With these chioces, what should I use?

[Nozmo]

I have somehow amassed a load of different programs for capturing, editing and (I believe) posting to DVD. I’ve been tinkering around with different programs and I was hoping I could get input from experienced users on what program to use for what function. I have the following setup:

Hardware:
P4 3.06
512 dual channel RAM
ATI AIW 128
Firewire card
Sony TRV 250 Camcorder

Software:
ATI’s software MMC 8 (I think)
Pinnacle Studio 8
ULead VideoStudio 6 SE Basic
Adobe Premiere 6.5
VirtualDub


I will be doing two different things:

1.) Downloading video from my TRV250, making very simple cuts and maybe add titles then Burn to DVD.
2.) Download old VHS video, make the same edits and publish to DVD.

So far I’ve read LoardSurfs suggestions on capturing using the MMC TV recorder. But to be honest, I’m still pretty overwhelmed by the options.

Should I capture using Firewire to an AVI format or go right to an MPG format and at what resolution and what compression if any for the new Digital video and use the S-Video for the VHS stuff?

Should I edit using ????? program?

I should publish with what program and at what resolution for 4:3 TV viewing?

Thanks,

p.s What is a .m2v file and why when I publish to DVD with Premiere does it create 2 different files M2V and Wav?

[MrMungus]

I'd capture using either the Firewire card + a software MPEG-2 encoder (e.g., Ulead DVD MovieFactory) or using the AIW input.

Then just take that MPEG-2 file over to TMPGEnc DVD Author, add the chapters you want, cut off the ends, and remove the commercials, etc., and create the DVD (VOB). It doesn't edit the file, just writes to the VOBs what you've selected and ignores the rest.

Easier than you thought, huh?