Vhs -> dv --> dvd

[newtotheworld]

I have read through some of these threads and have a basic technical grasp, but a lot of the answers are specific to the questions, and my situation is slightly unique.

I'm converting old VHS tapes to DVD for my family. The tapes are of varying quality...some decent quality and some home videos recorded in SLP mode. My goal is not pro-level perfection but to get a conversion of quality superior to a VHS/DVD combo player/recorder.

So far, this is what I have:

1. Magnavox 2205 VHS player - won it as a prize a few years ago and it is unused.
2. ADVC 110 - based on forum postings, this seemed like the best solution to get the DV with my budget.
3. Windows 7 Pro, which comes with "Windows Live Movie Maker" and "Windows Live DVD Maker"

I'm willing to spend another up to $100-200 on software if it will greatly increase the quality of the final product. However, fancy dvd creation tools aren't really a requirement. As long as I can do some cutting of unwanted DV segments before creating the DVD, all I really care about is the quality of the video.

It seems like I'm able to capture the DV just fine with the vhs player, advc 110, and what comes with Windows 7. How to keep as much quality from the DV is where I need help. With Windows Live Movie Maker, I can cut the video like I want. However, it seems like you can only save the result in WMV format. I understand that every time you encode/compress data, there is going to be a loss in quality. Do you think the quality loss would be great going from DV -> WMV -> MPEG2 vs. DV -> MPEG2 ?

Also, from what I'm reading, I should make the bit rate as close to 9000 kbps as possible. What about suggested audio bit rate given my source (192, 48 stereo is default)?

Finally, given my setup, I guess the biggest room for improvement would be in the software, right? I'm lost in all the different options, so if someone has a suggestion for a good software product that will do the DV --> DVD authoring without a lot of frills but with good video quality and mpeg2 codec, please let me know. From what I can see, Windows Live DVD Maker forces a bitrate that allows for 2.5 hours on a DVD...it seems like I'm giving up quality there, right? With there being a bit rate limit for DVD, what is the smallest amount of time that will fill one up?

I appreciate your insight!

[edDV]

...
I'm willing to spend another up to $100-200 on software if it will greatly increase the quality of the final product. However, fancy dvd creation tools aren't really a requirement. As long as I can do some cutting of unwanted DV segments before creating the DVD, all I really care about is the quality of the video.

If quality is the concern, the money should go first to a framestore TBC*, then a better VCR. DV stream capture is better done with WinDV (free) to avoid the wmv trap but WMM is capable of saving to DV-AVI if you search the export menus.

... back later Willy is on SS, need to kick in the subwoofer...

[edDV]

...How to keep as much quality from the DV is where I need help. With Windows Live Movie Maker, I can cut the video like I want. However, it seems like you can only save the result in WMV format. I understand that every time you encode/compress data, there is going to be a loss in quality. Do you think the quality loss would be great going from DV -> WMV -> MPEG2 vs. DV -> MPEG2 ?

Yes but it should be possible to export DV-AVI. WMV forces a deinterlace and heavy compression.

[edDV]

Also, from what I'm reading, I should make the bit rate as close to 9000 kbps as possible. What about suggested audio bit rate given my source (192, 48 stereo is default)?

DV audio is uncompressed PCM 16bit 48Khz stereo or 12bit 32KHz (2 or 4 channel). Compression to 192Kb/s AC3 or MP2 is ok. 224Kb/s better for higher quality source audio.

[edDV]

...
Finally, given my setup, I guess the biggest room for improvement would be in the software, right? I'm lost in all the different options, so if someone has a suggestion for a good software product that will do the DV --> DVD authoring without a lot of frills but with good video quality and mpeg2 codec, please let me know. From what I can see, Windows Live DVD Maker forces a bitrate that allows for 2.5 hours on a DVD...it seems like I'm giving up quality there, right? With there being a bit rate limit for DVD, what is the smallest amount of time that will fill one up?

I appreciate your insight!

I haven't fully tested the latest Windows Live DVD because all the prior were useless.

I use Sony Vegas Platinum or Pro (DVD Architect) but there are many options.

Others will comment.

[newtotheworld]

Thanks for your help. Yea, I'm able to capture in DV-AVI fine...not sure if some of the free tools would do any better? I will need to do some more capturing with ADVC 110 to reflect on capture quality, but for now, I think TBC seems outside my price range. It looks like with Windows Live Movie Maker they got rid of the AVI export option, so I'll definitely need to be looking at other software for the dvd authoring.

[edDV]

Just remembered what the "*" was.

You can buy a buy a TBC and ADVC, get the job done and resell on eBay for low net cost.