[mythtv-users] Re: Transcode to DVD-compatible MPEG-2 without quality loss?

[Ramon Redondo]

> >> I am using nuvexport (using ffmpeg) but the picture quality is
> >> taking a
> >> huge hit.
> >>
> >> My half hour TV show is a 1.??GB .nuv file but transcoded to
> >> MPEG-2 DVD is
> >> around 400MB and it shows it.
> >>
> >> What's the trick?
> >>
> >> Much appreciated.
> >>
> >
> > It would help if you mentioned what you use for capture... is it a
> > hardware MPEG encoder (i.e. PVR-150) or is it just a frame grabber?
>
> PVR-250

I'm going to let someone else answer the 'best way to make a DVD from
a PVR card, then.

> > I believe that there is a losslesss was to convert the output of the
> > hardware encoders to DVD, assuming you started with the correct
> > resolution etc.
> >
>
> That'd be what I want if it's possible.
>
> > If you are using a frame grabber, I could pass on the 'formula' I use
> > with NUVEXPORT which does a decent job at maintaining quality.
>
> Why wouldn't the same settings apply for a hardware encoder?

Because a PVR card creates MPEG2 compatible (mostly) files to being
with.  You just need to cut out commercials and re-multiplex and such.
 In the case of a frame grabber, you need to re-encode the video from
MPEG4 in a NUV container to MPEG2.  It takes a lot longer (relatively)
and there will be some quality loss.