codecs for capturing from tv?

[Bladez]

I'm thinking of capturing a couple of vhs bootlegs to the comp. But i dunno what codec i should use. And i'm thinking of using Virtualdub. What settings should i use if i would like the vhs to become dvd quality?

Thanks

[Arachnotron]

Try reading the capture guide first. You can find it at:

http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/capture/start.html

What settings should i use if i would like the vhs to become dvd quality?

You cannot. VHS simply does not have the quality of a DVD, so no matter what you do it will never look as good. The best you can hope for is to keep all the quality that is available on the VHS tape, i.e. not make matters worse during the transfer to digital.

Again, you can find more about it in the guide.

[rfmmars]

I do a lot of Mpeg2 in my film capture work. The results are good but now I use a new MJPEG codec from www.Leadtools.com Like the MPEG2 codec it is fast to edit on the time line. Where it really becomes useful is with noisy tapes. You don't get that blocky look as much.

You can download the demo from them and check it out. To buy its only $9.95 US

No you can't make a vhs look like a DVD. However playing back on a pro-grade or broadcast deck will give great inprovement, and some filter in Avisynth and VDMOD will give a nice transfer to DVD format.

richard
www.photorecall.net

[acrespo]

Leadtools have a better quality than PIC Video? And Leadtools MCMW codec? Do you have tests?

[BruceL]

@rfmmars
I don't mean to go off topic here but have a couple of questions for Richard. You mentioned LeadTools MJPEG and acrespo mentions PicVideo, I assume he means their MJPEG codec. I also understand from Magix forum you like Video Deluxe 2 Plus and more recently Movie Edit Pro. My question is, does the Leadtools MJPEG codec work with VD2? Also, do you know if the PICVideo MJPEG work with VD2? I have the PIC and recently bought VD2 but it does not seem to read AVIs created with PIC. (I saw your recent posts in the NLE section with 2ZOD.COM and trevlac and became interested in VD2. I took your advise, you really can not go wrong for 10 bucks and bought it at Amazon.) I just started experimenting with different formats and had no success importing PIC segments. I have joined Magix forum and have been lurking and trying to absorb as much as possible before asking questions which may have been previously brought up and answered. Have been unable to find anything regarding this codec. Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated.

[rfmmars]

I can't tell you anything about PICvideo codec since I have never tried it myself.

With the Leadtools MJPEG the files are super compactable, infact with a 2 hour clip on the timeline, you can move though it with the mouse in less than a second. The only other codec that is that fast is MPEG2. Download the free demo and try it out.

I use VirtualVCR for my capture with no dropped frames. I preprocces in Avisynth and VDMOD and frame serve to MEP2004/Video Deluxe 2.0 Plus.

richard
www.photoreacall.net

[BruceL]

Hello Richard

Thank you for the quick response. I will give the Leadtools a try. PIC is also very fast which I have liked for editing. I too use VirtualVCR (with vvcrs2 scheduler) and get similar results. Thank you Shaun (DigTV). I've gone 3 1/2 hours with no frame drops and perfect A/V sync. Looking forward to more fun using VD2 Plus.

Regards, BruceL