new dvd burning

[rayh781]

Trying to understand making DVD’s, have a few questions.
I had bunch of old VHS tapes. Borrowed player from a friend called a VCR2PC.
Anyway worked fine and saved files to my PC. If I checked properties it had the file type listed as MPEG. And I could play with Windows XP movie player.

Then I bought a DVD burner to add to my PC and it came with Nero software.
Was able to use Nero to make DVD’s to save the videos and they worked also in my TV dvd player so all is good.

But I noticed that now all the videos saved on my PC would not play in Windows movie player
( just get the audio) and under properties the video files have been changed from MPEG to Movie Clip.

1. No where did this Nero software say it was going to change the original file type of my previously saved videos. I just asked it to make a DVD. Sort of pisses me off. Is this normal?

2. What is the best file type or format to save videos anyway? Although I don’t know if I ever go to capture some video to my PC with a Video camera if this Nero will let me use a different format.

3. If I understand if I use this Nero and ever wanted to email a very short video to someone they would have to also have Nero to play it.

Thanks for any info.

[Baldrick]

1. It didn't change your source mpeg files. Nero probably just changed the default player/video decoder for your mpeg files and then the explorer description will change. Try play the files with VLC Media Player or MPC (they have built in decoders for mpeg files and will not use what nero installed)

2. It depends. It's always best to try keep the original video and avoid any reconversion.

3. Nope but they might have to install a mpeg2 codec for windows media player or use a separate video player like VLC.

[Rayh78]

1. It didn't change your source mpeg files. Nero probably just changed the default player/video decoder for your mpeg files and then the explorer description will change. Try play the files with VLC Media Player or MPC (they have built in decoders for mpeg files and will not use what nero installed)

2. It depends. It's always best to try keep the original video and avoid any reconversion.

3. Nope but they might have to install a mpeg2 codec for windows media player or use a separate video player like VLC.

But I was able to play the videos with Windows media player up until I installed Nero. If I try going directly to windows media player all I get is just the audio.

[tinker]

It is possible that Nero did something to WMP player, but if it makes you any happier, I do not use WMP also as it is very picky as to what it play.
I have both on my machine since Nero6 and WMP was never 100%. Mind you Nero has its own problems, but usually play all discs.
You can disable Nero being your default player, as this is automatic on install, unless unchecked at the end.