Capture, Edit and Burning software help

[rik756]

Hi, I'm new to all this and have read here until my eyes are bleeding so I'll just ask.

I'm using a Sony HC-32 mini-dv cam corder to take video (of my kids)and trying to burn good quality, edited DVD's with it using an HP 740i DVD write w/ Lightscribe.

I like the editing features of Windows movie maker better than NerovisionExpress (slow motion etc), but Nero seems to capture better quality/resolution than windows.

Is there a way to get Window to recognize and allow me to edit Nero captured video or a way to get movie maker to capture better?
If there is a better "All in one" software what would it be?

I've read lots about Ulead, Vegas and others but they are usually talking over my head and only referring to a specific function of the above listed. If I can work with what I have, great! If not, I'm not totally against buying other software.

I'm pretty good with computers but I'm pretty lame at this stuff. Please keep that in mind in any responses...

Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks,
Rick

[redwudz]

I'm assuming you are using Firewire (1394A) to transfer from the camera?

My method is to transfer using WinDV to the hard drive. DV is about 13Gb per hour, so make sure you have hard drive space.

I edit with VirtualDub Mod after adding the Panasonic DV Codec to the computer. WinDV and Virtualdub Mod are freeware. After editing or filtering, if needed, you encode to MPEG-2. I use TMPGEnc encoder, but there are others in 'Tools' to the left. <<<<<<

Then I author the MPEG-2 to DVD specs with a program like TMPGEnc DVD Author and burn.

I also use DivxToDVD occasionally for quick and easy conversions from DV to DVD. There is a freeware version to try out.

Using the individual programs gives you much more quality and control over the finished product. The mentioned programs are easy to learn and there are guides for all of them, again to the left.

I don't use WMM or NVE, or Nero, except for burning.

[rik756]

Cool!

And yes, I'm using firewire. It seemed faster and better quality than USB 2.0.

I'll look into the programs you listed. Thanks for the advice!

Rick

[guns1inger]

If you are transfering using firewire then there will be no difference between WMM and Nero. DV transfer is effectively a file transfer from the tape to your HDD. Any difference will one be one of perception, not reality.

[rik756]

If you are transfering using firewire then there will be no difference between WMM and Nero. DV transfer is effectively a file transfer from the tape to your HDD. Any difference will one be one of perception, not reality.

It may have been a settings issue then. Any recommended settigs to use with WMM? I'm not looking for anything spectactular, just some good quality kid vids on DVD to send to out of state family.

I just downloaded the codecs to see if it will help WMM recognize the Nero files and I'm going to try another transfer using WMM to see if I can get it any better. If I can make it work, I'd be plenty pleased with it... If not, then I will be installing the DivxToDVD and or the other programs listed above.

Thanks for the help guys!
Rick

[guns1inger]

When you output from WMM, make sure you output as DV AVI. If all you have done is cut and paste, the video should not be re-encoded, and the quality should be the same as when it went in. If you choose WMV as an output (or any of the templates, basically) you will be recompressing and affecting quality.

If you have added transitions, titles etc, then these portions will be re-encoded, using the microsoft DV codec. While this is a OK codec for playback, it is only average for encoding.

I would transfer with WinDV, then edit.