How do I convert VHS files to a DVD?

[DPATTERSON23]

I have purchased a Plextor PX-TV100U to convert VHS tapes to dvd.
I have one file that conatins 6,607,664 KB VIDEO MPEG FILE. The file is enormoius.
I have used the program Ulead Video Studio 8.0 SE DVD to cut out some of the video.
I then tryed to shrink the file via DVD Shrink It would not recognize the file.
I then tried REJig. It compressed the file but did not pick up the sound.
What am I doing wrong?
Below is a list of the hardware and software I have on the computer.
I have looked at the Forums frequently asked questions but I am so new at this alot of the
statements are lost on me. Assuming I have the correct equipment...what is the best procedure?

PLEXTOR JPX-TV100U TV/VCR UNIT
PROGRAMS:
ULEAD VIDEO STUDIO 8.0 SE DVD
DVD DECRYPTER VERSION 3.1.9.0
DVD SHRINK VERSION 3.1.4
POWER DVD PLAYER

Thank you very much for any time or anwsers you might have.
Dave Patterson
dpatterson23

[guns1inger]

Shrink will only read compliant, DVD structured files, so you would have to author first.

How did you get this file ? If you transfered it yourself, how and with what software ?

[DPATTERSON23]

Thank you for your reply. There is a software Sage TV Lite.
I have the audio and video connected to the Plextor PX-TV100U TV/VCR UNIT and then change the source to composite video and record it and it provides a file on my hard drive of the vhs tape.
It provided a file that read if I remember correctly movie file mpg.
I then spent a lot of time trying to cut the video in half because it recorded nothing for about two hours after the video I wanted to save. What does author mean?
Thanks

[guns1inger]

Authoring is the process of turning your raw mpeg file into an actual DVD. Video Studio 8 may be able to output a DVD structure (I assume that is what the DVD part of the title means). It might be time to start reading some help files.

In future, if you know how the long the program is, you can capture it using the correct bitrate in the mepg settings and you won't have this problem. Any bitrate calculator can do this for you.

Just for fun, can you use the 2.52beta version of g-spot to tell us what type of audio it has ?

[DPATTERSON23]

As you suggested, I downloaded G-spot and this is what it gave me when I loaded my file:
MPEG-1 Layer 2 for sound.
I will read the help files for Ulead Studio 8.0 and see if it will
change the file to a dvd file.
Thank you for your help. I have only been playing with video on
my computer for a couple of days. Your sujggestions and help
are really appreciated.
i assume the procedure would be:
Play the vhs tape in the vhs recorder, connect to plextor PX-TV100u, get a file on my hard drive, edit the file with Ulead Studio 8.0, use the prgram if possible to convert to dvd format,
considering bit rates, and then record to a dvd -r disc.
As a mater of curiosity, is there a program that will do all of this?
All in one?
Thanks again
DPATTERSON23

[DPATTERSON23]

i have looked at Studio 8 and it will convert to dvd format.
The problem is the file is too large.
How can I reduce the size of the file so I can record it to a dvd?
How do I capture the video with the correct bit rate and also have a file that will not be too large?
Thanks
Dave

[Nelson37]

You use a Bitrate Calculator to determine what bitrate to set your capture program to, you input the length of time and it will tell you the correct bitrate.

Then you get into CBR and VBR and the fact that many progs will vary somewhat from the assigned bitrate, so you want to set it a little lower.

There is a lot you need to know, I understand it is confusing. However, there is no substitute for doing the reading, this will improve your output video by giving you better techniques to work with.

Lots of Guides with pictures, etc. These may not use the same software, but the concepts are the same. You will encounter terms you do not understand, explained with other terms you do not understand. Just keep reading. Gradually you will get explanations for the basics which make sense to you, these will lead to an understanding of more complex terms.

For instance, at this point you are not prepared to discuss Interlacing, Resolution, Capture res versus desired res, Resizing, Inverse Telecining, noise filtering, Multi-pass encoding, etc. If you think a 6Gb file is large, wait till you do a 60 Gb Avi capture. At this time, that will make no sense to you whatsoever. Fear not, it will soon.

[jimbo-62]

I am a little late to this thread and I am a beginner, but I thought a little more information might be helpful. First, DVD Shrink can't handle MPEG files, you need to convert the MPEG file to either DVD files (VIDEO_TS) or an .iso file. I use Ulead Movie Factory 5 to take an MPEG file and cut commercials, etc. and then output an iso file. Movie Factory can also output VIDEO_TS files and it can burn a DVD. But I find that the resulting DVD has audio out of sync with the video. If the iso file is too big, I use DVD Shrink to reduce the size. Then I use ImgBurn to burn the .iso file to DVD. This works vey well for me, perfect video/audio sync. I captured one four hour movie that gave a 6 GB MPEG file. Even after all of the commercials were cut, the iso file output from Movie Factory was over 5GB, so I used DVD Shrink to reduce the size to fit one DVD. Then I used ImgBurn to burn the .iso file to DVD.

Good luck, jimbo

[DPATTERSON23]

Jimbo,
Thank you very jmuch for your reply.
Your info is exactly what I was looking for .
I will try to convert the mpeg file to a VIDEO_TS file
and then will try to shrink it.
Thanks again.
Really appreciate it.
Dave

[DPATTERSON23]

jimbo-62,
Could you tell me where to look for a free
program that will convert a mpg file to a iso file? What is the advantage to a iso file? I tried to convert this 6.6GB mpg file to dvd and it took 6 hours very slow. Is there a fast program that will do this?
Thanks again for the help.
Dave :P