Is this approach just for hackers and propeller heads ?

[Solfari]

A blunt beginning, but I've become skeptical of all this! Please read on:

I want to lightly edit and archive my analog videos. Based on what I read here I got a Hauppauge WinTV-radio PCI card and installed it OK. Then I downloaded TMPGEnc and VideoDub.

I have captured my first video, but its poor quality. The advice here of what format to use for SVCD is lost on my system, wihch will support nothing larger than 320x240. And somewhere on the VideoDub site I believe I read that is IT for most of us. I want SVCD!

So my question is: Is this approach really the way to get to the editing, or is it a field for downloading freeware and hacking it together into something that works. I mean, imagine me as a PC owner with a Apple attitude. I just want to get on with the project, and not spend so much time configuring.

Again: Does all this really work for SVCD quality results somehow, in the end? Or would my WinTV card + $100 of software (?) be the way to get on with it while we're still only middle-aged!

Many thanks from horsemen in Hawaii, with movies to make!

[snowmoon]

I have a wintv go and create several SVCD's a week arhiving TV shows.

If you cannot get the resolution you need with your current drivers try the btwincap universal bt8x8 drivers.

http://btwincap.sourceforge.net/

Just keep on trucking... took me about amonth to work the quirks out.

Helpful tips for beginning

1) Start with CBR and work yourself into CQ and 2pass
2) Noise reduction is a wonderful tool, use it appropriatly and it will repay.
3) For VHS you may want to try CVD.

Good luck

[Solfari]

A GREAT tip! Thank-you very much.
I got more work done straight away than I did in days with any of the 3 drivers Hauppauge directed me to try.
I think this driver has put me on track.
Thanks again,
Solfari

[fmctm1sw]

Here's some more "required reading" as far as I'm concerned (for us "propeller-heads):"

http://www.lukesvideo.com/captureoverview.html