Newb needs basics

[dawolv]

Hi everyone,
I ve searched around on here and cant really seem to get this answered, any input, advice, or links would be most helpful.
Heres where I am:
I found a way to hook up my VCR into my Cam then into a firewire card. I have a Memorex DVD -+R. It came with Roxio, and I can capture some of my old VHS tapes with no problems. WooHooo!
So now I captured an episode of the X-Men animated series. (Yes I own all the VHS versions that were released.)
Anyway when I find the the capture its in a AVI format and its HUGE! Like almost 4gigs for about 22 minutes.
I found a tutorial on TEMPEnc, but it wont convert to a MPEG which I guess is smaller.
What I would like to do is capture like 4 or 5 episodes (about 22 mins each) and put them on a DVD. With a simple menu to choose what episode to watch.
I am thinking about getting Sony's ScreenBlast Movie Studio3.0, will this capture my video in a better format? Is that called Encoding? When you capture from VHS to PC? And once its captured how would you clean the video up? If its possible. Like take some of the OverBrightness out of a scene or something.
What are the correct Steps I need to do from getting a VHS to PC to final DVD.
I am a total newb so you may have to say like Step 1 do this, Step 2 do that.
Thanks

[Richard_G]

Transferring using Firewire WILL give you a huge file. You have a file in DV format avi which is around 13Gb per hour. I think there is software available which will convert to mpeg as you transfer the file, but, from what I've seen, it's not too good. It is generally accepted that it is better to transfer as avi and then convert later. To make it into a DVD compliant mpeg, you need to convert it. This is the process known as encoding which TMPGenc should be able to do for you. Alternatively, you could try downloading the trial of Ulead DVD Movie Factory from www.ulead.com. This can do the file transfer, author menus, encode and burn all from the one application.

Whichever way you do it, you will need lots of hard drive space. Allow a minumum of about 25Gb for each DVD you intend to burn. That way you'll have sufficient space for all the files.

[twodogs]

another option:
Step 1: your capture to PC method appears to be correct. You will capture in DV AVI format and size will be LARGE.
Step 2: load captured AVI into VirtualDub. Apply cleaning filters for animated movie (smartsmoother and warpsharp). check here for some info, or google for more: http://web.syr.edu/~tjmyers/both_filters.html
Step 3: frameserve to TMPGEnc
Guide here: https://www.videohelp.com/virtualdubframeserve.htm
Step 4: convert to DVD compliant MPEG with TMPGEnc by loading a DVD template.
Step 5: use a DVD authoring program (eg: DVD-Lab) to author your DVD
Step 6: Burn

make use of freeware and demo software before you purchase.

good luck !