Capture - DV Type 2

[GuyL]

I capture from an analog camcorder on an AIW 9800 Pro. I capture in DV Type 2 format (which matches the recommended format for AVI at the begining of this form) using the capture functions in ATI's multimedia center.

DV Type 2 is not available as an option that I can see in Ulead VS 9. Am I missing something. I have no problem capturing using ATI but it may be convenient to do it all within VS.

[Ken Berry]

It is in exactly the same place as it was in VS 7 and 8: in the capture window, with your capture device selected, and DV set as the capture format, then under the Options cogwheel icon about a third the way down the left hand side of screen, if you click on it, it will give the option of Type 1 or Type 2.

At this point, I need to correct a misapprehension you have. In fact, the recommended Type to use in capturing is Type 1, NOT Type 2. If you have a powerful enough computer, then certainly you should be able to capture Type 2. But the reality is that only higher end professionals (and certain third party editing programs) have any real use for Type 2 encoded AVI (which encodes the video and audio in separate streams; Type 1 encodes them in a single stream. The quality of the video itself -- as opposed to the capture -- will not change between the Types, however.) A number of people here, regardless of the strength of their computers, have also had problems with Type 2, possibly because of other features of the architecture of their computers of which we are unaware. Problems include jittery video and/or audio, and at the very least, dropped frames. So unless people have a very specific need for Type 2, we tend to suggest that they stick with Type 1. I note, however, that you already capture with Type 2 encoder using your AIW card, so by the sounds of it, you should be able to continue doing so with VS9.

For ease of reference, the relevant part of the top sticky post to which you refer is, in fact, this: "If your computer CPU is slower than 2 GHZ, capture to AVI (DV) Type 1 because capturing in Mpeg 2 format puts too great a load on the CPU while capturing video in real-time. DV Type 1 is recommended because users have experienced problems with AVI Type 2."

[DiscCoasterPro]

Hi Ken, I was doing a search for type 1 vs type 2 and found your post. After reading about both types, I assumed type 1 would be less trouble and the best way to go. I'm curious why in the VS9 user manual it says that they chose type 2 for the default. (pg 53) Is there any particular reason why type 2 was set as default. I mean, many users wouldn't even think to change the default setting and if it can be more problematic, you would think Ulead wouldn't be looking for trouble.

Also, does changing this setting apply only to the current project preferences or is there a way to change the default? I'm probably staring at how to do it, but I didn't see it.

thanks
dcp

[Ken Berry]

As far as I am aware, changing the Encoder Type fixes it for all future projects, until such time as you might want to change it again. So no problems there. You can, in any case, change it in File > Project Properties > Microsoft AVI files > Edit > AVI > Compression where it will definitely become part of the template.

As to why Type 2 was set as the default, I really have no idea. I used to complain about it with VS 8, where it was also the case -- at least with my installation! In fact, I first came across the problem with VS 7 when I was using an old Dell Inspiron 8000 with a P3 1GHz CPU and 512 MB but -- and it was an important 'but' - using Windows ME as the operating system. I was getting jittery video and/or audio on capture, and I was driven to what so few of us do first, namely, read the Manual!! There I learned about these arcane Encoder Types and, importantly, how to change them...

Since then I have moved on to much bigger and more powerful computers, and I have to confess I capture using Type 2 with absolutely no problem. But I continue to see far too many people on this Board having trouble capturing because Type 2 is set as the default and they either don't know about Encoder Types at all, or else they don't how to change the setting. It would be a very simple thing, in my view, for Ulead to do as you suggest and make the default Type 1. I suggested exactly that over 2 years ago but nothing seems to have changed. One of the problems may be, though, that not everyone's installation seems to set Type 2 as the default.

Type 2, moreover, is really only useful for a high-end user. As you may know, it captures separate video and audio streams, and this apparently requires extra computer resources to do properly. Hence the need for a relatively powerful computer. Type 1 captures video and audio in a single stream and requires less resources.

The only thing I can think of to defend making Type 2 the default is that some other editing programs apparently do the same -- though I am not sure if their users have less trouble with their programs than we seem to do with Video Studio on this point. I would also note that there are some third party programs which do specialised things to video which will only work with Type 2 captured video. But again, most people will probably never hear about these, let alone use them, so the question is largely moot.

[GeorgeW]

Keep in mind that the capture to Type-2 still only creates ONE file with the video/audio embedded in the file (i.e. they are not 2 physically separate files).

[DiscCoasterPro]

Thanks for the reply Ken! Hi, George, yes I know its only one file, but here is the truth.

I suffer from a little known malady called "Murphy Syndrome" Murphy Syndrome is the chronic fear that something is about to go wrong.

Hence the need to put audio and video together if possible to overcome that potential problem.... buying that Canopus A/D converter, to attempt to overcome the potential problem of low quality transfers, buying and trying 6 different editing and authoring programs (plus books and tutorials as well) to try to figure out what the heck I'm doing ... lol ... not to mention building a dedicated computer which remains off line and TSR free.

I'm shot .. I'll admit it ... and I ..... what was that noise? ... never mind.

hey, ya gotta laugh once in a while too!

dcp

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi DiscCoasterPro

What with the dreaded 'Murphy Syndrome' and as I see it Video studio suffering from ‘Parkinsons Law’
You have no chance.

It does seem to be very time consuming, or does it

yes

Keep at it

Trevor