DV Capture: .avi vs. .mpeg-2

[Karovaldas]

I want to simply transfer some of my DV material to DVD.

Right now, I am able to capture in an .avi format and then transcode to mpeg-2. It takes a lot of time, though... I heard that Ulead VideoStudio can capture mpeg-2 directly and in real time. That would save a whole lot of time because on my system transcoding takes at least 3 times as long as the originals.

1. Are there any freeware capturing programs that would be able to do real-time DV capture to mpeg-2 format? Comments on the quality are appreciated!

2. Is there any quality trade-off if capturing to mpeg-2 which, I assume, uses a lot more compression than DV .avi?

3. More specific question #2: I may want to edit some of that video at some later point when I have the time. Will I encounter problems importing mpeg-2 files for editing (titles, fades, color adjustments, etc.)?

Thanks a bunch,
Haris

[bb]

1. I don't know of any free MPEG-2 capture program.

2. Direct MPEG-2 capture delivers worse quality compared to DV capture converted to MPEG-2 using an encoder like CCE, MainConcept MPEG Encoder, TMPGEnc, Canopus Procoder, etc. And you miss the chance of cleaning up through filters before encoding.

3. Using software like Ulead Video Studio you can edit MPEG-2, too. But editing is much slower, and quality will suffer as parts of the video need to be reencoded. DV is ideal for editing purposes.

bb

[Dionysus]

I agree with bb on the quality, it's disgusting compared to DV capture to .avi

personally, like bb, I've never heard of any programs allowing real-time capture into mpeg-2 format let alone freeware and frankly I don't know why the hell you would want to waste your time doing realtime mpeg-2 capture. if your don't have a big enough hard drive to store the dv format until you can edit then spend the 10bux and buy a new tape cuz you'll get a disgusting mpeg-2.

my 0.02

[bb]

Originally posted by Dionysus
[...]I've never heard of any programs allowing real-time capture into mpeg-2 format let alone freeware[...]
If you don't insist on freeware, there are several direct DV-to-MPEG-2 capture programs available. E.g. you can use MainConcept's MPEG Encoder, which has a capture module (DV and analogue, too). There are several capture programs included in video editors which support direct MPEG-2 capture. I don't know if WinDVR and the like support DV input, but they can be used for analogue MPEG-2 captures at least.

bb

[Karovaldas]

Thanks for your reply, BB.

To ammend, as in the original post, Ulead's software--both VideoStudio and the pro equivalent--allow to capture MPEG-2 directly from DV and in real-time.

As for reasons to do this, if quality is a must then, I suppose, there are none. For me, though, there's pleny of stuff on my tapes where video quality is not all that important. Long lectures is one example--as long as I can hear what is being said and see what is being shown, I don't need the extra-crispy picture with 100% color accuracy, etc.

The goal of direct capture to MPEG-2 format is to save TIME!!!

[MrMungus]

I know that Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2.0 and 3.0 (and Disc Creator) will let you capture MPEG-2 in real time (and DV AVI, etc., depending on what source you're using). You can also capture directly to DVD (as a VHS replacement or for later editing or authoring). You can get the mostly-functional SE version (what I've been using to capture) for free with lots of things (came with both my Instant DVD encoder and my Pioneer burner).

MainConcept Encoder also does real-time encoding but it's $100+.

For some reason WinDVD comes to mind.

Haven't heard of any freeware MPEG-2 capture utilities -- probably due to the legalities and cost of licensing.

[Amit]

@Karovaldas,

As everyone over has made very clear that there is no freeware available yet. But if you are really after realtime stuff and can spend some real bucks around $1000-$1500, you can go to http://www.matrox.com/ and look at their digital video solutions.

I don't have any of their product and neither I have used or seen them. If I am wrong others will correct me here. From what I have read about them they do offer realtime MPEG solution. One of the solution is to convert your DV to realtime Photo JPEG MPEG file which you save do at different resolutions, from High to Low. The advantage is that you can capture at low resolution (i.e. more Phot JPEG compression and not lesser pixel resolution), then you can edit them, and later replace your source with higher resolution. This will speed up the editing process since you can see your rendered results preety fast and once you are happy, you can replace your source and reder the whole project overnight.

Besides the above advantage they do offer direct realtime MPEG-2 using a hardware. Canopus offer the same stuff around the same price. Check them at http://www.canopus.com/

-Amit

-Amit

[Karovaldas]

Thanks

[Paul Langemeijer]

mpeg2 is a decoder spec. not an encoder spec.

one of the fastest ways to convert dv to mpeg2 would be to make a i-frame only hi-bitrate interlaced (bottomfield first) mpeg2 clip.

there is ofcourse absolutely no reason to do this (as the mpeg2 file would probably be larger, or at least as large as the dv file, or of less quallity). ok, maybe this can be done so the mpeg2 decode routines from modern vga cards can be used, allthough i dont know what NLE software uses these.


perhaps a mpeg2 clip with i and p frames(just without the movementvectors) would be really fast to. has anyone tried this ??


as to the freeware question: mpeg2 encoders need to cost at least something like 25 cents, royalties to the mpeg group.

[wongck5]

Just another choice: hardware DVD-recorder and most of them supports IEEE 1394 input.

From Hyundai, cost around US$400. From Skyworth (made in China, using Philips chips), cost around US$340. (Listed price in Hong Kong)

You can edit the video using the recorder or in PC.

For me, I still prefer software encoding because there is lots of filter available.

[theReal]

Without having read all the different answers in this read I can say regarding to the original question:
1. Don't ever use MPEG2 for editing. MPEG2 is an archiving format with a lot of generational loss and it's not at all suited for editing.
2. Hardware MPEG encoders or software realtime MPEG encoders always deliver worse quality than multipass software encoders.