"Zig" <ziggyloid@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message

news:xJExb.85$Tm6.184856@newsfep2-gui.server.ntli.net...

> Can anyone tell me how i can get a decent capture from video to make a 10

> inch by 8 inch photograph, what programme or card would i use?

Your standards for quality for an 8x10 print from a frame-grab from

even the best video footage would need to be VERY low - but if you

want to maximize print image quality from video, here is how to do it:

either shoot PS-mode (if possible, though it will ruin your motion-video

image), or select a frame for best sharpness and least interlacing ("comb"

effect), or shoot stills to memory medium while shooting video (which

can give the best quality with some cameras). Process the image in a

good photo editor program (I like Micrografx Picture Publisher - cheap,

good, and easy to use) to optimize color, tone, and sharpness characteristics

for printing, then up-size the file with a program called Genuine Fractals

(BTW, I have a spare copy for $30 + shipping), which does an amazing

job of increasing the file size and apparent resolution with minimal

artifacting. Decent 5x7s from good original video material is possible, but

8x10s are a bit of a stretch. BTW, if I remember to do it, I will soon add

the image files from a couple of up-sampled interlaced frame-grabs (from a

recent wedding that I used as DVD cover images) to the VX2000 review

on my web page at www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/sony_dcr-vx2000.htm.

You can grab these and try to print them and see what you think...

--

David Ruether

d_ruether@hotmail.com

http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com