Feel free to comment about this setup!!

[bolta]

Hey there . . .

After some experimentation, I've hit upon a combination that gives me perfectly synced VHS -> VCD conversions every time . . .

1) capture to AVI using Virtual Dub 1.4.8, a BT878-generic card, Huffy codec and PCM 44.1khz, stereo audio. Video is captured at 352x288 (standard PAL vcd size)

2) an 80-minute video results in an 11-12 gig file

3) rip the audio to a wav file using Virtual Dub - takes about 12 minutes for the file length noted above

4) re-sync audio using Virtual Dub to remove any possibility of "creeping sync" problems - audio settings in VD are per the defaults, video settings involve changing audio and video durations to match.

5) save to a new AVI file using VD - the only filter i use is the temporal smoother, setting 4. Save time is between 69-75 minutes. I know I've ended up with two huge avi files, but the first one gets deleted when I check the second to make sure audio sync is perfect. Disk space isn't an issue with my machine anyways (check specs)

6) start up Tmpgenc v2.55 - load up the avi (using it as both audio and video source). I might mask along the top and bottom of the image, to remove any equipment noise, but otherwise I just use the standard PAL VCD template.

7) start encoding - it runs slightly faster than realtime, so the 80 minute video is encoded in around 72-76 minutes.

8) split the resulting 800+meg file using Tmpgenc, burn and view!!

Has anyone else had similiar luck? What other filters do people use in Virtual Dub - now I've got this side of it sorted out, I'm going to start playing with filters to help improve the image from old tapes as much as possible.

Any suggestions welcome - it took me long enough to get this setup working properly!! *wry smile*

B.

[W_Eagle]

Hey there . . .

Video is captured at 352x288 (standard PAL vcd size)

B.

Standard PAL vcd is 352x576.

Take care

[mb1]

@ W_Eagle
oh my god, please take a look at the vcd specs. bolta does it correct!!

@ bolta
why not using virtualdub_sync
http://www-user.rhrk.uni-kl.de/~dittrich/sync

try capturing at 704x576 for better results (if you don´t loose frames) and then convert with tmpeg to vcd resolution.
(the more info is coming in the better result is coming out ...)

regards
mb1

[W_Eagle]

Oops, sory,
My mind is on CVD lately, so I confused the 2.
Please accept my apology.

[bolta]

mb1 . . .

I have tried the sync version of Virtual Dub - it works basically the same as the "straight" version of VD on my setup, so it's neither here nor there as to which one I prefer.

Have noted the higher resolution - will let you know how I go . . .

B.

[W_Eagle]

Hello pal,

What is "the sync version of Virtual Dub"?

Take care