Which DV Codec to use?

[GEoMaNTiK]

Hi Guys,

I started out capturing DV video to Movie Maker 2 and have since purchased Vegas Video for all capturing.

Can someone please tell me if the codec in VV is the best I can be using to transfer from a Sony DV or if the Main Concept DV Codec is better? I've read lots around but can't work out which is superior.

And if the Main Concept is the one to go with, how do I use it with a program like Vegas Video or Pinnacle Studio?

[communist]

Transfering via Firewire does not involve the CODEC - its a simple file transfer ('direct stream copy').
When you edit your video it may get used for recompressing changed stuff (transitions...).
But the rest should again be just direct stream copied.

[Mug Funky]

yah. but if you're adding any kind of effect (like transitions other than cuts, or colour corrections, et al) then the video will be recompressed.

i've found sony works pretty well. mainconcept does things to the colour (well, the last time i tried it it did... i haven't seen any of the newer builds).

if you are processing your video with more than just cutting, then you'll need a good decoder as well as encoder. sony does it pretty well IMHO, so long as you're not recompressing often.

[GEoMaNTiK]

thanks for clearing things up regarding capturing for me guys.

when adding transitions & special effects, can I use the sony or main concept decoders within Vegas? is there a way to select which codec I want to use or does VV just use it's own?

[taudule]

in Vegas, under "Options>Preferences>General", you can uncheck "Ignore third party DV codecs".
That way, Vegas will not use its built in Codec, but the one that is installed in your windows box.
O.

[SiliconSoul]

there is a thread around here that discussed this in DETAIL!

search for it

i know i need to as im editing some more dv right now!

:)

well i can not fidn it maybe someone else rembers it or the title of it better...