VHS to DVD, what quality ?

[burgo]

I am currently attempted to save some of my sad and tired, VHS only recordings to DVD and halt their constant detioration. I am not trying to respark the copyright debate and these items are no longer available on video or DVD, I only want to preserve these recordings as best as I can and using videostudio 8.

Can someone give me some advice, what quality settings would be reasonable to use so that I can fit my recordings onto a single layer disc without sacrificing quality. I am capturing via DV-IN on my Sony PC101 via firewire.

Thanks in advance

[auntiejudyjudy]

I too have been working at preserving all my VHS tapes on DVD. I have had no problems just capturing it as a Composit Input and directly to the DVD format. Just capture and burn.

[burgo]

Thanks for the reply Judy

My problem is that I only have a single layer burner, which at full DVD rate allows me an hour of video give or take. The current project is 90 minutes and this would either need to be split over discs or converted to a lower quality. I have read that you can reduce the quality to allow up to 3 hours per disc, however, I would like to get the balance right between quantity and quality.

[jwarner]

4500 kbps VBR will give you better-than-VHS quality and just over 2 hours on a single-layer DVD. To be 100% sure to get your 2 hours (since VBR depends on content), you could probably drop down to 4000 kbps VBR without a noticeable difference.

Try a few sample short captures to MPEG2 format then play the MPEG's on your PC to see how they look to you.

[burgo]

Thanks for your help guys, will have a go tomorrow night and see how I get on !!

[maddrummer3301]

Hi,

If you record at Constant Bit Rate you can use the following settings
to workout on a single layered dvd. (90 Minutes).

FrameSize = 720x480
Aspect Ratio = 4:3
Video_bit_rate = 5500
Audio = Mpg layer 2 = 224kbs
Actually this will be less than 4 gigs but being safe.

The total bit rate of the stream will be approx 6000kbs(actually less).
These are safe settings.

You can also perform the same test yourself.
- Record for EXACTLY one minute using the above settings or close.
- Write the settings down on paper to remember them.
- Look at the file size of the video created.
Take (Recorded 1 minute video_file_size * 90minutes) = Total size of video_file_after_90_minutes.
Ex: Multiply the file_size by 90(minutes).
So after recording for a minute at constant bit rate if the file size is 45megs
then 45,000,000 * 90 = 4,050,000,000 (4.050gig).

So, the 1st above example will give you room on the dvd for menus, music, etc. Best to stay away from the absolute max size of the dvd.

Hope this helps,

MD

[rwindeyer]

From my experience I can endorse John Warner's comments - from a VHS source, a 4000-4500 bitrate is quite adequate to preserve original quality. And you should get 2 hours video on a disc - especially if you use AC-3 audio as well.

[bennetts]

I have this major project of putting years of VHS tapes on DVD and have messed with several setting and read what others have done and this is what I have come up with with great success.

If the project is 1 hour and 20 minutes or less I can use Full DVD (720 x 480) using 8000 Kbps on VBR and use AC3 audio.

If the project is closer to 2 hours I will drop the resolution to Half DVD (352 x 480) using 4000 Kbps (same as 8000 Kbps for full DVD) on VBR and use AC3 audio.

I have put almost 2 and a half hours of VHS video onto a single side DVD using Half DVD and it looks just as good as the tape.

When you start putting Digital media onto DVD then I would try to keep it at Full DVD due to the original file being higher than 352 x 480.