Will my config give acceptable results

[Graham T]

Before I even bother to start installing updated drivers etc thought I would get some advice.

My system

Win 98se
celeron 466
128 mb
about 5 gig free space on drive
ATI all in wonder 128 16mb

About all I want to do is input camcorder video and convert to vcd/svcd. Should the output when the vcd/svcd when viewed by dvd on TV screen be acceptable quality ie: close to what the camcorder video shows on a TV?

Any advice and no I am not interested in upgrading my system at this time other than popping in say another 128 mb ram.

[bluecow]

It is not even worth what you are trying to do.
Man it is going to take you 2 or 3 days worth of coverting with your computers power.
I used to have a 500 Mhtz computer and to do what you are talking about would take up to aleast 3 days for an hour and a half movie that is if your computer doesn't crash first.
I would ask again after you have upgraded you pc.

[cpholmes]

When you upgrade your system, keep in mind that capturing 1 hour of video from your camcorder will take up about 14GB of HD space, so think large. You will only be able to capture about 6 mins. of video with the space left on your drive.

I had an 850Mhz PC w/ 256MB RAM, and I just bought a new Dell b/c my system would just hang and not process in a reasonable amount of time.

Good Luck!

[fmctm1sw]

It is not even worth what you are trying to do.

Blue, I must respectfully disagree. I have a celeron 366 (@433) and I have made excellent VCDs from my camcorder. You are right, as you well know, it will take a while to convert but I think there is at least an experience factor to be gained by starting to do some capping on that rig....

[Graham T]

First thanks for taking time to post everyone, it is appreciated

I have a celeron 366 (@433) and I have made excellent VCDs from my camcorder. You are right, as you well know, it will take a while to convert but I think there is at least an experience factor to be gained by starting to do some capping on that rig....

Now that I know that there is a time factor, if I accept this concern will the ati card capture the video in a manner that when viewed will be acceptable?

[cpholmes]

Regardless of whether your card will capture well or not, you will need to get a bigger hard drive. The space left on your current drive, will only capture about 6 minutes of video.

[fmctm1sw]

Regardless of whether your card will capture well or not, you will need to get a bigger hard drive. The space left on your current drive, will only capture about 6 minutes of video.

Yeah, you'll have to use picvideo compression to get anything out of your current drive.

[thxkid]

No he can use either Divx avi or Indeo avi codecs for a VCD and should get that time up to 30 minutes with no problem, now as you use codecs and compress more the picture does get worse quality, but the biggest concern would be if his system would hold up while trying to process Divx or Indeo I had a AMD 500 system and I could do what he is trying but yes to encode will take HOURS!!!!!!! for TMPGE, but if can just do say 10 mintues at a time you should be able to do this within a reasonable amount of time and speed, but forget doing anything like 45 to 90 minutes, the system will never do it.

[fmctm1sw]

but forget doing anything like 45 to 90 minutes, the system will never do it.

Again, a matter of perspective.... I use what I like to call the BB theory:

1] Batch encode
2] Bedtime


L8

[Graham T]

OK guys I'm convinced that I can probably process about 5 minutes of video to vcd at a time.

Now could someone take a stab at whether the results from my old ATI AIW 128 will be acceptable ie; will the vcd when viewed on a television look anything as close in quality as the original camcorder video.

[Tbear]

I have done VHS capturing with ATI AIW 128 Pro 32Mb. I found them to be acceptable. But you will have the final judgement if it is accetable to you.

Just my 2 cents worth:

I have not captured video BUT in encoding an avi or divx to
an mpeg (VCD) with TMPGEnc I have the following times on my
current system, which is:

CPU - AMD K6-2 500mhz
MB - FIC 503+
RAM - 327 meg
HD's - 40 gig and 6.4 gig

To encode a movie that is approx. 2 hours in divx format to
VCD format it takes about 13 hours.

Just to compare: I have used a P4 2.4GHz with 512 ram and the
same movie was encoded in about 1 hour 15 minutes.

I know my current system takes a while but that is why I start
encoding at 2am. By the time I get up and am able to get to the
PC the encoding is done.

Goodluck!