VHELP's Samples - updated regulary... LAST: 12.29.06

[vhelp]

oops, wrong thread! he, he...

[vhelp]

Morning.

-- # 26 --

Here is installment # 26 of VHELP's latest sample clip.
Ahh... it's my first one here ...so be nice, k? Any questions ??

-vhelp

[vhelp]

Morning.

-- # 27 --

Here's another sample. I incorrectly named the file "1112" when it was to
be "1122" - sorry about that. Ok, so it's my second one, and I hope it's better than the first. Have an nice day.

-vhelp

[vhelp]

Evening all.

-- # 28 --

Another divX sample. Hope it's ok, as I'm only getting better, except for
when the source (Satalite is airing poor/jimmied quality)
Have an nice day.

-vhelp

[vhelp]

Evening all.

-- # 29 --

Another divX sample. This one is a full screen (FS) clip and should look
pretty good on your pc monitor. Have an good day.

-vhelp

[vhelp]

Hi everyone..

- # 30 -

It's been a while since my last sample upload. So, w/out further..
This one is in pretty good quality (so I think) I noticed that MY version
of vdub seems to de-sync the audio towards to middle. please report this
if it happens on your end - PowerDVD and Zoomplayer plays clip perfect - use
the 4:3 view for Zoomplayer or other divX player app. Enjoy!!

-vhelp

[bbb]

Vhelp,

I just downloaded your #30 capture and it's a nice capture. And it is in perfect sync throughout the file (but it does go wacky in PowerDVD if I skip around using the progress bar; if I play the file from start to finish it's fine though). I'm curious, how did you deinterlace before saving as a divx file?

One issue, using 352x480 seems like a strange ratio aspect for a divx file and won't play in the correct ratio with WMP.

But I have to admit, it does look pretty sharp under PowerDVD when resized to full screen (but I still can't watch it in a window). Out of curiousity, why did you decide to use the 352x480 ratio? For file size issues? To keep original capture ratio?

Does using 400x300 look much worse? Blurrier? How about 512x384? I haven't done much divx but I remember using a ratio calculator to achieve 4:3 ratio aspect. I'm curious if a 4:3 ratio divx file can look as sharp from a satellite cap source as your current divx ratio.

Also, what capture device did you use? I noticed you said VirtualDub so I'm assuming it's not your ADVC-100 nor the DC10+.

[vhelp]

ahh bbb.. and others..

A few things went on that day (LATE NIGHT)

I was tired and under pressure to complete this. ..finding a clip to capture, then
to encode, then to choose a format (ie, divX or CVD etc)

First, I screwed up with the file name .mpg (was suppose to be .avi)
I found this out (believe it or not) while at work TODAY

De-interlacing.. I'm beta-testing an new approach that's not yet known.
I'm thinking about incorporting this into a filter.dll or something, some
time down the road perhaps, but for the moment, it'll remain as beta.
It is a bit slow. Oh, and by the way.. I see you've noticed that the clip was an
Interlected source ..Good eye - The Cosby Show is an interlaced show.

Because of the level of quality I'm encoding at via divX, and the optimum
software divX player to play my samples under, a 352x480 is perfect vs. quality
vs. player equals ??
Yes, so I have found that doing a 352x480 divX encode, makes are great looking
for Fullscreen play on your PC monitor, if it's a Fullscreen encode, and you set
your player (Zoomplayer v2.90) to "Fullscreen 4:3" mode. Perfect !! It's a ratio
thing, I think. I can't quite explain it just yet. But do give it a try.

Try this out.. you'll love it !!

For total Optimum play back quality (and correct A/R fullscreen) ..
* Use Zoomplayer v2.90 or greater
* drag divX into window
* press "D", then [x]Film effect, then set to 50% or 75%
* then select either, "fit to window" or "fullscreen 4:3" to correct 352x480
..ratio, and be shocked at the level of quality you get from my divX encodes.

The film effect adds a really nice touch to your source. If you have any slight
artifacts, you wont notice them w/ this feature on. But, even if you don't have
any artifacts, it makes for good viewing.
So, please do try it out soon.

How about trying your hand at encoding my divX to your favorite MPEG format,
and see if you get any comparatable or better, level of quality from those that
you find on the internet

My current U/L'ed divX playing issue:
In my .rar archive's comments, I did make mention of this issue, that it
de-sync's or something. But, as long as I had a fresh restart of Windows 98,
and no browswers opend (as was in my case) the video played fine in PDVD.
Also, if you've tried Zoomplayer, I did say it played good. In fact, it
played it awsome! Oh, and at the correct 4:3 full-screen, just as it would
have, if it were an MPEG-2, played under PDVD.
Note..
I beleive that the main reason you (and I) may have had some issues with the
divX clip was becaues I had ran the DV through TMPG first, and encoded to
divX. Whenever I use vdub, I never have problems. This was just a one-time
deal (I think) remember, it was late and I was tired.


>> One issue, using 352x480 seems like a strange ratio aspect for a divx file
>> and won't play in the correct ratio with WMP.

Hmmm.. I was testing first, w/ CVD, but I didn't want to upload a CVD version,
but rather a divX - - can you spot how I made the mistake of re-naming now ??
Beside, I was experimenting again, on different sizes vs. quality etc.
For fullscreen view, I think that a 512x384 is a good choice too, but I was
aiming at what-if testing.

>> Does using 400x300 look much worse? Blurrier? How about 512x384? I haven't
>> done much divx but I remember using a ratio calculator to achieve 4:3 ratio
>> aspect. I'm curious if a 4:3 ratio divx file can look as sharp from a
>> satellite cap source as your current divx ratio.

I don't think I understand what your "divX ratio" means here ??
What are YOUR prefered format resolution, when you create divX (if you do,
that is) ??
And, if you want, I'll do some divX encodes for you to test beased on YOUR
prefered format etc. ??


>> Also, what capture device did you use? I noticed you said VirtualDub so I'm
>> assuming it's not your ADVC-100 nor the DC10+

Sorry, I mean during "playing" ..I used the ADVC-100 w/ DVIO on that clip he he..

Hmmm... looks like I'll have to do another sample
Well, do the above, and report back your findings.

-vhelp

[bbb]

Hey vhelp,

What happened after Cliff Huxtable started to explain his licking ice cream situation to Clair? I haven't watched the Cosby show in years (since the late 80s and I think stopped watching the later seasons; I don't think I ever caught that episode).

Maybe you can encode the rest of the scene.

[vhelp]

bbb..

Well, there was more to it than that..

anyways.. they went through the kitchen door and started to fool around
on the couch (play kissy kiss) and while they were doing that, a girl
(who want's to have s.e.x. w/ a someone) was sitting down behind them
watching them fool around. Then, she asked a question of them (after
they were caught messing around) shortly after that, Mrs Huxtable left
the room, and in short, the young girl asked a private question to Dr.
Hux, "can you give me a subscription to birth control pills" as she rolled
her eyes around in disbelief.

that was a good show. As you know, they are on Nick@Nite several times each
night.

Oh, I just upgraded my DirecTV account to from the SelectChoice to the next
level. Now, I have TVland. Can't wait to do the orig. series of Batman,
and Munsters etc. Oh boy!!

So, did you at least TRY out my Zoomplayer idea ??
Have you found any ADVC-100 VHS samples yet ??

-vhelp

[bbb]

Oh Yes, I forgot to tell you that your DIVX had a MPG extention. I guess you found out yourself.

Regarding my DIVX ratio preference, ... well I don't actually have a preference, it's just that all the DIVX clips that I've seen or downloaded were in the 4:3 or widescreen ratio aspect. So I found it kinda of strange to see a DIVX file with a CVD resolution.

The good thing about using 4:3 ratio or movie ratio aspect is that I can just use WMP to open and play them (don't have to download anything else). But, personally, I don't create DIVX because I mainly make videos (VCDs/SVCDs) for standalone dvd players and name brand dvd players don't yet support computer formats (MPEG4, DIVX 3/4/5, XVID). Also, I don't yet have a reliable permanent website/webstorage to host small DIVX clips.

Going back to comment on clip #30, it was very nice quality. It really makes want to upgrade to digital satellite (instead of using my crunky analogue cable TV which has a lot of interference at times). Also, what did you mean last time by saying that the ADVC-100 captures inferior to the DC10+? You ADVC-100 sample (#30) looks sweet.

[vhelp]

bbb..

I take it you haven't tried the Zoomplayer suggestion. Too bad. You don't know
what you're missing then. I was this way too, when another person wanted me to
try Zoomplayer. "too many apps" .."not another app to install" etc. Well, I
ended up D/L'ing the app, installing it and giving it a go. Wasn't too bad, but
it turned out that I didn't like it much (at the time) But, today, playing around
w/ my divX test clips, and I tell you, "sweet, baby sweet" The aspect ratio (A/R)
works fine when you set video mode to "fullscreen 4:3" - it fills the whole screen
w/ perfect quality.

Another reason for encoding a divX to 352x480 (if done right) is to maintain that
A/R so that if someone re-encodes to another format, say ie, MPEG-2 or CVD, they
will maintain the same quality minus their skill level of encoding from the divX
source. That's operating under the assumption that someone might want to
re-encode the divX at some point. If you use an odd resolution (which is ok in
most cercumstances) you might not get quite what you were expting after you re-encode.
There's actually an advantage to encoding a divX to 352x480, so long as you: A)
use the right software divX player ie, Zoomplayer and use the "Fullscreen 4:3" video
mode, and/or B) are going to re-encode to another format, but still maintain
that same resolution ratio.


>> Going back to comment on clip #30, it was very nice quality. It really makes want
>> to upgrade to digital satellite (instead of using my crunky analogue cable TV
>> which has a lot of interference at times). Also, what did you mean last time by
>> saying that the ADVC-100 captures inferior to the DC10+? You ADVC-100 sample
>> (#30) looks sweet.

Well, first, I haven't done much VHS testing, since our last conversation on VHS.
I've ben busy w/ many other issues like fitering for encodings, projects, or just
some NEW things I wanted to try out from other peoples ie, software apps, and even
my own apps that I create w/ Delphi. So, I've ben pretty tied up.

Again, the ADVC-100 is a great device. You wouldn't go wrong. But, I need more
time for MY OWN self-satisfaction or piece-of-mind, before I make a final decision
on which is the better device for the job (VHS)

I noticed that on some of my DC10+ w/ VHS I the video wiggles - store bought that
is. But, on the ADVC-100, no wiggles and very clean, but there is something that I
can't put my finger on, that make me not like the final encode, when the AVI source
is from the ADVC-100 (for VHS) That's why I need more time to debug this issue.
Other than that, the ADVC-100 does a great job w/ VHS. No sync issue in my
experience, and NO frame drops either. However, the DC10+ drops frames w/ VHS.
When I capture w/ the DC10+ from my Satellite, NO dropped frames. It's just the
VHS that does. So, in that respect, the ADVC-100 does a fantasic job w/ VHS. Lots
of people will agree.

Theorectally, I think that I have to pay more attention to the encoding when I
utilize IVTC in my VHS project and using the ADVC-100. I think that special
handling is required due to the nature of how the ADVC-100 handles VHS sources.
Further studies on my part have to be done before I can come up w/ any actual steps
or specifics or whatever.

-vhelp

[vhelp]

Hi everyone.. it brings me great pleasure to.. well, have a look'ezz..

- # 31 -

Previous U/L: 03.12.2003

It's been a while since my last sample upload. I've ben busy w/ many
fun video endeavors. Working on a few apps and things too. Anyways..
it's based on the kdvd template, and looks pretty good to me..
specially since it's of a wresting nature.. lights and many flashes going
on, etc.

There will be other different kinds of samples (based on various templates)
that I'll post here, pending my appreciation of the final encode. So, always
be on the look out

Jump to FIRST PAGE for D/L link.

Enjoy and have a good evening.
-vhelp

[Michelle]

Do you happen to have a CVD sample currently available?

[vhelp]

- # 32 -

Previous upload: 04.04.2003

I know its ben a while since my last upload of a fresh sample clip. I've
ben so busy w/ far too many projects and things, that it kept me away from
what I love to do - post samples

This was shot at night, and it was very cold out.

The look is 2.35:1 and the quality is better than a fullscreen
encode. Because I am the director, my focus is this aspect ratio,
top and bottom cropped off for this look for those widescreen tv's,
however, you'll see some black bars, since I didn't do the 1.777
ratio. I was aiming a maximising quality, being that:

* This is a game (football, lots of action)
* Night scene - was pretty dark
* Shot behind a fence, because I didn't know better, hehe..

It was a "spare of the moment" shoot, while I was driving home,
I saw the lights on.. naturualy, it sparked my curiosity, and I
investigated. Low and behold, it was a game just starting.
I was so excited, and my adrenlyn (spelling) was pumped up for some
fresh game w/ my CAM experience.

I grabed my cam and spare tripod I keep in the trunk for these
kinds of moments, and jumped to the scene for a great shoot.

I'd like to do more of these "spare of the moment" shoots. It was
fun. It got me so sparked for more, that later I went searching the
web for events in my area. I admit, so far it is a pain trying to find
anything happening.. but I'll keep trying. So far, nothing

I will be doing more and more of these kinds of encodes from now
on, w/ my DV CAM sources. Currently, I am on a few experiements w/
DV encoding.. ranging from changing the fps (30 down to 25) and other
crazy nonsense. However, I think I'll be sticking to 29.970 fps and
focus on my great de-interlace technique, known only to myself
Also, I no long encode to 352 x 480 anymores. I've moved on towards
DVD authoring. I'll share other project changes as time goes on.


@ Michelle

Do you happen to have a CVD sample currently available?

Sorry for not getting back to you on this. I somehow misplaced your post
and long forgot it
At this time, no. I don't have any CVD samples.

But, thank you for asking

-vhelp 2048

[vhelp]

- #33 - -- Standard VCD

TGIF everybody

Here is another sample clip. This was encoded to a Standard VCD.

This was a capture I made back in 2001, and the source was from
Satellite, before the nonsense of transponder bitrate technique
becoming apparent (aka, noisey mpeg)

I used my ATI-TV Wonder pci card, and captured it at 640 x 480 and believe
it or not, I captured it w/ Composite connection (RCA) cables.. and I
encoded it to standard VCD using:

* 352 x 240
* 1150 CBR bitrate
* 224k audio @ 44k
* 23.976 fps
* kvcd "notch" matrix / GOP a bit weird

The tricky part of this clip was the fact that it was a mixture of
Interlace and Film (watch the TV game.. remember, sports are always
Pure Interlace) But, I did not take the time to tweak Neuron2's

The color of the source capture .avi file may have ben off, but
I didn't want to mess around w/ it during the encoding, so I left
it alone. Notice how there is no noise in the mpeg. It's nice and
clean, the way Satellite used to be
I also let TMPG do the resizing, becuase (IMO) TMPG does a better
job in certain situations, like resizing down the video.
.
.
TIP.. However, if you use (feed) the same size video into TMPG, it
will not do a good job. The VHELP rule of thumb here is to feed
a higher resolution in your source to TMPG, and let it resize down
to the final encode.

I will try and U/L a DV sample, using the same technique above, w/
my TRV-22. Just let me find some footage to demonstrate with.

From the Video Workstation of,
-vhelp

[stevenj]

(originally posted under Hardware -> Camcorders)

Dear vhelp -

I am considering buying a Sony TRV22. I find your posts very informative. I downloaded your high school football sample video. I didn't have an MPEG-2 player, so I downloaded VLC Media Player. When I play the video, I think the aspect ratio is off--the players and the ref look really squat. Is this from the VLC Player, the Sony, or some of the transfers in between? Other than the aspect ratio, I thought the quality was very good for a digital video at night.

Thanks.

Steve

[vhelp]

I am considering buying a Sony TRV22. I find your posts very informative. I downloaded your high school football sample video. I didn't have an MPEG-2 player, so I downloaded VLC Media Player. When I play the video, I think the aspect ratio is off--the players and the ref look really squat. Is this from the VLC Player, the Sony, or some of the transfers in between? Other than the aspect ratio, I thought the quality was very good for a digital video at night.

..that's why I make such a big stink about powerdvd (PDVD) because it's
the only software (SW) app that plays any 16:9 correctly. Actually,
Zoomplayer will too, if you change the aspect ratio (AR) to 2.35:1 on it.
But, PDVD is the one that I recommend because I base all my encodes w/
this as my reference tool. windvd (WDVD) only does 1.77:1 AR. It
will not do a 1.85:1 nor 2.35:1 AR. It will make people look either taller or
fatter, or something like that
.
.
But, once you install (and setup) PDVD, you'll soon appreciate the encodes
true quality, else you'll just be mislead - - and their's too many of that here
and there etc already.
.
.
So, just get a hold of PDVD and go from their. Zoomplayer is my 2nd choice
(if you have it) but it does have a bug. Seem all my 2.35:1 come out all
squished. You have to switch it to Widescreen 16:9 for my 2.35:1
to play correctly. So, you see, lots of bugs in different SW's.

Oh, and thanks for the vote of confidence

From the Video Workstation of,
-vhelp 2079

[vhelp]

- #34 -

Hi guys :P

Here's yet another sample. This time, from a VHS tape.
This is from one of the "Star Wars" thread going on here (since 7/2002)
and still going. Anyways, since I finally got my hands on a widescreen VHS
copy, I'm finally living my long awaited Star Wars endeavors :P

Enjoy, for what it's worth. I'm proud of it, no matter what the source, though
it's ben run through the mills by many SW fans. See first page for D/L.

-vhelp

[vhelp]

- # 35 - --- Star Wars test clip (sound issues)

You can follow the topic on this at the "Star Wars Conversion.." thread, if you're
curious.

-vhelp

[vhelp]

- # 36 - --- Star Wars sampler #2

From the topic: Star Wars Conversions-Hit me with your best shot...

Where we're all trying out "best shot.." on our Laserdisc transfers.

Note, I may be uploading another one tonight. But, I'll be deleting this one if I do.

-vhelp

[vhelp]

See page 1 for Download

- # 38 - --- The Fifth Element - sampler #1

Well, I've finally finished off my last sample clip for 2004 !!

It's a VHS version of The Fifth Element, and the scene is where
Zorg is choking. It's a very short clip. But you can easily view it
on your TV set if you merge it in w/ another VOB file

I was demonstrating the VHS to DV to DVD scenario where quality
can still be obtainable (from a discussion(s) elsewhere's on this forum)
Also, I don't know about the sound. It may be from a tv program that my
autio connects were to my VCR. So, forget about the audio, and note
the video in this demo.
.
I used my TRV22 cam for this capture, and did not use any filters.

Happy New Years to all

From the video workstation of,
-vhelp

[vhelp]

#39 - Here is another sample - (my first for 2005)

From a capture I made with my ADS DVD Xpress hardware MPEG box,
and then re-encoded with TMPGenc. (an IVTC and widescreen anamorphic
was applied in this project sample clip)

You can go here for more info/history that lead up to this new sample clip.
--> ADS DVD Xpress - My experience so far.

Thanks,
-vhelp 3476

[vhelp]

#40 - Here is another sample clip, (for 2005)

Again, like #39 ..from a VHS capture I made with my ADS DVD Xpress hardware
MPEG box, and then re-encoded with TMPGenc. An IVTC was applied in this
project sample clip.

Thanks,
-vhelp 3485

[lordsmurf]

I don't see where any downloads are.

[vhelp]

TGIF everyone

@ LS

Thanks for your interest/curiosity.

The sample clips can be D/L 'ed off of page 1, always.

(I stopped posting, "see page one", long time ago. But maybe I
should start making note of this, for now on) sorry for the
confusion.

-vhelp 3489

[lordsmurf]

I still don't see them.

[vhelp]

See line 40 (same as count many of samples I've shared here over
the past four years, documented on this page)

..the link is 0804.1 for the date I made the clip
and the index for how many I made that day, (because I used to
post several samples a day, or was it my hopes, long ago)

I'm paying for this 20MB server/month, and I may as well use it
for what I had intended it for, hehe.

-vhelp 3490

[dark_myuutwo]

It gives me this message when I try to download it:

Forbidden
You don't have permission to access /~vhelp/samples/vhelp.sample.080405.ads.xpress.contact.01.rar on this server.

[vhelp]

My appoligies for not getting back sooner.
The issue with the server has been resolved :P

Thanks for your interest,
-vhelp 3551