Digital video to DVD

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

Had a bit of a search but couldnt find anything on this subject so I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I have a JVC digital video and a load of old tapes to go with it and want to convert them to DVD to watch on the LCD tv. I've bought a firewire cable and connected the camera to the computer and captured video using Windows Movie Maker but thats as far as I can get before I start to get out of my depth.

It seems that if I select the avi option it produces a file that my burning software cant recognise and I get warnings about bad file codes and names etc. I presume this is because avi is meant to be transferred back to tape once editing is complete? I also assume mpeg is OK for computer viewing but not the best for watching on a big screen tv?

I'm not wanting to compete against Hollywood but I would like to ensure the footage is stored on a more long format than the existing tape and I would also like to start making use of the camera again, especially with a trip up to Rudall River just over the horizon. It seems that for my needs, something like Pinnacle is the go is that correct, or will Windows Movie Maker do the same trick and I just have to work a little harder to get it to do what I want?

Its all rather confusing. :roll: :?: ops:

[Golly Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Golly]

Re: Digital video to DVD

Had a bit of a search but couldnt find anything on this subject so I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I have a JVC digital video and a load of old tapes to go with it and want to convert them to DVD to watch on the LCD tv. I've bought a firewire cable and connected the camera to the computer and captured video using Windows Movie Maker but thats as far as I can get before I start to get out of my depth.

It seems that if I select the avi option it produces a file that my burning software cant recognise and I get warnings about bad file codes and names etc. I presume this is because avi is meant to be transferred back to tape once editing is complete? I also assume mpeg is OK for computer viewing but not the best for watching on a big screen tv?

I'm not wanting to compete against Hollywood but I would like to ensure the footage is stored on a more long format than the existing tape and I would also like to start making use of the camera again, especially with a trip up to Rudall River just over the horizon. It seems that for my needs, something like Pinnacle is the go is that correct, or will Windows Movie Maker do the same trick and I just have to work a little harder to get it to do what I want?

Its all rather confusing. :roll: :?: ops:

I have asked my guru mate, and he believes mpeg should be ok to watch on a home LCD, as long as you do not compress the file when your saving it. Leave it at its original size. The more you compress, the poorer the quality.
I too want to convert some VHS to DVD, have a few good movies to convert over as we do not use VHS anymore at home. So did you go straight from your camera via firewire to PC. Looks like I have to get video capture card for my PC to plug the VHS into via a yellow video RCA. Bugga :evil:

[sparksy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sparksy]

Re: Digital video to DVD

I just copied my old VHS onto DVD by using my DVD recorder thats connected to my TV. Just connected up the camera to the AV inputs and set the recorder input to AV then pressed play and record. Worked well got about two hours at high quality onto a 4 Gig DVd and it plays back on most dvd players. Just remember to finalise the disk after recording.

[Golly Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Golly]

Re: Digital video to DVD

Dont have the dollars to buy a dvd recorder, cannot warrant it seeing most of my work is on PC, much easier for me that way. TV Capture card for me would be alot cheaper surely :cry:

[bgreeni Member Find all posts View Profile Close bgreeni]

Re: Digital video to DVD

I use a program called adobe Premier. It is not cheap to buy but it can do just about anything you want with video editing and writing it all to DVD

[Grey Nomad Member Find all posts View Profile Close Grey Nomad]

Re: Digital video to DVD

Hi

Try MAGIX
It is very versatile, a bit frustrating at times but excellent value at just $50.00.
A free trial can be downloaded.