Wonderful!! what video/sounde capture mechanism do you use, plus the s/w?
My focus here is on analogue capture, digital (firewire) is a whole
different animal...
As indicated in a previous post, I use a variety of software for capturing
and pre-production editing. I have learned over the years that spending
$800.00+ dollars on video production software, simply to capture video, is
like pounding a 4 penny nail with a 5 lb. sledgehammer. The KISS principal
(keep it simple... stupid!) is still a valid concept and always seems to
work best. The cardinal rule in capturing video is to choose the right
(appropriate) tool for the intended job.
For analogue captures to MPEG 2, I primarily use ATI Multi Media Center 8.9,
OEM provided software for my ATI AIW Radeon video card. It hosts more
options and features than most other commercial alternatives. Note: ATI
incorporates software encoders/ decoders by CyberLink, maker of PowerDVD.
The analogue capture device itself is an ATI All In Wonder Radeon, which
supports S-Video/ Composite inputs and outputs. I personally have had so
much good luck with ATI AIW Radeon cards that both of my workstations are
identically equipped.
For most MPEG cutting, splitting, joining, multiplex/ de-multiplex, and
standalone encoding/ batch processing, I really don't think there is much
else that can compare with TmpGenc.exe. TmpGenc is my personal all-time
favorite software based MPEG encoder; especially when used for cleaning
video noise and tape jitter. If I can't clean it during capture, chances
are pretty good that TmpGenc can clean it in post.
For analogue captures to AVI, I use an older version of VideoWave 5 most
of the time. It has served me well over many years and once properly
configured, consistent captures are virtually trouble free. Upon ocassion,
I also use VirtualDub; depends largely upon my mood at the time.
VideoWave 5 is no longer available commercially. Originally developed by
MGI, it was subsequently bought by Adaptec/ Roxio and re-released as
Video Creator (i believe that was the new title). For reasons stemming
from the now infamous CD Creator upgrade fiasco, I simply refuse to do
business with Adaptec/ Roxio. The result is that VW 5 will eventually be
replaced by Pinnacle Studio or something similar. Other companies may
gouge me in the future, but, much like Roxio learned, it will only happen
once.
For AVI editing and scripted batch processing of multiple AVI's, I simply
cannot say enough good things about VirtualDub. I easily process 25 - 30
AVI's every week, all scripted from pre-defined templates, and rarely do I
ever have a problem with the results. Avery Lee, author of VDub, is simply
one of the best good guys I know.
I also use a multi-track AVI video sequencer, called "Multiquence," for
handling overlays of multiple tracks, repairing broken/ out-of-sync A/ V
tracks, and a host of other special purpose applications. Although rarely
needed, it can often mean the difference between salvaging a bad piece of
video or having to delete it as unusable. It functions very similar to the
$400 - 600.00 dollar multi-track video editing suites, and costs much less
than a nice dinner for two, with Chianti; I would pass on the Fava beans!
For Audio ripping, editing, noise reduction, conversions (including WMA)
and virtually anything else related to audio that one can think of, I use
"GoldWave." GoldWave also authors "Multiquence" and both applications
can be fully integrated.
For DVD Authoring, I prefer the simplistic design of ULead's DVD
MovieFactory 3, but also rely heavily upon ULead DVD Workshop. DVD
MovieFactory 3 also supports WMV output to DVD. I would caution others that
I have run into some frustrating issues with newly released versions of
software from ULead, both past and present. ULead does eventually post
fixes for issues of major irritation, but it is my contention that their
software is rushed to market before it is fully qualified. I stick with
ULead only because the UI is so well organized, intuitive, and most of the
time, it works pretty well. Trust me though, always proof the DVD menus,
located in the DMF temp folder, and test the VOBs before final burn.
For WMV output, I use WMEncoder as opposed to mm2. I first build
my production in VirtualDub, or something else, and then encode it using
WMEncoder.
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Regarding (S) VHS/ broadcast TV and analogue MPEG Captures:
So, what jobs lend themselves best to MPEG? Honestly, only those jobs that
do not require extensive follow-up editing; i.e. complex linear or
non-linear cutting/ splicing and/ or conversion to other video formats.
Once an MPEG, always an MPEG.
Assume I wanted to grab a 1 hour PBS segment (commercial free and
uninterupted) and my intent was to capture S-Video input from my TV or
VCR and produce a DVD. MPEG-2 would be an appropriate choice purely from
the standpoint of expediency and minimal editing requirements -- perhaps
only minor trimming is required at begining and end.
When capturing anologue input directly to MPEG 2, Choose "I-frame only,"
which can eliminate most of the potential problems normally encountered when
editing Groups Of Pictures (GOP). Normally, a GOP = 15-->18 inter-frame
dependencies, based upon (I)ndex (B)i-directional and (P)redictive
framesets.
Since DV compression is essentially an I-frame only MPEG, then it also
follows that this is the equivalent of assigning a GOP of 1. Thus when
using I-Frame only, there is no significant degradation when compared with
IBP frame compression, and every frame is essentially a key frame.
MPEG "I-frame only" also enables you to cut clips at frame boundaries
instead of being forced to cut into a 15 or 18 frame GOP. This means
that non-linear editing is supported. The end result is that your captured
mpg is less prone to erratic behavior (smoother playback), easier on
system resources, and normally allows for greater flexibility in production.
====
Regarding (S) VHS/ broadcast TV/ and analogue AVI Captures:
If I have a 1 hour of off-air video filled with commercial interruptions, I
would probably want to do some serious editing -- audio/ video fades,
transitions, and possibly inter-cuts with other content. Assuming DVD as
target output, I would probably go with a type 1 or II AVI format, using
either RAW or Huffman (Huffyuv lossless) compression. Once the final cut
has been prepared for rendering, I either send it to TmpGenc for cleanup
and output, or, if the raw avi video does not need extensive cleaning, I
import the AVI directly into ULead's DVD authoring software for final
output. Rendering a 60 min AVI to DVD normally takes ULead MF about
3 hours, but rendering the same AVI via TmpGenc could take upwards of
16-18 hours. However, TmpGenc will generally result in superior quality.
For the best possible renderings from TmpGenc, I use an external
TooLame audio encoder, in conjunction with SSRC audio resampling plugin.
TmpGenc does not consistently deliver high quality audio without some
serious help.
AVI formats can make life a whole lot easier in many situations, and
especially when separate audio and video streams are desired. It is also
far less expensive to acquire and maintain AVI compliant editors, filters,
utilities and effects; generally available to anyone with internet access.
Additionally, this format still offers wider compatibility across all
currently existing editors/ and authoring software. Other advantages
include elemental stream substitutions, segmented replacements, non-linear
editing, interleave of independent audio and video streams, easy repair of
broken headers, and features to correct out-of-sync issues.
In closing, here are a few still photos, some not-so-good, of my small
home based media center and video processing setup...demonstrates what
can be done on a low budget using Radio Shack and Home Theatre
equipment suppliers.
http://webpages.charter.net/test01