Memories Of Video

I had something vaguely similar, though I didn't use the software that came with it as it only let you capture at certain bitrates (I think 8mbps MPEG-2 with 256k AC-3 audio was the highest quality the software used), whereas using other software I was able to capture at a higher quality (in DV format- 25mbps video and uncompressed audio), then compressed the DV file down with Adobe Premiere Elements for making DVD copies- much higher quality than doing the real-time MPEG encoding in the software, and more control over the bitrates (using 2-pass VBR).

I used to have a TV capture card that accepted RF input so it was relatively easy just to play it into the computer, trim/edit it in VirtualDub, and then squirt it to DVD, and being able to do it with Nero.

This was back in the day when Nero came with either every computer or it came bundled with a drive, whichever applied. Fond memories of Nero 6 since it was pretty much the best version of Nero they ever made before they started hiding parts of it behind paywalls...

Hmm. Wonder if that was to prevent high quality copies


RF modulator. Takes me back to tuning my old 14 in Panasonic tv In to an rf feed to pick up sky in my bedroom.

Always preferred Roxio myself. Felt it had more “tweakabilty”

Does anyone have experience of D-VHS?

apart from watching this, no:

It was that video that gave me the idea.

Aha, it's one of his best ones.

I do remember hearing that D-VHS could potentially record a whole multiplex, but no manufacturer was going to build in that functionality presumably for legal reasons. I don't think it had a very long life or any significant usage

Not having a technical mind I struggle to understand how it would possible to record 5 or 6 channels onto one tape simultaneously.

Let me try and explain .... not that it actually was done commercially
In the Uk a DTT non HD multiplex is around 24 to 26 Mbits/ sec
A DVHS system running in HS mode is 28 Mbit/sec
and records a MPEG transport stream which is what a Mux is .
So any SD mux can be recorded ... and they can be 14 tv channels ...
( list of what is in which mux ...just press the mux column
https://www.freeview.co.uk/corporate/platform-management/channel-listings )
So for instance BBC A has about 7 tv channels uk wide radio and local national radio
And Red Button text.

A bit rough explanation ... but I think you can see that the amount
Of data that DVHS can record is about the same as a DTT mux using DVB T
HD muxes are over 40Mbit/s using DVB T2


Back to normal video recording...
D VHS but rate was similar to the DVC pro ( Panasonic )and DVCam (Sony) systems
But a bigger cassette ..., ..JVC s answer you may think
BBC Bristol used DVHS on Antiques Road show,

I think I understand. The bandwidth would have been just enough to hold the mux.

Solution to understanding anything technological: Think of it as a bodge. For it often is, technically, although its not a bodge in the proper sense of the word.

Or just nod and smile politely.

Yes, recording the whole transport stream rather than just one bit of it, as a PVR does.


You can do the same thing in software - record the whole TS and then select between the services on playback - VLC can do the latter. I once had a Psion Wavefinder DAB receiver hooked up to my PC, I think that could save a whole DAB mux