MPEG-2 codec

[dZeus]

Is there any codec that enables capturing to mpeg-2? I've heard about Ligos and it's GoMotion codec, but from what I've read about it on their page, it's only for integration into programs rather than use as a codec that can be used in programs like virtualdub.

I ask this because my HDD can't handle too high datarates, like full res. HuffYuff (it's an IBM Ultrastar U2W SCSI 4.5GB 7200rpm), and realitime full res. MPEG-4 capture is not achievable with my CPU (P3-700@933MHz).

MPEG-2 would hopefully enable me to capture at full res. in realtime.

[Dr Mordrid]

Ulead sells VideoStudio4 for <$100 USD that includes MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 capture capability. As far as a freeware MPEG-2 capture codec goes, I'm unaware of one.

Dr. Mordrid

[Indiana]

Why don't you try MJPEG. This works quite good here and at least my Duron@1026 is fast enough to encode full PAL high-res (768x576x32@25fps) in realtime, your P-III should be in the same ballpark performance-wise.
The PICVideo mjpeg codec is freely available.

A question to Dr. Mordrid: There is another free MJPEG codec available (I've forgotten it's name), how does this compare to the PicVideo one (quality, CPU-usage)?

[Dr Mordrid]

There are limited versions of the Morgan and MainConcept, but you have to pay to use the full capabilities. Morgan is pretty good as is MainConcept. Morgan costs $15 USD (on sale now) and MainConcept costs $20 USD. PICVideo is freely licensed.

There was at one time another share/freeware MJPeg softcodec available but it has since gone offline.

Please note that you can run into problems installing multiple MJPeg codecs on a single system. The Matrox MJPeg codec uses DMB1 as its fourCC code while most others (Morgan, MainConcept and PICVideo included) use the MJPG fourCC by default.

What's a fourCC? It's a "four Character Code" registering that codec or video format with the Windows multimedia system. Everything from MediaPlayer to DirectX uses a fourCC to identify a codec or video format. fourCC's cannot be shared.

Unless the installed codecs support a user fourCC you can therefore run into major conflicts if you aren't careful with the installation. The Morgan and PICVideo codecs do support user fourCC's. I don't believe the MainConcept MJPeg codec supports user fourCC's as they warn against installing it on systems where the MJPG fourCC is already in use.

Dr. Mordrid


[This message has been edited by Dr Mordrid (edited 27 November 2000).]

[Indiana]

Thanks! The other codec I meant was the Morgan codec.
I guess I'll just stay with the PicVideo MJPEG then as this one works without any flaws here on my Hauppauge WinTV - and under Win2k!

[Dr Mordrid]

In that case PICVideo MJPeg also has another nice feature: it's OpenDML compliant. Big-file city under Win2K if you're using NTFS on the video drive.

Dr. Mordrid


[This message has been edited by Dr Mordrid (edited 28 November 2000).]