Luxo:
The only thing I would want to add is that I've read that the MS codec is much better now than the version that existed a year or two ago. Can't remember where I read it, though.

It was this graphic that first drew my attention to Vegas and SF back in late '01. Pretty impressive performance.

Do you feel that the MainConcept DV Codec yields better quality than the Microsoft DV Codec?

Yes, absolutely.

John

SoFo supplies their own DV codec I'd suggest using it unless you have a reason not to.

Don't know the impact of having lots of codecs. The PC I'm typing this on has heaps and I don't see any impact and its only a 500MHz PIII. I like to know though if anyone has any knowledge on this.

>>>Do you feel that the MainConcept DV Codec yields better quality than the Miscrosoft DV Codec?<<<

Yes! I use the MC DV codec all the time and FWIW, from what I understand the new premiere pro now uses it native so you don't need to use the little "DV Switch" proggie.

correct me if i am wrong but Vegas4 uses Mainconcept DV codec....the question is mainconcept has recently updated their codec, if it in the veags patch??

You are Wrong. Vegas uses the SONIC FOUNDRY DV codec.

...the confusion usually comes from the fact that Vegas uses the MainConcept MPEG codecs.

well ok , enlighten me with some test results comparing the MS DV, Mainconcept DV, Canopus DV, Panasonic DV?

I don't understand how to tell it to use the SoFo Codec. I don't see it say SoFo Codec anywhere. How do I get it to use it?

1 Render As
2 Save As Type: Video for Windows (.avi)
3 CUSTOM
4 Video Format < is this where I choose the Codec?

Thanks in Advance,
Lamont

I'd say that's very subjective. But if SoFo thought the MS one was OK why go to the trouble of writing your own when the MS one is free. Obviously they couldn't have used the others and with the exception of the MC codec the rest are only in external hardware or cameras so I don't see how VV could use them. In any case SoFo seem to speak highly of the Canopus DV codec as used in the ADVC100.

Farss, SonicFoundry wrote their own DV codec because they didn't think the Microsoft one was good enough.

Lamont, Under Options / Preferences are a pair of settings for "Always use Microsoft Codec" and "Ignore 3rd Party Codecs". If you uncheck the first and check the second then you will be using the SonicFoundry codec whenever you render to DV AVI.

ChienWorks... Thanks for clearing that up. So basically by telling it to ignore everyone else it uses the SoFo Codec. If I tell it to ignore everyone else but change the custom drop down menu setting when I render, am I telling it once again to use another codec? It seems as if I told it to ignore the other Codecs that it wouldn't even give me the option to select them but it still does.

So... to use the SoFo Codec, uncheck "Always use Microsoft Codec", and check "Ignore 3rd Party Codecs", and don't change the CUSTOM settings. I would use the MainConcept Codec but it's like $50.

Thanks to all,
Lamont

Just to further clear up, or add to, the confusion:

1> VV used to use Ligos Mpeg but switched to Main Concept Mpeg, this has nothing to do with
the Main Concept DV codec/wrapper.
2> VV used to use default windows DV wrapper but now uses an internal VV 'native' DV
codec.
3> (Un)Checking the "Always use Microsoft Codec " will ignore the default MS DV wrapper
4> No matter what you check or uncheck you can *still* use "third party DV Codecs" as long
as they show up under normal circumstances - for the Main Concept codec you would
"render as" and then pick "AVI" and then from the list of available codecs choose "Main
Concept DV." This codec is available in any program where you can save a file as an AVI.