Inquiry on video editing..

[eeut]

NUB asking couple questions on video editing. What do I need(hardware,software,etc....)for it? Cause I want to edit my family movies and turn it to vcd-i/svcd. thanks in advance

 

[Kitros]

Let's start with what you have...

CPU: AMD xp1800+ 1533MHz @ 1668MHz
Motherboard: asus a7v133
Memory: 512 MB of crucial pc133
Video Card: ati 8500 (ati radeon)
Hard Drive: maxtor 40.0 GB @ 7200 RPMS
Additional Hard Drives: 1 more 40gb same brand
Monitor: 19inch relisys
DVD Manufacturer & Model: pioneer 116
CDR/CDRW Manufacturer & Model: plextor 16X10A
Storage Interface: IDE

Sound Card: Acoustic Edge
Internet Provider: stratonet
Internet Connection Type: Dial Up

Internet Connection Speed: 56k sloooow
Operating System: dual boot (win98&win2k)
Notes: waiting for av266-e
xp1800+ is unlocked

I would honestly suggest you to stock-clock your cpu for stabliity during the editing, get 1GB more RaM (if you can easily) and disable virtual memory on a seperate boot of Win2k (clean, bare boot just using OS and editing software... this even means disabling internet devices to free up clocks.)

Now, what do you have in terms of input (camera and input devices), and I'll suggest a package solution (Hardware+Software) that will best suit you. Are we going from VCR to computer? DV cam to computer? 8mm to computer?

 

[eeut]

Thanks for the reply. How do I actually disable virtual memory for w2k? I do have 512mb of ddr for my upcoming a7v266-e and i can get 512mb more. I do have a camera with audio/video and s-video out and vhs with two outputs and inputs.

 

[cheuyungphat]

eeut,

First...here are some excellent sites to check:


Step 1: VCD/SVCD Help For Tutorials

Step 2: THE BEST Capture Codec To Capture Directly From Camcorder to AVI Format - FREE

Step 3: Virtual Dub - EXCELLENT Capture/Edit/Encoding Program - also FREE

(Optional Step TMPGEncoder - Free and Excellent MPEG Encoder

I do video editing on a dual PII 450 with 512 MB Ram and Three 40 Gig Maxtor 7,000 rpm hard drives. Your faster processor will be much more efficient during the encoding stages to the Mpeg format. However, I have had no problems even using the old ATI All-In-Wonder Pro (an 8 MB card - with excellent capture ability). I would definitely suggest disabling ACPI in the bios. I have found that it can reduce the load on system resources by a tremendous amount (PLEASE check into how to disable for a current installation...I always install a fresh system with it disabled in the bios FIRST, versus disabling after the install - Windows may act kinda funny if you disable first...but then if it does you can always reboot and enable again). I do a lot of audio recording (more than video editing actually) and this step alone has really stabilized my system.

From what your current setup sounds like, you will be capturing to AVI (you are not using a digital camcorder). I would first install the "huffyuv" codec to your computer. This codec is probably one of the best if not THE BEST for capturing to AVI. It compresses the size of the original incomming signal to something that is more reasonable with regards to file size without sacrificing quality.

As far as actual editing software, there is a ton of stuff out there, but I must admit I really like Virtual Dub. It can be used as the main capture software, editing and encoding. An all in one product (and best of all it is FREE). It really has a "cult" following on the web due to it's available options. You can also download various codecs (i.e. mp3 encoders for sound and DivX encoders for video if you want - Mpeg too). The options are tremendous.

I also use an older version of TMPGEncoder. There have been many sites that have tested the older versions (i.e. beta12, 12a) and have found them to be much better quality wise than many expensive commercial solutions. Also, some of the older versions would allow for the encoding of the DVD format (but you have to "search" for them now ;-).

MOST IMPORTANTLY...check the first link above. They have a wealth of tutorials that lead you in the right direction. I have done a lot of research online and know of many sites that offer a ton of excellent advice.

Good luck and happy editing!

 

[eeut]

cheuyungphat thanks for the links. I downloaded some already. Now, what piece of hardware do I need for input to my computer. My video card has all outputs(dvi,vga,s-video). Thanks in advance.

 

[cheuyungphat]

eeut,

As far as hardware goes you will need something like a tv card that allows video capture. I am assuming that you are NOT using a DIGITAL camcorder - Is this correct? If you had a digital camcorder you would use something like a fire-wire card. If you only have RCA video/audio out and S-Video out then you don't have a digital camcorder. I have an analog camcorder and get very good results.

You have three good options to capture the analog signal to AVI format on your computer.

1. Purchase a video card that has VIDEO-IN (look for S-Video IN as the quality is much better) The RCA audio-Inputs on your sound card will do fine for the sound input.

2. Purchase a PCI Video capture/TV card. Many companies sell an addon PCI card (to use in addition to your regular video card) as a TV card and capturing card for your system. This would be cheaper than #1 above. (I'm thinking of something like ATI TV...or whatever they call it). 352x240 is a good resolution to capture.

3. Many companies are selling external USB capture devices - which are really cool in that you don't have to use any of your PCI slots. The idea is that the external USB device is simply a plug-it-in when you need it solution. I have been looking into this type of solution because I am thinking of upgrading my video card.

Since you are going to be capturing to AVI, you want to make sure that the capture card you are using has all the higher resolutions supported. Remember though that capturing to a higher resolution (especially with AVI) will create BIG files. 640 x 480 is about as high as I can capture (which is higher than my camcorder's analog resolution, so there really is no need to capture this high) but the file size is HUGE! Standard VCD resolution is 352x240, so your capture card would have to be able to handle this. You could later resize the video in Virtual Dub, but bear in mind you have to think about the correct "ratio of reduction" to keep thinks from being distorted (Standard TV resolution is 320x240). SVCD is 480x480 resolution, so you can experiment there.

Also, I would shy away from using the option (if the card offers it) to capture to MPEG. Some cards have pseudo hardware/software solutions to directly capture to MPEG format onto your computer. It will be difficult to edit the MPEG file, as well, I have not always heard that this type of capture gives the best quality. Generally what someone like you and I would do is capture to AVI, edit the file, make any size/quality adjustments through Virtual Dub, then move on to the encoding process. Here is a link to vcdhelp.com that should explain better:

How to Capture Video

Good luck capturing!

cheuyungphat

 

[Ravindran]

cheuyungphat, (already posted a question in this forum..but no replies from any one..hope i get one from here)

Some nice tips...thanx... I am also in to lot of capturing... but i have Digital camera and so i use the fire wire connection to capture in to avi and then use tmpgenc to covert it to svcd /vcd format and burn using nero....

I have to buy a new video card in a day or two. I need some suggestions from lot of experts/guru's in the forum.
Basically I have to decide between Asus GF2 / ATI 7500 / ATI 8500 . This is what I am using my machine for.
- Not much of gaming
- Make home movies using fire wire and digital video camera
- Watch lot of movies, dvd's/vcd's on my pc

I intend to do all the above things with new video card and over & above i love to explore following things
- Watch all the movies DVD's and VCD's on my 29"sony flat screen TV (it has s-video in)using tv-out of new card
- To have video in on my pc to watch and capture from TV / VHS

Please give your suggestions/tips and help me to select a new card which has a good video in function for my analog input from VHS and the best tv-out option. I think this won't affect my present digital video capture through fire wire. Price is not really a problem but i don't want to get disappointed later. Further please advice whether any need any other part to use the video-in function of the card to capture VHS?


My Rig:

AMD 1400/ 512 MB/ 40GB/SBLIVE/PLEX 16X/19"FLAT IIYAMA

 

[eeut]

cheuyungphat yes, I'm looking into that(video capture card). No I don't have digital camcorder but looking forward getting one in the future. I copied/paste your tips and if you have some more pls. do post it. Thanks again.

 

[Quetzalboat]

Dear eeut,

For Video Capture Card/Converter :
Pinnacle Syatem DV200 [$ 237], Pinnacle Systems DV500 [$ 489] Plus or Pinnacle Pro-One [$ 980]
Matrox Video Editing Card RT2500 [$ 779]

 

[cheuyungphat]

Ravindran and eeut,

I am glad to be of some help ,

Ravindran, I must admit that I do not have personal experience with the particular video cards that you have mentioned. I'm not really a big gamer, but I have heard good and bad about these particular cards as far as the TV out aspect. As I mentioned earlier, I am currently am using the original ATI All-In-Wonder Pro, an 8 MB TV tuner/Capture card that is natively supported under Windows 2000. I have been looking for a Geforce type card (the ATI is not a fast gaming/3d rendering card) that has S-Video input/output. One of the reasons that I have kept this card so long is that it captures at a pretty high res (640x480) which is plenty big enough for capturing from an analog camcorder/vcr to AVI. To capture and encode to DVD quality the standard resolution is 720x480 which is REALLY BIG as far as file size goes. I know that with today's hard drives that is not a problem, but you should have fast drives, and an equally fast/smooth running system (both of your systems are FAR faster than mine by the way .

1. Your fire-wire takes care of the connection to the computer from your Digital camcorder - excellent and fast way to move the files to the PC. To capture to AVI, a basic PCI TV-tuner/capture card would do fine (or one of the USB options). AVI is not too difficult to deal with as far as capturing as it can be done on a slower system. Using the "huffyuv" codec (typically compresses 2:1 to 5:1 I believe) you should still have a big hard drive because of the file sizes. The Key here is what you do AFTER you capture to AVI. You are on the right track as far as using TMPGEncoder to encode from AVI to MPEG. Most people run into problems when they try to use ANY of the mentioned cards with "Direct to MPEG capture". This does require a FAST system because not only are you trying to capture, but also encode (and all at the same time!). There are all different types of "hardware" solutions to do this...but you could easily spend big $$$ for a good system that gives you nice video quality.

2. As far as Video-in from VHS or TV signal, just make sure the card can capture at the standard resolution (and above). Some cards are limited as far as the resolution they can capture. BUT, also bear in mind that the larger the resolution, the larger the file size. I have found capturing at 320x240 (or 352x240 for VCD) is adequate for VHS or TV capturing (I even get great results at this resolution from my Analog camcorder). I can get better quality with a resolution of 640x480, but the MPEG encoding time is much longer on a slower system.

3. Quality wise, the differences between the cards you have mentioned should not be that great on your as far as Video-in to your computer/monitor (just keep in mind capturing resolution from "#2" above)...HOWEVER, I would definitely check into what people are saying about the VIDEO-OUT features (i.e. signal you want to send to your 29" Sony). This is where I think the post critical point would be. I know the ATI cards typically dominate the market as far as their TV out solutions, and quality wise I believe they are also some of the best (as far as consumer products). I have heard good things about the Radeon TV-out (a friend of mine has a Radeon on her dual-cpu mac G4 and it does look nice for the Video-out to the television). I believe the ATI 7500 or 8500 would be an excellent choice, however some have mentioned problems with the 8500 at certain resolutions (TV-out). Here is a link:

TV-out on Geforce/Radeon

Read the posts from "Nintari" as he has some excellent infomation about the TV out of the Geforce/Radeon cards. I have been very content with my old ATI card for video purposes, but I really don't use the TV out feature that much (but I am pleased). If you watch video on your computer and then on your TV you will find the video looks much better on your monitor, unless you have a fantastic, hi-res TV. DVD's look much better on a PC monitor due to the resolution, but there are good TV sets that look great as well.

Overall, I think your solution would be an easy one as you already have the fire-wire card for capturing video from your digital camcorder. I haven't heard of "great-quality" results from "Direct to MPEG" hardware encoding from ANY of these cards as compared to the "Old Fashioned" way of capture to AVI --->convert to MPEG (Vcd, Svcd). So looking at it from that stand point, a simple AVI capture card would take care of that for you (remember to check resolutions). So now the only problem is the TV-OUT quality...read the posts above and see what you think. Considering what is currently available I would probably lean towards the ATI products - I know a lot of people have had good success with them (always go S-Video In/Out from Video card). Good luck in your decision and let us know how things work out.

cheuyungphat

****************************************
eeut,

I am glad to offer any info I can share. I would also love to have a digital camcorder, but you can still get excellent results with your analog camcorder - I am VERY pleased with mine. Just try the method I mentioned above:

1. Decent capture card to capture AVI format of 320x240 from your camcorder at 30 frames/sec using the Huffy codec (read the FAQ at the site I linked above to the codec - they have some excellent info there.

2. Edit the file in Virtual dub (cuts, paste, optional "plugins" etc.)

3. Use TMPGEncoder to Encode to MPEG (VCD, SVCD etc.)

4. The resolutions that you would work with are:

Standard TV: 320x240 (NTSC)
VCD at least: 352x240* (NTSC)
SVCD at least: 480x480* (NTSC)

* VCD/SVCD requires "Standard" VCD/SVCD resolution.

I think you will be surprised to see the results. One thing I would suggest is that you capture a small AVI file (say 25-100 MB) and then play with the Virtual Dub settings, TMPGEncoder quality settings etc. This way you can find your own "formula" to make great videos. I have made many videos for friends and family and burned them onto CD to send them and they really get a kick out of being able to put a CD in their computer and watch an hour of good quality video.

Good luck and if you have any other questions just let me know!

cheuyungphat