[MPlayer-users] Converting old VHS tapes to DVD

[Nico Sabbi]

Ivan Imperl wrote:

>I am looking for a proper way to convert VHS videos to DVD. Is there a
>better way than what I do now?
>
>$ mencoder -tv driver=v4l2:device=/dev/video0:normid=0:input=0:amode=0 \
>tv:// -o dvd.mpg -oac lavc -ovc lavc -lavcopts \ 
>acodec=mp2:vcodec=mpeg2video:vhq:keyint=25:vbitrate=4000:scplx_mask=0.2\
>-vf scale=720:576
>  
>

You should consider using -oac toolame instead of acodec=mp2 (that 
sounds terrible).
toolame at 112 kb/s cbr  is already acceptable; obviously the higher the 
bitrate the better
the quality.
You need to download this librarized version of toolame
http://users.tpg.com.au/adslblvi/toolame/toolame-02m-beta8.tar.bz2
and install it in /usr/local/include and /usr/local/lib.

You should also add -of mpeg.

>I probably need to add some borders on top and bottom because scaling
>(the way I am grabbing from camcorder) distorts picture somewhat.
>
>  
>

the tv card should be able to upscale for you; if you want you can add 
borders with -vf expand.

        Nico