Which is better to capture?....AVI or MPEG?

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I'm wondering which format is better to capture between AVI and MPEG. I know there're pro and cons for them but which is better and cheaper?

-- Wajasetia (satob@tm.net.my), January 31, 2002

Answers

AVI - pro - encoding from AVI to MPEG-1/2 always results in the best possible quality. For MPEG-1 encoding, TMPGenc (www.tmpgenc.com) can't be beat and it's free. Make sure you capture 720x480 NTSC or 720x576 PAL for best results prior to encoding and use either no codec or something like Huffy. con - AVI recording takes up a LOT of disk space. People who do not have the NTFS on whatever version of Windows they are running are limited to 2 GB files during capture, which is a real pain. Encoding AVI is VERY time consuming. Direct MPEG recording - pro - takes less disk space and time than AVI recording. con - quality not as good as recording AVI and encoding it. It's hard to say which is cheaper, but I guess you can basically assume they cost the same. If you have plenty of time and disk space to use, record AVI. If you don't, record MPEG. You could always run a test between the two of them and see which you prefer.

-- Jason (Jason.Shumate@equant.com), January 31, 2002.

Jason, I am not clear on something you said in your answer re avi to mpeg. I am using Studio DV to capture video in avi format, then converting to MPEG using TMPGenc (at slowest rate get good quality - but it takes an hour to convert 2 minutes of video). Am I missing something about my original capture (the NTSC ratio - should I be changing a setting?) and/or the codec (Studio DV apparently uses its own codec or you can switch to something like Indeo - is there a need to switch to Huffy - and is that during the capture or the converstion?)

-- chapin (dlove@grmslaw.com), January 31, 2002.

With regards to the resolution, if you record AVI at 352x240 NTSC instead of something like 720x480, you are throwing away part of the picture information. There is a discussion of this subject at www.oldskool.org/mpeg/mpegfaq.html. Look near the top for Core Idea #2. With regards to codecs, I suggested Huffy because it's known to be lossless. MJPEG is also highly regarded, but my understanding is that you have to buy it. I think I read somewhere once that Indeo was also lossless, but don't quote me on it. Basically you should use a lossless codec for best quality. All AVI codecs are not lossless. DivX is a good example of a lossy codec. I have never used what you are using, so I can't say whether that codec is lossless or not.

-- Jason (Jason.Shumate@equant.com), January 31, 2002.

I should add that the codec applies to capturing AVI video.

-- Jason (Jason.Shumate@equant.com), January 31, 2002.

Jason.

You don't need to by MJPEG codecs. Ther are many trial versions out there. But here's some good news for you. I have a software only DV codec if you're interested.

ps. For all you wannabe video guys out there. I recommend you get a RAID HDD system going. Nodrop frames whatsoever... but a hassle to setup. Also, invest in a good capture card, but base it on the target audience you expect to reach. If MPEG is your target and your source material is just Video 8... go get the Snazzi I or try other Taiwan brands. But if you're a semi-pro I recommend the Matrox RT kit or the Pinnacle Pro-1. Believe me when set up correctly, these babys can fly.

ps. did I forget to mention that a dual processor machine is also your best bet.

Regards

-- Ian in Malaysia (ibarbosa3@yahoo.com), February 01, 2002.



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