Thanks. Can you clarify one thing: "You'll have to plan on recapturing them when you do wish to re-edit". Can I do this if all I have is the outputted VCD? (That's why I originally thought I should keep a copy of the mpg file since it would fit on a CD and the avi file wouldn't fit on a CD).

I am going through so many old VSH-C tapes that all I am concerned about now is converting from VHS-c to VCD. But I know I should also keep the future in mind . . . in a few years I may be going through this process again when VCD becomes more obsolete and I have to put them all on DVD. So, I want to make sure that I have what I need and am not deleting something that I am going to kick myself for.

Here's the thing ... to put them into MPEG-1 format to make the VCD, you're compressing them a lot. You lose a lot of the quality of the original to fit them into that format. When VCD becomes obsolete (actually it pretty much is now since DVD burning has become practical), it will be replaced by something much better and much less compressed. There wouldn't be any reason to put those old highly compressed MPEG-1 files on something better because they'll still look like old highly compressed MPEG-1 files. You'd want to start over with the best quality versions you have. These would be either the .avi files you've already captured, or recapturing new .avi files from the tapes if you don't still have them anymore.

Wow. Ok the story continues . . . So, what is your opinion on this: should I even be doing the VCD. Maybe I should buy a DVD burner . . . the ones that are for the home user and cost $300? And then I think I would have to buy the $30 upcharge from SF.

Then I would have the DVDs and could toss the old VHS-C tapes, erase the avi files . . . and be done ?????

Barbnewbie, that is exactly the aproach you should take. I am doing the same thing. I'll hold onto the VHS-C tapes, however, they will continue to lose quality as they lay around in a box somewhere. Keeping all of the AVI files stored somewhere may be too impractical due to size. Get the DVD burner and buy the MPEG2 plug-in and be done with it. The VCDs I have created from my VHSC tapes are actually lesser quality than the tapes themselves.

The best way to "store" DV-format AVI files is to "print" to your DV camcorder. While DV tapes may seem expensive (about $4.50 each), on a per GB basis, they are very cost effective (a mini DV tape holds about 1 1/2 hours of video which is approximately 19GB. Where can you buy a 20GB hard drive for $4.50!)

I have been going through the process of digitizing old VCR tapes. To make it somewhat more cost effective, after I digitize the entire footage using my Canopus ADVC-50 card, I edit the video and keep just "the good stuff". Probably at least 50% of most original footage can be discarded. Once you have your edited version, render it to a new DV-format AVI file. Then use the 'print to tape' feature of VF to save the file permanently on your camcorder DV tape. This way you will have the highest possible quality for future purposes. Who knows, maybe something even better than DVD (MPEG-2) will come along. With the original, high-quality DV .AVI files, you'll be able to convert to whatever new format surfaces.

As for burning DVD's, I would not invest in the VF MPEG-2 plug-in, because you still would need an authoring package, such as MyDVD, NeoDVD, Ulead DVD Movie Factory etc. I would suggest Ulead DVD Movie Factory. It has MPEG-2 converting capabilities in addition to DVD authoring capabilities (such as building menus, setting chapter points, etc.) For $45 it's the best low-end DVD authoring package. So, you would specify your DV .AVI files rendered in VideoFactory, layout your menus, etc., and then Movie Factory takes care of the MPEG-2 conversion and DVD burning process.

A fully operational version of Movie Factory is available from the ULEAD website (www.ulead.com) for a 30-day trial -- repeat FULLY OPERATIONAL (no features disabled). You can't beat it.

DVD is definitely the best way to go -- the quality is superior to VCD.

Hiyah Ralphied! You say "a mini DV tape holds about 1 1/2 hours of video" - I've got 60min miniDV tapes. Am I missing something? Sorry to be a dunce about this, but do I select LP instead of SP when I PTT?

Grazie

I have a Panasonic DV camcorder that has SP & LP recording modes similar to the standard and long modes on VCRs. I get 1 hour in SP mode (from a 60 minute mini DV tape) but 1 1/2 hours in LP mode, which I ALWAYS use (I think the wrapper on the mini DV tape even states 90 minutes in LP mode, doesn't it?.) I was worried about sacrificing video quality by selecting the LP mode, so I e-mailed Panasonic. They responded that there is no difference in video quality. The trade-off has to do with limiting audio capabilities (something about dubb overs, or something like that which I'll never do.) They explained how information gets overlaid on the tape in LP mode, which is how they achieve the longer recording time.

I know I DO get 1 1/2 hours of recording time.

You say you do select LP mode. I'm just wondering, how much recording time do you get in SP mode? If it's the same amount, it seems like there's something wrong with the camera. If you do get shorter recording times in SP mode, then it must be the tape itself being listed as 60 minute capacity IN 'LP' MODE (50% less in SP mode.)

Ralphied - if you are refering to me viz, "You say you do select LP mode" - I didn't write this. I did ask, "but do I select LP instead of SP when I PTT?" that is all - nothing more nothing less. Yes, the wrapper and the info regarding the Sony miniDV tapes I've purchased says 60 mins for SP and 90 mins for LP.

However, you've confirmed the functional - at least from Panasonic - result, that all that is lost is the "The trade-off has to do with limiting audio capabilities (something about dubb overs, or something like that which I'll never do.)" I too was concerned about loss of quality. But you've put my mind to rest.

Soooo... I can add another 30 mins when I PTT for my backup master tape.

Cheers & thanks for the valuable feedback

Grazie

Sorry, Grazie, I misread your statement. I didn't pick up that you were asking a question.

When you go to print to tape, first change the recording mode to 'LP' on your camcorder. You should then be able to record 1 1/2 hours of footage.

Ralph.

Thought I might just jump in real quick and clarify one small thing..

You won't lose any video quality when you record using a longer mode w/Mini DV. For example, My cam can record up to 3 hours on a 60min Mini DV tape, and the video quality will be the same as if I recorded in 60min mode.

That said, the reason people tend to avoid the longer record modes, is because you're more likely to experience drop-outs in the video then when you use regular 60min mode.

ralphied - No need to apologise! Y'know something - sometimes I need to know something to be able to ask a cogent question. If I don't know what to ask I'll still put something up here to kick-start my education of a particular issue - yes? No harm done AND you gave me more than I knew, AND it got mdotnet to add even more - I love this forum!

mdotnet - Thanks for that. You've added to my own KB regarding this issue.

Cheers

Grazie

mdotnet,

What camcorder do you have that allows you 3 hours of recording time on a 60-minute DV tape? That's got to be some kind of incredible overlapping of data on the tape!

Is the camera still storing the information in DV format? The reason I ask is because some of the new cameras I've seen have built-in MPEG compression. I was just wandering if that's how they're obtaining such long recording times.

Ralph

P.S. -- Grazie, you're right. This is a GREAT forum!