How to save captured files on your computer in AVI format.

[jsparks]

I am new and have captured files in AVI format using Virtualdub. They take up a huge amount of drive space before converting. I made a few good looking VCD's. But it was alot of work plus my hard drive isn't the best for this. So I found it easier to download AVI(DIVX) files from a file sharing program of shows I was trying to capture. I converted them and they made some really nice VCD's. I saved the files to share with other users and they take up very little drive space. My question is how can you get captured AVI files to take up the same amount of space as the ones I downloaded. I would like to contribute some files to the file share to kind of trade for the ones I used. In the capture help it says you can capture with DIVx, but you can't make VCD's from them. But from what I can tell those downloaded files were DIVX and for the most part they made excellent VCD's. I would ask the file's author but the person sharing the file usually isn't the author. I'll check back when I can, but please feel free to email me if you have any suggestions. Thankyou

[KingJohn]

You capture to DivX, instead of the method your using now, within your settings you should be able to select the video codec, try different codec's on short runs, I use slow motion Mpeg4

Or capture like you are now, make your mepg for VCD, but then load the AVI into Vdub and save it back out as a DivX for sharing.

[jsparks]

Thankyou so much for the help, I'll give it a whirl. The show I am into is on once a week on one station, local and everynight cable. I have plenty of chances to experiment. (And if it doesn't work, I still have my old trusty VCR). This is sort of off subject, but I have some tapes I taped off one of the first VCR's I bought 20+ years ago and the quality of the tapes is almost better than what I taped a few days ago on a Walmart special. I guess back then something that cost over 700 dollars was built better. I guess that's why so many people want to make VCD etc copies of their VHS tapes. Some VCR's today are nothing like the good old days. I'll post again later to let all know of my success or failure.

[KingJohn]

Hi

I started to transfer my Disney collection from VHS, some of the old ones "bambi" did not turn out as good as the newer ones. However I gave it up as soon we will be all transferring to DVD instead of VCD

The new Dolby 6 head VCR's are very good, beats anything I ever had before, they play the tapes much better than the older models I had.

[jsparks]

I was wondering what you used to capture your VHS tapes to VCD and now DVD, Do you use a bridge or a video card with a composite in. I want to do that eventually. There's just so many ways, I just want to know how someone who has success with what they use to let me know what they use. Everything I've researched has had it's good reviews and bad. All I have are VCR's with the coaxial in out and the RCA red yellow white in out.
I bought some software I thought I could use, but I need a VCR with DV out to connect via a firewire card. Is there a bridge that connect my VCR to a firewire card. I priced a VCR with DV output and they cost as much a my computer. I would rather use my VCR a good bridge , and firewire card card or VCR to capture card and come good capture editing software than buy an exspensive VCR. Most of my favorite movies are already on DVD and I can buy alot with $900+. But there are some TV shows I taped I want to put on disc. If you could let me know how you do it I would really appreciate it. I'll check back later. Thanks again.