VPX10 v16.0.2.322

I have done quite a bit of recording from VHS cassettes in the past using Roxio and then VPX. In both cases, I am using a Roxio SCART/RCA adapter. I noticed that my captures were usually mpg 720x480. However, I see in this post that John EB recommends 640x480. My VHS cassettes are all NTSC.

There are various recording formats available in VPX. See below:

The questions are, which one to choose and what should the Project Settings be?

The goal is to create DVD's.

The defaults are:

MXV: VHS quality gives 352x240 by default (Video norm is NTSC so 29.97 fps)

MXV: DVD quality gives 720x480 by default

MPEG: DVD gives 720x480i - thus interlaced

MPEG: User defined gives 720x480p - thus progressive

For the MXV cases, the resolution can be changed by clicking on the Configuration button.

For MPEG, the resolution can only be changed by clicking on the Advanced button then under Settings, the Format button.

I recorded several cassettes using MPEG user defined default at 720x480p. The project settings are 720x480 4:3 29.97.

When I import an MPG onto the timeline, properties 720x480, the image is elongated. Checking Effects, Size/Position, the Size is 720x360. Why?

With Maintain properties unchecked (strangely, it was unchecked by default), if I click on Original size, I get 853x427. If I click on Movie Size, I now get 720x480.

Next, I used MPEG: User defined and changed the resolution to 640x480 and recorded from the VHS. When I import this onto the timeline, the image is also elongated, and the Size is also 720x360. Clicking on original size also gives 853x427 (why?), Movie size gives, of course, 720x480.

 If I change the size to 640x480 and centre it, there is, of course, blank space on either side of the image.

It's hard to tell which one is correct, 640x480 or 720x480, by looking at the screen.

Why do I get the same thing for MPEG recorded at 720x480 as 640x480?

Should I be recording at 720x480 or 640x480 or something else?

Which is better, MXV or MPG?

If I record at 640x480, then in VPX, should I change the size to 640x480?

If the resolution is 640x480, this is not a standard project resolution. Any attempt to change the project resolution to this, causes a crash.

Edit: I see that I have recorded some at 720x480 (16:9). How I don't know, but I see that others have mentioned this happening. When I import into MEP, I get a warning about this, not so in VPX. In MEP, if I accept to change to 16:9, the video comes in at 720x480 instead of 720x360. In VPX, if I import the video, the size is 720x360 as indicated above. If I change the project settings to 16:9, I get a crash. Bug? If I change the project settings at the beginning to 16:9, no problem.

Thanks,

John CB