Remember Beta

Eric VS9 · Post by **Eric VS9** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:20 pm

I just got a old Beta VCR (NTSC)
Sony work Great !

I am transfer from Beta to DVD it is my understanding
that for analog capture I need to go upper field first
and digital lower field first and up until now that has been fine
I did let Studio 9 detect the field order from the Beta VCR and it suggests
Upper Field First ... So what am I to do ??

Upper or Lower

Thanks for any help

Eric VS9 · Post by **Eric VS9** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:24 pm

Typo in first post
Sorry I made a typo in the first post

I did let Studio 9 detect the field order from the Beta VCR and it suggests
LOWER FIELD First ... So what am I to do ??

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:35 pm

Honestly don't know for certain. Do a short capture with the suggested field order. If the resultant clip looks crappy, reverse the field order

Post by **Ron P.** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:44 pm

Eric,

How are you capturing?

I also recently aquired an old Beta deck. I had one when they first came out. I had the BetaMax camcorder also. I took videos of my kids when they were young.
My oldest daughter passed away 3 years ago, after having a child. So now I'm taking the beta video and transfering to DVD...

I'm using my Sony TRV-120 as a pass-through, so I can capture to DV-AVI Lower Field First...

Ron P.

Eric VS9 · Post by **Eric VS9** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:48 pm

I am capturing with composite (yellow) from the VCR
to a V-Stream USB device

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:55 pm

Can you capture at all using this set up? have you done a test capture? What are the settings, in regards to frame size and frame rate, allowed by your capture device?

Eric VS9 · Post by **Eric VS9** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:02 am

just waiting for the tape to finish

DVD 720 X 480
Lower Field First VBR 6500
LPCM audio

I am at 55 minutes and still going
I have dropped 19 frames
I should have done a test first but I will wait until the tape finishes
and post my finding in the AM after I burn the DVD

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:23 am

The frame size suggests that you can capture full frame (not all USB devices are capable) but you do not state the frame rate. Is it 29.97 fps?

I would be a little concerned about the dropped frames. Can you capture to other than mpeg format? You could also try to reduce the bit rate to around 4 to 4.5 kbps VBR or CBR. Firstly, you will get more footage on your DVD that way and your PC is not strained so much. Might even fix the dropped frame issue.

maddrummer3301 · Post by **maddrummer3301** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 3:03 am

Your device is an analog device and would capture "Upper Field First".
Ulead usually detects the opposite field.

If the video is jerky and streaking lines you will have to capture it
again.
Try a small section first and output that to TV.

MD

Eric VS9 · Post by **Eric VS9** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:28 pm

All is well Upper field first

Thanks All

mji · Post by **mji** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 9:11 pm

Hello

As I have transfered about 200 hours so far of Beta to PC I think I should give some tips.

Firstly unlike Vhs Beta tapes seem to survive much better - even 20 year old ones look good.

Do not try any lower resolution as you will lose detail.

I never drop below 720x568! AFAIK

I have tried capturing with different methods.

Firstly my PC has a Leadtek My VIVO video card and a Creative Audigy 2 sound card.

1) Via VIVO MPEG very poor

2) DV poor - macro blocks!

3) raw AVI quite good.

However only the video recorder program will handle this - I then need to drag into an editor to do anything.

4) Into DVD MF - this uses DV and is better and 2 but not as good as 3

5) Using my MiniDV video camera as a converter then Firewire

This is best!!!!

This is using good VCRs - most of my AV kit is Sony (3 Beta VCRs, TV, video camera ect), Sanyo (2 Beta VCRs), or Pioneer (DVD player and writer),