My VHS to DVD workflow

[IanJ]

Hi all,

After many, many hours playing with the settings here's my workflow for VHS video capture thro' DVD. I'll push the boat out and say I think I might be getting somewhere at last! I just got the Audio to improve, it looks like TMPGEnc is bringing in some high frequency noise.

The only thing I'm not impressed with is the quality of the composite input on the AIW, I'm sure my last el-cheapo VideoCap C210 card was better. I might fish around for another card to try sometime.
Anyway, opinions appreciated. My PC setup etc in sig below.


VHS Capture and DVD burn
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Notes
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Settings listed useful for Composite (noisy!) capture.
Target player = Set-top DVD player & widescreen TV (UK-PAL).
All App settings default except where detailed below.

VirtualDub
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Format:-
720*576 YUY2

Audio:-
PCM 11k 8bit mono

Compression:-
PICVideo MJPEG Codec
Compression = 16
Subsampling = 1/1/1

Filters:-
Deinterlace (mode: blend)
30% sharpen (30)

TMPGEnc
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DVD PAL:-
CBR 4000kbps 100min/4.7gb
Non-Interlace
16:9 625line PAL
Mpeg Setting Expert: Video: DC Component Precision = 10bit
Mpeg Setting Expert: Video: Motion Search = Normal
Mpeg Setting Expert: Advanced: Deinterlace = on
Mpeg Setting Expert: Advanced: Sharpen = on

SpruceUp
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Make menu, import mpeg and write title to hard disk.

Nero
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Use wizard to burn DVD.




IanJ.

[oldfart13]

Is there some reason to go this route (other than to create menus) than going with a standalone DVD recorder? Seems it would be simpler in any case. Also, I've heard that VHS to DVD using units like the Panasonic HS2 actually look much better than the VHS tapes they come from owing to the noise reduction circuitry and time base corrector built into those units. Looking forward to the new Pioneer 77 unit myself though it appears to be much of the A05 since it can burn at 4X on 4X branded media (-R or -RW). I do VHS to SVCD with good results but VHS is not what you call a great starting point anyway. It's actually pretty low quality compared to other sources like satellite TV or Digital Cable...

[gll99]

Sorry but ouch ...PCM 11k 8bit mono

I think that could explain some audio problems.

Is that the best audio you can cap.

need 16 bit (must) and 44k (desirable) if you hope to get half decent input sound for subsequent conversion.

[crahak]

I must agree with gll99 there about the audio. I remember once capturing with these settings in v'dub (for I had forgot to check them). Oh boy. That isn't CD quality at all I tell ya. Also true, VHS is only so good, but you can buy some players for either 50 or 250$. It does make a difference too. Anyways. Good luck.

[IanJ]

Hi,

11k 8bit mono seems to have fixed the high frequency noise, besides, the videos I'm converting are all off-road motorcycle events where it is simply commentary all the way through the tape (you can hardly here the bikes even!).

Thanks for the comments.

Ian.