pana dvd-ram to computer?

[apaw]

hi

i have panasonic dmr-e30 and when i record on the dvd-ram and try to work on it on the computer dvd -r drive , the .vro files are not readable...especially in MAGIX movie to cd and dvd software

whats the recommended software,free if possible, that i will allow me advanced editing on the pc of .vro files?

thanks

[ncgoldwinger]

apaw,

I have an HS2 and do this all the time.

First you need to have a DVD drive in your PC that will read a DVD-RAM disc. I use the Toshiba 1712 in mine. I then copy the file to my hard drive. Once copied I change the filename extension to .mpg and then I import it into my choice of editing/authoring softwares. For most of my usage I use the TMPGEnc DVD program but you can import it into many other programs as well..

Regards,
Rick

[handyguy]

did you try renaming them to *.vob ?

there are other posts on this.

[Specialist]

i have panasonic dmr-e30 and when i record on the dvd-ram and try to work on it on the computer dvd -r drive , the .vro files are not readable. whats the recommended software,free if possible, that i will allow me advanced editing on the pc of .vro files?

Ulead VideoStudio offers DVD-VR support required to read the .VRO files.

The free trial download is here:

http://www.ulead.com/vs/trial.htm

For Ulead VIDEOSTUDIO 7:

1. Open Ulead VIDEOSTUDIO 7.0 and click FILE > CHANGE CAPTURE
PLUG-IN > ULEAD DVD-VR PLUG-IN.

2. Click the CAPTURE button step.

3. Click OPTIONS > VIDEO PROPERTIES.

4. Observe the dialogue box that allows you to browse to the location
of your DVD-RAM drive.

5. Click OK.

6. Click the CAPTURE VIDEO icon.

7. SELECT PLAYLIST dialogue appears.

8. Highlight the playlist you wish to edit and click NEXT.

9. Highlight the scene you wish to edit and click FINISH.

Now the .VRO file loads as an MPEG into your Ulead VIDEOSTUDIO 7.0
timeline for editing.

After you edit and then CREATE the final MPEG file, go to the EDIT
step and import the finished file and then click the EXPORT button and
then click ULEAD DVD-VR WIZARD.

This will then guide you through the steps to record the finished MPEG
back to the DVD-RAM disc in your DVD-RAM drive.

Now - to capture from a DVD-R disc - I use the same procedure in ULEAD
VideoStudio 7.

Except that instead of browsing to a DVD-RAM disc, I browse to the
location of the DVD-R disc.

I'm using Panasonic LF-D321 and Panasonic SW-9571 DVD-R/DVD-RAM/DVD-RW drives.

Panasonic's press release talks about this feature:

http://www.panasonic.com/industrial/computer/storage/dvdram/new/press/pr113.htm

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[classfour]

Although Ulead has some nice products, except for DVD Workshop with AC3 - they will not work with the .vro file produced by the E30 without re-encoding the audio. Before the Ulead supporters jump me: I have tried ver. 1 & 2 of DVD MF; Video Studio v. 5.0 and MediaStudio Director's Cut: All fine video editing/authoring products, but they require an extensive encoding period to provide a final result (DVD video with mpeg or pcm audio). The main problem with conventional methods are the audio and video get out of sync (I was cutting 0.48 sec from the beginning of each audio file to get back in sync with my video - setting an audio delay in ifoedit wouldn't work, as you couldn't set a negative delay). NeoDVD Plus left a noticeable pause in EACH and EVERY chapter point set: Which their own tech people said was normal, and wasn't being corrected - not to mention the long re-encoding times.

I have found (and purchased) the following programs to produce a DVD in a reasonable time frame - start to finish, including 2x burning, in under one hour:

1. The more expensive is DVD Lab ($ 89) and Womble MPEG2VCR ($125)
Use MPEG2VCR to open the movie (open mpeg movie, select ALL FILES
for file type) and edit it. Save the result to the hard drive. I'd
recommend de-muxing with MPEG2VCR - remember to save the audio
with an .ac3 extension. You can also use DVD Lab's demuxer, but it's
slower. DVD Lab has many features that aren't offered in any of the
consumer grade Ulead products, with a friendly interface and included
burner. For features, Oscar has an excellent product, but you must
have MPEG2VCR to overcome producing incompatible video.

2. TMPGEnc DVD Author ($68) will read the .vro file directly, copy it to
your hard drive, and allow you to edit the mpeg and author it in one
step. The latest version even includes a burner. Very stable,
development continues to improve the product. I look for it to catch up
with DVDLab eventually.

Both TMPGEnc DVD Author and DVD Lab work WITHOUT re-encoding your video. As long as your video is to DVD standards (even half D1 and Broadcast DVD standards) it will produce a usable final product. The quality IS EQUAL to the original, as it hasn't been altered.

ref: DVD Lab: www.mediachance.com
TMPGEnc DVD Author: www.pegasys-inc.com/e_main.html
MPEG2VCR: www.womble.com

I hope this helps a fellow "panny" owner. BTW: purchase a panny drive, the DVD-RAM compatibility is a plus - and is a nice means of editing your video in a completely digital manner.

[next]

Thanks classfour - great report. Mr. Jones gets it as well but the tools are a bit expensive but very effective.

My turn on this is Mpeg2Vcr. Great editing program because it handles vro files but even more importantly it handles ac3. And since they reduced the price it's a steal.

And of course DVD-Ram. Great option for those that want a lower cost DVR without a hard drive but want the tivo like functions of pause, rewind etc on a cheap disc while burning/capturing.

[classfour]

Thanks Next:

I felt that I had to step up: I've spent a ton in the pursuit of a means to import .vro files into my desktop for final DVD-R recording. I found the software that claims to import .vro files (with the exception of the TMPGEnc DVD Author and MPEG2VCR/DVD Lab combo) try to re-encode the video (very timely) to "DVD compliant video", but also re-encode the audio; sometimes resulting in a MUCH larger mpeg file (Sonic MyDVD, Ulead DVD MF 1 or 2), or in a resulting loss of quality (Neo DVD Plus).

If anyone really prefers the other programs, and are willing to tolerate the aspects of them that I disliked, please contact me: I'll sell you the original versions with COAs for a very reasonable price.

I hope this helps the other panny owners that've been down the rocky road of converting .vro files.

I'd still recommend spending the $68 on TMPGEnc right now, since it incorporates VRO support, retains the AC3 track, and now includes motion menus and DVD burner support (yes, it burns now) with the latest version. For a panny owner, this is inexpensive compared to DVD MF 2 or VS 7 and purchasing Nero with mpeg 2 support!!!

[Specialist]

Although Ulead has some nice products, except for DVD Workshop with AC3 - they will not work with the .vro file produced by the E30 without re-encoding the audio.

Not true.

Ulead MEDIASTUDIO PRO 7.0 - for example - includes a special LE version of Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2 that fully supports AC-3 encoding.

http://www.ulead.com/msp/runme.htm

Ulead DVD WORKSHOP AC-3 version also fully supports AC-3 audio encoding.

In addition, all Ulead authoring applications - will not touch the AC-3 audio - if one checks the DO NOT CONVERT COMPLIANT FILES box during the output stage.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[classfour]

Yes Jerry: I know DVD Workshop has AC3 encoding - at what price?

MSP7 (I have MSP 6.5 DC and it WON'T accept an AC3 audio stream)

is $ 475, (only $ 4 less than DVD Workshop with AC3) out of reach for

home DVD producers - professionals have to rely on a product; but there

are others in the $500 and over price range that compete very well

with Ulead.

What can one get for less than $100? DVD MF2, VS7. Neither have AC3

ability. The main draw to DVD Lab and TDA is they do not re-encode

anything, requiring less time to produce a final product - while retaining

the original quality.

Please don't treat me like I don't know Ulead: I've purchased from them

7 times - and have found tech support to be NEAR-NONEXISTENT!

They still haven't returned my last email, sent over a month ago. It took

them two weeks to advise me to re-install DVDMF1 - with a full description

of what was crashing my laptop - that didn't correct the problem ( I found

the video driver to be the cause).

I have yet to find a video stream that DVD MF 2 won't try to re-encode,

and it crashes every other time (defragged HDD, etc).

I downloaded the trial for DVD Workshop: It really isn't much better than

DVDMF2, and certainly isn't worth the extra money $279; and the AC3

version is $479, with boxed versions running $20 more.

For ease of use, speed of results, and a finalized DVD that will play in most

players, I'd recommend TMPGEnc DVD Author for $68; especially since

they added the burning feature. I burned a DVD 2 nights ago that plays

well, without any other software (like DVD MF2) - and has Dolby Digital

audio!

Not to hammer Ulead, but I've yet to get a product that didn't REQUIRE

updates to reach full functionality - something I expect on a BETA program

like DVD Lab. Oscar sells it at a discount with the caveat up front - Ulead

has always promised much: I purchased DVDMF2 expecting it to work

with DVD-RAM vro files, only to have it cram an oversized mpeg file with

mpeg audio on my HDD - losing the AC3 audio. Then it crashed upon

opening or authoring, as the mpeg file was not "DVD compliant".

Not even a peep from DVD Lab, MPEG2VCR or TMPGEnc DVD Author

(or Virtual Dub, etc) when opening the same video stream.

My last email to Ulead: UN-REGISTER all of my Ulead Video products, as I

don't (can't, won't) use them anymore. I'm tired of getting burned.

Anyone want to purchase several Ulead products? As soon as they get

back on the registration thing, mine are going on ebay.

[handyguy]

Why are you using dvd-ram disks? Why don't you select to make a dvd-r on your E30 & then put that disk in your computer & edit that video? Would that work easier?

[classfour]

Excellent question.

I want to edit on my PC. I use DVD-RAM because my E20 doesn't record
to DVD-RW (Panasonic). It also doesn't have a HDD. I switched to it last year after putting up with a Terapin VCD recorder; and really didn't have a PC set up for capture (still don't).

Some video that I've edited on the E20 still has "artifacts" present after
editing on the E20 - in the .vob files. These can be edited out with MPEG2VCR or TDA without much trouble. I may be a purist, but I don't
want even a blip on my final DVD.

Had I known then what I know now: I'd have bought the Philips unit and
hoped for a good one.

I've been steered many directions on the forums, but have reached my conclusions the hard (expensive) way.

[Specialist]

What can one get for less than $100? DVD MF2, VS7. Neither have AC3 ability.

Both Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2 ($49.95 box) and Ulead VideoStudio 7 ($99.95 box) ***DO NOT RE-ENCODE AC-3*** IF USED PROPERLY!

Apparently, you didn't know the correct method for using both

1. DVD MovieFactory 2

http://www.ulead.com/dmf/runme.htm

...and...

2. Ulead VideoStudio 7

http://www.ulead.com/vs/runme.htm

...to work with AC-3 files from the Panasonic devices.

While both Ulead applications do not have the native ability to CONVERT NON AC-3 audio sources into MPEGs with AC-3 audio...

...they do *NOT* re-encode unedited, AC-3 SOURCE MPEGs when burning to disc IF ONE FOLLOWS THE CORRECT STEPS.

In my test, done just a few minutes ago, I succeeded in burning an AC-3 DVD-RW using Ulead VideoStudio 7's disc authoring module.

1. I opened ULEAD VideoStudio 7.0;

2. I clicked SHARE > CREATE DISC;

3. I clicked the button in the far lower left hand corner of the disc authoring module;

4. I clicked DISC TEMPLATE MANAGER;

These were the settings I chose:

MPEG files
24 Bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Field Order A
(DVD-NTSC), 4:3
Video data rate: 8000 kbps
LPCM Audio, 48 KHz, Stereo

5. I then clicked CLOSE;

6. I then clicked the SECOND button in the lower left hand corner of the disc authoring module;

7. I checked to make certain the PROJECT SETTINGS were as follows:

MPEG files
24 Bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Field Order A
(DVD-NTSC), 4:3
Video data rate: 8000 kbps
LPCM Audio, 48 KHz, Stereo

8. I then UNCHECKED and then RECHECKED the DO NOT CONVERT COMPLIANT MPEG FILES box;

9. I then clicked the ADD VIDEO button and imported an MPEG-2 file with AC-3 audio;

10. I right mouse clicked on the file and then clicked MEDIA CLIP PROPERTIES to observe the following properties of this file:

FILE FORMAT: NTSC DVD
FILE SIZE: 27,542 KB
DURATION: 26.94 seconds
VIDEO TYPE: MPEG-2 Video, Field A
TOTAL FRAMES: 806 Frames
ATTRIBUTES: 24 Bits, 720 x 480
FRAME RATE: 29.97
DATA RATE: 8000KBPS
AUDIO TYPE: DOLBY DIGITAL AUDIO
TOTAL SAMPLES: 1,290,891 Samples
ATTRIBUTES: 48,000hz
BIT RATE: 256kbps

11. I clicked the NEXT button and configured the menu;

12. I clicked the NEXT button and I watched the preview; the sound was not audible (normal with AC-3);

13. I clicked the NEXT button and checked the RECORD TO DISC box;

14. I then clicked the OUTPUT icon and the burning process initiated and completed;

15. To test that the AC-3 audio had been passed through to the disc successfully - IN SPITE OF THE LACK OF OFFICIAL AC-3 SUPPORT - I then selected Ulead VideoStudio 7's DVD-VR capture plug-in and browsed to the Video_TS folder on the burned disc;

16. The burned MPEG file then appeared and it VERIFIED that the file's audio was AC-3 DOLBY DIGITAL.

So in the spirit of accurate reporting, I would ask you to open your mind to the possibility that you were unable to burn AC-3 audio using VideoStudio and DVD MovieFactory because either...

a. You did not have your project settings set correctly;

b. You did not check the DO NOT CONVERT COMPLIANT MPEG FILES box;

c. You attempted to author the file from the VIDEOSTUDIO TIMELINE (a method that will *not* pass the AC-3 audio through successfully);

d. You first EDITED the MPEG.

Any of the above four conditions will result in failure to pass the AC-3 audio through successfully.

But anybody who wants to test objectively will note that both...

...Ulead VideoStudio 7...

and

...Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2...

...WILL NOT RE-ENCODE AC-3 FILES IF USED PROPERLY!

As for Ulead tech support, they are excellent in my opinion.

I have been able to reach them successfully each and every time I've tried to contact them using the standard telephone number...

...Call 1 (310) 896-6391, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm PST...

...or...

...by filling out the official tech support form here:

http://www.ulead.com/tech/suppform.htm

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Specialist]

By the way, I did my testing with an AC-3 file that was created using the AC-3 encoder in Ulead MediaStudio Pro.

The only difference I can see between this AC-3 MPEG file and the files recorded by the Panasonic devices is frame size.

My file is 720 x 480.

As I recall, the Panasonic DMR-E30 that I tested several months ago produced 704 x 480 files.

So one should adjust one's project settings accordingly and there should be no re-encoding.

If you send me a DVD-RAM disc recorded in your Panasonic unit, I'll test it to make certain there is no difference.

If there is a difference, then I'll eat my hat.



Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Specialist]

There is a review written by a fellow user of Ulead MediaStudio Pro that explains the encode/re-encode logic of the Ulead editors and DVD authoring applications.

It is located here:

http://www.matroxusers.com/mreviews.php?op=showcontent&id=6

Scroll down to the bottom of the page at the above link, and then click the drop-down arrow to 'jump' to the section called SMART RENDER IN DEPTH.

1. Constant bit rate files, whether multiplexed or elemental will only smart render (not re-encode) if bit rate settings are exactly the same for each file and the project template is set accordingly;

2. If you import elemental stream VBR video, or create one in the time line by splitting the audio and video of a multiplexed video, MS Pro 7 will only smart render (not re-encode) if all files were encoded using the same encoder and with the same settings;

3. When using multiplexed (system) VBR files created in TMPGEnc or MediaStudio Pro 7, MediaStudio Pro 7 will smart render (not re-encode) these files if you select a bit rate at least as high as the highest file in the time line, select VBR, and select the correct field/frame option.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[macleod]

I have begun archiving my home movies and am using the E20 to do it. I "discovered" that the E20 (like the E30) records DVD-R discs to 704x480. When I try to import them into MF2 or MyDVD, it doesnt like it and wants to reencode to 720x480.

I just want to take the home movie that I burned onto DVDR and pop it into another DVD player (I even tried with my apex 1100W which will play a cookie) and play it. I have tried to use dvd decrypter to rip as ISO and then burn back, I have tried to use DVD shrink. Finally I used DVD2svcd to reencode the thing to 720x480 and then burn to DVD-R with MF2.

Does anyone know of a way that I can get one of these 704x480 DVD-Rs to go into MF2 (or other app) so that it will play correctly on a standalone DVD player (ps it plays just fine on my software player)?

I am planning on doing some searchs (thats how I found this post) and see if I can figure it out, but it sounds like the people in this post have already found "the way" to do it.

[Specialist]

When I try to import them into MF2 or MyDVD, it doesnt like it and wants to reencode to 720x480.

Here is how to solve the problem.

Do you see the button in the lower left hand corner of Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2?

1. Click the button;

2. Click DISC TEMPLATE MANAGER;

3. Click the EDIT button;

4. Click the GENERAL tab;

5. Click the drop-down arrow and adjust the frame size to 704 x 480;

6. Set your video bitrate to match the VBR properties of your Panasonic DMR-E20 file. For example, if you click the IMPORT DVD VIDEO button to import a Panasonic clip into your Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2 chapter list, right mouse click on the file and select MEDIA CLIP PROPERTIES and observe what the bit rate of the file is - then set your DISC TEMPLATE MANAGER to match;

6. Click the second button in the lower left hand corner - the button with the large CHECK mark on it;

7. When the PROJECT SETTINGS pop-up appears, click the CHANGE MPEG SETTINGS button;

8. Next click CUSTOMIZE;

9. Set your frame size to 704 x 480 and make certain all of your other settings match those that you set for the DISC TEMPLATE MANAGER;

10. Check the box that says DO NOT CONVERT COMPLIANT MPEG FILES;

11. Click the OUTPUT button to burn the disc.

In this way, your Panasonic DMR-E20 MPEG-2 files will be recorded to disc without conversion.

Try it.

If you do it correctly, you'll see that the video and the audio will be burned to disc without any re-encoding.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[dave5461]

I use a Panasonic DMR-E10 for capture and recording onto DVD-RAM. In my computer I installed a Toshiba 1610 DVD-ROM drive and use it to copy the file into the hard drive without changing the file extention. I open the file folder with TMPEG DVD Author (for file type select "all files"), open the "Movie" file and start editing. So far I backed up dozens of SVHS recordings and edited some off the air programs with success.
Note: burning the edited program onto DVD is also very simple with the latest version of TMPEG DVD Author.
Good luck

[macleod]

thank y'all for the replies. I am going to give it a shot. I was completely looking at this the wrong way. I attributed the issue to not playing in my standalone dvd player (other than the E-20). I know think the problem is that when it finalizes in the E20, it doesnt have the DVD structure necessary to play in "normal" dvd players (i.e. doesnt have the correct folders). It actually may have nothing to do with the 704x480 piece as it IS a valid DVD resolution.

I am going to give that a shot and see where it leads me. Thanks again for your information.

Outside of editing, does DVD-RAM give you anything over DVD-R?

[next]

I think you may be heading in the wrong direction. If you do in fact finalize your disk on your DVD recorder it should be playable on ove 97% of DVD players.

[Specialist]

As I recall from my work with the Panasonic DMR-E30, there was no need to finalize DVD-RAM discs.

Only DVD-R discs recorded by the Panasonic DMR-E30 - as I recall - required finalization.

The DMR-E20 - or the DMR-E10 - only records to DVD-RAM.

So if you have a DVD-RAM drive on your computer, you can insert the DVD-RAM disc and then pull the raw MPEGs into DVD MovieFactory 2 using the IMPORT DVD button.

Then you can format your menus and burn to DVD-R for sharing with others who have regular stand alone players.

There is an advantage to DVD-RAM besides ease of editing.

DVD-RAM can be re-written 100,000 times.

That's pretty good compared to DVD+RW or DVD-RW, which both can only be re-written 1,000 times.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[next]

With all due respect the the the DMR-E20 does record to DVD-R.

Please make sure of your understanding before you offer advice.

It is not limited to DVD-Ram recording.

[next]

As I recall from my work with the Panasonic DMR-E30, there was no need to finalize DVD-RAM discs.

Only DVD-R discs recorded by the Panasonic DMR-E30 - as I recall - required finalization.

The DMR-E20 - if I remember correctly - only records to DVD-RAM.

So if you have a DVD-RAM drive on your computer, you can insert the DVD-RAM disc and then pull the raw MPEGs into DVD MovieFactory 2 using the IMPORT DVD button.

Then you can format your menus and burn to DVD-R for sharing with others who have regular stand alone players.

There is an advantage to DVD-RAM besides ease of editing.

DVD-RAM can be re-written 100,000 times.

That's pretty good compared to DVD+RW or DVD-RW, which both can only be re-written 1,000 times.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

Not trying to be rude here.

But the DMR-E20 does in fact record to DVD-R. The challenge with the DMR-E20 is that it does not offer flex recording using the remote control.

And by the way it records to DVD-Ram very well. Of course I'm only guessing. But take my word for it because I own one. And a DMR-E30 but thats for later.

[next]

And I'm not trying to get banned for this comment.

But there is never a need to "finalize" a DVD-Ram disk.

[next]

As I recall from my work with the Panasonic DMR-E30, there was no need to finalize DVD-RAM discs.

Only DVD-R discs recorded by the Panasonic DMR-E30 - as I recall - required finalization.

The DMR-E20 - if I remember correctly - only records to DVD-RAM.

So if you have a DVD-RAM drive on your computer, you can insert the DVD-RAM disc and then pull the raw MPEGs into DVD MovieFactory 2 using the IMPORT DVD button.

Then you can format your menus and burn to DVD-R for sharing with others who have regular stand alone players.

There is an advantage to DVD-RAM besides ease of editing.

DVD-RAM can be re-written 100,000 times.

That's pretty good compared to DVD+RW or DVD-RW, which both can only be re-written 1,000 times.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

You are confusing the DMR-E20 with the DMR-E10. The DMR-E10 can only record on DVD-Ram. Plop in that in your memory bank so you can sound educated on the Panansonic product. It get's confusing I know but hopefully I helped.

[Specialist]

With all due respect the the the DMR-E20 does record to DVD-R.

Please make sure of your understanding before you offer advice.

It is not limited to DVD-Ram recording.

As I said, I was relying on my memory.

One of the Panasonic player/recorder models - perhaps it was the DMR-E10 - only recorded to DVD-RAM.

No need to be unfriendly.

I did work with the DMR-E30 model.

There was no need to finalize a DVD-RAM disc.

That was the point I was attempting to make.

In addition, my points about how to extract the raw MPEGs from DVD-RAM discs and burn them without re-encoding were - and are - accurate, which was the initial inquiry of this thread.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Specialist]

By the way, when it comes to the task of extracting MPEGs recorded on the Panasonic player/recorders using Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2, the disc type - DVD-RAM or DVD-R - is not even important.

Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2 will extract the raw MPEGs in exactly the same way from BOTH disc types - via the IMPORT DVD button command.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[classfour]

Jerry:

FYI: I wasn't encoding anything - I was looking for a program that would
accept a DVD-RAM vro file recorded on my E20 (704x480, broadcast DVD)
without wasting a ton of time on re-encoding. As DVDMF2 (I never purchased VS7 - the info I used IS ON ULEADs WEBSITE) wouldn't use
the "higher than 8500 bps or so" video stream recorded on the E20, it would re-encode every time - loosing the AC3 stream in the process.
If you don't believe me: Purchase a panny recorder and get familiar with
the trials of video transfer.

The bitrate the E20 encodes to in two hour mode is higher than Ulead DVD MF2 can accept; the one hour mode is true 720 x 480, but again
is still at a higher bitrate than DVDMF can handle without encoding.

You could use the 4 hour mode - going to near VHS quality - But Why?

I use TMPGEnc DVD Author because it works seamlessly.

I use MPEG2VCR and DVDLab for the same reason. I did find that you
couldn't edit the vro file successfully and dump it into DVD Lab without
sometimes having problems - the time codes got messed up. Using MPEG2VCR fixed this.

Thanks for the excellent schooling on panasonic products and using the
DVD-RAM media for video transfers; however, you may want to buy one or bone up on the subject before advising us poor lost persons trying to
use pannys instead of capture cards.

I admit that you're quite the whiz with Ulead's stuff - are you a sales agent for them, too?

I only wanted to help people before they went out and ordered software
that wouldn't work with the panny easily.

My 2 cents

[macleod]

thanks everyone for y'alls help. I am currently pulling in the video to MF2 at 704x480. I'll restart my question and see if someone can tell me what the issue is.

I am recording VHs to DVD-R using princo media (princo's work find on my 1100W apex on backups). When I complete a capture and finalize the DVD-R it will ONLY play in the E20.

I cant throw it into the apex and have it play. It will bring up the menu for the movie, I'll press the play button for the first chapter and it will play the first frame, then about 1 minute or so later it will play a frame a little further down in the movie (the frame looks fine, but I wasnt wanting a slideshow LOL).

If I use DVd2one or dvdshrink and reod it, it still doesnt work. If I do an ISO image with dvddecrypter it doesnt work. From my analysis, I was thinking it was the resolution for some reason. If I pull the video down mpeg using CCE (resize to 720x480 or 352x480) and then pull into MF2 and burn. It plays just fine.

From reading a lot of posts on the E20, it sounds like it plays just fine for other folks. Dont know if its media or if its something that I am or am not doing when I set things up to record on the E20. I finalize the disk and there are no problems. plays on the computer just fine, etc. I am pretty confused by this. Anyway, like I mentioned I am pulling the raw data into MF2 right now and will see how it turns out.

[faithfoo]

I am using a DVD RAM disc by the HItachi DVD RAN video camera
'Can I verify that I definitely have to get a DVD ROM drive that is DVD RAM compataible ?

[dave5461]

Get a Toshiba DVD ROM drive (Model 1610 or 1810). They both will read DVD-RAM disks and everything else.
Good luck