Problem copying avi to dv

[bongoman31]

OK, I often copy avi's to dv using laptop, Ulead Video, and Sony dv camera. Lately, I've been trying to create avi's from VOB files. I started using AutoGK, but Ulead gave me error, saying "This program only works using avi's with dv codec. This made sense because I had created the avi with Xvid codec. So, I was not quite sure how to set AutoGK with a dv codec, so I tried VirtualDubMod, with Panasonic dv codec. BUT, I get same error from Ulead. Any help appreciated!

[mic]

Could you give us a better explanation of what you're trying to do, ie. convert ripped DVD, capture DVD content etc...

[bongoman31]

OK, I want to convert already ripped VOB's to Dig.8. I've done it before playing the VOB's on Nero(laptop) and running through S-video to my camcorder. This is kind of cumbersome, and the experts here, have told me, kind of "lossy." (Ideally, I could play the VOB with Nero, and go through firewire to camcorder, but it seems more likely that the space shuttle will fly next week, than this being possible!) So, I had posted a week or two ago about not being satisfied with the quality of my avi's, which I've created, with the above set-up, going back into my laptop through the 1394 firewire, and using ULead Video. Some wise fellow pointed out in a previous post that that is a round-about way of creating avi's. Why not just use Auto GK or VirtualDub Mod? And that's where I'm at (not behind the preposition- haha).

[mic]

I'm sorry -- bit slow today (really), & I'm not sure what the end result should be, so I guess this is sort of a shotgun approach. :)

If you want to create avi files on your hard drive from VOBs, I think maybe the best way would be to use DGIndex to create a project file & demux/convert audio as needed. Then use VFAPI or AviSynth to open this project file in regular V/Dub & encode to your choice of format. But that's my opinion, & others like Auto GK or VirtualDub Mod. :p If all you want is avi files on your hard drive, there is no need to involve your camera at all.

But If I understand correctly, you want the result, the avi files you create from VOB files, recorded to tape:
Using your camcorder, you were using the encoding electronics to compress the video to DV. Where this process suffers is you've gone from compressed digital (mpg2) to a rendered video transferred to analog before your camera encoded it. Converting to DV avi on your laptop you should (at least in theory :) ) be able to transfer that file to your camera's tape, and avoid the loss of going digital, analog, digital.

To do this you would use a capture program (like the Vegas capture utility) to *print* the DV file to tape. There may be codec issues however, one brand version vs another. Vegas will let you go from the timeline to tape, but may have to pre-render. If Vegas is an option for you, it will import VFAPI files as above, then print directly to your camera using firewire, & that may be the easiest approach.

Otherwise, when you view the video on your laptop, to get it onto your camera you're probably relying on that picture on your screen, which is not as accurate I don't think as if you transferred a DV file.

Does that help, or do I still need more rest? :D

[bongoman31]

Yes, that's helpful. I will try some of your suggestions using those programs and Virtual Dub. I'm kind of a "one click" kind of guy, but if that's not working, I'll go more complex. Say hi to Keith & Ron & Charlie, haha.
Thanks for the help!

[theReal]

It's been a while since I've been working with GKnot and I've never used AutoGKnot, but this is what I'd do: After you've set everything in Gknot for converting the VOB file, let Gknot create the corresponding .avs script (avisynth script) and then proceed manually. Open VDub, load the avs script and choose your DV codec as a compressor.

I dunno if there's an option in AutoGKnot to just create the avs script (I mean it's called "Auto" because it's supposed to be one-click). If there isn't, then you'll have to use Gknot (or create the avs script manually, which is also possible, but still more complicated)