Encoding 120+ hrs of VHS & Video8 - Some pointers?

SouperComputer

Okay, I want to put all the VHS and video8 I have in digital format.

Basically I want to start by encoding them one by one without editing. I will do the editing next year!

The computer I have yo do it is a dual 800Mhz PIII, I could sub another more powerful machine, but I can have this one run 24\7 and it wont interfere with my work.

So, a couple of questions, bearing in mind that it will be re-encoded later and I need to use as little HD space a possible:

1. What codec\bitrate do you reccomend?
2. What capture hardware do you reccomend?
3. Any cheap\inexpensive\opensource software that supports 2x CPU's?

I have a hauppage WinTv card which seems okay, but I dont think ill be encoding this stuff twice so id like to get it right the 1st time!

If there is a card around 100-150 euro that does a much better job, then I might go for it.

Any ideas, pitfalls for this?

Lump

Since it's coming from VHS, encode it to divx and set the compression at about 300 megs per hour. Maybe even less. It takes hours and hours as it's the best compression out there and does dual pass compression.

John

SouperComputer

I was thinking DivX alright. 300Mb per Hour not too much compression? I may take this video and encode to DVD for other projects later, so I want to avoid artefacts at the start.

Also for audio....mp3 or ogg?

Lump

VHS is crappy quality to start with.... the compression isn't too much. I normally compress an hour dvd footage to 700 megs.

John

SouperComputer

Any thoughts on hardware? Or is the hauppage good enough for crappy VHS?

Also forgot to ask what res I should capture in. IIRC the card I have nativly supports only 300odd x 288. I think that is native PAL VHS, but if I plan making DVD's from it later, am I better off getting a card that supports the 500odd lines in DVD? Or is it better to capture in VHS's native res and use good software interpolation later when needed?

I was thinking of using virtualdub for capture. Good plan?

Also, when I go to edit this at a later date, is DivX more succeptible to loss of AV sync when used as a source?

Lump

625*720.... Not so sure the best card to buy, I'm fairly out of the loop re-hardware.

I've never edited Divx's.... on reflection, I'd advise capturing at 10 to 1 compress AVI.... Then editing and compressing it after.

John