VGZ file converter

[tonie 0]

Dear all,

Does anybody know software to convert the .vgz file to other video format with smallest size? Thanks

[rory 0]

something i googled

http://www.moviecodec.com/topics/24539p1.html

 

and this download here ... (click Scarica to download)

http://www.digiview.it/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_details&gid=26

[tonie 0]

Thanks Rory for your reply.

But my problem is to cut the amount of DVD blank media to backup those VGZ file. For a day I spend 7 DVDs. I wonder if I could cut this off till 1 or 2 DVDs.

[rory 0]

well there is a command line compression program called 7zip ..

http://www.7-zip.org/

 

if you're good with scripting or making exe's you could make something to do that for you ..

 

BUT .. its probably not going to compress them much more, and even so, compressing a DVD size file takes a long time .. let alone 7 of them (28gb?) .

 

Might have to look at another method.

[kensplace 0]

what about rewritable dvds? Get a months worth, or however long you need the backups for and recycle them. Course, its no good if you need them permanantly, or have not got time to spend burning them as they take longer to burn than a standard dvd.

[phred 0]

Dear all,

Does anybody know software to convert the .vgz file to other video format with smallest size? Thanks

 

 

If the vgz files are from a DVR then they are almost certainly Chateau Technical's proprietry H.264 codec video files.

 

If not then disregard the rest of this.

 

Several manufacturers use these capture boards in their DVRs. The software includes a player called Vg player or something similar. Check and see if you have it already.

 

If not try a search for Vg player – any re badged player will do, they all use the same codec.

 

 

The player should have a menu item 'Tools' - 'VG to AVI' that allows conversion to any avi format – just install the codec you want. You can also save it out uncompressed but be careful as compression ratio is very high - 1Mb .vgz may be 400Mb plus uncompressed.

 

Conversion to most avi codecs is slow – fastest by far is the Xvid codec. For slightly larger file size you will get near perfect copies - so turn the quality/ data rate down in Xvid for smaller file size.

 

 

That said, from your post it sounds like you are backing up a whole days continuous recordings at a high frame rate from 4 or 8 cameras. Conversion to any other video format for all of it would take days, as it uses your CPU . By comparison the hardware compression chips on the dvr board that created the .vgz file are many times faster at handling video.

 

Converting vgz files to avi is rather pointless if you are hoping to collect video as evidence. The time code on the original video is security protected and will deliberately not appear on converted video. Otherwise converted avi could be opened in a video editor where all sorts of tricks could be performed. You need the original vgz file for evidence.

 

The vgz player app allows you to do motion searches of the video file for the interesting bits and editing tools that allow you to cut out and save those sections. Also the DVR software usually includes a setting to allow you to record extra video clips on motion alarms so you may only need to backup these. Motion detection is not a perfect science but nothing can guarantee 100% that you will get that all important face shot.

 

If you are using the type of DVR I think you are, then it can record continuously at highest quality for several weeks on a big drive. If you combine that with motion alarm recordings backed up on DVD then you are achieving more than most in ensuring your chances of detection.

 

regards

phred

 

 

PS The digiview link that Rory suggests is the correct player

[tonie 0]

So many thank for all your support. You 're all help me so much.

[phred 0]

Tonie,

 

You will find Chateau Technical's site here

http://www.vguard.net/E_download_vgcard.htm

 

They produce the cards and software.

 

You won't be able to download anything right now but watch over the next

few weeks for the release of version 5 of their software with

improvements and added features.

 

They do not just buy in cards with an SDK and write a GUI.

Their expertise is in DSP engineering and compression technology,

particularly H.264, so any improvements should be worthwhile.

[moreilly 0]

Hello, i just joined this forum after reading these q &a's. We are the Sole Master distributor of Chateau products in North America. if we can help in anyway let us know.

ionitusa

 

thanks.

Mike