There must be a better way....

saradvd wrote on 9/23/2004, 1:40 AM
For many years I have been recording my favorite TV clips from my digital cable system to my digital camcorder so I can upload the videos to my computer using my firewire port. I recently purchased a big screen TV and suddenly I am noticing the video quality is anything but digital quality. I have a feeling this is due to my setup. Here's a summary:
1. I connect the output cable from digital cable box to my VCR.
2. I use the RCA jacks out of my VCR to connect to my digital camcorder.

I presume the VCR is converting the digital signal to analog and then my camcorder is converting it back to digital. Probably why the quality isn't perfect. Here's my dream and I hope someone can tell me there is a product/method to make this dream come true:

I would like take the output cable from my digital cable box and plug it directly into a computer so I can record AVI files that came from a direct digital signal. Then I can open the AVI files in my Vegas software to perform all of the edits I am used to doing.

I am willing to purchase a new computer to satisfy this goal. My PC is 5 years old and it's time for a change.

I am not a super technical person so if you can point me to the exact system I need to purchase to accomplish my goal, that would be great. I prefer to have the hardware preinstalled since I am all thumbs.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Comments

johnmeyer wrote on 9/23/2004, 9:46 AM
If your goal is to get the actual digital stream from the digital cable box or from a PVR (like TiVo), there are various "hacks" that you will have to search for on-line.

If you are simply looking for the best possible analog setup to capture the video in the best quality (which is usually all you can do, because the original digital signal, in addition to being encrypted, is not in a format that Vegas -- or any other application -- can use directly.

I suggest you visit this forum and look around:

AVS Forum
John_Cline wrote on 9/23/2004, 10:09 AM
Part of the problem is that cable and satellite companies don't always devote a high enough MPEG2 bitrate to certain channels. Just because it's "digital" does NOT mean that it's going to look good.

I had Dish Network for a while and virtually every channel with the exception of the "premium" channels looked absolutely awful. I am a fan of Formula One racing and watching the races on Speed Channel was a frustrating, blocky MPEG mess because of the fast motion and the low bitrate that Dish Network devoted to that particular channel.

saradvd, It sounds like you are taking the composite video output from your VCR to your camcorder. There is a quality hit right there. If your cable box has S-Video outputs, it will no doubt look better to connect the cable box directly to your camcorder using an S-Video cable and bypass the VCR entirely.

John
johnmeyer wrote on 9/23/2004, 10:57 AM
Say John,

Have you ever figured out where to complain about the degrading quality of satellite video? I've had DirecTV for many years, and as they have added all the local channels and sports programming for dozens of games, the quality on all the channels -- but particularly the "lesser" ones -- has gotten really bad. With cable, I could write to the local franchising authority who could then threaten to revoke their franchise license (which I actually succeeded in getting them to do). However, I don't know if there are any such "pressure points" for satellite TV.
John_Cline wrote on 9/23/2004, 12:14 PM
John,

I never did figure out an effective way to complain about the increasingly horrid quality of satellite TV. What I ended up doing was getting rid of it. They did ask why I was cancelling the service and I told them, but I doubt it did any good.

I get a little tweaked every time I see an ad for satellite TV when they say, "in FULL digital quality." It doesn't mean squat, but a lot of people are suckered in by the claim.

John
Caruso wrote on 9/23/2004, 3:42 PM
I'm no expert on HDTV or digitalTV - but, so far, I have held off on upgrading my analog Trinitron system. Everytime I look at the beautiful images in a store, I can't help but notice the signal interuptions (glitches) that seem to affect each and every program. I am perfectly happy with my TV so far (don't really spend much time watching it - most of my time is spent in front of this goofy computer screen), I don't have cable service (antenna is just fine, thanks).

I wouldn't poke fun at anyone who has leading edge stuff - I'd be thrilled to have one of those huge digital or plasma or whatever screens to watch my movies on - but I think I'll continue to wait until broadcast is a bit more mature.

Caruso
FM wrote on 9/23/2004, 4:04 PM
No need to go through VCR. Your TV, if reasonably modern, should provide both RCA and S-video outputs. Maybe even SCART if EU is your location.
Try to avoid RCA and use S-video instead. As far as conversion analog to digital goes, I would suggest Canopus ADVC-100 video converter. It accepts RCA, S-video, and Firewire, and will convert both ways, analog<->digital, PAL and NTSC. In fact best affordable video converter, according to majority of video community.
B.Verlik wrote on 9/23/2004, 4:12 PM
I have to use S-Video cable and Stereo audio output of my Satellite box, that goes right into my analog to digital converter and 'Firewired' right into my computer. I know it's slightly changed by the time it gets to DVD, but unless I 'side-by-side' compare them, I can't really tell the diffence. (original saved in PVR) I agree that the quality of mpeg compression is getting worse, but that really only figures. How else are they going to get you to go for HDTV. Funny, how we need three razor blades to do the work of one. I complained to DISH about there lousy local channel delivery and they explained that they couldn't get it any better because they were forced to take an antenna feed, convert that to digital and send that to the Satellite. They said they couldn't get a direct feed from the locals. At least that was their excuse. Personally, I think they ran out of bandwidth and have to cheat to get everything working and all these many major cities with local channels really screwed them up.
epirb wrote on 9/23/2004, 4:28 PM
Saradvd,
First of all, as the other posters said the setup you are using is less than desirable, esp if you are going from your digital cable box to your vcr with a single coax and f connectors, . long story short that mean the signal is basicly being processed twice.
plus let me say this,
the other thing is if you just bought a big screen, the big screen magnifies all the flaws of: the cable signal, a recorded dv signal etc, and poor quality cables.
some you can change ,some you cant and your eyes will get used to some of it.
Now for some suggestions.
there are to things you can do , if you wish to stay with what you have depending on what type of cable box you have, Scientific Atanta, Pace etc.
If you are outputting the signal to your vcr via the composite cable most boxes also have an s-video jack on the cable box. you can send that to your cam and use your orig setup for the audio via the vcr.

another way I used to record programs is with an ATI all in wonder video card. this can be bought at Best Buy, CIrcuit City etc..
the card comes with the software for recording the shows, scheduling, record quality etc. I had a second cable box, so that I could records a different program on the computer while watching something else on the main tv.
Note the only reson for the second box was to be able to record premium shows like on Showtime & HBO etc.
I do alot of home entertianment installs on yachts for people who want all kindas of setups and ways to use and record things.
It might be easier if you email me and we can dsicuss what you needs are in more detail.
You have a few options, but I'd hate for you to go out and buy an new computer and stuff and not be happy with the results
If you want
I'd be happy to give you any advice,I can
epirb(at)epirbfilms.com