Hi. I got the TBC-1000 and did some test captures using a particularly
bad area of distortion in one of my videos. To my disappointment, the
TBC did not help. It actually appeared to add a couple of rolling
frames to the distortion in the video. After wondering what to do next,
I decided to take a look at the tape at this area of distortion. After
finding the tiny lever on the side of the 8mm cartridge (I had never
tried to open an 8mm cartridge before) releasing the sleeve and exposing
the tape, I found what looked like a scratch in the tape running
parallel to the edges of the tape for a few inches (obviously the
problem). Before ordering the TBC, I didn't really think it was the
tape(s) because this "distortion" exists on more than one tape, and
what's the probability of several different tapes being bad?
Apparently when my camcorder was "acting up" a few years ago, it must
have been doing something to damage the tapes (perhaps something loose
in the mechanics?). As I have had no "distortions" in tapes since the
camcorder was fixed, I assume something like that happened.
Other than these few distortions (tape scratches), I could not really
tell any difference with vs. without the TBC. I used the preset
values recommended in the "Capturing MPEG with an ATI Card" guide
and my test captures look quite good when viewed on a TV. I am inclined
to keep the TBC (not return it) as I know it's a primary piece of
equipment for video capture and I suspect I will need to use it
eventually anyway.
...
I also have the following software related questions...
MPEG2 Cutting, Splicing, and Minor Editing
==========================================
With my current project, all I need to do is make a few cuts and splices
and perhaps do some very minor editing (maybe a few fade ins and fade
outs). In the "Removing Commercials" guide I noticed Womble MPEG2VCR
and TMPGEnc Plus are referenced, with better recommendations for the
Womble product.
It appears TMPGEnc Plus tools has now been "improved" and turned into an
editor. Please see
http://www.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/tme.html.
With cost being a factor (although there doesn't appear to be a large
difference in the costs) and perhaps product support as well (I'm a
newbie, but I'm pretty thorough about reading directions, etc.), which
of the following MPEG editors would you recommend I get for my project?
TMPGEnc MPEG Editor
Womble MPEG2VCR
VideoReDo (manufacturer/distributor unknown)
Authoring (and Editing??)
=========================
Leaning toward TMPGEnc DVD Author mainly due to the price and per the
"TMPGEnc DVD Author" guide, it appears easy to use. Fancier menus would
be nice, but I don't really have the budget for anything more. Per
http://www.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/tda.html, it appears to be up to
version 1.6 now. I don't believe I will need any of the plugins. This
software apparently also does "cut edits". As this may be all of the
"editing" I will need to do, should I be able to use this software
and not have to buy a "real" editor? Does it make clean breaks/splices
and preserve A/V synchronization?
Stills (Pictures) for Menu Backgrounds, etc.
============================================
I don't currently have Adobe Photoshop, and prices appear to be
around the $600 range. I do however have a Microsoft application called
Picture It! Publishing that is part of the Works Suite (I have Works
version 6.0). This application appears to be able to manipulate BMPs,
JPEGs, etc. (although not as well as Photoshop I'm sure). Do you think
I would be able to use this application to work pictures into menu
backgrounds?
Burning
=======
The "How to burn DVD with Nero" guide recommends using versions between
5.5.10.20 and 5.5.10.42. I'm having a hard time trying to find a
version within this range. It appears Ahead Software would like people
to buy their fully loaded (and possibly bloated??) "Nero 6 Ultra Edition
All-in-One Digital Media Solution" that goes for nearly $100.
Amazon.com currently advertises "Nero 6 Ultra Edition, New and Used" for
$4.99 up, but many of
Amazon's resellers state, "This is NOT the Ultra
Edition." Apparently there is a "Nero Express" version that includes
Nero Burning ROM, but I'm not clear on what else it has. If I get some
OEM version from an
Amazon reseller, do you think there would be
appropriate documentation included on the CD(s)? Also, my DVD burner is
a fairly recent model (LG GSA-4082B), so I would want to make sure the
software supports it. I suspect the software that came with my burner
(see below) would be OK for certain types of burning (packet writing
maybe), but I've always heard that Nero is the best. Can you recommend
the right Nero "package" and where I can get it?
Copying
=======
What is your recommendation regarding using a "built in" copy function
(in a Nero package for ex.) vs. using a tool like
DVD Decrypter?
...
LG GSA-4082B Packaged Software
==============================
As mentioned above, I received a package of software with this burner
and I would appreciate your comments on it, if you are familiar with it.
My "hunches" as to whether each application is any good or not are
also below. I haven't really used any of it yet, but have read through
some of the documentation:
B's Clip 5 (BHA Corporation)
----------------------------
Purpose: Packet writing software, for "drag and drop" CD/DVD writing.
It says it's similar to Roxio DirectCD and Nero InCD.
My hunch: Probably fine for everyday use as a direct storage tool.
DVD-RAM Driver (BHA Corporation)
--------------------------------
Purpose: Packet writing software for DVD-RAM.
My hunch: Probably fine.
B's Recorder Gold 7 Basic (BHA Corporation)
-------------------------------------------
Purpose: Primarily burning software. Also does copies, etc. Full
functionality requires an upgrade using an "Extension Kit" ($20). The
full version also does "MPEG2 Encoding & Decoding", "DVD Authoring", etc.
My hunch: May be OK for basic burning, but should probably stay away
from the encoding, authoring, etc. functions. Would you recommend Nero
over this application for burning?
PowerProducer 2 Gold (CyberLink)
--------------------------------
Purpose: Appears to try to be an "All-In-One" software suite.
My hunch: Probably should stay away from it.
PowerDVD 5 (CyberLink)
----------------------
Purpose: DVD playback (decoder).
My hunch: Probably OK? How would it compare with ATI's MMC (9.03) DVD
player/decoder?
Thanks again for all of your help and recommendations!
- mitch