Startech device squeezes pixels

[dernice]

Hi

I am converting VHS tapes PAL with Startech SVID2USB232 device, software OBS with a scene resolution of 720x576.

However the device default setting captures at 640x480, which of course doesn't fit my scene.


[Attachment 75477 - Click to enlarge]


If I change the device setting to 720x576


[Attachment 75478 - Click to enlarge]


- then it squeezes the pixels (you can see the clock behind the TV host now is squeezed)


[Attachment 75479 - Click to enlarge]


I would like to end up with 4:3 output, square pixels for upload to Youtube, however 720x576 is the largest
setting for the Startech device.

What is the best workaround? Capture at 640x480 and resize in OBS scene, or capture at 720x576 and resize to 768x576 afterwards to get a decent 4:3 output with square pixels?

I am looking forward to your help

[davexnet]

Capture lossless @ 720x576, then deinterlace and resize to 768x576

[Cornucopia]

That device is designed to use its own capture app, which supports standard NTSC & PAL 601 settings (720x480 or 720x576), but those use Non-square pixels. If you attempt to capture using OBS, it is already converting it to square pixels (almost all computer screens use square pixels and OBS is a SCREEN CAPTURE software). So if you insist on not using the supplied software but OBS instead, expect it to be 640x480 (for NTSC) or 768x576 (for PAL) as your new SD max. Note that OBS is likely deinterlacing as well, so you will have motion changes (I would bet it does 1/2 rate, so 30i-->30p, etc). To say nothing of possible color shifts.

Another reason why many here consider OBS to NOT be the optimal capture workflow for analog sources.


Scott

[lollo]

I would like to end up with 4:3 output, square pixels for upload to Youtube

Beside all the rest (which is quite bad), YT does not require any square pixel, so no lossy resizing is needed.

[Alwyn]

In Settings>Video, put the Base Res and Output Res to 768x576.

[dernice]

Capture lossless @ 720x576, then deinterlace and resize to 768x576

I believe Startech device deinterlace while capturing, and it is enabled in the OBS settings.

Is it a bad idea resizing while capturing? I can change setting for my scene to 768x576, and resizing while capturing?

[dernice]

Another reason why many here consider OBS to NOT be the optimal capture workflow for analog sources.


Scott

Which capturing device would you then recommend? These recordings are only meant for viewing on desktop and YT. No DVD or BD output.

[Alwyn]

Is it a bad idea resizing while capturing? I can change setting for my scene to 768x576, and resizing while capturing?

No. OBS is encoding your capture in real time to MP4 anyway, so there's no extra effort involved. Provided you get good, in-sync video with no jaggies (in other words, it is deinterlaced properly), then you're good to go.

The "best" way to capture analogue, standard definition video ie 720x576, 720x480, is to capture into a lossless codec such as HUFFYUV, Lagarith or UT Video with a program such as AmarecTV or Virtual Dub. That gives you the best quality base to improve your video by using a high-quality deinterlacer, colour enhancement and noise reduction for example, without losing quality. Of course, you may like your OBS captures and that is entirely your prerogative to use. Certainly, the OBS route is simpler, but you do restrict your ability to improve your video. It depends on how seriously you want to get into this.