Please advise on CREATING A DVD from MPG

[hymes]

Hello, I am familiar with ripping and transcoding and burning DVDs. You ultimately end up with the VIDEO_TS folder that gets put on the DVD so that it is a "true" DVD that can be played. This is my basic understanding.

Well, I got a new Sony Digital8 Handycam that when connected to the computer (USB) and using the Sony Imagemixer you can capture the video into an MPG file on the computer.

Now, what the heck do I do (do you recommend) to turn the MPG file into a real VIDEO_TS folder to make it a real playable DVD?? I have tried seaching the GUIDES but can't seem to find the software and/or process to make a "regular" DVD.

I currently use Stomp RecordNow MAX to burn and I also have Sonic MYDVD software. Sonic can do some conversions, but not create the VIDEO_TS "stuff".

Sorry if this has been posted a million times..... Please advise.

Thanks so much
Alan

[rcb]

this might give you some ideas:

http://www.polarhome.com/~afonic/tmpegencdvd.htm

[vivisimonvi]

I have a suggestion for you....

I highly recommend using the Firewire connection instead (also called i.LINK) if your camera has it. USB simply doesn't provide a fast enough data transfer to get HIGH QUALITY video. Your computer must have a firewire port for this of course. Your camera should have one but they don't supply the cord (mine came with a USB cord but no firewire one).

[vivisimonvi]

If your camera AND computer support USB 2.0 then disregard my last post. I'm not sure if the newer cameras are supporting USB 2.0 but they should have a long time ago.

[bugster]

and I also have Sonic MYDVD software. Sonic can do some conversions, but not create the VIDEO_TS "stuff".

Thanks so much
Alan

Oh yes it does. That is why it is called MyDVD.

Take a look under AUTHOR on the left of the page.

[hymes]

bugster....

You are absolutely correct and I am wrong

I am certainly NO Sonic expert and based on your feedback, I went back and played with it a bit more. This time I was absolutely able to add the MPG file into a Sonic DVD Project and then Create the DVD. And looking afterwards it certainly did create the VIDEO_TS folder and the DVD did play on my DVD player.

Now I just need to play with it more to understand menus, etc.

As for the other feedback, thanks also but unfortunately my somewhat older computer does not have USB2 or i.LINK so I am stuck with regular USB. Maybe it's time to look for an i.LINK card?

Thanks again for pushing me in the right direction! Much appreciated!

[bugster]

i.Link cards, otherwise known as IEEE488 or Firewire can be found for as little as $10 - $15 online.

If your cam has firewire, get one, The quality you will get will be far superior to anything USB can provide.

[tb33]

put the mpg in tmpgenc dvd author this will create the video_ts folder you need. create an image file and burn with your favorite burning app (i perfer dvd decrypter.)

Note: the mpg will have to be dvd compliant, so it won't hurt to run it through tmpgenc plus to make sure it's compliant.

[hymes]

Bugster....

Made progress but need more advise please .......

OK, first the progress. I can use the Sony Imagemaker and capture from the Video Camera. Then use Sonic MyDVD to take the MPG and create the structure for the DVD (VIDEO_TS). And as I said above it worked!!

One side note for those reading is that the playing of the video from the camera on the computer looked great. However the CAPTURE sucked! Did some research and the single most thing the support folks mentioned was turning DMA on on the hard drive. I did it and now it works fine!!!

OK, the next thing to resolve please. SO, now I can create/capture using the Imagemaker software a single large MPG. I assume I am limited by the 4GB filesize limit in win98SE, right? So, lets say I go to winXP, does this limit go away for a single file? and then lastly, when Sonic MyDVD creates the VIDEO_TS files does it create multiple ~1GB files like a regular DVD or does it create one large file?

And I guess this is a question for the Imagemaker folks.... is there a way to create several files (under 4GB) and then put them back together using the Sonic software. For example, I know that the VIDEO_TS folder usually has several ~1GB files that get "put together" to make a DVD. Can this be done?

Thanks
Alan

[GbMedusa]

I assume I am limited by the 4GB filesize limit in win98SE, right?
Right.

So, lets say I go to winXP, does this limit go away for a single file?
Yes.

and then lastly, when Sonic MyDVD creates the VIDEO_TS files does it create multiple ~1GB files like a regular DVD or does it create one large file?
Multiple files ready to be burned to disc.

[hymes]

OK, sorry to clutter up this thread, but I got answers to most of my own questions by calling the PIXELA (Imagemixer) folks.

Turns out their software creates 15min MPG files that you then can put back together using their software. So, you end up with one large file which still must stay within 4GB. But according to them, you get around 1HR of video per 1.2GB, so for 4GB you get over 4 hours of video which is fine......

So, I guess the 4GB size doesn't really cause a problem. The last question I need to play with is:

Can Sonic MyDVD take several MPG files (say 2 2.3GB files) and make a single SEAMLESS DVD? This way you could fill up a DVD and stay within the single 4GB file limit....

Thanks
Alan

[scottvf]

I use Vegas 4.0 + DVD to capture from my digital cam-corder. Then I edit it and add markers (chapters) and render it. Then use DVD Architect to author and burn it to a dvd.

[bugster]

Can Sonic MyDVD take several MPG files (say 2 2.3GB files) and make a single SEAMLESS DVD? This way you could fill up a DVD and stay within the single 4GB file limit....

Thanks
Alan

Multiple Mpg files, Yes it can. Make a seamless DVD from them, Not sure but I doubt it. You would probably have to have each mpeg as a seperate movie. Not used the recent versions of MyDvd so not 100% sure.

[jimmalenko]

You could join the MPEGs together first and then input to mydvd with one file.

EDIT: Forgot about the 4GB limit !

I agree with the post above - would probably have to be two titles and you would get a pause when they swap over. Possibly a merge option in MyDVD ? ie. One titleset but play 2 clips ?

[vhelp]

@ jimmalenko,

You could join the MPEGs together first and then input to mydvd with one file.

EDIT: Forgot about the 4GB limit !

I agree with the post above - would probably have to be two titles and you would get a pause when they swap over. Possibly a merge option in MyDVD ? ie. One titleset but play 2 clips ?

Just following along, case I learn some new tips

.
.
question, how does the commerical DVD's do it ??
I mean, they have on ave., four 1gig files (or more) and when your dvd
player plays them, no pause
So, there must be a way to "string" any number of VOBs, but w/out any of
the pauses. We just have to know which DVD authoring app it is that can
do this :P
.
.
Anybody know ??

-vhelp

[jimmalenko]

As I said, you would would need to make both clips part of the one titleset. AFAIK DVD players cache info to prevent the pauses between VOBS in the same titleset. TMPGEnc DVD Author can join multiple clips as one titleset.