Best Quality Video

[Ted222]

Doc, (or who ever is interested)
I am looking to try to get the best quality video print to Tape/DVD I can afford. I would prefer to stay with MSP 6.5.

I am considering getting an RT2500/G550 combo, but I hate to migrate to Premiere. I would like to get rid of the cropping I encounter with my Marvel G450eTV and maybe pick up some additional quality.

Any suggestions??

thanks,
Ted

Dell Demension 4100
P3-1000
512 RAM
45 gig System Win98SE/2000 Dual Boot
27 gig Secondary Drive
90 gig Promise (3-30 gigs)
G450eTV
CD rw
Pioneer A03
Turtle Beach

[Dr Mordrid]

I presume you're talking about the use of ATSC 704x480 in the eTV vs. the 720x480 frame of DV and DVD.

The minimum investment you could make and get a 720x480 analog capture would be to use a Hauppage WinTV...either 401 or the 495 (401 has stereo audio, 495 has stereo + surround). Using its VfW drivers it has programmable resolutions, including 720x480.

I really like my RT-2000, but as you said it comes with the disadvantage of dealing with Premiere 6. Not everyone is up to that level of patience

The problems with Premeire6: stability, memory hogging and it's gawd-awful SLOW if you have to render anything!

The rewards for perseverence are high, especially if you encode MPEG's by frameserving TMPGEnc from Premiere's timeline instead of using the Ligos plugin or Cleaner. The combination of the RT's 4:4:4:4 RGBA compositing engine and TMPGEnc's encoding can sure make for pretty pictures.

Still, using the RT-2x00 does require a VERY stable system. As such I'd even recommend using a removable HDD bay, swapping to an editing only setup so all the usual crappola that slows the system down isn't there (no email etc.) .

This is how mine is set up and it's saved me many a nightmare when some errant plugin or other software has caused havok in my 'net enabled system.

Dr. Mordrid

[Ted222]

Yes, I will using 704x 480 and 720x480, both, my primary sources of video being a Canon Optura PI (DV) and an old Sony TRV99 Hi8.

Just wanted your opinion before plopping down the 3500 beans for a new system to get a little assurance of a positive gain in image quality. I seem to be making more DVD's lately, and though my Video quality is currently good, being somewhat of a Video Geek, I always want to get the best possible final product.

Appreciate your input,

Ted

Dell Demension 4100
P3-1000
512 RAM
45 gig System Win98SE/2000 Dual Boot
27 gig Secondary Drive
90 gig Promise (3-30 gigs)
G450eTV
CD rw
Pioneer A03
Turtle Beach

[Rick6612]

Doc,

What is the advantage of frameserving to TMPEG vs. using the Matrox IBP MPEG format to make MPEG files to use with DVDit! to create DVDs?

Ted,

Sounds like you're planning to build a whole new system for your RT2500 (or whatever card you end up deciding on). That's probably not a bad idea. Are you planning to build it yourself? Or buy a custom built system?

Rick

[Ted222]

Rick,

I would like to build it myself, but with the RT2500 it gets to be kind of a crap shoot with configuration and compatibility. Looking for a RT2500/G550 combo.
I am working with a PC manufacturer to have a custom system built (waiting for the P-4 2.2 to arrive).
I will post here when I order, the price, and another post on performance when I get it.

Ted

Dell Demension 4100
P3-1000
512 RAM
45 gig System Win98SE/2000 Dual Boot
27 gig Secondary Drive
90 gig Promise (3-30 gigs)
G450eTV
CD rw
Pioneer A03
Turtle Beach