What is the difference between a software and a hardware mpeg2 decoder?

[slicksilver]

Its all in the title........I'm interested in buying a decoder as I want to convert my old videos into video cds........which one should I buy? what is the difference between a software based solution and a hardware based solution?....Hauppauge, Leadtek, Pixel view and other are between 50-100 usd whereas the hardware ones ( canopus, dazzle and others) are between 250 - 300 usd........what do you suggest I buy? One thing I want to make very clear is that I want my old videos to look best.....

Raj

 

[PowerMacG5]

A hardware decoder uses, you guessed it, a piece of hardware (namely a PCI card) to decode. It has specific chips on the card to do different things. A software decoder uses a program that does the exact same thing as the hardware decoder, but at cheaper price. Today, most DVD drives are using software decoders because the high speed of todays computers can easily outperform the hardware decoders.

 

[slicksilver]

<< A hardware decoder uses, you guessed it, a piece of hardware (namely a PCI card) to decode. It has specific chips on the card to do different things. A software decoder uses a program that does the exact same thing as the hardware decoder, but at cheaper price. Today, most DVD drives are using software decoders because the high speed of todays computers can easily outperform the hardware decoders. >>



I'm not talking about dvd decoders mate.......I'm talking abt the ones which you use to convert analog film into digital film

Raj

 

[soundforbjt]

You'll need a hardware capture card to get the video into your computer. The software you're speaking of works in conjunction with the capture card (Adobe Premire, ULead VideoStudio etc.) Buy the best mpeg1 capture card you're budget allows if you want to burn to VCD.
The settings to burn to VCD are as follows: FrameRate: 29.97 fps, Resolution: 352 x 240, audio: 44100 16 bit stereo. This will alow you to burn a VCD in Nero. A hardware MPEG2 encoder is only good for SVCD's unless it allows you to capture in MPEG1. Hope this helps.

 

[PowerMacG5]

Sorry about saying DVD, but I believe the principle between the difference of a hardware and software decoder remains the same.

 

[imgod2u]

When capturing, I really suggest capturing in .avi using a lossless compression format, and then later converting. On-the-fly capturing, no matter how fast a machine or dedicated hardware, is bound to have a few jumps and skips along with some corrupt and drop frames. Just make sure you've got a big HD as lossless compression can take up a lot of space.

 

[Rand]

The difference is effectively that the hardware MPeg2 decoder will do all the processing and effects calculation right on board the card.
A software decoder only has significantly limited Mpeg2 decoding capabilities and relies mainly on the processor to do most of the actual decoding.

In effect, the hardware decoder takes the load off your processor and also tends to be faster then software decoders that rely upon the processor.

 

[slicksilver]

guys another question, is it stupid to copy a VHS to a DVD? .....how would it look on a DVD? I know the quality cannot be better but is it worth it?.......is there any program which can make old videos look better?

Raj