Highly Configurable Free or Low-Cost Video Recording App?

[Georgeo57]

Hi,

Does anyone know of a free or low-cost video recording app for Windows 10 that I can set to save to the following two sets of requirements? (I've checked out several that will allow me to set some, but not all, of these specs.)

1)

Format: .mp4, .mov, or .wmv

Resolution: 1920x1080

Frame Rate: 29.97 fps

28 minute file cannot exceed 4 gigabytes in size


2)

Format: MP4, MOV or WMV

NTSC Standard Definition (SD)

Size/Resolution: 720x480i in a 4:3 aspect ratio

Frame Rate: 29.97 frames per second

Audio Sample Rate: 48.0 kHz

28 minute file cannot exceed 2 Gigabytes


Thanks!
George

[jagabo]

OBS Studio
ffmpeg

[Georgeo57]

Thanks jagabo!!!!!! You've been totally helpful!!!

I set OBS to the following:

Output >Output Mode=Advanced>Rescale Output=720x480
Audio>Audio Sample Rate=48kHz Channels=stereo
Video> Base Resolution=640x480 Aspect Ratio=4:3 Output Resolution=640x480 Aspect Ratio=4:3 Common FPS Values=29.97

I think it worked because the file says 720x480 (although not 480i). Is there a way to know that the aspect ratio is 4:3 because it doesn't say this in the video's properties?

I uploaded a 15-second sample file. Did I get it right?

[jagabo]

Your sample is 720x480 but its aspect ratio is not flagged. So it plays 3:2, not 4:3. It's also encoded progressive, not interlaced. You can force x264 to encode interlaced with --tff or --bff, and you can set the sampling aspect ratio to 8:9 (4:3 display aspect ratio with a 720x480 frame) with --sar 8:9.

What is your source? You captured at 29.97 fps but the source is only providing 15 different frames per second. And it's progressive, not interlaced.

Why do you want 720x480 and interlaced? Are you making a DVD?

[Georgeo57]

Oh, thanks for catching that! I'm recording with a Logitech c910 webcam. I need the video to be 720x480i 4:3 because it's for a local cable TV station pilot, and that's the only format they'll accept.

Should I keep trying with OBS and ffmpeg (I think I installed ffmpeg, but it doesn't show up in settings>apps)? How did you discover that it was 3:2 rather than 4:3?

[Georgeo57]

It may be a lot easier for me to record the video through Zoom, and then convert it to the format I need. Does anyone have any recommendations for a fast and reliable converter?

[Georgeo57]

I may have figured this out using ConvertXtoVideo, but it had no option for 480i, only 480. Also, it allowed me to choose 30fps but not 29.97. I hope that's not a big deal.

Here's another test file.

I'd appreciate if you could let me know if these other specs were met:

Format: MP4
Size/Resolution: 720x480i in a 4:3 aspect ratio
Frame Rate: 29.97 frames per second
Audio Sample Rate: 48.0 kHz

Thanks!

[jagabo]

That video is 30 fps and progressive. It is 720x480 and marked 4:3 display aspect ratio. I recommend you shoot something with some motion so we can see if the camera itself is sending 30p (not 15 as in the previous sample). Also, put something of known aspect ratio in the shot (big and near the center) so we can see if the AR is correct. Something like a basketball or soccer ball.

I don't use OBS studio much. And never to produce 480i. I'll have to check out a few things to let you know how to set it up for that...

[DB83]

I really would like to see a link to the target 'broadcaster'.


Something in my grey matter just does not add up. 'MOV' (as in quicktime) or 'WMV' went out with the 'Ark'. And mp4 is, typically, only presented as progressive.


Now I could understand mpeg2 480i which is typical delivery format. But the 'broadcaster', apparently, excludes that.


And what about the OP who appears to have been AWOL for 17 years ? Has he learnt nothing in the meantime such as how one determines the specs of a video or not rely on one-click conversion programs.


I do not know but I would still think that webcams typically just send progressive signals for capture.


And there IS a difference (in my book) between 29.97 and 30 fps. If the broadcaster expects 29.97 interlaced footage (typically from a SD source) then they are hardly going to accept 30 fps.

[jagabo]

What is the nature of the video that will be captured? Hi action? Talking head? I've never seen a webcam that does interlaced video. And most only send square pixel resolutions. The easiest thing for you to do is capture with a 4:3 frame size that's larger than 720x480 -- like 800x600, 960x720 or 1440x1080. Capture at 59.94 or 60 fps if the webcam supports it, 29.97 or 30 otherwise. The use some other software to convert that to the desired resolution and interlaced encoding.

[Georgeo57]

It's a talking head show. I may have found a program that works called AVS Converter! It outputs at 29.97fps in 720x480 at what it seems to set at the 4:3 aspect ratio. I'm still not sure it matters that it's not interlaced, but I can hopefully get that info from the station next week.

I've uploaded a 20 second sample.

[DB83]

Can't you do what was asked of you and atleast upload a video with movement and some way to determine, as jagabo asked, that the aspect ratio is correct.


And as far as your latest sample is concerned, that is also reported as square-pixel 3:2 (divide 720 by 3:divide 480 by 2 and both return 240)

[jagabo]

You can use MediaInfo to check a video's properties.

[Georgeo57]

You can use MediaInfo to check a video's properties.

Thanks!!!