Quick and dirty DVD authoring - complete n00b

[d_jedi]

I have a bunch (six, to be exact) mpeg 2 files that I captured using my TV Wonder card that I want to use to create a DVD with.

What's the easiest way to do this (hopefully, without expensive software)?
What I want:
1) (Basic) menu to select any of the videos
2) Otherwise, videos proceed sequentially (but can be skipped with the next chaper button)

My first attempt was to use WinAVI Video converter 7.1 (I have a friend who owns a copy) to convert the mpeg 2 files to DVD format. I then attempted to use a trial of TMPGEnc DVD Author 1.6 to add a menu (WinAVI didn't let me create a menu - or, at least, I didn't see an option to..).. but it wouldn't allow me to import the DVD video files I created (it gave an unintelligible bunch of random characters as an error message). Also, when I play the DVD sans-menus in PowerDVD, I cannot advance to the next video file (aside from fast forwarding to the end).

At this point I'm stuck. I can't seem to get any further with what I've got.. to summarize, the two problems are:
1) No menus
2) Can't advance to the next video with the next chapter button

Aside from the software listed above, I own the following software which (may) be useful:
Nero Burning ROM 6.6
mpeg-vcr 3.14
Auto Gordian Knot 1.96

Any help is appreciated!

[FulciLives]

TMPGEnc DVD Author is the eastiest to use BUT you must have DVD complian files to start with ... so maybe your captured files are not DVD complaint?

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[mikiem]

Easiest way is to capture to DVD compliant mpg2 as already posted by John. 2nd is to convert your files -- there are loads of prog. avail. (see tools sect).

If you want cheap, Nero includes a basic app for DVDs that should convert, allow chapt creation, and do menues.

[vhelp]

As an alternatives..

Here is something I just posted (probably twice in one day - now three)
that you could try in your implementation..

First, in order to make a proper DVD compilation, you have to have
the proper set of files to do so (at least for the took, ifoEdit, which
I'm posting on below)

If not, here's how you can do it, using TMPGenc (free, partially, at least
for the MPEG tools, it is) These will work for .MPG and .VOB files.

** Open TMPGenc
** File->MPEG_tools->De-Multiplex->input:[browse] and enter your .MPG file.
** you should now see [x] video_stream, and [x]audio_stream
** double-click each one, and give a good output name (for each)
** This will create your *.m2v and *.mp2 files needed for ifoEdit

Now..

Using ifoEdit:

** make sure your mpegs are de-muxed, as in: *.m2v and *.mp2 (use TMPG mpeg tools)
** open ifoEdit
** on the menu, select DVD Author.
** select Author New DVD
** for your Video, click the [.] box and import your *.m2v file
** then, your Audio, click the [.] box and import your *.mp2 file
** then, in the Output Stream:[ ... ] enter your video_ts folder
** finally, click the OK button, and this will create your DVD structure
** now you should be able to burn these to DVD disks.

Good luck,

-vhelp 3782