[FFmpeg-user] Capture HDV and S-Video from tape via HDMI-USB to 422 FFV1

[Terje J. Hanssen]

I ask here for ffmpeg feedback on two capture setups from video tape 
playback to 422 ffv1.mkv in realtime.

Setup 1) HDV playback/HDMI out -> HDMI-USB3/ms2130 capture -> 
ffmpeg/v4l2 -> 422 FHD FFV1/MKV

According to S.Mullen's handbook for the camcorder (FX7E here):

    According to Sony, the EIP works at 1920x1080 in a 4:2:2 colorspace.
    V1 and FX7 provide an HDMI output port that carries uncompressed
    4:2:2, 8-bit, digital video plus dual-channel PCM, 16-bit, 48kHz
    audio. If you are playing a 1080i50 HDV tape: the 4:2:0 MPEG-2 is
    decoded and chroma up-scaled to a 4:2:2. The HDMI chip downscales
    1440 to 1280 while it up-scales 540 to 720. The result is 720p50
    output via HDMI.


A preliminary test with FX7 camera (not HDV 1080i/MP2 tape playback) and 
another ms2109 capture card, supported 422 FHD 1920x1080p at just 5 fps 
using this command line:

    ffmpeg -hide_banner -f alsa -ac 2 -i hw:CARD=MS2109,DEV=0 -f v4l2
    -framerate 25 -video_size 1920x1080 -i /dev/video0 -codec:v ffv1
    -level 3 -codec:a pcm_s16le -f matroska video-out_ffv1.mkv



Setup 2) PAL S-video playback -> TBC -> ADC/HDMI adapter -> 
HDMI-USB3/ms2130 capture -> ffmpeg/v4l2 -> 422 FFV1/MKV

The PAL S-video/AFM HiFi playback can be

  * Hi8 tape playback/S-video out from a Sony TR2000E camcorder or a
    S880E Hi8 deck
  * S-VHS playback from a Panasonic NV-HS1000 S-VHS deck


A preliminary, fictive test trying the FX7 camera to HDMI instead, 
managed 422 video at 720x576 and 25 fps using this command line

    ffmpeg -hide_banner -f alsa -ac 2 -i hw:CARD=MS2109,DEV=0 -f v4l2
    -framerate 25 -video_size 720x576 -i /dev/video0 -codec:v ffv1
    -level 3 -codec:a pcm_s16le -f matroska video-out_ffv1.mkv


I am somewhat unsure if the above are optimal ffmpeg codes and should 
like to get clarified what input/output format definitions (standards 
PAL, resolution, colors, framerates etc) that are neccesary and 
recommended, when here are both a source tape playback device and video 
out via HDMI and ADC or HDMI-USB card?

Earlier playback has showed a bit flickering at the top and bottom 
horizontal line of the S-video 720x576. Possibly these can be cropped 
away with ffmpeg crop filter, or optional map or crop the whole 4:3 
video image to 16:9. Suggestions?