Encoding 8mm tapes to usable fornat

MMiles wrote on 2/21/2024, 4:17 PM

I'm about start a new project of converting a bunch of 8mm and Hi8 video tapes. First, I'll capture them using a version of Vegas that supports FireWire capture.

Second, since those are rather large files, and for compatibility across most modern devices (TV's, Media Players, Phones, Tablets and Computers), I'll take those files and just directly convert them with no editing.

So, I'm wondering about the final file format: Container, Codecs, Bitrate, etc. I know nothing is future proof but what would be your choice A/V playable format and specifications?

Thanks.

Comments

set wrote on 2/21/2024, 4:25 PM

I opt for MP4 h264.

However, as for resolution, the PAL resolution is 720x576 (NTSC 720x480) and not to forget the Pixel Aspect Ratio issue, so it becomes square equal resolution of 768x576 PAL or 640x480 NTSC.

If you are in NTSC world, you can proceed to 640x480 resolution.

For PAL, two choices, whether 'upscale' a bit to 800x600 (in order to maintain not being scaled down), or also follow 'standard-accepted' resolution of to 640x480.

mark-y wrote on 2/21/2024, 6:06 PM

I agree with @set.

What is the format -- NTSC, PAL, 4:3 or Widescreen?

MMiles wrote on 2/21/2024, 6:42 PM

You'll have to excuse me because it's been a while. I believe the last version of Vegas Pro that could capture via 1394/firewire was Vegas 19 (also in Vegas Studio 17). And I think that those captured A/V files were interlaced DV, AVI? NTSC Sony Camcorder.

I should have known that I posted something here a while back. At this link:

https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/video-capture-support-dv-camcorder-via-firewire-1394--142109

So, wondering about the best format, codec, bitrate, etc. to convert to.

MMiles wrote on 2/21/2024, 7:02 PM

Oh one of the things I'm curious about. Obviously I could capture within Vegas 19 or earlier, and then convert to a more usable format allowing Vegas to do the work including deinterlacing. Or I could use something else outside of Vegas to encode and convert like handbrake or even deinterlace separately first. I'm not sure if that would make any difference in terms of quality.

Thanks

mark-y wrote on 2/21/2024, 7:39 PM

So, wondering about the best format, codec, bitrate, etc. to convert to.

That is why we need to know what your tape format is first.

It's OK if you don't know the tape format(s) right now, because Vegas Capture will transfer the same Format that is on the tape. However, knowing that format is important for encoding in Vegas.

When you get the captures done, post the MediaInfo Properties of the captured files here, and we can help you get to the best project and output settings for "compatibility across most modern devices", starting with your Project Properties. As @set said, the output encoder will be AVC Progressive, 1.0 PAR.

So please post the MediaInfo Properties first, to lead us to the proper Aspect (width) conversion, Resolution, and Frame Rate for your project.

https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/faq-how-to-post-mediainfo-and-vegas-pro-file-properties--104561/