Is Anybody Making Their Own Content?

[tygrus2000]

I guess this is an informal poll, but we have seen endless people trying to copy factory DVD movies to VCD/SVCD/DVDR/DIVX. I dont really see the point of this with movies as cheap as they are and all the problems people encounter. Besides, how many movies are worth watching more than a few times, like maybe 10 in the history of film.

Where these formats shine is if you are maiking your own stuff. For example, I use SF Acid 4 with stock loops and Vegas video to put together my digital pics with custom made music scores to create a real nice slideshow of my work. Right now I am stuck in VCD/SVCD but one maybe DVD will be reasonable for me.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone else who is making their own custom content.
Tygrus

[furball6969]

I do burn my own videos as well as those of some clients. Can't remember the last time I 'backed up' a commercial DVD.

[bokkasrealm]

I really dont even consider backing up anything. I make my own stuff as well. Im kind of dissapointed in all of the authoring programs Ive used so far.

[Vejita-sama]

Have you tried DVD Maestro or Scenarist? VERY good authoring programs. Scenarist is 'not all that user friendly' so I normally use Maestro. But both allow you to author DVDs with anything you can image.

[damnim]

The possibilities of what you can create using DVD "technology" is only limited to the imagination.

I create documentaries, which require significant amounts of space that I could never accomplish using any other format.

I also create music/video compilations, instruction/teaching video's and "occasion" videos like weddings and such. Creating "home inventory" DVDs can save your tusch if your house is burglarized or burnt down. Creating chapter points per room using stills and commentaries to refresh the memory for the insurance report.

The documentaries are usually most rewarding because of the knowledge that I have gained doing research to compile "video captures" together to make a meaningful learning experience.

[miketree]

I use SF Video Factory. The results are great. I just wish I could justify the upgrade to Vegas!!

[igalan]

I do my own DVDs, too . Instead of doing albums of pictures, I create a DVD with all the pictures, add transitions between pictures, texts, background music, organize the pictures in different menus... As well as home made videos that I convert to DVD. It's more entertaining to watch and also to create!
For those simple needs, MyDVD does the job well, but I also use video editting software when I need features that MyDVD doesn't have.

[Greydog]

To tygrus2000

My first hobby is creating home movies. Productions keep getting bigger and bigger. That fills the "creative" side of me. Now my second hobby is "techie". Reading and figuring out solutions posted on this site has really given my brain a workout. So it's not that I really need to "backup" DVD movies, it has been fun just figuring out how to do it.

Jump on the DVD wagon when you can. Movies look much better and are more compatible so more people will be able to view your creations.

[kitty]

I do the home movie thing also. Some slideshows of the family pics too. Tried my hand at editing/chopping tv stuff into a parody, etc.

I've ripped one or 2 DVDs I bought just so I can answer some of those questions as a mod.

There are a few more threads in the forum on this topic.

[ryanreko]

Being a Highschool student just editing on the computer quaters the time needed for editing.... Theres also tons of cool stuff that you can do to boost your grade, then when you are done you'll have the content forever

[JamesB69]

nope I mainly use it for stuff that is not available on DVD. Laserdisc and VHS are usually my sources for these things. Never really did see why pay 5 bucks to rent something, a few more for the disc, a lot of time and stress when i can go buy it for under 20 bucks usually. What you buy also has higher quality, compatibility, and many extra features.

[JohnWestbury]

I make my own content. Edited home movies with menus. I use
Media Studio pro and DVD factory ( or some Ulead product like that). I wish an affordable UNLIMITED authoring app was availible. I like DVD workshop, but I can't justify the cost.

[aubrey_q]

I have a lot of home video that still needs to be transferred to DVD. Lately I've been "distracted" with capturing movies and TV programs and burning them on DVD.

But I really need to catch up on all that home video...

[Curt]

I do *all* original content. I make company demo DVDs to show potential customers. Improved content and polished presentation add up to significant $$ in sales. I'm always in pursuit of the perfect demo. Often times customers will allow us to video if we promise to give them a copy of the finished presentation.

Last summer I made a 2 hour video tape of a national auto show event, and sold over 100 copies at $20 apiece. This is the $$ I used to finance my video capture card and DVD burner. This year I'll be video taping the event again, and offering a 2 DVD set.

I also make some family video DVDs, photo montages, and have made DVDs of family home movies dating back to 1938.

I agree with Tygrus2000... there just aren't any commercial movies that I care enough about to try to copy. For $20 you can own whatever you want.

Curt

[ItsMe]

I use DVD+R(W) to create my own films. A couple of years ago I was looking for info on putting photo's on CDR's to play on my settop DVD player. I used (S)VCD in the beginning. Since then I have bought a DV camera and make disks with mixed film & photo materials.

[Jolard]

I do mostly personal stuff as well. Have been capturing 9 years of family home videos, editing, authoring and burning DVD versions. Completed years 1 through 3 so far! A lot of work, but fun, and they look great when done. Plus we never watched them on the little Hi-8 tapes, now they will not deteriorate and my kids watch them all the time.

Also have done some very cool very professional looking wedding videos for family. My father in law actually does the wedding videos on tape, and I build the DVD's. Look very nice, and makes for a nice keepsake to send to everyone.

have done some DVD backup, but mostly just to figure it out, have fun, and learn how to do it. (Kind of fun to figure out a new process). Most of my time and energy has definitely been on personal content though. That is where I get real satisfaction.

[kitty]

This thread, viewed over 20,000 times, is a good thread on the same topic:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=85263

Some links to content also.

[CaseyComb]

I too make my own content DVD's but the comments about DVD-R's costing $5 dollars and "Backing up" DVD's as Time consuming is ridiculous.

-A 50 pack of bulk DVD-R's cost between 60-70 dollars (W/ Cases)
-Ripping a DVD takes 20 minutes
-Converting a DVD with DVD2ONE takes 30-40 minutes
-Burning a DVD at 1X Takes less than an hour, that's right, 1X!!!

Blank DVD-R's = $1.25
Renting a DVD = $3.75

Living delusionally = Priceless

There are somethings that money cant buy...

[Darakis]

I'm currently working on an animated cartoon which I'll put on DVD when it's finished.

[dcsos]

I make my own music videos
then Capture them fron 3/4 VIDEOTAPE to my FIREWIRE SYSTEM
and TRANSCODE USING VEGAS VIDEO 3.0

Now I wanna make chapters, Till 'now I've only done such at work
and at home I use a lotta menus with a lotta buttons

PS.. I average 15-20 MUSIC VIDEOs per disc

[mp3superfreak]

I use SF Vegas 4+DVD to transfer and create 5.1 DVDs for my friends and family. Yeah, call it overkill, but it is soooo much fun!

Here's an example:

I took an old audio recording of my brother singing songs from the movie "Grease". I mixed his voice with originals in Front L&R, his voice only in Center, and original artists in rear L&R (then mixed all for subs). It turned out great! I used still images and old 8mm footage during the singing. Yes, video editing/authoring is fun, but 5.1 AC3 adds a whole new perspective.

I am also doing a wedding for a friend this weekend. I plan to use 2 Canon ZR10's (don't laugh, I can't afford a VX2000), then edit the scenes in Vegas 4. I'll also take some stills with my Olympus C-2100uz, put it all together in a DVD for them. It will be fun!

[videocheez]

I enjoy converting AVI to DVD just to give my kids something to watch and for the fun. I spend so much time authoring that by the time the DVD is ready to view, I've already seen the whole flic. It's also fun to download movies that I haven't seen and burn a nice DVD. I start on Monday night and try to have something presentable by the weekend.

[Bumstead]

I have two kids with a real talent for getting into things they're not supposed to have. I am so glad I was able to back up my 20th anniversary ET DVD before it was destroyed. I now have a 264 CD Cary case that I hide on top of the refrigerator. I wish I could back up Xbox games. Once I came home and my Crazy Taxi 3 was in the cat dish.

I also do a LOT of home video editing (hours and hours of VHS-C). Its nice to be able to pick and choose and mix and match themes instead of just watching the linear tape versions.

Lastly, I'm a big boxing fan and I have tons of VHS tapes of all the big fights that I'm converting. That reminds me - I forgot to tape HBO's Legendary Nights series last night. (why did they leave out Holmes vs Spinks?)