I have a Dazzle DVC 80 Capture Card that also come with Dazzle MGI VideoWave Software. After capturing and burning into VCD, i don't really satisfied with the quality (most probably it is coz by VCD resolution). I would like to know whether i can burn a higher quality VCD or SVCD by using other method or Software.

Pls advice. Thanks.

The single most important factor when doing any kind of video encoding (espicially high compression types like Mpeg) is the actual source itself.

If you are capturing from something like a VHS tape source you must remember that it is the lowest quality source available. Generally people capture to VCD with VHS source because as VCD it's the closest in quality to that source.

It all means that you can't make something better than it was originally. So the question is are you first starting out with the best possible source you can?

Remember that "any" encoding process is compressing the original content. Some more than others. If the source is not the absolute best it can be, then it will be difficult to produce satisfying results.

The biggest problem you may have is that you don't really KNOW if the poor results you are getting is because of using a poor source OR because you are doing something wrong in the encoding process.

Here are a couple of things that may help you find out. Generally speaking you can get the absolute best quality if you first capture to an uncompressed AVI format and then encode that AVI to Mpeg. The frame size of the AVI capture should be no smaller than the size of your intended final output. Best and quickest encoding would be usning identical frame sizes. Capturing AVI with no compression is very hard to do unless you have a very fast hard disc system. Using an AVI compression codec like MJpeg or Huffyuv, although a slight step down may not be a bad option if you need to do AVI capture.

I would just hate to see you spend a lot of time and effort trying to fix something that already is as good as it gets.

Give us some more details .. What was the source? What is the format of that source? Is there any way you could provide a short sample of the final result to someone via email? (I wouldn't mind looking at it myself if that'll help) Email me at rich@pcphotovideo.com and attach a few seconds of video and I'll try to see if I can make any suggestions.

Thanks for ur reply.

I'm using Sony Analog Video Camera as a source and MGI Video Wave to create AVI and then encode to mpeg using the same soft. During the encoding, i have to choose the frame size, right. There r only a few in VideoWave or can u suggest which resolution to choose is the best.

How do i make a SVCD where the output may be better, i guess.

Please help. and Thanks again.

the Canopus ADVC 100 is the best device for capturing video from all different sources (analong > digital). You can take it from me as I got this device and I have NO dropped frames from any source I capture from. The device costs $283 and works flawlessly. You can go to http://www.vcdhelp.com and check out capture cards rated by top rated reviews.

Cheers