Editing (or not to edit)??

[beefyJT]

I have a D-8 camera which I will be using, and a DVD burner.
Assuming all I want to do is capture and cut down the video...
1. What type of program do I need (What is the difference between an "Authoring" and an "Editing" program)?
2. Is there any encoding involved (like using TMPGenc)?
3. What format do I need to save the video in if I'm NOT going to edit (aviDV or Mpeg2)--and what about audio?

Thanks for the help. I want to try to walk before running with it all.

[Tommyknocker]

. What type of program do I need (What is the difference between an "Authoring" and an "Editing" program)?

Remember, we need to know what will the final product be: a DVD, or a video file stored on a DVD? Authoring refers to making your video into files Nero or your favorite burner can make into a DVD. Editing refers to, as the old joke goes, cutting out "anything that does not look like an elephant".

2. Is there any encoding involved (like using TMPGenc)?

Again, see the first response. If the former, yes, the latter, no, not necessarily.

3. What format do I need to save the video in if I'm NOT going to edit (aviDV or Mpeg2)--and what about audio?

Either can be used. DV takes up so much more space, but usually is better quality. Wave is usually better quality, but AC3 is smaller.

[beefyJT]

My plan is for it to be a DVD for playing on a set-top player.
JT

[Tommyknocker]

Good. Now we can continue. To make your video into a true DVD, you need to:

Transfer your video to your computer. I say transfer instead of capture, because it is best to use a fire wire cable and card to get your video on your computer. Once you have both installed, a freeware program like DVIO can transfer your video to your system very easily.

Even though you do not not want to edit, it is one of the easier functions. But since the poster is always right, to paraphrase an old adage, we will discuss the next step -- encoding.

Since the captured video is DV, we need to make it into DVD files. We use a program called TMPGEnc Plus. It is free to use for thirty days, so have fun. Anyway, we load the video into the main program into the Input video slot, and it loads the audio automatically.

Select the names of the output files. Select Load and select your DVD template from the folder of templates. Select okay. Now also select "ES [video + audio], then Start.

The two resultant files are a .m2v amd a .mp2 file. The former is a pure video file, the latter a pure audio file. Change the file extension of the the .mp2 file to a .mpa file.

Load IfoEdit, and select DVD Author->Author New DVD in the menu. Load the m2v file in the video portion, and the .mpa file in the audio portion. Name your destination of where you want you DVD files to end up, and select OK.

Almost home. Take all the DVD files Ifo Edit made and follow the instructions of your favorite burner.

If this sounded too complictaed there are all in one programs. Let me know if I can tell you about my favorite -- Video Studio 7

[housepig]

then as Tommyknocker said, you will need to capture, edit, encode, author and burn.

if it's a DV cam (not sure what D8 is), your camera has already "captured" to digital - you just transfer the data from the tape to your computer. it should be in a DV Avi format (avi file with a DV codec).

you would then edit your video - usually it's best to leave it as an avi file until you are done editing, and then encode to mpeg-2 (dvd compliant file).

once you've encoded the file, you import that into an authoring program, add your menus, chapter stops, etc. Then take the output files from the authoring program (.vob, .ifo, .bup, etc.) and burn them with your favorite burning app.

simple.

EDIT - damn, Tommyknocker beat me by a minute!

[beefyJT]

Thanks. All so confusing. Looks like a lot of trial and error to figure out what works best in the least amount of time with my system.
JT

[housepig]

Looks like a lot of trial and error to figure out what works best in the least amount of time with my system.

this is true. what works for me on mine may cause your system to have a fit and choke, and vice versa.

what I would suggest is to try a variety of different apps on short clips (under 5 minutes), until you seem to get a few that work well consistently.

once you have a set of tools that work, you can start doing longer projects with them and guage the method that will be easiest and give you the results you want.

[beefyJT]

Thanks for the 5 mins tip. I can try a ton of those on one R/W.