Question about using Cineform codec to digitize analog sources. at DVinfo.net

Craig Irving · January 25th, 2008, 10:00 AM

I need to digitize some VHS footage to splice into a documentary I am editing, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to do that. I used to digitize through my old camcorder and bring it into DV format, but the V1U doesn't have analog-pass-through capabilities.

Now I plan to use my ATI all-in-wonder card through composite, and I'm wondering if I should be using the Cineform codec for this capture process. I know Cineform is for HD and all, and it would probably be overkill for an old VHS tape, but does it make it easier to work w/ this footage in PPro CS3 since I'll be using the Cineform project preset? If I encode to any other format, wouldn't I be re-rendering once I import it into my Cineform project?

A lot of guides I've read seem to suggest HuffYUV and MJPEG for the capture/digitization process, but how would those codecs behave if I brought them into my Cineform project? Would they even import?

If anyone has a workflow suggestion for using analog footage within a 1080p24 Aspect HD project in PPro CS3 that'd be great!

David Newman · January 25th, 2008, 10:53 AM

No harm in using CineForm codec for SD.

Craig Irving · January 25th, 2008, 10:56 AM

Great news. Any suggestions on the quality preset?

Is the low-quality preset too low even for VHS, or should I go with medium?

Also, I've been converting my FX7 60i footage into 24p capturing on-the-fly with Aspect HD and it looks great. I'd like to do the same for this video footage that's in 60i, to match the rest of my 23.976fps files. But if I'm going straight into Cineform AVI at 60i, where would I go to convert that 60i AVI file into a 24p AVI file?

Would I use the convert section in HDLink or is convert only for M2T files?

Graham Hickling · January 25th, 2008, 12:23 PM

I use the CFHD codec frequently for SD capture. It produces much smaller files than huffyuv, and better quality than mjpeg at the equivalent file size. I just leave it on medium quality, but low would probably look fine too.

Interesting question about the 60i to 24p transcode ... I suspect HDlink will indeed do that during conversion as well as capture. (I've never tried, as I use avisynth for deinterlacing).

David Newman · January 25th, 2008, 12:53 PM

Medium might be the sweet spot for removing a little analog VHS noise but maintains a good picture. As for the pulldown removal, that works on live analog or digital capture just as well as file conversions. You could even scale up your SD to HD of the fly (if you PC is fast.) I assume all your VHS source is 60i originated, so you will not be removing pulldown in the normal sense, however if you select pulldown removal AND deinterlace, the 60i is converted to 24p for you and it looks pretty nice. HDLink does far more that is really should. :)

January 25th, 2008, 10:00 AM	#1
Craig Irving Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 539	Question about using Cineform codec to digitize analog sources. I need to digitize some VHS footage to splice into a documentary I am editing, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to do that. I used to digitize through my old camcorder and bring it into DV format, but the V1U doesn't have analog-pass-through capabilities. Now I plan to use my ATI all-in-wonder card through composite, and I'm wondering if I should be using the Cineform codec for this capture process. I know Cineform is for HD and all, and it would probably be overkill for an old VHS tape, but does it make it easier to work w/ this footage in PPro CS3 since I'll be using the Cineform project preset? If I encode to any other format, wouldn't I be re-rendering once I import it into my Cineform project? A lot of guides I've read seem to suggest HuffYUV and MJPEG for the capture/digitization process, but how would those codecs behave if I brought them into my Cineform project? Would they even import? If anyone has a workflow suggestion for using analog footage within a 1080p24 Aspect HD project in PPro CS3 that'd be great! Last edited by Craig Irving; January 25th, 2008 at 10:32 AM.

January 25th, 2008, 10:53 AM	#2
David Newman CTO, CineForm Inc. Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California Posts: 8,095	No harm in using CineForm codec for SD. __________________ David Newman -- web: www.gopro.com blog: cineform.blogspot.com -- twitter: twitter.com/David_Newman

January 25th, 2008, 12:53 PM	#5
David Newman CTO, CineForm Inc. Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California Posts: 8,095	Medium might be the sweet spot for removing a little analog VHS noise but maintains a good picture. As for the pulldown removal, that works on live analog or digital capture just as well as file conversions. You could even scale up your SD to HD of the fly (if you PC is fast.) I assume all your VHS source is 60i originated, so you will not be removing pulldown in the normal sense, however if you select pulldown removal AND deinterlace, the 60i is converted to 24p for you and it looks pretty nice. HDLink does far more that is really should. :) __________________ David Newman -- web: www.gopro.com blog: cineform.blogspot.com -- twitter: twitter.com/David_Newman

January 25th, 2008, 10:56 AM	#3
Craig Irving Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 539	Great news. Any suggestions on the quality preset? Is the low-quality preset too low even for VHS, or should I go with medium? Also, I've been converting my FX7 60i footage into 24p capturing on-the-fly with Aspect HD and it looks great. I'd like to do the same for this video footage that's in 60i, to match the rest of my 23.976fps files. But if I'm going straight into Cineform AVI at 60i, where would I go to convert that 60i AVI file into a 24p AVI file? Would I use the convert section in HDLink or is convert only for M2T files?

January 25th, 2008, 12:23 PM	#4
Graham Hickling Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 1,669	I use the CFHD codec frequently for SD capture. It produces much smaller files than huffyuv, and better quality than mjpeg at the equivalent file size. I just leave it on medium quality, but low would probably look fine too. Interesting question about the 60i to 24p transcode ... I suspect HDlink will indeed do that during conversion as well as capture. (I've never tried, as I use avisynth for deinterlacing).