OT sort of .. error when trying to open avi in virtual dub.

epirb wrote on 11/28/2004, 7:06 AM

I have finaly had a chance to try out a piece of footage using johmmeyer's great Deshaker tutorial, but I'm hitting a stumbling block at the start.
when I try to open any avi file (captured from vegas cap ) I get the following error in virtual dub:

couldn't locate decompressor for format 'dvsd' (unknown)
Virtual dub requires a Video for Windows(VFW) compatible codec to decompress video. DirectShow codecs, such as those used by Windows Media Player, are not suitable.

I have even tried rendering a clip in Vegas out to an avi ,Video for windows
Where should I start looking?

Comments

rs170a wrote on 11/28/2004, 7:41 AM

I did a quick search on the Videohelp site and they recommended installing the Panasonic VFW DV codec. HTH.

Mike

epirb wrote on 11/28/2004, 7:51 AM

Thanks Mike That did it! I was looking all over the Virtual dub forums and DMN (site is real slow today) going in circles but not finding the answer.
gonna book mark the Videohelp site for sure.
Thanks again for your help!

epirb wrote on 11/28/2004, 7:55 AM

Just as a side note would checking the "strictly conform to avi2 spec" in Vegas' prefs help? what are the disadvantages of checking that?

B_JM wrote on 11/28/2004, 8:03 AM

that would not mater (in this case) - the fact is that v-dub requires a vfw codec, main concept and panasonic are the best choices thus to work with v-dub for DV ..

epirb wrote on 11/28/2004, 8:17 AM

thanks B , I read your post Re this situation in DMN too.good info as well

Laurence wrote on 11/28/2004, 8:56 AM

The Panasonic codec is free but the Main Concept one is about $45. Is there a quality difference that makes the Main Concept one worth buying?

erratic wrote on 11/28/2004, 9:11 AM

In Doom9's DV forum someone has compared three DV codecs (Canopus, MainConcept, Panasonic). His conclusion:

For RBG color space (e.g. for VirtualDub) the Panasonic DV decoder is the preferred choice. The Canopus decoder can't be used for that application due to it's chroma upsampling bug, and is also not preferred due to the reduced luminance range.

But I suppose the codecs have been updated since his review, so I don't know if his conclusion stil holds.