Capture resolution

I'm capturing VHS input using ATI AIW 9000 pro.

I plan to capture the analog input directly to MPEG2 (vs AVI) to keep the
capture file size reasonable (have many VHS tapes to convert). This captured
input will be used to author DVDs.

Assuming variable bit rate capture of 4.5 - 6 kbps, is it best to capture
to 352x480 or 720x480 resolution?

In theory, the quality should be 2x better for 352x480 capture but when
Studio8 renders the 352x480 to 720x480 (for DVD authoring):

- will the quality degrade after rendering?
- what is the optimal bit rate to set Studio8 for the render (6000 .. the
highest bit rate of the original capture)

If it's best to capture to 720x480 would the bitrate need to be 9 - 12 kbps
for equivalent quality?

Thxs much in advance for any advice on this.

Dave

P.S. It's very tempting to capture to 720x480 to save all the rendering time
(20x as slow authoring DVD when 352x480 source need to be rendered) ... just
want to understand why this isn't the most desirable approach.

David Nadle wrote:

I'm capturing VHS input using ATI AIW 9000 pro.

I plan to capture the analog input directly to MPEG2 (vs AVI) to keep the
capture file size reasonable (have many VHS tapes to convert). This captured
input will be used to author DVDs.

Assuming variable bit rate capture of 4.5 - 6 kbps, is it best to capture
to 352x480 or 720x480 resolution?

In theory, the quality should be 2x better for 352x480 capture but when
Studio8 renders the 352x480 to 720x480 (for DVD authoring):

- will the quality degrade after rendering?
- what is the optimal bit rate to set Studio8 for the render (6000 .. the
highest bit rate of the original capture)

If it's best to capture to 720x480 would the bitrate need to be 9 - 12 kbps
for equivalent quality?

Thxs much in advance for any advice on this.

Dave

P.S. It's very tempting to capture to 720x480 to save all the rendering time
(20x as slow authoring DVD when 352x480 source need to be rendered) ... just
want to understand why this isn't the most desirable approach.

you might also ask this in
rec.video
rec.video.desktop

Gordon