Need assistance in choosing hardware, software for project

[Neisse]

OK, here's the situation.

I got a VHS-DVD recorder for the holidays. Format is -R/RW, with VR capability in -RW. As editing is VERY limited with this unit (in VR it's OK, but I'd prefer not to have to archive stuff on -RW only), I decided something...

I really like the VHS/DVD-R/RW combo unit, and I'm gonna keep it. However, I'm gonna get a PC DVD-R/RW or a dual format/dual layer drive (for future compatibility/use), and do what I see a few others here also do: transfer VHS or shows recorded onto my DVR unit to -RW discs in VR mode, then move 'em to the PC for editing (commercials, making decent menus, etc), then final burn 'em to -R discs.

Problem is, I don't have the PC drive yet.

I tried to do a similar project in the past, with a PCI capture card and a good VHS deck, but had problems; the PC would sometimes lock up hard during capture, trying to find editing software that I could figure out and use was almost impossible, and when I did get a couple of discs burned (this was VCD then) the discs either wouldn't play or everything was horribly out of sync, and I had no clue how to fix it. Keep in mind this was a few years ago, when DVD recording was a dream yet (only the rich and studios had anything like that).

I'd like some suggestions on:

1) A good PC drive to get. Should be -R/-RW compatible at minimum, 8x speed is good. -R/+R dual format would be nice, as would dual layer capability, but not a deal-breaker. Just looking for a good, reliable drive that won't break the bank (sub-$100) that's widely available. Alternatives very welcome as well!

2) Decent, easy to use editing software. I have older copies of TMPGenc (2.5), VCD Gear 2.0, and VirtualDub, as well as a bundled copy of Premiere (tough to figure out, though). I imagine a good drive will come with a bundled suite of some kind, but as I don't know what it'll have, I'd like to know what I should look for. Keep in mind - cost is a major factor.

3) My Athlon 950 has an 80GB hard drive I installed back when it was about the largest you could find (for above video project), and now it's about 1/3 full with archived data. Should I get a larger capacity hard drive as well, or will 55 to 70 GB of space be OK, even just doing one or two hours of shows at a time?

Man, I'd really like to do the editing on my Mac, but finding a large enough SCSI-2 hard drive is almost impossible these days, and converting to UDMA or S/ATA would be more expensive than just doing the PC route. How I'd LOVE a new G5 w/ that HONKIN' big monitor!

[guns1inger]

1. I would look at a pioneer drive - 108 or 109. Covers all bases and should fit within your price range.

2. If you are intending to edit mpeg video (which is what you will get from youur DVD Recorder) then womble mpeg VCR is probably the best option, followed closely by video redo. You will also need authoring software - TDA is a good starter application.

3. If you are editing mpeg video, and not having to re-encode a lot, the space you have will be fine. If you are going to convert to DV or lossless compression for fancy editing, more space would be recommended.

Something to consider however. If the editing in the unit is good enough, even only in the first few months, when using VR mode, just buy a DVD burner for the PC. You can do your editing in the recorder, then use the burner to transfer the results to a -R or +R disc for archiving, freeing up your RWs for reuse.

[Neisse]

Well, I picked up a Hi-Vel drive tonight, a the price was right and it looked OK. I can return it if it's a dud, though. It's a +R/RW & -R/RW, and has dual layer capability too. Came with Nero 6 suite. Drive is internal, E-IDE. Cost $80, with $15 instant rebate at the register, with an additional $25 rebate by mail, so total cost for the drive eventually is $40 - not bad at all. Got it at CompUSA - not my favourite place, but a deal can be found once in a while there.

My VHS/DVD recorder set-top unit SUCKS for editing. Any editing possible at all (other than changing the title's name or deleting titles) is only possible in VR mode on a -RW disc. Editing means that alterations are done to a "playlist" (deleting commercials and the like), but the original recording on the disc isn't touched.

I was planning to:

Record from DVR or VHS to a -RW disc in VR or "Video" mode, max quality (XP or 1 hour per disc)
Transfer from -RW disc to computer
Edit, create a decent menu, organize, place chapters
Burn 2 hours per -R disc on computer's drive

I do not wish to re-encode to DV for this. I'd greatly prefer to edit in the native mpeg - as long as the audio and video will stay sync'ed.

Menu will be nothing more than a still of a title shot of the show (show logo at beginning), with two levels: disc titles, and chapters within those titles. That's it.

I'll be looking the drive up that I bought online for more info, and reliability info. Plan to install it tomorrow as soon as I finish with the puppy at the vet's office. I'll do a new test recording and let it run while I'm at the vet's in the morning (on the VHS/DVD-R deck) with a VHS tape originally recorded at SP speed quality. I'll play with what I have here to see what I can do without having to buy additional software first - I have no clue what's in the bundled NERO suite that came with the drive.

An additional question or two:

The equation is: garbage in, garbage out (GIGO). VHS at SP is barely OK, and a DVD recorded at 2 hour or even 4 hour gives no noticeable loss of picture quality, that I can see, anyway. What would be a good setting to record a DVD with a VHS tape recorded at EP (6 hour) speed, keeping what picture quality that remains?

Given the software I already have - VirtualDub 1.4.13, TMPGEnc Plus 2.5, VCD Gear 2.0, Adobe Premiere (dunno what version, but it's a few years old), and the above mentioned NERO 6 suite (as well as other software, but I can't remember which I have right now), which should I begin playing with for the above editing and authoring tasks? If I gotta get other software or updated versions, I will - but can I begin things with what I have? What should I use, and/or with what tasks? Do I need to get new/different/additional codecs, too? Any specific settings I should use or watch out for?

[guns1inger]

You will have to go further afield for mpeg editing software. Premiere won't do it without a plugin from mainconcept, and even then it is iffy.

Cuttermaran is a solid, free mpeg editor, but requires demuxing of the source material. This isn't difficult, but requires some time and extra space. Mpeg VCR is arguably the best mpeg editor, but is not free, followed closely by VideoRedo, also payware.

Authoring, for your requirements, could be done by DVD Author and one of it's GUIs (DVDAuthorGUI, GUIforDVDAuthor), all of which is free. Tmgenc DVD Author is a good, low priced starter package to consider.

ffmpeggui should also be on hand in case you need to do any audio encoding.

Depending on the state of your video, and as you build confidence, you will probably want to look at ways to filter and enhance your footage. This is where Virtualdub and avisynth come into their own. I would strongly suggest updating your version of virtualdub to the latest virtualdubmpeg2. It can't encode to mpeg, but it can read them.