direct Stream Copy
File -> Save as AVI

Thanks for the tips guys ... one issue though if I use VD and direct stream copy on Video & Audio ..... file size will still grow in size and be different format to original ? .. (as no codec specified - am I right here?)

Direct Stream copy doesn't mean what I thought it would mean. (output format = input format)

For example .. load a clip, then save it as direct stream copy, info details of original and saved clip attached.

Is there anything I can set to get to original file format ?

or do I have to go to full processing mode and use a codec (Cedocida DV) am I then losing some detail by decompressing & re-compressing, is there a better way to append at this point without any decompress/re-compress .......... or should I just accept the increase in file size for now and leave as direct stream copy.

Will all change of course after editting and render for DVD creation.

[jagabo]

Direct Stream Copy simply copies the compressed frames form the source to the destination. There will be small differences in file size because of the way different programs pad the video (aligning frames on 1024, 2048, or 4096 byte boundaries etc.). This has no effect on video or audio quality.

If you use Full Processing mode the frames will be decompressed then recompressed, losing quality.

[Tafflad]

OK ... Thnx for the clarity ... just to check, WinDV has defualt setting of Type-1 AVI (iavs) is this the correct one to use.

[jagabo]

Some programs work with Type 1, some with Type 2, some with both. The difference is that Type 1 has the DV audio and video multiplexed into one stream that's marked as a video stream in the AVI file. Type 2 has a second copy of the audio in its own stream. So basically, Type 1 has one copy of the audio but some programs don't know how to access it. Type 2 has two copies of the audio for programs that don't know how to access the audio in Type 1 files.

[Tafflad]

Some programs work with Type 1, some with Type 2, some with both. The difference is that Type 1 has the DV audio and video multiplexed into one stream that's marked as a video stream in the AVI file. Type 2 has a second copy of the audio in its own stream. So basically, Type 1 has one copy of the audio but some programs don't know how to access it. Type 2 has two copies of the audio for programs that don't know how to access the audio in Type 1 files.

I edit with Vegas ... and just did a test it seems happy with TYPE1 or TYPE2 would I be safer to capture as Type 2 it has a muxed & non-muxed copy of audio ? or if it is happy with Type 1 stick with it.

[jagabo]

I edit with Vegas ... and just did a test it seems happy with TYPE1 or TYPE2 would I be safer to capture as Type 2 it has a muxed & non-muxed copy of audio ? or if it is happy with Type 1 stick with it.

I think type 2 is a little safer. More apps seem to work with that.

[Tafflad]

Type 2 it is then ...

Thnx as usual your help is much appreciated.