Trying to make a WMV video montage.

[CiX3LsyD]

I'm looking to make a video montage in the WMV format and was hoping someone could direct me or assist me.

Right now I'm recording using my Toshiba DVD Recorder DR-2, and after finalization it saves the DVD into a regular DVD disc.

I use DVD Decrypter to extract the VOB files, and from there I'm lost. I've tried different programs to convert to WMV and keep running into errors and dead ends. If anyone can help with a step by step process that you know will work, that will be appreciated.

[daamon]

Hi CiX3LsyD,

As you're running WinXP Pro, you may / should have Windows Movie Maker. That definitely converts to WMV format.

I've just tried dropping an MPEG2 file (that's what's in the VOBs) onto its timeline and it caused an error and WMM to close. Strange.

You might have better luck.

If it crashes or doesn't accept VOBs, you could convert to a different format and then bring that file into WMM. Here's how:

1. If you don't have it already, download and install the Panasonic DV Codec.
2. Download and install VirtualDubMod.
3. Open your VOB in VirtualDubMod.
4. Click menu option Video -> Full Processing Mode
5. Click Video -> Compression -> Select Panasonic DV Codec (this will do the best job of retaining quality).
6. Click File -> Save as... -> Select location and filename, leave as AVI format.

You'll see, in step 6, that the previous actions can also be set there.

Be aware that DV AVI requires about 13.5Gb per hour of footage.

7. Load the resultant AVI into WMM and save as WMV.

That should sort you out. Good luck...

[Baldrick]

it would help if you told us what you have tried and what kind of errors.

[CiX3LsyD]

1. If you don't have it already, download and install the Panasonic DV Codec.
2. Download and install VirtualDubMod.
3. Open your VOB in VirtualDubMod.
4. Click menu option Video -> Full Processing Mode
5. Click Video -> Compression -> Select Panasonic DV Codec (this will do the best job of retaining quality).
6. Click File -> Save as... -> Select location and filename, leave as AVI format.

You'll see, in step 6, that the previous actions can also be set there.

Be aware that DV AVI requires about 13.5Gb per hour of footage.

7. Load the resultant AVI into WMM and save as WMV.

That should sort you out. Good luck...

All the steps work, except for the last one where I should save as. I get this error message: 'Cannot start video compression: The source image format is not acceptable. (error code -2)'

I've read in another thread 'http://www.videoforums.co.uk/ftopic4086.html' that I need to reset the image size, but the suggested size is for people using PAL. What should I use? And what steps do I take to resize the image?

[daamon]

Hi CiX3LsyD,

Look under "What Is..." in the top left corner for all the valid resolutions for each of VCD, SVCD and DVD for both PAL and NTSC and choose one of those, depending on which region you're in.

Resizing the image should be covered in at least one guide for VirtualDub or VirtualDubMod - go to their entry in the "Tools" list and the guides are listed there.

Good luck...

[dmk112]

I'm having a similar problem. I have a dvd (5 min long) and I need to get it down to a real small size (15 megs) and in WMV format. When I follow daemon's steps, I can convert to avi but when I drag to the WMV it tell me this:

The file F:\SDL\video.avi cannot be imported because the codec required to play the file is not installed on your computer. If you have already tried to download and install the codec, close and restart Windows Movie Maker, and then try to import the file again.

And I know the codec is installed b/c it playes in WM player. Help?

[Baldrick]

You could try windows media encoder instead of wmm.
Or install some other dv codec.

[dmk112]

baldrick, thanks but how do i make the video a smaller resolution (i.e. make it a real small size)

When i go into WM enconder and select the file and go to the next screen it shows "bitrate" but I cannot change it. Where do I do this?

Thanks!

[daamon]

The Panasonic DV Codec tends to be a good cure all...