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-   -   KVCD basics, from Virtualdub to TMPGEnc Plus (http://www.digitalfaq.com/archives/encode/7240-kvcd-basics-virtualdub.html)

radunn 12-17-2003 12:37 PM

KVCD basics, from Virtualdub to TMPGEnc Plus
 
Thanks for the support of this forum, I am making "progress" but have a few questions I would appreciate answered (if possible)

Currently I'm working with VHS (soon to aquire a TV card). Ok, here goes; I am capturing in Virtualdub at 352*480. Is this the best resolution; as I've heard that capturing at highest is best (720*480. 640*480)? Currently I'm using KVCD_NTSCFilm_Plus. Here I'm uncertain as to if KVCDx3 might be a better choice; can someone provide some insight? I'm exploring with getting as much quality onto a CDR as possible (movies range upto 1:45:00).

The next area of concern is "when do I apply the filters?" I have been applying the deinterlace filter via Virtualdub [maybe 1 or 2 more] prior to frame-serving to TMPGEnc. However, in TMPGEnc Plus the "Deinterlace (None)" is unchecked at Settings/Advanced??

Before frame-serving to TMPGEnc, I've enabled Inverse Telecine via Virtualdub - Adaptive. Is it still necessary for TMPGEnc to run the IVTC scan prior to encoding?

Can you briefly explain the purpose of enabling "Noise Reduction" To recapitulate:
1. best capture resolution for vhs
2. when/what prgm" to apply filters
3. best kvcd codec

Thanks for your support 8)

m0rdant 12-17-2003 06:27 PM

I'm going to take a small stab at a few of your questions.

I do a lot of VHS captures and conversion to DVD, and have done some kvcd conversions as well.

There is some debate as to what is the best resolution for vhs captures. The main point all seem to agree on is to make sure you use at least *x480, so that you are capturing both frames (vhs is two frames interlaced together). I use 352x480 because above this resolution I start dropping too many frames. If you can capture at 720x480 without frame loss then go right ahead.

If you are going for mpeg 2 DVD I wouldn't de-interlace at all. mpeg 2 supports interlaced video and you will always have a better picture this way. You can do the same with SVCD, but interlaced video takes a lot more bitrate and you might not have the needed over head with the SVCD max of 2700 or so. Remeber to choose Top Frame First in TMPGenc when encoding interlaced video from a VHS source.

If you are doing mpeg 1 (kvcd) you muse de-interlace your captured source video. Most people here use avs scripts rather than VirtualDub. You will have to do some reading for that. You can use the Bob() command in avisynth for a basic de-interlace, but you will still have to encode at 29.97 frames as opposed to the kvcd standard of 24.

If you want to stick to VirtualDub instead of learning about avisynth you will be somewhat limited in your kvcd quality, but VirtualDub is much easier and I use it for my VHS conversions (but then I'm making DVDs so I'm not using the kvcd filters, when I do make kvcds from captures I use avisynth and the vhs script you can find under optimal scripts here).

If you de-interlace in VirtualDub before frameserving there is no reason to try and do so in TMPGenc...its already done. No reason to IVTC either, IVTC is another way to deinterlace.

Well, hope that made some sense.

radunn 12-17-2003 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m0rdant
If you can capture at 720x480 without frame loss then go right ahead.

If you are doing mpeg 1 (kvcd) you muse de-interlace your captured source video. Most people here use avs scripts rather than VirtualDub. You will have to do some reading for that. You can use the Bob() command in avisynth for a basic de-interlace, but you will still have to encode at 29.97 frames as opposed to the kvcd standard of 24.

If you want to stick to VirtualDub instead of learning about avisynth you will be somewhat limited in your kvcd quality, but VirtualDub is much easier and I use it for my VHS conversions (but then I'm making DVDs so I'm not using the kvcd filters, when I do make kvcds from captures I use avisynth and the vhs script you can find under optimal scripts here).

If you de-interlace in VirtualDub before frameserving there is no reason to try and do so in TMPGenc...its already done. No reason to IVTC either, IVTC is another way to deinterlace.

Well, hope that made some sense.

You've made alot of sense - thanks! My question from your reply concerns: avisynth.
- How much more kvcd quality does it provide vs. vdub?
- If no frames are dropped, what's the benefit of capturing at higher resolutions?
- Is avisynth strictly non-GUI; script written via notepad etc.?

I will seek out the Bob() command and vhs script. I haven't found them yet. Again, thanks 8)

m0rdant 12-18-2003 05:06 PM

ok, I think the main advantage you have with avisynth is speed...and the fact that so much work has been done with it here. You can go to the optimal script section and find answers to most encoding needs. The disadvantage is that it is script based. You can load the scripts into VirtualDub though to preview what they look like.

An avisynth script will encode faster in TMPGenc then a frameserv from VirtualDub.

Conversion from any format to any other always results in some quality loss. So capturing at a higher resolution gives you a higher start point for that loss. You are working from a sharper picture to start with, so you will likely end up with a better picture on your kvcd. As I said before there is some debate as to what the actual resolution of VHS is...some will tell you it is 352x240, some say 352x480 because of the interlacing, and some say they can see the difference when they capture at 720. If you can capture at 720 then do it (although it will take more space for the capture files).

I'm a mid skill level person when it comes to kvcd and avisynth, there are experts here who can tell you more. Invest the time in reading through the forums and learn about avisynth ect. Its well worth the effort.[/quote]

radunn 12-19-2003 09:40 AM

Thanks for the input; I will try capturing at higher resolutions.

I've searched through the Optimal Scripts forum; haven't found specifically what I'm look for though (avisynth script basics). I have ICQ and am wondering if you do; if so, maybe we can do a "brief" Chat there to get me through the basics of using avisynth? So far all I'm doing is capturing / deinterlacing to kvcd.

So far I'm somewhat impressed with kvcd/Virtualdub (except for the occasional pixely blotches in darker backgrounds). If I can get a foothold on the basics of avisynth, i think i'll be on my way... again, thanks!


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