What settings to use when converting DV avi to MPEG-2?

[basss]

Do anyone know what settings to use when converting DV avi to MPEG-2?
is there any guide on this subject for tools like tmpgenc and cce?
is tmpgenc and cce the best programs for this kind of conversion?

[chewyshaun@hotmail.com]

I just put the avi through TMPGenc and normally convert it to SVCD, do you know how to use TMPGenc at all?, if not there is a guide on the left hand side but you can alter individual settings

[bugster]

Just load the standard template for SVCD or DVD to produce whatever format you require. Then load unlock.mcf to allow you to change the settings. Field order must be bottom field first, and as DV is interlaced, you should encode to interlaced output. Other than that it really depends on what your final destination format (PC, (X)SVCD or DVD) requires.
I will siuugest using as high a bitrate as you can, as home movies tend to eat up bitrate due to camera shake.

Hope this helps.

[donpedro]

I saw some posts with recomendations about how or what to set for Digitav Video ( DV - home video ) capture. It will be nice to have them in one post. This site mainly deals with "backing up" DVD's and based on some posts I beleieve that settings for MPEG2 conversion (TMPGEnc for example) from DV AVI files are diffenrent to get best results.

Let me see if I can find some of those recomendations....

[donpedro]

Here is one:

Q: The blacks in the picture turns grey with both TMPGEnc and ..

A: For DV source, you must tick the Output YUV data as Basic YCbCr not CCIR601 checkbox in the"Quantize matrix" tab. (TMPGEnc)

Hey... basss .... it was from your post

[BKL]

visit www.kvcd.net
This site has a variety of templates for use with TMPGEnc. I personally prefer the KDVD Full template. Just be sure to test the template for compatibility with your player.

[donpedro]

BKL, I have not seen any DV avi specific template there. I believe that all templates are orinted on Movie conversion and not on Home Video DV camcorder captured video. KVCD templates are focused on "how to fit most time on 1 DVD with best quality". Am I right ?

[BKL]

DonPedro, I can see how one could draw that conclusion. I personally use the KDVD template because I feel it is the best combination of video quality and disk-space use per unit of time. I have used a variety of encoding software including Ulead VideoStudio versions 4 thru 6, MyDVD, neoDVD, VideoWave 4 and others and I just prefer the KDVD template for TMPGEnc. When disk space isn't an issue, I use VS6 which produces nice results as well, although at a cost of extra space. The truly neat thing about TMPGEnc is the total control it gives you in terms of settings. I process TV shows saved via my DirecTivo and digital home video as well.
I recommend encoding a test DV file using a wide variety of encoding software/settings and then just picking the output you like best. Good luck.

[drewson99]

this is all I do, go from DV AVI to DVD. With tmpgenc I load the AVI as the source file and set the pixels to 720x480. Then I set the motion quality to Highest. 2-pass VBR with the highest possible average bitrate (depending on the length of the clip and the amount of high-motion scenes) is what I use, usually 1500 - 3000 - 8000.

ZZ

[donpedro]

BKL, today I feel like I am taking over others posts

But here is my respond. There is too many options in TMPGEnc Plus to try them all with all combinatios to find best one. Now... since my knowledge is not that deep in emcoding adn all the setting and there is so many users here that might have that knowledge, I thought that there might be someone who undertand all this or somehow doscovered what is best for DV avi without concern about space. All those noise reduction / color correction / GOP structure / Quanize matrix / and so on.... seems to be so complicated....

[vhelp]

Hay everyone.

As I have a DV cam (Canon ZR-10) and on occassion, do some quicky's for
the guys/gals at the office (parties, visitros ie kids etc) (divX and
xSVCD etc) .. ..

The first thing one needs to practice (for maximum quaity) is,
STEP 1: (CAMming)
--------------
* learn how to hold your camera
* proper lighting (if indoors)
* minimize on your Zooming and turn OFF Digital Zoom too, use lens only.
* pratice/perfect Tripoding skills

STEP 2: (transport)
--------------
* find the best DV CAM to HD method
* use good cables and clean area

STEP 3: (Editing)
--------------
* forget the fancy smancy's for now ie, transitions, titeling etc.
* have the proper (or best) DV codec installed (and only one type, too)
* find the best editing APP around ie, VirtualDub for instance (freeware)

STEP 4: (pre-filtering)
--------------
* Know your DV's format or specs, ie, 720x840, audio 48k, 29.970 fps etc.
* DV is interlaced, if for TV, you can encode as Interlaced. else if for
.. PC, then KNOW your De-Interlace technique or method. have the best
.. one, else you wont be satisifed during PC viewing.

STEP 5: (Encoding) This is it.. the big one.
---------------------------------------------------------
* Encoding: Skill, Method, Techiques, Settings,
* Templates: are at the bottom of the list. Perfect your encoding method
.. first. then worry about a Template targeted for DV sources. currently,
.. there are none that I know of, but then again, most MPEG-2 require a
.. few minor adjusts and there you have it.
* DV is (Field B), DV is (Field B), DV is (Field B)
.. just in case you didn't get it!
* if MPEG-2 ie, SVCD/xSVCD/DVD/xDVD, you can encode w/ Interlace ON
* if divX, obviously for PC viewing, DE-INTERLACE
.. Just what is the ultimate method of De-Interlace for DV ?? Well, you
.. could run a bunch of trial and error tests w/ all the De-Interlace
.. filters in TMPG and VirtualDub till you feel you've found what works
.. for you, or try any of the suggestions that others have posted here.
* and finally, encode your work.

Last is..

STEP 6: (author)
----------------
* CD media
* a good CDRW/DVDR/RW
* a good authoring package will help here as well. Some come with
.. templates for things like Menus, etc.
* Good DVD player

Feel free to change around some of the items, this was just off the top
of my head.

Have a good evening.
-vhelp

[donpedro]

* DV is (Field B), DV is (Field B), DV is (Field B)

What was it ? Field C ? (just kidding)

STEP 5: (Encoding) This is it.. the big one.
---------------------------------------------------------
* Encoding: Skill, Method, Techiques, Settings,
* Templates: are at the bottom of the list. Perfect your encoding method
.. first. then worry about a Template targeted for DV sources. currently,
.. there are none that I know of, but then again, most MPEG-2 require a
.. few minor adjusts and there you have it.

Settings, that what this is all about. I can use default, no problem there.... But is there something special very advanced option that I need to worry about ? Template is just to avoid changing settings manualy.

So do you have any more suggestions in this arena ??? (in my case, final destination is TV)

[basss]

Here is one:

Q: The blacks in the picture turns grey with both TMPGEnc and ..

A: For DV source, you must tick the Output YUV data as Basic YCbCr not CCIR601 checkbox in the"Quantize matrix" tab. (TMPGEnc)

Hey... basss .... it was from your post

The "Output YUV data as Basic YCbCr not CCIR601" checkbox in the"Quantize matrix" tab solved my problem about the blacks in the picture turning grey, so it seems to be correct when the source is DV format to tick that option.
Except from this, I have found no advice on anything to change from the default settings when encoding DV avi to MPEG-2.
Just like donpedro, I've been looking for a template for DV avi and have not found one. Also I have not been able to find any single post on this forum that deals with how to maintain as near to the original quality when converting DV to MPEG-2.
Anyone know any other settings that should be changed from the default when dealing with DV avi files as source?
I work on PAL.

[donpedro]

Additional info from some post...

I have transferred Hi8 and DV using firewire to my computer. The only encoder I use is TMPG. I have run numberous tests to find the best settings for home video with lots of action, (school dances, half time shows, ski trips, close ups, wide shots). These are difficult to convert to mepg 1 or 2. The best settings I have found are:

Automatic VBR-CQ gives better results than 2 pass. I don't know why, but it works better for my videos.
CQ=65%
Min = 2000 kb
Max = 6000 kb, going to 8000 did not help.
Sometimes 4000 kb is enough
VBV = 0 automatic
one item set to 4,2,0 as recommended at other site
one site indicated max GOP = 18 for dvd
I=1, P=5, B=2 gives GOP = 18 (IBBPBBPBBPBBPBBPBB)

You just have to take a small 10 second video sample and experiment. Start with a basic template, write down the conditions and create the mpeg. Then change one thing and make another mpeg and so on. You'll be able to see what workd best for your video. The Hi8 I've worked with is actually less blocky than DV. Maybe because it's not as sharp to start with.

For motion search, the highest quality setting sometimes creates blockiness. I don't have the program up now but the one below highest quality, motion estimate (fast), produces less blocks.

[basss]

Suggestion for DVDRHelp.com:
It would be nice to add a how to convert miniDV to DVD-compatible MPEG2 guide.