Why so many mpeg files when capturing analog video?

phxandy · Post by **phxandy** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 8:11 pm

Hey

I'm fairly new at this, but I haven't read anywhere yet why I am getting so many separate mpeg files/clips created when capturing my old VHS home videos.

Here is my info:
Conversion device: Plextor M402U (using composite video from VCR and USB 2.0 to PC)
Ulead VisualStudio 8.0 SE

Here are the project properties in capture mode:
NTSC drop frame (29.97 fps)
MPEG files
24 Bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Lower Field First
(DVD-NTSC), 4:3
Video data rate: 6000 kbps
LPCM Audio, 48 KHz, Stereo

I get the above when selecting the DVD capture format from the pulldown.

When capturing my video, I literally got 400 mpeg files/clips from my 1 1/2 hour VHS. The video/audio, etc.. all looks/sounds ok, but why so many files? I'm assuming this is a function of my Converter, but don't
understand the issue. If I can't fix this, is there a way to combine the files/clips into one file?

Thanks for any help,
Andy

tyamada · Post by **tyamada** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 8:54 pm

My guess would be that you have scene detection on, that is why you are getting so many files.

phxandy · Post by **phxandy** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:18 pm

That would certainly make sense, but where would I see this setting? I don't see anything in the properties or preferences about scene detection, except in Capture mode for DV sources. I'm using an analog source (VHS) so I don't even see any mention of scenes.

Andy

who4ever · Post by **who4ever** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:07 am

I thought scene detection only works when capturing digital files, not analogue.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:22 am

Yes, AFAIK, it is indeed the case that split by scene only works in capturing digital files, and moreover, only on DV/AVI files, not mpeg-2. You can only split mpegs with 'split by scene' after capture. For DV/AVi capture, the 'split by scene' box appears to be checked by default in the Capture screen, but is greyed out if you capture mpegs. In the Edit screen, with an mpeg in the timeline, you have to make a conscious choice to 'split by scene' and then go through a further dialogue as to the basis for the split, then click a button to scan and split the video.

So I am at a loss as to what is happening. It could indeed be a function of the Plextor, but I know nothing about that machine, and so cannot really comment.

And yes of course you can join them all into one file -- that is, after all, what video editing is all about.

But in this case it would be a tedious job of dragging all your files into the timeline in sequence, making sure the project properties match the file properties, then go to Share > Create Video File > mpeg2 > Custom and then make sure all the output properties match the file properties. Clicking Smart Render will speed up the process after that -- though be aware VS8 was notorious for out of sync audio and video when using Smart Render... And, of course, if you wanted to edit parts of the video, you might have to split it into bits again!

GJL · Post by **GJL** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 8:25 pm

Phxandy - I also have a Plextor M402U USB, but am not having your problems of multiple mpegs, so I would not necessarily conclude that the problem comes from the Plextor.

phxandy · Post by **phxandy** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:11 am

Ok, I'm going to try a few more experiments on my own to try to rule out a few other variables. For one, I'm going to try some other tapes recorded with the same camcorder and make sure this is consistent. Also, just for kicks, I'm going to try using another capture software package I happen to have installed that also recognizes my converter box.

FYI - I did send an email to Plextor support and their first response was similar to most of your observations - this shouldn't be caused by scene detection functionality because that only happens in Edit mode, not Capture mode. I hope it's just this one tape for some reason....

I'll post an answer if I find one, in the hopes it helps another frustrated soul some day.

Thanks for the replies!

Andy

miami · Post by **miami** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:34 pm

Andy: I had a similar issue. I am using VS8 SE and wanting to copy many of my Family analog VHS onto DVD. I purchased a Plextor ConvertX PX-M402U to convert the video (VS8 SE was packaged as a bonus). My PC is a P3 800 with 1+GB of RAM and 60 GB hard drive (approximately 25GB free space), running Windows 2000 SP4. When I follow the recommended MPEG Capture properties posted here as the first sticky and on the initial startup screen of VS8 SE if I pick the DVD setting and set all other capture properties as suggested, it chops the project up into many 10 - 30 second files (similar to the issue you describe) I believe this happens because of the DVD setting on that initial VS8 SE screen). I have had to choose MPEG4 because AVI won't select and MPEG defaults sound to 44.1KHz. If you change this to 48KHz it turns your MPEG setting back to DVD. Hope this helps