Couple of questions about recording tv

[TheBDB]

I've got a Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 and I'd like to use it to record tv shows. So far I've just set it on DVD Standard quality when recording, but that uses about 3GB per hour. So my first question is what is the lowest quality I can record at that will not lose any quality from the tv signal? I don't want to record at a higher bitrate than is necessary for tv. The choices are:
MPEG1 VCD
MPEG2 2 Mb/s Full D1
MPEG2 2 Mb/s Half D1
MPEG2 12 Mb/s Full D1
MPEG2 12 Mb/s CBR
DVD Standard 8 Mb/s
DVD Long 6.2 Mb/s
DVD Extra Long 4.4 Mb/s
SVCD Standard 2.5 Mb/s

My second question is if I recorded at one of these settings and then wanted to re-encode at a lower quality to make the file smaller, what program should I use?

 

[kile22]

is it hi-def tv or just like digital cable?

 

[TheBDB]

Some of the programs might be in hi-def but I'm guessing I would need a hi-def tuner to see it.

 

[kile22]

i'd say that you would be safe with one of the MPEG2 settings. i wouldn't go MPEG1 tho.

 

[Night201]

Stay with the setting you're at.

 

[TheBDB]

Can anyone answer my second question?

 

[imported_Hi]

i record tv using windows media center there are three choice Best Better and good and they all turn out well
try recording some shows and see what fits your needs

 

[rbV5]

So my first question is what is the lowest quality I can record at that will not lose any quality from the tv signal?

You can't. Analog capture is lossy.

My second question is if I recorded at one of these settings and then wanted to re-encode at a lower quality to make the file smaller, what program should I use?

TMPGEnc is a nice encoder. Pinnacle, Cyberlink, Nero, CCE, Procoder ect, ect.

VideoHelp has some great info.