Capturing VHS tapes into an interlaced file

[peanutsoup]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this so forgive me if this post is stupid. Recently I bought the I-O Data GV-USB2 to capture VHS tapes. It's great because it keeps both fields (unlike a lot of VHS capture devices.) I've been using it with deinterlacing enabled in OBS to capture VHS tapes to 60p MKV files (I know this isn't an optimal setup.) Anyways, I want to upgrade my setup. I'd like capture into a 30i file (preferably mpg or vob, but it doesn't matter too much to me.) The only problem is that I don't know how to do this. I've heard that VirtualDub has the capability to do this, but I haven't been able to figure it out. So, does anyone know a good way to capture VHS tapes into an interlaced file or could help me figure out how to do it in VirtualDub?

P.S.
My VCR is a Panasonic PV-7400 (which I'm aware isn't ideal since it's not stereo.)

[pandy]

Normally all you need to do is set capture format to 480(30i)/576(25i) then all active video lines from both fields should be recorded however driver may process signal in own way so you need to try. Personally i avoid lossy codecs and capture video with lossless codecs (such as huffyuv for video and pcm for audio). Later you can transcode such losslessly captured video to any codec you wish. This remark is especially valid if you use CPU for compression, for "GPU" assisted capture this is less severe problem as they support real time compression.

[lollo]

For I-O Data GV-USB2 follow Alwin's AmarecTV guide https://aaproductions.net/amarectv.htm

[peanutsoup]

For I-O Data GV-USB2 follow Alwin's AmarecTV guide https://aaproductions.net/amarectv.htm

Is there any specific codec you'd recommend? I tried using UT & Lagarith, but they both produced results where the interlaced video was in a progressive file (screenshot attached.) I could play this back in VLC with Yadif 2x, but it looked very jittery and I assume was deinterlaced using AI.

[Alwyn]

Those UT and LAGS video files ARE Interlaced. VLC Player is deinterlacing them and producing that blur. Make sure you've got Deinterlacing ON AND Mode Yadifx2; two separate settings. Note that every time the video ends, the VLC deinterlace settings revert to Auto.

The jitter and blur is because the deinterlacing is only single-rate. If you have Yadifx2 mode working correctly, the video will be smoother and less blurry because you're getting twice the number of frames for the same length of time.

A better analysis can be done by opening the file in VDub; the interlacing will be obvious.

[lollo]

Is there any specific codec you'd recommend?

My preference is for HuffYUV, but Lagarith and UV Video are ok.

they both produced results where the interlaced video

You (properly) asked for an interlaced video, and that's what you have. With modern displays either you leave the deinterlacing operation to the TV or the player (with the settings that Alwin suggested), or you deinterlace by software.

[jagabo]

produced results where the interlaced video was in a progressive file

The problem is that AVI doesn't really have the facility to flag the video as interlaced so players and editors don't know the video is interlaced. It's up to you to tell the player/editor the video is interlaced.

(screenshot attached.) I could play this back in VLC with Yadif 2x, but it looked very jittery

VLC may have been playing the video with the wrong field order. VLC always assumes bottom-field-first when 2x deinterlacing. If the video is top-field-first the fields will be played in the wrong order. You can test this by pausing the video in VLC then using the e key to step field-by-field (when Yadif 2x is specified).

[cdycus]

I am trying Alwin's guide, but the audio is distorting with loud vocals. How do I control the level of audio going to AmerecTV?

[peanutsoup]

Those UT and LAGS video files ARE Interlaced. VLC Player is deinterlacing them and producing that blur. Make sure you've got Deinterlacing ON AND Mode Yadifx2; two separate settings. Note that every time the video ends, the VLC deinterlace settings revert to Auto.

The jitter and blur is because the deinterlacing is only single-rate. If you have Yadifx2 mode working correctly, the video will be smoother and less blurry because you're getting twice the number of frames for the same length of time.

A better analysis can be done by opening the file in VDub; the interlacing will be obvious.

I should've clarified this in my previous post, but I did have deinterlacing on with Yadif 2x

[peanutsoup]

produced results where the interlaced video was in a progressive file

The problem is that AVI doesn't really have the facility to flag the video as interlaced so players and editors don't know the video is interlaced. It's up to you to tell the player/editor the video is interlaced.

(screenshot attached.) I could play this back in VLC with Yadif 2x, but it looked very jittery

VLC may have been playing the video with the wrong field order. VLC always assumes bottom-field-first when 2x deinterlacing. If the video is top-field-first the fields will be played in the wrong order. You can test this by pausing the video in VLC then using the e key to step field-by-field (when Yadif 2x is specified).

Is it possible to make it so the output file will appear as interlaced instead of progressive? Maybe with FFmpeg?

[jagabo]

Is it possible to make it so the output file will appear as interlaced instead of progressive?

Not with any of the lossless codecs. DV AVI supports an internal interlace flag and most players/editors respect it. But the video must be bottom-field-first.

Maybe with FFmpeg?

Again, not with AVI.

Note that lossless codecs aren't meant for final viewing. They're meant to be used for capture, archiving, and intermediate formats. You need to keep track of whether your video is progressive or interlaced and force the editor/converter to handle it properly.

[peanutsoup]

Is it possible to make it so the output file will appear as interlaced instead of progressive?

Not with any of the lossless codecs. DV AVI supports an internal interlace flag and most players/editors respect it. But the video must be bottom-field-first.

Maybe with FFmpeg?

Again, not with AVI.

Note that lossless codecs aren't meant for final viewing. They're meant to be used for capture, archiving, and intermediate formats. You need to keep track of whether your video is progressive or interlaced and force the editor/converter to handle it properly.

Oh so I take it that it's not possible to capture a VHS into an interlaced file then (at least losslessly.)