Video Quality?

[FOXMAN09]

Hey I have been filming a video project recently with my DVC30. I used to use a 12 year old beat up camera and I would stream the video into my computer from there. I got sick of the terrible quality and decided to bring myself into the future. Now when that I have been uploading my video recently into my cpu from the DVC30 the video quality barely looks any better. I look at all these videos people have uploaded on this forum and that video quality looks awesome, but mine looks nowhere near that good. It sure looks good on that little camera screen though. SO what I am wondering is, is this related to my video card in my cpu, my camera, my siftware (Pinnacle) or something else? Or am I imagining things haha? Please respond ASAP

[mikkowilson]

How are you transfering the video? What signals, methods, etc, are you using?

- Mikko

[FOXMAN09]

I am clicking capture, then I press play, and the video is transferred through the AV cable plugged in the camera to the cpu. I dont know how else to describe it.

[mikkowilson]

So you are using Analog video cables between the camera and the computer?

This is your weak point.

Use a Firewire cable to transfer the footage from your camera to the computer. This is a digital transfer and will result in an exact copy on your computer of the high quailty image that has been recorded to the DV tape. The Analog connection is degrading your image quality.

After that it come down to lighting, camera control and other cinematographic skills to produce a good looking image.


Oh, and for god sakes get rid of Pinnacle and get some real editing software. Even if it's just Premiere Elements.


- Mikko

[FOXMAN09]

Haha I know Pinnacle blows, but I'm kind of stuck with it until I can afford some quality editing software since I spent it all on the camera and audio equipment. But until then I will try the 30 day trial of Adobe Premere Pro 2.0. But thanks for the tip, I'm on my way to the store right now to go buy a firewire cable.

[RokMartian]

Having that same camera, I know it is really hard to judge the quality based on the LCD screen and/or the computer monitor. Connect it to a TV and check it out there - you might be surprised.

[Capt Quirk]

If I'm not mistaken, TempGenc is both free, and might capture a bit better than the software you are using. I also agree that the way you hook up to capture is your biggest problem. If you have firewire or even S-vid, use those. If all else fails, buddy up with someone in your area that might have a better set up.