Converting old DV(avi) footage with Handbrake

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sudo

308 posts

Ultimate Geek

#290125 22-Oct-2021 10:31

I found a ton of old AVI recordings that came from my DV player from 20 years ago.

My Mac cannot read it, so need to convert it to a format that can read it.

I am trying to find presets/settings in Handbrake that I can convert it to a more modern format with less loss (and reduce size)

When I crank up the quality factor in H.264 and keep it CFR, the size is about 30% bigger that the original. And I have been playing with settings to reduce the size

As the originals are pretty low res already (720x576), I don't want to lose much more quality but give me a bit more space.

So has anyone got some practical tips/setting to convert with Handbrake, giving me some space saving but not noticeable loss in quality?

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openmedia

2773 posts

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#2799274 22-Oct-2021 10:40

Problem is DV footage is interlaced and the interlacing is often switched with that of normal PAL TV. Most cameras are also MJPEG.

For good compression you need a good de-interlacer and then it should compress reasonably well.

I used avidemux for my DV footage as it has a great range of encoders and deinterlacers.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

sudo

308 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2799286 22-Oct-2021 10:54

openmedia:

Problem is DV footage is interlaced and the interlacing is often switched with that of normal PAL TV. Most cameras are also MJPEG.

For good compression you need a good de-interlacer and then it should compress reasonably well.

I used avidemux for my DV footage as it has a great range of encoders and deinterlacers.

From scanning through some old forums they recommend using the Yadif+Bob deinterlacing settings (under filters)

After a couple tests, it seems to work well. I notice no difference between the original and the converted file.

My old DV cam (a Canon) didn't use MJPEG.

jonherries

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#2799332 22-Oct-2021 11:58

H265 is a functionally equivalent codec and much smaller - 10x ish …

Jon

wellygary

6649 posts

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#2799532 22-Oct-2021 15:12

sudo:

I found a ton of old AVI recordings that came from my DV player from 20 years ago.

My Mac cannot read it, so need to convert it to a format that can read it.

If Handbrake can read it to transcode it then VLC should be able to play it ??

jonherries

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#2799541 22-Oct-2021 15:34

wellygary:
sudo:

I found a ton of old AVI recordings that came from my DV player from 20 years ago.

My Mac cannot read it, so need to convert it to a format that can read it.

If Handbrake can read it to transcode it then VLC should be able to play it ??

Yep, can be a bit confusing when you start. There is the codec (h264/h265 etc) and the container (mkv mp4 mov). Some of them will only work together or need special combinations to work. VLC is probably the most permissive player for a mix and match approach.

Jon

sudo

308 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2799569 22-Oct-2021 16:42

wellygary:

If Handbrake can read it to transcode it then VLC should be able to play it ??

The player isn't the problem. Using iMovie to edit it (yeah it's pretty basic but it does the job of basic edits/transitions)

surfisup1000

5087 posts

Uber Geek

#2799577 22-Oct-2021 16:53

sudo:

I found a ton of old AVI recordings that came from my DV player from 20 years ago.

My Mac cannot read it, so need to convert it to a format that can read it.

I am trying to find presets/settings in Handbrake that I can convert it to a more modern format with less loss (and reduce size)

When I crank up the quality factor in H.264 and keep it CFR, the size is about 30% bigger that the original. And I have been playing with settings to reduce the size

As the originals are pretty low res already (720x576), I don't want to lose much more quality but give me a bit more space.

So has anyone got some practical tips/setting to convert with Handbrake, giving me some space saving but not noticeable loss in quality?

Use h265, although it is supposed to be better for HD I find it is pretty good for SD.

Set the interlacing options, I'd say CRF 18 since quality is more important than file size.... these days storage is sooo cheap anyway.

And, remember to make a backup . And, don't delete the original files.

I've found adobe premiere image stabilisation works really well too -- if it didn't crash all the time at least.

nitro

460 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2814030 16-Nov-2021 20:46

sudo:

The player isn't the problem. Using iMovie to edit it (yeah it's pretty basic but it does the job of basic edits/transitions)

if you're still after options for an editor, you might want to give shotcut a go.

timmmay

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#2814034 16-Nov-2021 20:52

x265 can be a bit smaller than x264, but I found it wasn't heaps smaller. Playing with all the settings and filters might help, but video can be a bit complex.

nitro:

if you're still after options for an editor, you might want to give shotcut a go.

I used Shotcut for a while. It's ok, but I found even a basic commercial package like Premier Elements gives a much better result once you start editing and doing effects.

farcus

1267 posts

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#2814039 16-Nov-2021 21:01

avidemux 3 is propbably the most versatile of the encoders noted above.
Just a note - if you are going down the x265 route it will take a long time to encode

sudo

308 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2814133 17-Nov-2021 02:31

Versatile can be a negative, when you don't have a preset or documented settings to produce optimum results

I might just keep the original files and move to an editor that supports avi (like that Shotcut)

farcus

1267 posts

Uber Geek

#2814375 17-Nov-2021 10:32

sudo:

Versatile can be a negative, when you don't have a preset or documented settings to produce optimum results

I might just keep the original files and move to an editor that supports avi (like that Shotcut)

it's versatile in the number of formats it can convert from and to.
It has very easy to use presets - probably easier than handbrake.

nitro

460 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2815304 18-Nov-2021 13:53

timmmay:

I used Shotcut for a while. It's ok, but I found even a basic commercial package like Premier Elements gives a much better result once you start editing and doing effects.

interesting. i've never had the chance to compare. premiere is a fair bit easier to use (for most) as well.

there's also davinci resolve, which may be a bit more challenging, but i like the support for audio plugins.