avi query

peacefrog · Post by **peacefrog** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 9:44 pm

Hi all,
been awhile but getting back into it...
been capturing TV shows from my winfast tv2000 xp rm,
does not have mpeg encoder so with my wimpy system i been
forced to capture shows in avi....

then (this is where i'd like feedback for best quality dvd)
i open VS9, import the avi file into timeline,
use the multi trim facility
save the NEW trimmed avi
then make a mpeg2 file,
then create disc.

are these the best procedure? I am getting a sharp enough video but i figure it is 20% below original.

system
pent4 1.8Ghz
winxp pro
512 Mb rdram

cheers
froggy

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 10:27 pm

What are your captured clip properties? Do create the mpeg2 file first? Properties? or do you go straight from the timeline to the burning stage?

Post by **Ken Berry** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 10:35 pm

I am very surprised that the TV2000 does not have an mpeg-2 encoding capacity. I have the WinFast DV2000 TV capture card, and it certainly does (I use it all the time). In fact, looking at the Leadtek website, I believe your card definitely should have the capacity to capture at least mpeg-1 and mpeg-2 as well as uncompressed AVI, with the very latest versions of the card also capturing in mpeg-4 should you wish. I would re-load the disc that came with the card in the first place to see if you had a defective original load or a codec has gone missing or become corrupt.

Otherwise, though, your suggested work flow seems reasonable. What you have to remember, though, is that you are in effect capturing analogue TV from the card, and at best you will probably only get good VHS quality. That will depend on what bit rate you use in your conversion of your uncompressed avi to mpeg-2 (the higher the bit rate, the better the quality, though the less the amount you can fit on a disc.)

As for your perception of a 20% quality loss, is that in the VS preview window or on the final disc? If the former, then be aware that the preview window is lousy. If the latter, then it could be you used too low a bit rate in order to fit a larger amount of video on the DVD.

peacefrog · Post by **peacefrog** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 5:56 am

many thanx for replies!
there should be a slap-in-the-face smiley!

after trimming the avi i keep it in the timeline and open the
"create a file" and select
mpeg2 720x576 25fps template (but i had not noticed that this was saving it
with the properties...
mpeg2, 24 bits, 720x576 25fps
frame based (slap inserted here- i think! should be lower field eh?)
mpeg2 4:3
videorate VAR, max 6000Kbs (another slap here, eh?)
48Khz stereo

sheesh....

question....what is the difference between the templates
pal dvd, and
mpeg2?

it seems with pal dvd i have more audio options while with mpeg2 there
is just the different settings?

cheers
froggy

Post by **Ken Berry** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 6:33 am

Yes -- a couple of slaps on the wrist are in order!!

As for the main difference between the DVD and mpeg-2 templates, well you have answered your own question: the main difference is that the mpeg-2 one is set to frame-based. Mainly used for slideshows (at least by me!) DVD is of course a template based on mpeg-2, but of course it will usually have Lower Field First (though may sometimes be upper, depending on the source of the video used), and will usually be 8000 kbps for the highest quality, though lower bit rates are often used to extend the time limit of video burned to a disc.

peacefrog · Post by **peacefrog** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:14 am

ouch!!

i had a whole bunch of photos that i did using that same template..what a fluke that it was frame-based!

another question if i may...
when i have created the mpeg file..i get a large file that is viewable in media player and a smaller UPD file.
i suspect the UPD file contains info relating to the larger file..

when i go to "creat a disc"
i have been adding the larger file/s to
-add video

would i be correct in saying that i could click
-add videostudio project

and choose the UPD file?

cheers
froggy

Post by **Ken Berry** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:20 am

No. The UPD is an artefact of the production of an mpeg-2 file and serves no useful function that I have ever been able to find. Certainly deleting them does not seem to affect the mpeg.

The project file is in fact one with a .VSP extension, standing -- logically enough for Video Studio Project!!! But another potential slap on the wrist here: NEVER use the command 'add video studio project'. That way lie dragons!!! A lot of people have come to grief by going straight from their project to burning the disc, without first producing a DVD-compatible mpeg-2 file. Known problems include out of sync audio and video... Be warned!!

peacefrog · Post by **peacefrog** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 7:50 am

Hi guys...

well, setting my tv2000 to automatically tape a show for the last 2 days and both programs have OOS problems. Both been taped using AVI.
Are there any settings in the system that could tweak for better reliability?
IS there software to possibly bring video and audio together?

cheers
froggy