Playback quality problem (pixels)

chris hines wrote on 12/16/2007, 4:07 PM

Me again,

I recorded a concert from VHS onto DVD with a Samsung DVD recorder(Stand alone). I copied it in "2hr" mode and the playback quality is just a good as the source tape. However, after i edit the concert in VMSPE and select "Make movie" the playback is pixilated in many of the scenes. Sort of big pixels too. Like old Atari 2600 games. I even selected "Best" quality and moved the quality bar all the way to the right. It still has pixels in some scenes with lots of stage lighting.

Should i transfer the original source tape another way or do I need a better grafics card?

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 12/16/2007, 5:21 PM

You should transfer it another way. Making a DVD compresses the video a lot and a lot of detail is lost, even if you don't notice it. When you then edit that DVD video and render it again you lose a lot more detail again, this time starting from material that has already lost a lot. This second generation loss becomes very noticeable.

What you really need is something like the Canopus 110 or 300. This is an external box that converts analog audio/video into DV, the same type of signal that digital camcorders use. This will be much much less loss than using the DVD recorder. Editing will also be much smoother and faster. Many digital camcorders also have the ability to do this, taking any analog signal coming in and sending it back out through the DV port.

chris hines wrote on 12/18/2007, 11:08 AM

Hey, thanks for the tip! Although I do not have the funds to shell out 400+ bucks for that device, I see the value in it. LOL!!

Chienworks wrote on 12/18/2007, 11:21 AM

I've heard of people picking up things like the old SONY handycam TRV-320 (i think that's the model number) digital8 camcorders on ebay for about $50. Often the tape transport is worn out, but the circuitry still works fine. Something like that can do the conversion for you and often include a TBC.