There is ONE thing you can do with the MC encoder. Just how much help it truly is I cannot say as I'd need to do extensive testing. As I know it can't hurt I've used it a few times.

You can place markers to force the encoder to place I frames at that point. It might help avoid some image degradation at a cut.

Reason for my caution in using this trick is last time I tried it on a sequence of fast cuts DVDA reported that the markers were not on "I" frames. I know there's a restriction on how close markers can be but I thought I was outside those limits.

The other obvious tip is to avoid dissolves and other fancy transitions.

Bob.

Back to the woodshop analogy and a facetious question: If I want to turn out beautiful furniture what table saw should I get?

The answer is the same as it is for turning out beautiful movies: It's the whole package, not just one tool. It's skill, experience, good materials, good tools, good aesthetics, and good help.

Rob Mack

Besides the obvious (better originals) I thought some of the studios use Hardware Mpeg2 encoders similar to this?

John

A hardware encoder is a PC running a software encoder, with the combination costing far more than the hardware and software bought separately.

Besides, real-time hardware MPEG2 encoders can't usually multi-pass encoding, although I see that the one from Sonic can do 2-pass VBR.

Thank you for all of your information, I have learned so much. I am a musician and I certainly understand just buying the latest microphone will not guarantee a great recording. But there is a point that good equipment can certianly improve the odds. There is also the point where the benefit does not out way the cost. Knowing how to use the microphone correctly with your other gear, and knowing how to capture a great performance is when it can become art.

I took a concert I recently shot with my JVC GY-DV500 and put into practice the information I learned in this post concerning color correction and "wow" did it improve the finished project. I am now going to try and focus on lighting, getting to know my camera better, and becoming better at color balance. I do think my camera is having lens problems focusing is a problem.

I have so much to learn, thanks again for you help and patience.

Jim

Jim, I use a JVC GY-DV550 at work and I know it's more than capable of delivering excellent picture quality on a DVD.
I just finished doing a 100 min. concert and the final DVD looks and sounds great.
I did have the advantage of the concert being professionally lit and mic'd and that's a huge part of the success of the final quality.
I can tell you that, if all you have is the stock lens, get rid of it as it's a piece of junk.
I have the advantage of working at a local community college and, when I got mine, I special ordered a Canon 20:1 lens.
It was definitely worth the money.

Mike

"A hardware encoder is a PC running a software encoder, with the combination costing far more than the hardware and software bought separately." ;-) There are some designs that use DSPs or Cells vs a general CPU. ;-)

"real-time hardware MPEG2 encoders can't usually multi-pass encoding, although I see that the one from Sonic can do 2-pass VBR. " --- "real-time hardware" in real world terms usually noticed as time delayed between "live" analog vs. digital. ;-) usually a 2-3 sec delay creates enough time for buffering a 2-pass VBR. Remember, with multi pass VBR, you need a significant amount of video to do the magic. ;-)

"I do think my camera is having lens problems focusing is a problem"

I believe your camera has mechanically adjusted back focus. If you don't know how to adjust this yourself (it isn't hard) get someone who does to do it for you. Better yet get them to show you how to do it.
I blew a concert shoot thanks to that camera and backfocus. If it's out of adjustment focussing in low light is impossible.

Bob.

"I believe your camera has mechanically adjusted back focus."

Yes it does, and I will check that. So is that why when I zoom in or out the focus is off? I thought it had auto focus, and I was assuming it had a problem, maybe the problem is me. Most of what I do is theater and concert recording inside, and you are right I am having a lot of trouble dealing with the low lighting environment. I also find it very had to focus in the little eye piece. I started capturing the video in Vegas (which is working very well) so that I could have a larger monitor screen and also have the data on the hard drive ready to begin working.

Again, thank you for sharing.

Jim

This may sound a bit left field......

I had a great opportunity to meet with a pro at a local tv station.
I needed help so I sent an email off to the station and a local engineer was more
than happy to invite me in to the station to show me how to make the adjustment
and a quick tour of the studio.

We have been friends since and have worked on a few commercials together.
Take your opportunities when you get them!

So is that why when I zoom in or out the focus is off?

Incorrectly set back focus will do this to you.
As Bob said, get someone to show you how to correctly adjust this.
It's not complicated but it is something that should be checked on a regular basis.

I thought it had auto focus,

Nope. It's definitely manual.

I am having a lot of trouble dealing with the low lighting environment.

Most of my theatre stuff is shot around f 4.0.
My theatrical shooting style is to set the iris once and then leave it.

I also find it very had to focus in the little eye piece.

Given the age of the camera, it might be time to replace the viewfinder.
If you can afford it, invest in a decent field monitor. They're definitely worth the money.

Mike

This may sound a bit left field......

Definitely not.
This is an excellent suggestion.
Over the years, I've made friends with several folks in the industry who have forgotten more than I will ever know and they have always been willing to share their knowledge and expertise.

Mike

Great information, I am beginning to feel that I can get this under control.

JIm

Can anyone recommend a good head cleaning tape?

Jim