VHS to VCD/SVCD

[skaro]

System 1.0Ghz
256 Mb
WIN 98
TV Card Win TV Go!
Softawre TPMG for conversion
Easy CD Creator Platinum for burning

I'm trying to convert VHS to VCD/SVCD (or whatever) When I play the video the preview looks fine. As soon as I burn it the picture is washed out and the sound has a buzz in the background.

Can anyone give me any advice. If I could even get the VCD to VHS quailty I would be happy. I'm just trying to back up my VHS tapes before they die on me.

Theres a Mars bar and a bag of chips for nayone who can help
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I only told you to blow the bloody doors off

[sunmanking]

hi,

try virtualdub filters. they do improve image quality.

about audio, tmpgenc should compress with no
desync. have you tried an external mp2 encoder?
split the audio channel apart and open it as audio
file in tmpgenc? that should help.

sunmanking

[kenmo]

I'm interested in this as well so can you please tell us what VDub filters ?

Thanks

[sunmanking]

hi,

personally, these are the filters i use when editing video
with virtuadub (they are sorted as i use them):

1. null transform (in order to apply some cropping if needed)
2. 2d cleaner optimized (does clean the image!)
3. sharpen (a little bit gives neater images)
4. resize, precise bicubic (to 352*288 pal, since i always have to crop the image a little bit in order to erase some lines that are distorted, i need to put it back to pal resolution), at the same time precise bicubic outputs sharper images too.

i can tell you there *IS* a difference if you use filters. just, have a try!

sunmanking

[LSchafroth]

Should I use VirtualDub to do all the filters instead of TMPGEnc? Which one is better? I have to VD anyway to resize the capture file, so do I do all the filters with it and just use TMPGEnc for converting to MPG only?

Lannie

[dphirschler]

Try also:

Chroma Noise Reducer
Video Denoise
Smart Smoother
Vertical smoother
Temporal Cleaner
Levels

If it is a cartoon, try the Lanzcos resizing over bicubic or bi-linear. Also try the Cartoon filter to darken the lines slightly.

With those filters listed above, I have made VERY noisy captures from Cartoon Network look good as new! I sometimes sit back in amazement looking at before and after video. And they are free!

One other thing is to play with the ordering of the filters. You want to do certain ones early in the chain and certain ones later in the chain. Sometimes you can benefit from executing a filter twice in the chain.

And don't forget about Inverse Telecining if it is film based. That alone will sharpen it considerably.

As for the audio. Tapes I've captured that were recorded in SLP mono, there isn't a whole lot you can do to save the audio. You can try playing with it in Goldwave or Cool Edit. Sometimes if it is mono, you can offset one of the channels a few samples to add some depth.

And use tooLAME for your encoder. It seems to have the cleanest, most accurate mp2 encodes possible.


Darryl

[sunmanking]

hi,

LSchafroth, that's it. i do all the filters with virtualdub.
then i frameserve to tmpgenc. i do not use any filter
in tmpgenc at all! just use it for its purpose: encoding.

dphirschler, i have taken very good note of your advice
and will try them. i am thankful to you for leting us
know about your preferences.

i'm very interested in vhs cartoon ripping and your tips
have been more than welcome!

btw, audio *can* be improved if you use the noise
reduction filter. it can let you astounded! just get a good
noise sample.

greetings,

sunmanking

[LSchafroth]

sunmanking,

Thanks for the reply!!

Lannie

[hwoodwar]

The "sound has a buzz in the background", or a "hiss" may also be an indication that the audio input level on the capture system is too low for that particular tape. I suggest that with "any" questionable tape you play it for a minute while doing a test capture, and see if adjusting the audio input level (higher or lower) on your software mixer reduces/eliminates the buzz/hiss.