MST3K encoding settings in Virtualdub - DrTed audio: MP3 128 kb/s stereo 16 bit also helps to eq a little of the high end off (you can run the stereo out from your mixer or equalizer before reaching your computer), or use software noise reduction if necessary.. video: Microsoft MPEG4v2 (settings: crispness 75-80, bit rate 870-900) Note on the longer ~98 min. episodes from the early seasons, a bit rate of 820-830 may be necessary. (this may require some experimentation) VirtualDub filters: deinterlace (default settings) levels - chop off the video's pure black and pure white, then adjust the middle fader to get an even range of black to white.  make sure you use the intro/host segments as "the true" calibration setting with only minor tweaks for the specific movie.  this is because it seems BBI has adjusted their movies' blacks so as to keep the theater silhouettes visible in dark scenes.  so unfortunately no movie will ever be calibrated properly, the blacks are always lighter in the movie.  so all you can do is calibrate to the host segments with minor adjustments if necessary. hue/saturation/intensity as needed.... smart smoother (diameter 7 is the best), strength 30-40 - to figure out the proper strength setting for your tape, calibrate in close up, mid range, and long distance shots.  it helps to start with the slider all the way to the left, look at an area of flesh on someone's face.  note the video noise.  start bringing the slider right until the noise disappears, and no further.  the ideal value is actually different depending on how far the camera is from the subject (closeups have different thresholds of what looks good), so you will have to make a tradeoff and I would recommend favoring mid-range shots as this is the predominant shot in a movie (2 or more characters, waist-up field of view).  this is a powerful filter and it's easy to overuse it.  my rule of thumb is, if my strength is above 40, it's too high.  however, it should be noted that you should keep your diameter at 7.  it just looks the best in the final video.  this should go after your level and color adjustment but before your noise reduction. dynamic noise reduction as zathras ars said, you shouldn't have to use this much after the smart smooth.  i keep it around 5 or less...  this goes AFTER smart smooth and levels. crop and resizeapply a resize filter and set it to your final output size. then click on crop with the resize filter selected. trim any distorted edges, as little as possible, and hit ok. logo i put this last.  here are the settings.  r:24 g:24 b:24 tolerance:7 alpha: 250 note: the MST3K DAP logo can be found in .BMP format (needed for the logo plugin) here