Recommended Conversion Formats

[FrankieBabe]

Att. Jim_Hardin

 

I have tried the following values with varying success.

 

Conversion Formats:

Format Code Fmt1 Fmt2 Fmt3 Fmt4 Fmt5 Fmt7 Fmt6

Frame Width 720, 720, 640, 640, 720, 640, 640

Frame Height 576, 576, 512, 512, 576, 512, 512

Data Rate (kbps) 8000, 15000, 15000, 11000, 6000, 14804, 14432

Total Bitrate (kbps) 8224, 16536, 16536, 12536, 6384, 16340, 15968

Bit Rate (kbps) 224, 1536, 1536, 1536, 384, 1536, 1536

Frame Rate ALL 25 Frames/Second

Channels ALL 2 (Stereo)

Audio Sample Rate ALL 48 kHz

 

The Fmt 1 values give varying and indifferent results. As for the rest of the formats, I cannot see any difference (if at all). The good stuff (and the bad stuff) is the same on all of the formats. The sound seems to be good enough no matter which conversion format is used.

 

I realise that if my video is not too good then converting it will not improve the quality. I also realise that I may be using values that do not alter a thing.

 

I am going to give it another go – but before doing so I but I would appreciate some guidance as to the optimum settings to be used. Also any “tricks of the trade” that I may be able to utilise. There is a mixture of normal and extended play videos if that is relevant. However, the good or bad results don’t seem to be specific to either normal or extended play.

 

Many thanks in anticipation for any guidance you can offer.

 

Kind regards

 

[Jim_Hardin]

The first 2 are PAL settings and of no use to someone living in drive on by PA (Lancaster for me)

 

Format 3 is what you want but at 29.97 fps.This is High Quality NTSC format.

 

As you noted, nothing can change the quality to exceed what it was in the Source Granted there are some ($$$) that can make guesses and might appear to look better but when you have a matrx of 9 black pixels it won't know the center one was really white. Now in Hollywood, they take one pixel and create a full clear face from it... Total BS but that's Hollywood

 

It is what it is. I have some 8mm film (not Super 8) I shot in the 60's. Pretty grainy and color loss and nothing I can capture it with will change it!

 

Thanks for getting back and please keep us updated on your progress/results.

[FrankieBabe]

Hello Jim,

 

Many thanks for your input - it is appreciated.

 

Try as I might I cannot "get" the first line of your reply. I realise it is a pun but I am going crazy trying to get it. Be a kind person and explain it to me !!!

 

You suggested Format 3 settings to be used, that is, 29.97 fps.High Quality NTSC format. I omitted to remind you that I am living in Australia. I understand that both 25 and 29.97 fps can be used in Australia so have you suggested 29.97 fps because it results in better quality output or will 25fps result in the same quality output.

 

You may have noticed that I mentioned that all of the conversions had a Frame Rate of 25 Frames/Second and a Audio Sample Rate of 48 kHz

 

My apologies for not being more explicit.

 

Kindest regards

 

PS: Don't forget the explanation !

[cdanteek]

 

Conversion Formats:

Format Code Fmt1 Fmt2 Fmt3 Fmt4 Fmt5 Fmt7 Fmt6

Frame Width 720, 720, 640, 640, 720, 640, 640

Frame Height 576, 576, 512, 512, 576, 512, 512

Data Rate (kbps) 8000, 15000, 15000, 11000, 6000, 14804, 14432

Total Bitrate (kbps) 8224, 16536, 16536, 12536, 6384, 16340, 15968

Bit Rate (kbps) 224, 1536, 1536, 1536, 384, 1536, 1536

Frame Rate ALL 25 Frames/Second

Channels ALL 2 (Stereo)

Audio Sample Rate ALL 48 kHz

The first 2 are PAL settings and of no use to someone living in drive on by PA (Lancaster for me)

 

Format 3 is what you want but at 29.97 fps.This is High Quality NTSC format.

 

 

Fmt1 to Fmt 6 are all PAL resolutions.

[Jim_Hardin]

I must have REALLY been asleep yesterday

 

As cd points out all are PAL which is what you want down under! (I guess my IP search didn't take and it showed up the last one I looked in PA )

 

You need to look at the detail of the Source movies and Match those!

 

If one is 640 X 512, STAY with that! Only thing to change is the KBPS. keep that to the highest quality it will allow. - the reason you don't want to jump the frame size up is that it isn't a straight jump like double so something has to give.

[FrankieBabe]

^Hello,

^{Thank you cdanteek and Jim_Harding - your interest is very much appreciated.}

^{Before I start converting I need a little more advice.}

^{I have installed a copy of Corel VideoStudio X9. I had an earlier version (Corel VideoStudio X6) installed and received an attractive offer (from Corel) to upgrade to version X9 Ultimate - which I did.}

^{I used the earlier version to convert some tapes but was not overly impressed with the result - that's why I purchased Easy VHS To DVD 3 Plus. With a little bit of hindsight it was more likely my lack of knowledge/confidence that may have been the problem - not the software.}

^{You probably already know what question I am going to ask. Would it be prudent for me to give Corel VideoStudio X9 another go or continue on the Easy VHS To DVD 3 Plus path.}

^{I hope to edit, add titles and sound tracks etc. to the converted videos. As a consequence it may be better to do the lot with VideoStudio X9.}

^{I suppose another option would be to convert using Easy VHS To DVD 3 Plus then edit, add titles and sound tracks to the converted files using VideoStudio X9.}

^{I do apologise for the apparent U-turn in my approach but I would be most thankful for your opinion - either way.}

^{Kindest regards}

[cdanteek]

 

^{You probably already know what question I am going to ask. Would it be prudent for me to give Corel VideoStudio X9 another go or continue on the Easy VHS To DVD 3 Plus path.}

^{I hope to edit, add titles and sound tracks etc. to the converted videos. As a consequence it may be better to do the lot with VideoStudio X9.}

 

I think your past the asking question stage and ready for the doing and testing stage.

 

Tell us how your tests work out.

[Jim_Hardin]

Yes by all means give it try!!!

 

Use the raw capture for both so you can do a side by side comparison of the results.

 

And let us know what you find

[FrankieBabe]

Hello,

 

Thank you Jim_Harding and cdanteek for you advice

 

Time stop procrastinating. I will take up your suggestions and raw capture three or four test pieces and decide from there.

 

Thanks again for your no nonsense advice and support - and yes, I will let you know how I go.

 

Many thanks again and kind regards.

[Jim_Hardin]

You are welcome and do not hesitate to come back for anything that gives you doubts.

[FrankieBabe]

Hello,

 

I am now converting some of my video tapes - currently I do the following in this sequence:-

 

Start the Roxio Easy VHS Tape To DVD 3 Plus program.

 

1) From the two panels displayed - select the “Record, Edit and Save” panel.

2) From the now displayed Project Selection panel select the “Start A New Project” button.

3) Click on the “Import Video” button.

4) Select a video snippet having required properties.

Currently: Video Template.mpg in the

“D:\ Captured Videos” directory.

5) Click on the blue and white “Ready To Export” arrow button - bottom right corner.

6) Select the “Computer” properties screen.

7) Set the “Data Rate” to 15000 (Best Quality). Adjust any other setting if required.

8) Select “Edit Videos” arrow button. Bottom left corner.

9) Delete previously loaded short video snippet (Video Template.mpg).

10) Start initial part of the recording process by clicking on “Record Video” button.

11) Double click on Video Name content (My Video (x)) and rename to suit.

12) Press “Start Recording” button. Allow for about a 5 second pause before recording starts.

13) When finished recording press the Blue and White Button (Ready To Export) button.

14) Check the settings now displayed to screen.

15) If all OK press the Blue and White Button (Export) button.

16) Processing now takes place.

17) When processing is finished a message appears to that effect.

18) Press the “Open Location” to check content or ‘Done” button to finish the process.

Advanced Settings:-

Compression = MPEG2

Resolution = 720 x 576

Frame Rate = PAL (25 fps)

Data Rate = 15000 kbps

 

This procedure is contrary to the advice you gave me previously so I would appreciate it greatly if you could advise whether the above mentioned procedure is suitable or whether I am compromising the finished product.

 

Sorry to be a pain in the backside.

 

Kind regards.

 

Frank

[Jim_Hardin]

We asked about PAL before and you did not really address that???

 

Otherwise, looks fine

[FrankieBabe]

Hello Jim and thank you for your quick reply.

 

I must be going around the bend. All of the videos I have are PAL - no exceptions.

 

From what I understand PAL uses a frame rate of 25 fps and a 720x576 aspect ratio.

 

I was under the impression that we sorted this out in previous posts.

 

I experimented with 720x576 and 640x512. Both results seemed to be "good to OK"

to my untrained eye.

 

I had bad output on one tape using 640x512 but the same tape was quite good using 720x576 - so I went with 720x576.

 

Thanks once again for your invaluable pointers - I really do appreciate the advice you give.

 

Kind regards

 

Frank

[Jim_Hardin]

Right you are about the PAL! I did not go back through the Topic and forgot we had laid that to rest

[FrankieBabe]

Hello again,

I am a little confused as to whether I post on the existing topic or create a new topic.

 

I have now created a number of conversions from my tapes.

 

Once I got the properties I was after I converted nine complete tapes. With the exception of two I was able to convert the complete tapes as one file. The remaining two I had to convert into two parts due to an extended gap in the recordings.

 

I am now in a position whereby I need to separate each tape's content into the tapes topics. For example one tape has two topics - I can't see a problem there as I assume I just split the contents over one or more files before saving to one or more a DVDs.

 

My main problem is when there are as many as 20 or more topics on some of the converted files. I am under the impression that if I extract three or more topics from the converted file (for subsequent burning to DVDs so that each of the topics have their own dedicated DVD) then the balance of the tape content is lost. Is this correct?

 

This leaves me a couple of options:-

1) Create several of the identical DVD.

2) Convert the tape into smaller files.

3) Convert the tape into individual or similar topics.

 

I sure would be grateful for your help showing the best way of creating files (for transfer to a DVD) from a tape having so many topics.

 

Many thanks in anticipation.

 

Frank White

[Jim_Hardin]

There just isn't an easy way to do this in EVD... With one of the Suites it is a bit easier but still not a simple as one would expect!

 

I would recommend...

 

Write Down the Split points (times) and the names you want to use so you can go to them later.

Save a full, not split project to File.

Make a copy of that file and put it elsewhere!

New Project with Name you want 'Example 1'. Import the File.

Split & Trim the portion for Example 1 and Export.

New Project named 'Example 2'. Import the File.

Split & Trim the portion for Example 2 and Export.

Rinse and repeat

Use the notepad times & titles so you keep it straight in your head. I have done projects like that with 5 parts and used 3 PC's to work them. Headaches and mistakes

 

Main safety is to keep that full file and a copy so that when you make a mistake you can go back.

[FrankieBabe]

Thank you Jim for the prompt, easy to follow directions - most appreciated.

 

When I created the tape(s) content I noted to the second each of the topic changes.

 

When following your suggestions I am assuming it is of no consequence if I (deliberately) include a lead-in and lead-out portion of tape for further trimming and editing. That is subsequently add a title and other history related content.

 

Many thanks again for you help

 

Kind regards.

 

Frank

[Jim_Hardin]

Lead-in/out... interesting idea.

 

Care to post a new topic on how you are doing that?

 

Always looking for new ideas

[FrankieBabe]

Thank you Jim for your reply - and patience.

 

Unfortunately I was in a hurry as I was running late for an appointment when I posted my response to your advice. With hindsight it would have been better if I had left it until now before responding to your previous post. So, if you don't mind I will start over again.

 

When I created the tape(s) content I made a note of the exact second between each of the topic changes.

 

I would like to add a title and contents for each of the extracted segments of tape

 

However the more I think about it, the solution would be to extract just as you suggested. Then, as a separate exercise create footage for the titling/credits/content. I could then combine the extracted footage in the manner you suggested. So I finish up with something like the following:-

Newly created Content Title footage + extracted footage as you described + Newly created "The End" footage.

What do you think?

 

As an aside I do have a copy of Corel VideoStudio Pro X6 and a copy of Corel VideoStudioX9 neither of which I have used in earnest. I am more than happy to get to grips with either of these programs if you think it would be an better way.

 

I do apologise for my slow and cautious approach to what may appear to be a simple task.

 

In addition I really appreciate the time you have taken to help me get to grips with my project.

 

Thank you so much.

 

Kindest regards

[Jim_Hardin]

It is only a 'simple task' to those who have no idea what is involved

 

I have not personally used those Corel programs (got an unopened box on the shelf) but from what I hear it will offer far more in editing capability! You would still have to use the EVD to capture, but then go into the editor/authoring part of Corel.

 

Of course with capability comes learning curve

[FrankieBabe]

Thank you for your reply Jim - it is appreciated.

 

I will stick with the EVD and get more familiar with the program then maybe give the Corel Program a go.

 

Thanks a lot for advice - really appreciated.

 

Regards