Converting VOBs to MOVs

[briantho]

I have some old 4:3 VOBs that I want to edit more using Final Cut Express. In the conversion process I'd like to minimize quality loss and I don't mind how slow the process is.

 

Should I use Compression Type: DV-PAL? Or maybe: Apple Intermediate Codec? There are quite a few options and if possible I'm trying to save time rather than working my way through most of them.

 

Many thanks in advance for any help.

 

 

 

[tsantee]

Use the DV setting. You can click the options and choose DVPro 50 instead of 25 to have better quality (but double the file size).

[briantho]

Use the DV setting. You can click the options and choose DVPro 50 instead of 25 to have better quality (but double the file size).

 

Thanks for your reply Eugene. As you say, DVCPRO50 doubles the file size but as I said, I want to minimize quality loss in the conversion. With HDDs being SO cheap these days file sizes are the least of my worries :-)

 

For the record (ie., so I can look it up next time I need to do this) I specified DVCPRO50 - PAL, Quality: Best, Dimensions: PAL 720 x 576 4:3, Deinterlace Source Video

 

If you or somebody else knows of an even better setting I'd be very grateful to hear about it. Again, thanks for your help.

 

[briantho]

Having actually watched on TV the same sequence converted using different settings I think, for me, I'm going to use:

 

DVCPRO50 - PAL, Quality: Best, Dimensions: 640 x 480 VGA, Deinterlace Source Video

 

The edges of various objects seemed smoother than 768x576 SD and the 720x576 4:3 settings.

[tsantee]

Having actually watched on TV the same sequence converted using different settings I think, for me, I'm going to use:

 

DVCPRO50 - PAL, Quality: Best, Dimensions: 640 x 480 VGA, Deinterlace Source Video

 

The edges of various objects seemed smoother than 768x576 SD and the 720x576 4:3 settings.

Interesting. That isn't the resolution or aspect ratio for PAL. I do agree that the deinterlace can be useful.

[briantho]

Interesting. That isn't the resolution or aspect ratio for PAL. I do agree that the deinterlace can be useful.

 

Thinking back I recall that I originally copied the VHS tapes involved onto DVDs using a Panasonic Hard Disk TV recorder connected up to a video player - perhaps the aspect ration got slightly modified in the process. Maybe it's time to dig out the original cassettes and create the mov files directly. The quality should be better and the material, for us, is priceless.

 

Once again, thanks for your help.