Please check on my 1st steps

[whitenoise]

Can you please check I'm doing things correctly...each step takes so long. I'd like to cut out the hours of headaches if possible.

Captured: with DVIO (3hrs - 40gb)

Converted: with Tmpgenc 2.5 (mpeg 2, 16:9, cbr 2900, mpeg audio 160kbps, trimmed to edge of widescreen picture, set to ??352x288??,)

So I'm left with a 3.9gb mpeg.

Firstly have I gone about the conversion correctly? I'm outputting to DVD-R, (so I slightly over compressed), and i am not entirely sure if I have used the correct settings in Tmpgenc.

Secondly, I am getting more & more confused with the range of authoring tools out there. I have played a little with Uleads products, but they seem a little buggy, (I have had sync probs)...........I keep reading how good Meastro is, but it's not available, so that's just annoying!!

All help greatfully received.

[Bob W]

Here is a nice authoring program that is not confusing and has zero bugs. I use this all the time for VHS capturing adding menus and burning. It's simple, does a great job, and is fast.
http://www.mediostream.com/products/neodvdplus/index.html

[whitenoise]

Thanks Bob W, I'll give it a try.

I just finished my first test dvd-rw, and I seem to have made a few probably simple errors.

I seem to have a picture that is centred, but way to small, I thought I was doing ever so well.

I authored in Ulead's DVD workshop trial. It has an option "do not convert compliant files", which I used and the entire operation was completed in 1 1/2hrs.

It's a shame that I made such a mess of converting the file in tmpgenc.

Please give me some pointers. Am I getting confused by the 16:9 ratio thing? Should I be converting to 4:3? Should I give up? Should I go to sleep & start again in the morning? :Blackeyesmilie:

[Bob W]

Thanks Bob W, I'll give it a try.

I just finished my first test dvd-rw, and I seem to have made a few probably simple errors.

I seem to have a picture that is centred, but way to small, I thought I was doing ever so well.

I authored in Ulead's DVD workshop trial. It has an option "do not convert compliant files", which I used and the entire operation was completed in 1 1/2hrs.

It's a shame that I made such a mess of converting the file in tmpgenc.

Please give me some pointers. Am I getting confused by the 16:9 ratio thing? Should I be converting to 4:3? Should I give up? Should I go to sleep & start again in the morning? :Blackeyesmilie:

It's a great program and fast. Trust me I spent a lot of money on useless programs that either didn't do what they said they would or were full of bugs and that includes Pinnacle Studio8.

For me I just use the NeoDVD program to capture directly as DVD compliant mpeg2 then use it to create a DVD and burn. I also use a Sigma Video CopyMaster between my VHS player or DVD player and the capture card. This gadget amplifies, filters, and levels the video before the capture card and my DVD's look slightly better than the original. I bought the Sigma at BestBuy for $50 and it was worth every penny IMO.

[whitenoise]

I'm having trouble.....Is there a trial version of NeoDVD? I can't seem to find any retailers in the UK, can anyone help me?

Thanks.

[Bob W]

I'm having trouble.....Is there a trial version of NeoDVD? I can't seem to find any retailers in the UK, can anyone help me?

Thanks.

Maybe try the demo of Ulead Movie Factory2 which seems to work well (no bugs) and you may download the demo here.
http://www.ulead.com/dmf/trial.htm