Re: Converting VHS to MPEG



The DVD recorder sounds like the simples solution and probably the
cheapest.

Should all DVD recorders be able to take care of the sync problem?

That depends on the recorder. Both my Panasonic and Pioneer capture
with maybe one dropped frame. I have heard of cheaper ones that give
more problems. I suspect that they have gotten better recently though.


I also presume that the same method could be used to record direct from
the camera to the DVD?

Very correct. But a caveat. If the camera is a digital camera, then
one would want to transfer the video to the computer for editing with
an AVI/DV editor, then converting to mpeg-2 prior to authoring. On the
other hand, if the camera is an analog such as an old Sony HI-8 then I
would go with my original advice. The rule here is to edit in the best
format that the video is in. We don't want to do any more than one
format conversion.


My gut feel is that as these are amateur recordings, the ability to make
adjustments may well be valuable, so a capture card may be better in the
long run.

Not necessarily so. Adjustments can be made after we have captured the
mpeg-2 and sneaker-netted it back to the PC for further editing. As I
had outlined earlier, I do it both ways for different reasons. If the
video is an hour or less that I wand on the DVD and I don't want to
filter for video or audio adjustments during capture, then I go with
the stand-alone.

The adjustments you mentioned are done on the fly while recording or as
an editing process afterwards?

As mentioned above, different. Editing takes on different forms. One
is simple cuts. Most editing however is simple cuts. It is arranging
the video into an artistic order, maybe adding comments, subtitles,
etc...


Again I presume that the card could be used to record direct from the
camera to the DVD?

Yes, with more control, but we tie up the computer for the duration of
the video. This is generaly my preferance however. But I am set up to
do it with a VHS player tied to my computer.


Just to clarify things with the capture card, would you be kind enough
to spell out the steps involved from the point of connection the
equipment to the card to getting a finished file on the PC. (The
burning to DVD is not an issue - yet)

Play the tape though the capture device into the capture software.
When it is finished, then edit with an appropriate editor. The one
that I will recommend here is Womble Video Wizard. It adds titles,
filters (lightens/darkens), etc... Go to www.womble.com and download
their documentation. This program is intended for mpeg editing, and
therefore only recodes when it has to or is asked to, e.g converting
from one mpeg type/ize/vbr to another.

The way that I generaly edit mpeg is to cut the video up into scenes,
strips with Womble of VideoRedo. Then reassemble. I will apply
whatever titles or transitions to each scene or as I link them
together. Once again, most editing IS simple cuts. Audiences tire
very quickly of fancy fades. I also like to take photos and convert
them into mpeg and edit them into the video.

As an example a family get together. Lots of 4 second photos with a
music background. Insert interview or comment statement by someone
here and there. They may have rattled on for fifteen minutes before
uttering something funny or memorable. That is the 8-second piece that
I add in here, then back to the photos. Less is generaly more. This
is great for those who live too far away or are unable to travel.
Sometimes someone will say that it should have been longer. I never
don't believe them.

Or a balet recital. Same idea. Very short selections of the dance
sequences themseves, before photos getting dressed, after photos of
poses with friends and family, add the interviews. I rarely seem to
capture very interesting things on video themselves. But the
transformation of girl in denim to costumed dancer is both magical and
interesting. Keep the audience in mind. They are already interested
or they wouldn't watch in the first place. Don't bore them.

The above are just a couple of my ideas on editing. And they are all
done with mpeg.

Cheers...





I

.

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