quality on home videos

[mona14]

Hi all, I have read tremendous info on how to do this, but I just get more confused as I read. I want to know what is the best way to get home videos captured converted into good quality.
I use plextor video capture and the software is intervideo windvd. it automatically captures it at mpeg2(I think).
from here I want to know what software I can use to make it better quality. Is divx better than svcd?
currently what I do is capture, then using TMPGEnc encode to svcd and then burn using nero6 ultra lite.
But is there better quality than svcd?
thanx all.

[The Geek]

from here I want to know what software I can use to make it better quality.

It's impossible. You can't really improve the quality anyway, what you can do is kinda "fix" the stream, like a bit denoising or color improving and stuff like that. But if you wanna do that, don't use an MPEG stream for it, as you will lose quality.
Don't capture into MPEG-2, use a codec like MJPEG, Huffyuv or DV. MPEG-2 is not good for editing stuff like denoising etc.

Is divx better than svcd?

Can be. But for interlaced footage, it's not adequate. So, better forget about DivX.

currently what I do is capture, then using TMPGEnc encode to svcd and then burn using nero6 ultra lite.

So you capture into MPEG-2, and then re-encode the MPEG-2 again, but with SVCD parameters. The result will be crap. So, I'd forget about that, too.

But is there better quality than svcd?

Of course. DVD is much better. What you need to do, is to capture using a codec like I alread mentioned. Then you can do your denoise and color improvment or whatever you need to do.
Then you can use TMPGEnc to convert it to high quality DVD compliant MPEG-2. Choose a high bit rate, like 6000 to 8000kbps. About 1 hour to 1:15 h will fit on a single layer DVD.
If you have ProCoder or ProCoder Express, I'd use that and encode to MPEG-2 which is field based rather than frame based. That also helps to get good quality, especially at lower bitrates.
And then, once you have the MPEG-2 stream, author the DVD and burn it.

The Geek

[mona14]

thanx The Geek, but the problem is that I don't have a dvd burner nor do I have the cash for it right now.
So you are saying to just capture it in mpeg1 format and then using TMPGEnc to encode to mpeg2(svcd) and then just burn it?

[The Geek]

Ah, I see. Well, honestly, I wouldn't do anyting without a DVD burner. They are so cheap nowadays. You can get the NEC3500 for about $75.
I wouldn't mess with SVCD as you can't use the SVCD streams on DVD. And VCD is just too crappy.

So you are saying to just capture it in mpeg1 format

I said what I said, and I never said anything about MPEG-1 ;)

Anyway, using the field based MPEG encoding option of ProCoder (Express) you will be able to produce better quality MPEG streams than with TMPGEnc.
Actually field based is the best you can do. Without a DVD burner you can't do much more than that.

The Geek

[mona14]

thanx The Geek, I'll see what I can do with MJPEG.