Need suggestions with a workflow

[mroman]

I'm in the process of capturing all my tapes with HDVSplit, which is creating m2t files. After that I was using TMPGEnc to remove pulldown. I want to save the files for editing at sometime but would like to more or less save them and possibly view with my kids. Can anyone suggest what format I should save these in to get a decent sized file with close to the original quality saved?

My intention is to trade up from my HV20 and get a M40 or something with HD or memory card storage and if I'm getting rid of my HV20 I won't have anything to play these tapes.

Thanks in advance.

[drapeama]

I'm in the process of capturing all my tapes with HDVSplit, which is creating m2t files. After that I was using TMPGEnc to remove pulldown. [..] Can anyone suggest what format I should save these in to get a decent sized file with close to the original quality saved?

1) HDVsplit is great, and free.
2) There's always user Khaver's utility to remove pulldown, aslo free. You can search and PM him about it, he's very helpfull.
3) I usually use the Matrox HD codec, which is also: free. And Mpeg2 @ 50mbps is more than enough for my needs.

[mroman]

Thanks for the feedback.
When using Matrox does it allow saving as MPEG2 @ 50mbps or is that another step?
I saw a couple of threads on Matrox so I'll have to dig through and figure out how to use.

[drapeama]

When using Matrox does it allow saving as MPEG2 @ 50mbps or is that another step?

Once it's installed, you can select Lossless or Mpeg2 I-Frames compression at 50mbps bitrate.
The Mpeg2 compression is enough for me.

[mroman]

I'm sorry if I'm not following. What program are you using for compression to use the Matrox codec in?

[drapeama]

I'm sorry if I'm not following. What program are you using for compression to use the Matrox codec in?

Oh, I usually do it via After Effects: color correct the footage and then I render the files using the Matrox codec. When playing with AVCHD files, it becomes easier to work with too, and the quality is virtually the same.

[ejolson]

I would recommend simply archiving the original m2t files without removing pulldown so the quality is exactly preserved from the tapes. Given the expense of a multiple hard-disk backup solution, keeping the HV20 and the tapes is probably cheaper. If you want to create edited files that can be viewed by your family use TMPGEnc to remove pulldown and render to a blu-ray compatible format.

[mroman]

I would recommend simply archiving the original m2t files without removing pulldown so the quality is exactly preserved from the tapes. Given the expense of a multiple hard-disk backup solution, keeping the HV20 and the tapes is probably cheaper. If you want to create edited files that can be viewed by your family use TMPGEnc to remove pulldown and render to a blu-ray compatible format.

I think the version of TMPGEnc has a bluray format to choose from, I'll have to try it out. As for the tapes I think I've got about 20 of them. I ran hdvsplit with one tape and it came back at 11GB shouldn't be that bad to store. I guess I was hoping to have watchable clips with small file sizes.

[Khaver]

I think the version of TMPGEnc has a bluray format to choose from, I'll have to try it out. As for the tapes I think I've got about 20 of them. I ran hdvsplit with one tape and it came back at 11GB shouldn't be that bad to store. I guess I was hoping to have watchable clips with small file sizes.

It all comes down to quality vs file size. The smaller the file size the less quality you will have. Archiving the original m2t files HDVSplit creates is the best quality for the size of file you can get (no transcoding is done). Once you transcode to a lossy format you begin to lose quality.