Video Capture problem

[Technophyle]

Hello all!

Here is my situation. I just got a new Pinacle DV90 video capture "card" and it seems to work pretty well. However, the files I am caturing from tape are about 25 minutes long and are about 800 megs each. They are .avi. The software that comes with the DV90 allows for burning to DVD but it's been rendering for 6 hours and there is no end in site.

Now the actual question, is there a way I can capture from tape that will make smaller files? Perhaps Divx? Once I get the video captured I think I can convert and burn, but right now the files are so big I can only get a couple 800 meg sessions on a DVD.


Happy New Year,

Technopyle

[drfsupercenter]

You can set the compression in the Pinnacle Studio software. Good choice on the card - I use the DVC90 too!

Note that the files do not burn in Nero for some reason, it just won't open them. Another suggestion if you do want to burn with Nero, is to use the "AMCapture" that came with the program, by going to Start - Programs - Studio 9 QuickStart - Tools - AM Capture. That lets you capture as well, and you can set the disc space to use for the capture. I have not used it for more than a 5 min video, so I do not know what happens once the limit is reached.

[Technophyle]

Thanks for the reply!

I made the purchase based on your reccommendation in an old post. even found it at Best Buy for $20 off!!

The only thing about it I don't like is that it makes "jerky" video when I up the quality.

Anyway, my plan was to import the files into Sonic My DVD and create a DVD folder on my hard drive, then use DVDShrink to do the compression and burning. I have done this in the past with files that were about the same length but in the 150 meg range. I think I got 4 videos per DVD and I believe they were Divx orginally. Thats why I thought maybe I could capture them in Divx. I just don't know much about Divx....yet.



Thanks again.

[drfsupercenter]

You're welcome! The reason it is jerky is because of the memory. Mine does that too. You need a really fast PC with at least 1 gig of memory for it to work. It won't let me capture in MPEG-2 because I only have 768 megs of memory. Otherwise, it is a great tool, at a low price. What you could do is open the resulted AVI files in VirtualDub (an AVI compression program) and set the compression to DivX, and then set the quality. You would save it, would take another couple of hours, but would make much smaller files. Hope that helps you!

PS - I feel quite honored that you bought something just because I reccomended it! Nice to know that people trust me!

[Technophyle]

There is no better sales pitch than an honest testiment from someone that owns it! Plus, the price was hard to pass up.

I have 1 meg of memory and the video still jerks. Maybe 2 megs!!! My wife would love that, NOT!!

Is virtualDub freeware? I see it referrenced in the forms a lot but I am not familiar with it. Is that 2 hours per 800 meg file?

[drfsupercenter]

You mean 1 gigabyte? And yes VirtualDub is freeware. virtualdub.sourceforge.net is the page to download it.

[Technophyle]

Sorry, yes, 1 gig of memory.

I will give it a try, right after I watch the big ball come down in NY.

[drfsupercenter]

LOL same here. 11:54 PM and counting!

[Technophyle]

Well, that was exciting. Although, Meriah didn't look too bad!!

[drfsupercenter]

LOL!!

[Technophyle]

Well, maybe I am missing something here but I have VirtualDUB open and the file in it but I don't see an option for Divx in the compression settings.

Closest thing is Xvid but when I choose that nothing happens?????

[drfsupercenter]

Hmmm... You have to install DivX then. You go to Video - Compression - and there should be a list. If you don't have DivX, you will have to install it, but I am not sure offhand where to get the codec - it came with my computer. And you then have to say File - Save As, it does not do something automatically. XviD is a good codec too, it makes your files even smaller than DivX.

[Technophyle]

Well, I think I figured it out. I actually installed Dr. Divx which installed the Divx codec. Divx is now a compression option in VirtualDUB.

Thanks for all your help!

[drfsupercenter]

You're welcome! I hope you enjoy your experience with the DVC90!

[atifsh]

Hello all!
Now the actual question, is there a way I can capture from tape that will make smaller files?Happy New Year,
Technopyle

dont know what version of studio u have with card but u can capture realtime with mpeg2, it will give u smaller sizes and ready to burn to dvd. realtime can be done only if u got 2.2 Ghz or faster PC.