S-VHS to DVD-R

[jbenj01]

To the point, I'd like to transfer a movie (Top Gun) from S-VHS to DVD-R. The original movie source was a NTSC laser disc (?resolution?) with a THX remastered Dobly Digital track that i recorded onto S-VHS at SP mode. I'm looking for a relatively simple/efficient method.

But all these posts on which resolution to capture at has me a bit confused, i.e., 720x480 or 480x480 or etc.., b/c of all the details involved about vertical/horizontal resolution, analog vs. digital, 1/4-, 1/2- or full-moon, etc... :) (yes, I'm relatively new to all of this).

My system consists of an Athlon xp2000+ and an ATI AIW7500/64M video/tuner card (w/TV in/out). I'm unsure of what the capture app is that came with the AIW (think it's MMC 7.5). Should I use MMC or Vdub (tried vdub already and didn't even know how to change to 'capture mode'??) or other?? Which settings (I've read several guides that use various settings)?

Anyway, I'm trying to relate this process to DVD to DVD-R conversion/backup process (which I'm accustomed to doing), but seem to not get it.. For example, when I begin my DVD2DVDR conversion process, I begin with .VOB or .m2v files and usually .ac3 files (ripped from the original DVD)---which type of files does capturing produce, e.g., which type of files reside on an S-VHS tape? My understanding is that whatever the type, it's going to take up a heckuva a bunch of space (~40G according to some posts from my searches), yes??

Anyway, I've read the FAQ's.. helpful but still need some assistance. Thanks!

[808state]

Man are you ever wasting your time…any VHS 2 DVDR is a complete waist of time unless the tapes are unavailable in any other format (home movies, unreleased).

I hope you are not seriously thinking of actually archiving a movie that is already available on DVD. If you really must have this played out movie, then rent it and do a DVD 2 DVDR ripp or save some money and do a DVD 2 SVCD ripp.

Good luck…you will need it!

[jbenj01]

If you must know, I'd like to retain some degree/quality of the original THX audio remastering.. I'd rather listen to a dubbed/degraded DD/THX track rather than an original DD track.. and to my knowledge, Top Gun DVD isn't THX (no DTS either)... One could argue, but it's just my preference..

But thanks for the "insight" anyway, Einstein... '-)

[jggimi]

Please be polite, people! Remember Rule #4 (http://forum.doom9.org/forum-rules.htm). Thanks.

[808state]

Not trying to be a pecker…just had to lay down the facts.

AC3 will sound worlds better in two channel mode compared to any VHS or a Laser Disc ripp. Do you realize that you can playback an AC3 track without a decoder in THX Pro Logic? So what if the specs on the DVD aren’t true THX just adjust your Pre-pro accordingly… Considering how popular the movie Top Gun is I’m sure if you look hard enough you will find a DTS version.

Think about the gear that is used to produce Hollywood DVD(s) then think long and hard about your $200 multitasking graphics/capture card & $30 audio card, compare the two…you will soon find there is no comparison. Save yourself a major let down and get the DVD!

Yours truly,

RICHARD

[jggimi]

...I’m sure if you look hard enough you will find a DTS version... According to www.imdb.com Paramount has released 4 different discs, none are DTS, though the English soundtrack is available in DD 5.1ch on all of 'em.

[jbenj01]

I didn't think there was a DTS or THX version of the movie on DVD, but that's not the point.. <AC3 will sound worlds better in two channel mode compared to any VHS or a Laser Disc ripp.>

Now that's the point! I'm just very curious to compare the two---but I'd like to find out for myself, though--primarily as a learning experience. Whether it's Top Gun or Deep Throat, I couldn't care less (they both, IMO.. um.. 'sucked'... hehe.. get it?? :D

Besides, I've aleady heard the DVD version and while it sounds very nice, I'd PREFER to listen to my dubbed/degraded S-VHS/THX version any day.. call it whatever you'd like...

Now.. if ain't gonna help.. you're dismissed. ;)

[Ookami]

>To the point, I'd like to transfer a movie (Top Gun) from S-VHS to DVD-R.

Just like any other S-VHS (VHS) tape. BTW, why don't you directly hook up your LD player with the capture card, so you will not ruin the picture twice :) ?

>But all these posts on which resolution to capture at has me a bit confused, i.e., 720x480 or 480x480 or etc.., b/c of all the details

Capture at the max. resolution your card can offer.

>mode'??) or other?? Which settings (I've read several guides that

Use VirtualDub, encode to AVI (Huffyuv + PCM CD audio qual. if possible) then encode to MPEG2 with the program of your choice.

Check BaronVlads guide for the capturing to AVI, for instance TMPGEnc will choose the right AR setting etc. if you use the wizard.

>(ripped from the original DVD)---which type of files does capturing

File types the capture programs produce?! It depends. If you capture with Huffyuv or MJPEG, you get an AVI. If you use one of the directMPEG capture programs you get an MPEG file. Altough the quality of such MPEG capture programs is much badder and the MPEG quality cannot be compared to 2 pass encoding in a good program.

SVHS has no file types, it's an analog format.

Hope this helped. BTW, have fun.

Cheers,

Ookie.