Saving as AVI in Pinnacle Studio - Which Codec do I use?

[cpholmes]

After reading this forum, I think it has become clear that regardless of what software I use to capture, author, edit my DVD's, I will get better quality if I use TMPGEnc to encode in MPEG2 DVD format.

Here lies my question -

I am using Pinnacle Studio 8.3 to capture, author, edit my video. I assume I need to save as AVI, then use TMPG to encode. If this is correct, which codec do I use? The following choices are available:

Cinepack Codec by Radius
DV Video Encoder
Indeo Video 5.10
Intel Indeo Video R3.2
Intel Indeo Video 4.5
Ligos GeoMotion DV to MPEG Filter
Pinnacle DCxx to MJPEG Compressor

Depending which I select, some enable me to change the quality or data rate. Any help would be most appreciated.

[CubDukat]

It might help to know what capturing card you're using.

I'm thinking that if you're seeing the Pinnacle MJPG choice among your codecs, you're probably using a Studio AV or DC10+ card. If that's the case, then you should not use any transcoding (saving to another format) because you already have a compressed file.

I've experimented with that, and I've found that if you encode to the DV codec, TMPGEnc seems to work faster, but the image is stretched to 720x480 and that's unalterable.

Again, it would really help if you could say what kind of capture card you're using. If you're working with the AV or DC10+, you should take that video straight into TMPG, although in my limited experience, Studio's MPEG2 codec is pretty decent. TMPG's setup is way more flexible, but it takes way too much work to get it to look good, and I don't have that kind of patience (besides, the MPEG2 codec only lasts for 30 days).

[EricB]

If possible, save it in the same format you captured. This assumes that the option exists in Studio8 and that TMPGEnc will accept the format.

You are right in assuming that TMPGEnc will give better results.

[cpholmes]

I am using the Pinnacle Studio DV capture card. My source is a Sony TRV8 Mini DV.

I just found this site on the Web which explains various codecs.

http://www.puremotion.com/videoediting/reference/technical/avicodecscompared/

[EricB]

Well if you are capturing in DV, then definitely save to DV and then encode. That way, all the sections that you haven't touched will not be re-encoded by Pinnacle.

[cdcox]

I use studio dv ver 1.2 and I use DV Video Encoder. I get very good results taking these AVI's to TmpgEnc. I spent the 48.00 to buy the plus version, it is well worth it if your going to do your own movies. The one thing that you have to be careful with is a fat 32 partition will only read a 4 GIG file. That is about 18 min worth of compressed AVI video. What works well for me is to split the movie if it is longer than 15 min,Save through studio as AVI, encode with TmpgEnc into mpeg2 then use TmpgEnc (mpeg tools, merge and cut) to merge the 2 together for 1 final clip. I have not been doing this very long but I'm not looking for another way to do it, this works well for me. I'm sure that other will think this is a lot of work, but it works.

[cpholmes]

The 4 Gig limit isn't a concern for me, I am on Win XP. I used the DV Video Encoder to save as AVI, now I am converting to MPEG2 using TMPGEnc. I was unsure of what bitrates to use, so I following the guide found here

http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0165394101/TMPGEnc_Template.html

which uses some 2pass variable bitrate settings, then I will do it again using default settings and see if there is a difference. Still learning here.

[cdcox]

what happens with me is the more action I have the higher avg bitrate I use otherwise the picture gets pixels. I have always gotten better result with a 2 pass vbr on slowest. it takes longer to get done but the results are much better in my opinion. I usually encode the mpeg2 while i'm at work. Nobody uses my pc so I don't mind the wait.

[donpedro]

I used the DV Video Encoder to save as AVI, now I am converting to MPEG2 using TMPGEnc.

.....then I will do it again using default settings and see if there is a difference. Still learning here.

What are results ???

[cpholmes]

Well, I was referring to the default V.S. the 2pass method in TMPG. Either way I did it, when I tried to play the MPEG2 file, none of my menu's were active, so I figured that something went wrong and used Pinnacle to do the converting and burning. Probably losing some quality, but not that concerned regarding home movies.

I will give it a go when I get more time, and report back.

[donpedro]

So, are you doing everything in Studio 8 now ?

[cpholmes]

Yes, and after going thru countless capture (firewire) cards and bundled software, Pinnacle Studio DV (version 8) is an absolute beauty. It is easy to use, doesn't have limitations which require you to upgrade (except the Hollywood FX transitions, but it comes with more than enough w/o upgrading), you can do motion menus instead of thumbnails, it has only crashed once, I know there are lots of features which I haven't played with like modifying sound and other stuff. I really enjoy it.