Output File Differences

[Bill Giles]

I have been using Easy VHS to DVD 3 Plus to capture video from old VHS tapes. While I sometimes burn a DVD, I always save the file to my PC. Other than setting the beginning and end points of the video, I don't do any editing to the original. When I am finished, I have two copies of the video, one in the Captured Videos folder and one in the COMPUTER folder. These videos appear to be the same format, but are of different file sizes. The exported files in the COMPUTER folder are always longer than the files in the Captured Video folder. What is the difference between these files? If Easy VHS to DVD 3 Plus always saves a copy in the Captured Videos folder, why would I need to export the file to the computer? At this point, I just want to create an archive of video files that I can use later on. I have taken some of the files and strung them together to create a DVD and I know that I can combine videos to create a project, but is there any reason why I should export the raw videos to the computer? As long as I can archive the videos in the Captured Videos folder, I shouldn't need the other copies. Am I missing something?

[Jim_Hardin]

Normal and without any real meaning...

 

The output file is set to HQ and outputs at a fixed rate.

 

The capture file is also captured at a fixed rate but the rate is a little less than HQ and that is the difference.

 

You cannot capture better than the source was recorded but by keeping it at the highest rate (HQ) you will assure that you have done the best you can years from now

[Bill Giles]

That is a reasonable explanation. If I only want to save one copy, which one should it be? There can be a significant difference in file size. As long as I have Easy VHS to DVD 3 Plus, I can create an HQ output file. My main concern right now is archiving these videos for future use. I will probably burn most of them to DVD eventually and will copy the mpg files to an external hard drive (or two) for safekeeping. My internal hard drive is 320G and I have another 320G hard drive in a cartridge that will plug in to my DVD slot, but a two hour SP VHS tape uses a bunch of space.

 

Thanks.

[Jim_Hardin]

It is the nature of the beast and there is no GOOD way around it!

 

DVD's are very cheap these days and you want to use Verbatim or JVC no store generics! It is easy to estimate what you need but keep in mind, a 4.7 GB disc is not going to archive anything that is larger than its' capacity... That is why 8.5's were made