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First Ever Laserdisc Capture

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Hi everyone,
I was contemplating doing my first ever laserdisc to hard-drive capture (and eventually to dvd). I've got access to a decent player and I have an ATI video card in my computer with an S-video input as well as composite for audio. My question to you guys who have experience is: What else do I need? Special software you recommend? Any vital component I need to improve quality? Lastly, about how much HD space do I need? I am planning to capture 30 minute TV episodes, so can anyone give me an estimate on how much space that will take? I looked around for guides on the internet but didn't come across anything that specifically answered the questions I had.
Thanks in advance!

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Recommended capturing software: VirtualDub.

Using the huffyuv codec, 30mins will take up about 20GB (but it is lossless). If this is too big, use one of the MJPEG codecs on a high quality setting.

To improve quality, start learning the AVISynth script language. You can post-process the video by applying filters (e.g. noise reduction) before encoding.

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Are you intending for this DVD-R to be playable in a DVD player? If so, you are restricted to DVD compliant MPEG-2 video with MPEG, AC3 or PCM audio.

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Sorry, I should have been more specific. Yes, I am intending this to be playable in a dvd player.
I am somewhat familiar with using TMPGEnc to convert files into dvd compliant (mpeg2, ac3 audio, etc.)
However, I am uncertain of two things:

1) What is the best way to ensure I am capturing PCM audio from the laserdisc? Since it has an audio and a digital track, which one do I need to be capturing?
2) When the whole file is captured and on my hard drive, what would be the best method of "shrinking" the 20gb file down to 4.5gb without it looking too crappy?

Or am I going about this laserdisc capture thing the wrong way?

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"1) What is the best way to ensure I am capturing PCM audio from the laserdisc? Since it has an audio and a digital track, which one do I need to be capturing?"

For the digital track, you will need an LD player with digital out, and a sound card with digital in. My motherboard has that built in, and I was able to capture the PCM track using the optical input/outputs.

If you don't have this, then the regular stereo plugs will capture the analog audio.

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Originally posted by: BrikHaus81
2) When the whole file is captured and on my hard drive, what would be the best method of "shrinking" the 20gb file down to 4.5gb without it looking too crappy?
For laserdisc captures, I'd recommend applying some form of noise reduction before encoding. You could use AVISynth, VirtualDub or even the filter built in to TMPGEnc.

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If you have an ati card, I think you're stuck as to what codecs you could capture with... or maybe it's just the program, the ati's own capture stuff doesn't take external codecs. But I suppose some other software does.

Keith

BTW i'm doing this in the near future as well, any recommendations for how fast my computer needs to be for using huffyuv?

Keith Weatherby II
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" the ati's own capture stuff doesn't take external codecs. But I suppose some other software does."

Yes, chances are the drivers will work with most video capture software. I've used many different third-party drivers and capture programs with my board (a WinGo TV capture board.) I've also had several programs work with my camcorder and firewire board as well (the camcorder has pass-thru signal encoding.)

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>