Huffy ....... what is it and why should I use it?

a2barmby · Post by **a2barmby** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 11:06 am

Hi,
I notice that a lot of what I would call experienced and technical users in this forum, are using the Huffy codec.

Why?
Is there an advantage in using it in VS8?
Can you use it instead of whats in VS8?
Please explaing to a puzzled and somewhat interested newbie.

Cheers.
Allan.

thecoalman · Post by **thecoalman** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 11:49 am

First a little background on AVI, AVI is not a video format but a container file (or wrapper) for video. It can contain many types of video, such as DV, Huffy or even mpeg. AVI containing video such as DV or Huffy is ideal for editing for more reasons than one but mostly because your starting out with a very high quality source.

All of these formats are compressed video, the lower the compression is the less data contained in the file to display the video. The less data, the lower quality the video.

MS Uncompressed= 60GB per hour (I'mg uessing I forget)
Huffy = 24 GB per hour (I'm relying on memory here too)
DV= 14 GB per hour
MPEG2 = 4 GB per hour @ 8000 CBR

The reason for using the Huffy codec is because it's "lossless". For practical purposes there's no difference between the uncompressed file or the one using Huffy except for the enormous file sizes produced using "uncompressed"

a2barmby · Post by **a2barmby** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 12:03 pm

Hi.
Thanks for the speedy reply Thecoalman.
The upshot is, that at present I use during my capture phase Microsoft Avi files, DV video encoder type 1.
I would improve things therefore if I used Huffy.
Can Huffy be readily integrated into VS8?
When using Huffy, does a dialog box open to enable it to be selected?
Will this be in the configuration window "Avi capture properties"selecting the various formats eg DV Avi etc?
Space on disc is not a problem or time to render as I'm lucky enough to have lots of both.
Lastly the MOST important question, is there a noticable difference between DV type 1 Avi and Huffy when the final burned DVD is displayed on a T.V. ?
Many thanks for your help.
It is very much appreciated.
Warm regards,
Allan.

thecoalman · Post by **thecoalman** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 12:29 pm

DV-AVI and Huffy-AVI are similar in there properties, if you have the space use the huffy codec. Quality really depends on your source, if your source is for example VHS your not going to see much of a difference between the DV and the Huffy Codec.

BTW if your "capturing" from a DV cam use DV. The process of getting video from a DV cam is not a capture process but a transfer process. If you select DV you are essentially copying the file from the cam to computer, it is truly a lossless transfer which is what you want.

a2barmby · Post by **a2barmby** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 12:38 pm

Ahhhhh.

I see now.

Yes I have a DV Camcorder so indeed I should use DV to capture/transfer the data to my PC.
Thanks for the info and the help.

Allan.

thecoalman · Post by **thecoalman** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 1:26 pm

a2barmby wrote:Ahhhhh.
I see now.
Yes I have a DV Camcorder so indeed I should use DV to capture/transfer the data to my PC.
Thanks for the info and the help.
Allan.

Yes using the Huffy codec is for analog capture from VHS, hi-8 etc. Probably should have mentioned it to begin with.

DV-AVI has only two options Type 1 or 2. Both have equal quality there's no difference except in how the audio is stored and file size. Type 2 is slightly larger, both should work equally as well for VS8.

a2barmby · Post by **a2barmby** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 4:24 pm

You know, it's an absolute pleasure to visit this web site, when you have such nice and friendly replys to questions.
It helps we newbies so much

It helps us also, in the fact that even if we do ask what may seem a silly question to some people, it gets answered in a positive way.
This helps tremendously, in that people (myself included) are not afraid to ask/post questions.

Speaking of which, you mentioned the audio aspect of video files.
I'd be interested to know what format I should encode the audio on my home movies

I use a digital scource in DV to Microsoft avi type 1, during transfer of data and when I burn using the Pal sttings for DVD, I would like to know what audio format would give me best results

ie MPEG or LPCM

I believe my Panasonic NVGS70-B records in 16 bit sound but don't know what format

Many, many thanks for your replys.

Allan.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 10:47 pm

Re the audio, LPCM is great quality but large files. MPEG audio is in smaller files and still very good quality. As you are in a PAL country, both should be compatible with the DVD format.

If size is really central to your final project, then you might want to consider buying the AC-3 (Dolby) module. This will produce dual channel (not 5.1) stereo in a small file. That means, of course, that you can add that much more video to the final DVD!

a2barmby · Post by **a2barmby** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 5:49 am

Thanks for the help Ken.

Allan.