Elgato preserve source format setting?
 

I´m using Elgato Video Capture (yes I know you consider it Elcrapo). There is an option "Preserve source format" in settings. By default it's unchecked. If I choose to Preserve Source Format, then Elgato will try to match the original resolution and frame rate of the video.

I don't see any difference in image quality. The difference is Preserve source format is 720x576 and if Preserve source format is unchecked it's 640x480.

By your experience is it recommended to Preserve source format?

I would say in general the capture should be in the original source format, lossless if possible. That avoid any scaling and other artifacts that the capture device might introduce. They might not be apparent on a smalls screen to to a untrained eye but will amplify with any further processing and if viewed on large displays.

Scaling and format changes are usually best applied to the final distribution format. (An exception would be for introducing "artistic" effects.)

The problem here is that "Preserve source format" is a nonsense phrase from Elgato. All that determines is the source resolution. It still compresses the snot out of the video, deinterlaces, and distorts various values (exposure, contrast, etc). Nothing is preserved by any means.

Understand that the source doesn't have a "resolution", just a digital equivalency -- and it doesn't 1:1 match strict resolutions like 720x480 (or 720x576). VHS, for example, is more comparable to 250-350 x 480(576), not anywhere near true max Full D1 720x480.

It's just another easy way to see that Elgato cards (and software) are junk, and using highly misleading technobabble. I'm not trying to keep beating on this card, but maybe now you're seeing that the card has multiple flaws, even down to using BS names/settings/phrases that mislead consumers/users. Again, Elcrapo is a very earned nickname! Companies like Elgato think you're too stupid to understand concepts like "resolution", so they use dumb terms for dummies. I. on the other hand, have more faith in humanity, we can all be taught and learn.

What is the resolution/scource for Hi8 and MiniDV?

MiniDV aka DV25 is digital source, so fixed at 720x480 NTSC or 720x576 PAL.

Hi8 has a digital equivalency to about 400-500 x 480(576), similar to S-VHS.

Video8 and VHS are the lower res, at about 250-350x

The range is because recording factors can vary (ie, EP vs SP mode), and the upper number is the theoretical limit that's really never reached in practice.

With that in mind, it really is best to capture the footage with a loseless codec and with a resolution of 720x480/586 in order to have the most amount of room to work with, it'd be like using a large canvas for painting.

Do remember Vwestlife leaving a comment on his Elgato video where he talks about the "preserve source format" option and what it really does.

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At this point, all I can say is that it'd be best to ditch the Elgato and get a much better card that'll give better quality conversions, and have less problems to deal with. I've dealt with an Elagto myself, while the card worked 'well enough' I felt like I wasn't getting a great quality conversion with it (and the consumer Panasonic VCR which I now only use as a tape previewer/rewinder)

I've dealt with crap, realized that it was crap and upgraded to a proper quality workflow thanks to LS. Was worth it at the end of the day.

I just compared the result of "Preserve source format" on and off. The result, especially the colors look better with "Preserve source format" on.

Keep this important fact in mind: All capture cards sample the analog SD video at 720x480 (576 PAL/SECAM) by standard, so regardless what tape format, the resolution has to always match the sampling rate, any resizing at the output results in loss of quality.