Movies to either video CD or DVD

[johnnybiggles]

Hi folks, it's me, another newbie with a conversion issue:

I have a whole bunch of video files I would like to have on SOME sort of disc viewable on my TV. At this point, I don't really care if it's DVD or VCD, since today I learned that some of them actually play from the CD-R's that I have them on. Only thing is, I can't FF or Rewind only skip to the next one that the DVD player can read, which isn't all of them on the disc because I guess they are not all MPEGs or whatever it needs to be to be read. So far, I have tried to convert some WMV files and some ASF files (most of the videos i want are WMV's and ASF's) and have had NO success and here's what I mean:

The files I converted to VCD or SVCD formats NTSC or PAL are waay to big to even fit on a CD, So, I'm thinking... WHAT's THE POINT of the conversion if it can't fit on a CD??? I don't even see the option to burn these to DVD either, only to burn a data DVD, burn a video CD or simply burn an audio CD. (???) I tried to convert a 150MB ASF and it came out to be about 2.5GB and it took FOREVER. EVen the smaller ones I tried took forever. I was hoping this would be a few minute to half hour process at worst, but OVERNIGHT to find out that I can't even burn it or play it?? This is exactly what I would like:

To burn as many videos as possible on one disc either DVD or CD, which ever would work, and give good enough quality to enjoy it without seeing the pixel effect, with sound and all. I would like the traditional DVD setup where there's a menu and all so i can see what's on it and skip tp to a certain video, if possible. I have a lot so I really hope i do NOT have to leave each one overnight to convert. That would take forever. So, all this said:

What is the best, "free-est", quickest conversion tool or method to convert and burn several of my various videos to one TV viewable (DVD playable) disc, where I can rewind/FF the video without skipping or having to watch the whole thing? I'm trying to make a compilation disc and don't have years to do it. Any suggestions or help? How long does it usually take to convert one file about 50-75MB? HELLLPPP!

[redwudz]

It would really help if you filled out your computer profile. As it is, I have know idea of what software and hardware you have or are working with.

If you want one simple program to do all you want, quickly, it doesn't exist.

ASFs, WMVs, DIVX, etc. are all different formats that require different methods for conversion to MPEG. For DVD or VCD, you have to convert to MPEG if you want the files to play on anything but a computer. (Or a DIVX player in some cases)

A few recommended standard tools, (IMO) are Virtualdub, TMPGEnc encoder, TMPGEnc DVD author (For DVD). There are many other tools that will do the same type of work.

If your computer is slow, yes, it will take a long time. Is it?

Anyway, this is a hobby. Part of it is learning how to do the conversions. There are many guides to the left for doing what you want. Good luck.

[johnnybiggles]

I have a PIII, 750, w/128MB RAM, an 80GB HDD, Win 98 and 2000. I have Nero 6, TMPGenc Plus 2.5, Pinnacle TRex, Aurora, WMV to AVI converter, and probably a few more things. All these things take forever. I learned yesterday tha my dvd player plays some of my CD-r disks that have older mpegs on them- in fact some are pretty clear even. I want to convert my 50-60MB WMVs and ASFs to files that are about the same size that can be read by my or any DVD player, either with DVDs or CD-Rs, so I can have more than like 3 clips on one disk (like the CD-Rs I have now- they have mor ethan 10, some more than 30). Not all of them read now but whatever the DVD can read it plays and displays but you can't fast forward or rewind them within the video file, you can only skip to the next one. What's the quickest way and effiecient way to do this without killing the PC and drive space?? Obviously you can't just change the file extention to mpg from wmv right? What can I do without this having to take years? Then once it's in the right format, how can I get them to disks with menus or at least make them playable and rewindable and fastforwardable?

[johnnybiggles]

Also, in Nero Vision Express 3, they let you add video files to your layout, and the supported file types include ASF and WMV format, but when I select the files with ASF and WMV extensions, it says "Unable to insert[...filename]" and goes back to the main menu. Does it really support those file types?? Guess not. What is the problem?

[johnnybiggles]

ALSO, I managaed to "burn" a movie using the files Nero Express could read- to my hard drive... but now how can i get it to the actual disc? I don't see an option? WHY IS THIS SO DIFFICULT?

[jimmalenko]

ALSO, I managaed to "burn" a movie using the files Nero Express could read- to my hard drive... but now how can i get it to the actual disc? I don't see an option?

ummmmm .... burning is when your DVD burner "records" the output onto a disc, so if you haven't put a disc in yet, then you haven't burnt anything

WHY IS THIS SO DIFFICULT?

It's not .... once you know a little bit about what you're trying to do. The only way you'll learn about what you're trying to do is to read, read, read ......... then read some more. Your best bet is to start in the guides section, as there's many wonderful guides that will step you through every part of the process (with pictures ). Then post back here if you get stuck with any particular section of any guide.

[Soopafresh]

VSO Software's DivX to DVD. It'll make it easy. And, it's free.

[Soixante]

VSO Software's DivX to DVD

Agreed EASY EASY EASY FREE FREE FREE

[fritzi93]

WHY IS THIS SO DIFFICULT?

Absolutely false. I can do it.

Sorry. Make up your mind you'll be patient and read some guides. It's the only way. Good luck.