[linux-help] Re: archiving VHS on DVD

[James Lancaster <james@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Wednesday 18 August 2004 10:37 am, gLaNDix (Jesse Kaufman) wrote:
> anyone have experience archiving VHS tapes onto DVDs?  i have a ton of old 
> home movies from my mom (and soon my gf's mom) that she wants archived on 
> DVD ... i have all the equipment (ATI AIW 9600 non-pro, Hauppage WinTV-Radio, 
> DVD+/-RW, VCR :P) i need, but haven't been very satisfied with the results so 
> far ...
> 
> 

First of all, find out what input formats your DVD software supports. 
Ideally you will record to MPEG2 directly... but that might not be possible. 
(MPEG2 seems to take lots more processor than mpeg4/divx variants)

If you can't use MPEG2, consider using a lossless codec... 
It will take more space, but you won't have multiple quality losses. (as 
mpeg4->mpeg2)

Easiest way to record is using mencoder. I typically record to mpeg4.
You will have to replace some things (this is from memory, check things). Good 
encoding is an art 
(of knowing options & patience or having LOTS of money for cpu)

(this is a bit higher than default, and results in large files, which can be 
compressed later,
as my cpu can barely caputure at that resolution)
mencoder -tv device=/dev/video/0:norm=us-cable:width=640:height=480 tv://4 -oac 
mp3lame 
-ovc lavc -lavcopts vcodec=mpeg4:vbitrate=1600 -o outputfile.avi
mencoder supports mpeg2 encoding, but I haven't tried it much, and not from tv, 
so you 
will have to experement.

As for transfering files, a partition that is vfat should do fine, or any other 
method. 

Hope this helps. 

James L
-- This is the linux-help@xxxxxxxxx list.  To unsubscribe,
visit http://www.complete.org/cgi-bin/listargate-aclug.cgi