Burning DVD-R/RW Video from Hitachi DVD-CAM using Nero

[hrstruggle]

Hi all,

I record DVD video on my Hitachi DZ-MV230. It records on little DVD-RAM that are like 3.5" in diameter. Well, I want to send these to family but these cost like close to $10 a piece.

The cam creates three files per video chapter, a .BUP, .IFO and .VRO.

I got a DVD burner and using the PC kit, I transfer the DVD video to my PC and now I'm trying to burn it to a DVD. DVD-Rs are much cheaper. And, I usually just rename the .VRO file to a .VOB.

Well, using Nero, I choose DVD Video and I pull over the files but when I start the burn, I am getting a "DVD-Video files reallocation failed" error.

I'm wondering if this is because I rename the .VRO file to a .VOB or if it's because I'm pulling over the wrong files or if it's Nero.

Hmmm . . . . can anyone give advice?

[Tommyknocker]

Is there a way to transfer your camera video via firewire as DV, then burn your DV into a DVD with a program like Video Studio?

[hrstruggle]

I don't have firewire. I transfer the video to the PC via a USB link.

[jpetrick]

ULead Visual Studio 7.0 will capture your Hitachi DVD-RAM (.VRO), allow you to edit, author, compile and burn to DVD. It was a little expensive, but it was a good investiment in useing my Hitachi 270a.

[Tommyknocker]

And please think about getting a firewire card. They are very inexpensive, and once you see the quailty they give you, you will have a hard time going back to USB.

[hrstruggle]

Thanks for the ULead Visual Studio 7.0 tip but they don't make something called that. Do you mean Video Studio? I have Ulead Video Studio 4 but I never thought it was useful.

And about the firewire, getting the data on my computer is not my problem - it's getting it back onto a DVD.

[Tommyknocker]

My intention exactly. I use Video Studio 6 and it captures DV edits and burns to DVD (and (S)VCD as well).

[Specialist]

You need version 7.0 of either ULEAD VideoStudio...

...or...

...version 7.0 of ULEAD MediaStudio Pro.

Both editors are capable of reading the .VRO files created by the Hitachi and Panasonic DVD-RAM camcorders.

You can download the FREE trial of VideoStudio 7.0 here:

http://www.ulead.com/vs/trial.htm

But I have both editors and I have tested this feature and it works.

It's called DVD-VR (VIDEO RECORDING).

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[hrstruggle]

I've read of this DVD-VR once before. I'll try the trail and see if it's sufficient. Thanks. I'll try to remember to re-post to let folks know how it went.

Also, I was able to convert the .VROs to MPEG-2s and make SVCDs out of them with TMPGEnc. But I've graduated to a DVD burner now.

[hrstruggle]

So, I tried to open my .VRO files in the Ulead Video Studio 7 trial and I can't do it.

Briefly, how does one open it up? Do my .VRO files have to conform to some specification?

[hrstruggle]

Update:I was able to capture/import the video directly from my camera but I still can't get it from the files saved on my PC.

Any advice?

[jpetrick]

Go to File, Change Capture plugin to the VR plugin. When yo select the Capture button, you should be able to select the "RATV"? folder on your Hitachi, or name a folder on you HD to RATV and select that one. Video Studio 7 will them capture you .VRO files to the program.

[Specialist]

This ULEAD feature is called "DVD-VR" support.

I'm using a disc drive that reads DVD-R/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM discs.

So the steps I outline here may be slightly different than the steps required to work with the Hitachi camcorders.

But this sequence may help you:

1. Click FILE>CHANGE CAPTURE PLUG-IN;

2. Select the ULEAD DVD-VR plug-in;

3. Click the CAPTURE step button;

4. Click the OPTIONS icon;

5. Click PROPERTIES;

6. You should be prompted to BROWSE to a folder named DVD_RTAV;

7. Click OK button;

8. Click the CAPTURE button;

9. You should now see a pop-up WINDOW that displays a PLAYLIST;

10. Use your mouse to select the playlist;

11. Click the NEXT button;

12. You should now see a list containing the corresponding scene THUMBNAIL(s);

13. Use your mouse to HIGHLIGHT the scenes you wish to capture to your hard drive;

14. Click the FINISH button;

15. The clips should then be automatically loaded into your VideoStudio timeline as editable MPEG files.

Hope this helps.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[hrstruggle]

I'm actually doing quite well now.

I've test burned a few projects and the actual DVD quality is MUCH better on the TV than previewing on the computer.

I suppose my computer isn't fast enough to really preview it in superior fashion.

It's good to know - thanks for everyone's help - esp jpetrick and Specialist.

[dcsos]

Am I right in thinking that the method of re-captureing VIA firewire would yield poor RESULTS..
compared with the USB method described?

Am I right, the method decribed is not an actual capture, but a simle copy of the entire CAMCORDER FILE in a way that ULEAD application can read?

if you hadn't done it this way here's another good way (costs $50.00 tho')
USING SOFTARCH software
http://www.softarch.com/us/press/GVWindowsApr802.html

[Specialist]

The Ulead software that supports DVD-VR simply *COPIES* the digital information recorded on the DVD-RAM disc to one's hard drive.

There's no loss of quality.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net