Basic DVD Authoring Program

[opieandy]

I am a real novice and need a program to convert my miniDV tapes to DVD that a basic DVD player can play.

I have used Windows MovieMaker once, and right now that is the only program I have. After hours and hours of frustrating research, there are so many programs out there it's overwhelming. I've looked at over dozens of them to no conclusion, and checked out the "how to" section here, but each article seemed to be simply promoting one product. I need some advice from folks here on a very basic program (or programs, if more than one is needed other than MovieMaker) to convert my miniDVs to DVD.

I don't care about menus, chapters, or anything fancy. I just want to get the miniDV tapes to DVD so my family can watch our last 6 years of home movies.

Thanks,

Chris

[opieandy]

As I continue my research and checked out the list of programs under 'tools' here, avi2dvd seems like a possibility. However, one review said it takes 5 hours to convert a 1.5-hour film, while another review says it does it in near real-time. Confusing.

My preferred alternative is to hook the miniDV camcorder directly to a DVD recorder (avoiding the PC altogether), but the DVD recorder I want to buy (Pioneer 640H) doesn't have a DV input, only an S-video input, and there are few miniDV camcorders sold anymore with S-video output, which is bewildering.

Bottom line: if I want the least amount of frustration and hassle, should I just avoid the PC altogether?

Chris

[edDV]

As I continue my research and checked out the list of programs under 'tools' here, avi2dvd seems like a possibility. However, one review said it takes 5 hours to convert a 1.5-hour film, while another review says it does it in near real-time. Confusing.

My preferred alternative is to hook the miniDV camcorder directly to a DVD recorder (avoiding the PC altogether), but the DVD recorder I want to buy (Pioneer 640H) doesn't have a DV input, only an S-video input, and there are few miniDV camcorders sold anymore with S-video output, which is bewildering.

Bottom line: if I want the least amount of frustration and hassle, should I just avoid the PC altogether?

Chris

It seems like you should choose a different DVD recorder with IEEE-1394 input then.

If you want to go the PC route, try Ulead Movie Factory 5. It allows easy camcorder import and DVD authoring.
http://www.ulead.com/dmf/features_plus.htm

If you want more editing and effects, try Adobe Premiere Elements.
http://www.adobe.com/products/premiereel/

[vico1]

A very good encoding/authoring app is ConvertXToDVD.

Simple, no frills...but very reliable.

[opieandy]

I downloaded and ran avi2dvd, and it seemed to complete the process successfully, but did not burn the dvd. Do I need a separate program to actually burn the dvd?

Chris

[opieandy]

Do Ulead Movie Factory 5, ConvertXToDVD, and Nero (another one I've been reading about) do everything needed, including actually burning the DVD?

Thanks,

Chris

[guns1inger]

Of those three I would look at the Ulead program, as the quality will generally be higher than either Nero or ConvertXtoDVD will give you.

If you need more extensive editing facilities then you could also look at VideoStudio (also by Ulead) or Premiere Elements or Vegas Movie Studio.

Burn with ImgBurn 2, the best DVD Video burning program around.

[vico1]

Do Ulead Movie Factory 5, ConvertXToDVD, and Nero (another one I've been reading about) do everything needed, including actually burning the DVD?

Thanks,

Chris

If simplicity is what you're after...I'd stick with ConvertXToDVD.

I use WinDV to capture to PC from MiniDV cam (firewire)

Actually for burning I also use ImgTools with ImgBurn...Again, Very reliable. (both freeware)

[guns1inger]

@vico1 - you know you don't need to use imgtools anymore - imgburn 2 creates ISOs or burns direct.

[opieandy]

Thanks for the help so far. I'm working with the free stuff to try to get this figured out. So I downloaded IMG Burn 2.1.0.0 and tried to burn the avi2DVD ISO file. However, IMG says "disc not empty" and will not make the burn. The disc is a DVD+RW that has plenty of space remaining (disc was originally used on a separate DVD recorder, not the PC, if that matters). I am only trying to write a small video file (17 seconds). Though it seems to me that IMG should recognize that space is available, I tried to erase the disc through the IMG tools, but it would not erase the disc either. So now I'm stuck in this bloody purgatory!!!

Any ideas, anyone? Maybe I really don't need those 50+ miniDVs after all...

Chris

[vico1]

@vico1 - you know you don't need to use imgtools anymore - imgburn 2 creates ISOs or burns direct.

Man, I have to keep up... ...been usin' imgtools so long...Thanks guns1inger!

[guns1inger]

You will have to erase the disc first. DVD video must be the only session to play

[opieandy]

You will have to erase the disc first. DVD video must be the only session to play

Windows Explorer will not allow me to erase the disc. I get a message that the files are "read-only," which I know isn't true. I recorded a couple of programs using my DVD recorder, and the DVD recorder will allow me to erase them. In fact, I erased one yesterday, freeing up over half the space on the DVD. Again, this is a DVD+RW.

Windows Explorer shows that 1.80 GB is used and 0 is free. Isn't the DVD supposed to hold 4.7 GB?

Could the issue be that I originally used this disc in my DVD recorder, not the PC, so the PC is confused?

I would try a blank disc, but I don't have any at the moment.

Chris

[guns1inger]

Imgburn 2 has an erase function : Tools -> Drive -> Erase Disc -> Quick (or Full). Give that a try.

[Bjs]

Just a general question ?

Was the disc "finalised" by the recorder itself ... check and see .
It might be you need to return the disc to the original recorder , and unfinalize it first .

I've done this before ... but I cannot be certain if this is the correct approach due to not everybody having the same equipment in which to reference the issue .