Captured from Sony camcorder, want to play on WDTV

[video_noob]

The DV capture format does not play on the WDTV. I want to keep all the captures in original format but also make a new file that the WDTV will play.

I'm simple and a noob. I am fine with some complexity if it means keeping quality, but otherwise I'm not a videophile. I just want to watch our home movies in the same quality as they were recorded, or very very close.

I've read the doom9 guide, over my head. I see there are just under a gazillion programs to do this so I'm looking for some clarity.

Thanks.

[edDV]

DV format is the same 720x480i resolution as DVD. You just need to transcode it to 720x480i MPeg2 @>8Mb/s bottom field first for good quality or deinterlace/transcode to h.264 or xvid-hd if file size is most important (e.g. for web distribution). Quality of the latter will vary by your camcorder shooting skills (e.g. non shaky from a tripod, limited pan/zoom).

[video_noob]

File size is not important. For everything you just described, what would be a recommended program?

Thanks.

[edDV]

Do you currently have video edit or DVD authoring software? Most come with MPeg2 encoders.

Free HC encoder is possible, perhaps needing a Mux program to add audio.

See these guides for HC
https://www.videohelp.com/guides?searchtext=HC+enc&tools=&madeby=&formatconversionselec...s=25&archive=0

Your settings goals will be DVD compliant MPeg2

720x480i (assuming North America)
29.97 fps
lower field first
~8400 kbps (ave)
4:3 or 16:9 depending on source

DV PCM stereo audio can be kept as is but recommend conversion to mp2 at 224 Kbps. That leaves more bit rate for video (up to 9800 Kbps).