quality loss on using AviSynth, TMPEnc and VFAPI?

[msim]

I am processing Type-2 AVI file captured from a Canon Camcorder to include time and date in the video. This process is somewhat complicated and I am wondering if I am losing quality. Maybe somebody here could comment...

1. Capture from Canon Camcorder
2. Frameserve using Avisynth and use timeanddate plugin(create .avs). Had to install Panasonic codec for this.
3. Save TMPG-Enc project from the .avs file.
4. Create dummy .avi file using VFAPI (which used VFAPI codec).

I need the dummy .avi as I intend to use it in a DVD authroing software to create chapters and so on.

I suspect some quality loss. And am wondering if an expert here can comment on whether the codec use or something else in the above proces scould lead to such loss.

And if yes, can I reduce the loss somehow?

[celtic_druid]

Why not just use makeAVIS directly on the AVS for your dummy AVI?

[msim]

I tried to use Makeavis. However, the avi that Makeavis creates are not even read by Microsoft Media Player. I get "Windows Media Player encountered an unknown error". And then there is an instruction error, memory could not be error that it displays. So Makeavis is not doing what it should. :(

The VFAPI approach is working, however do I have to worry about the codecs used?

Thanks for the help!

[celtic_druid]

The quality loss comes from the forced RGB24 conversion.

No problems with makeAVIS here, what version are you using?

With VFAPI why create a TMPG-Enc project from the AVS? Can't you use VFAPI directly on the AVS? Should be a little quicker.

[Zarxrax]

With MakeAVS make sure you use full path names inside your avs script.

[msim]

I did use full path in the MakeAvis script. So it seems now that I will not be able to make MakeAvis work.

Do you think using Panasonic codec (which AviSynth uses), and then VFAPI codec (which VFAPI uses) will erode the quality?

[Mug Funky]

>>Do you think using Panasonic codec (which AviSynth uses), and then VFAPI codec (which VFAPI uses) will erode the quality?

uh? avisynth uses whatever VideoForWindows gives it.

if you want nice quality (unencumbered by colourspace conversions, upsampling bugs which are rampant in DV codecs) install ffDshow (google :)), set it to decode DV, and then in avisynth put Directshowsource("filename.avi").

this should work very nicely if you're avisynth version is current. i recommend it.

also, this method keeps it in YV12 all the way through.

[msim]

I will do this and check it out.
Since I had to install Panasonic codec to get AviSynth to work, I assumed that AviSynth uses that codec to decode. I shall uninstall Panasonic DV codec and use ffDshow.

Do you think the VFAPI codec that I am having to use after the Avisynth processing could cause quality loss?

Here is the background for my questions:
I am trying to get AviSynth and DVtimeinfo to give me the same result as I can get from a shareware at http://www.geocities.com/dts8888/. Now since I want to process the file in a software that does not read .avs files, I need to convert the .avs into a dummy avi. The reason I want to do this is because I do not udnerstand what the shareware does, and I feel it is causing some quality loss.

Thank you!