Please help. Dad just trying to make movie for grandparents

[hangzen]

Hello to all:

I have been editing home movies for a couple of years now and really want to put my creations onto a dvd. I only do this a few times a year for the grandparents and to keep some movies of our son for future use....

My question is this. What is the best way to write my mov file onto a DVD for home use? My home video production usually consists of about 5 - 6 3 min. videos with audio (total of around 20 minutes). Hey it takes time to edit this stuff!

I have zero experience with DVD-R's and the like. I have a CD-R/CD-RW and that's it. I also use Adobe Premiere for capture/edit.

It's been a pain to take my completed video and play it back into my digital video camera and then record it on VHS. It also breaks my heart to take a digital image and convert it to analog.

If I have to purchase a DVD-R then I'd probably want an external (USB) one. I'd like to work on this at the office too. I have heard, however, that there are ways to create a DVD home movie through my CD-RW/CD-R. Where do I start?

Remember, I want to make it as easy as possible. With a 2 year old, I just don't have the time like I use too for complications.

Thanks in advance for help.

[neomaine]

For ease of use, compatibilty, time savings and alot cheaper...I definitely recommend going VCD for your needs. You already have everything your need. Your only step is to convert that MOV to VCD specs (mpeg1/352x240/29.97fps/44k aud) and burn using something like Nero to a CDR(W). Check out the 'HOW TO -> Convert' section to the left to get those *.mov files to right *.mpg format.

You're closer than you think for a solution.

Besides, anyone with a cd-rom will be able to play the VCD and a good portion of DVD players should be able to run them as well. I go 100% VCD compliant (you'll see about (x)vcd) and can play them on my 6yr laptop (great for long car trips for the kids), my new lattitude, all my pc's, a dvd standalone (Panasonic RP56), the Playstation and the Panasonic Q (enhanced gamecube). I use it mostly for dvd copies and tv captures for the kids to watch whenever (wherever) they want.

[Mxjshaf69]

First Download Tmpgenc and the tmpgenc mov plugin from the tools section. Then use tmpgenc to convert to either VCD or SVCD. When Tmpgenc is done use Nero and select video cd if VCD or Super Video cd if SVCD, add mpg and burn.

[Mirror_Image]

What is the brand and model number of the DVD player on which you intend to have these disks play?

[hangzen]

Thanks!

I guess I'll try Nero for an in-expensive way to burn a playable dvd (vcd). I really want to burn something, however, that can play in almost any DVD (whether stand-alone or in a computer).

Also, does a playable VCD give me the same video quality as a DVD? Hopefully if I master this media I will want to add title screens, chapter selection, etc.

Should I still go with Nero first or should go ahead and get a DVD burner? Also, has anyone had any experience making a title screen with intro and chapter selection like the store bought DVD's?

Additionally, I believe that my adobe premiere will convert my mov file to an mpeg. I better do some more research.

Thanks

[Greg12]

I believe only the new Adobe 6.5 has mpeg export ability.

I think if you go for DVD-R, you shouldn't waste a disk on 20 minutes, DVD can fit 4 gigs, which is like 120 minutes.

[Mxjshaf69]

VCD is not near dvd quality, although SVCD is near dvd quality. Go to the author tab on the left to learn how to add scene selections and such. If you are going to do real movies i would recommend getting a dvd burner.

[hangzen]

8)

Getting Close!

I've realized that I have NTI CD maker pro that was installed with my cd-r/cd-rw burner. It looks like I can burn a VCD onto this by simply dragging the Mpg video onto the prgram and burn.

I've successfully converted my mov file to an mpeg (at least it's playable on my computer as an mpeg). However, NTI says that it's not compatible with the V 2.0 (something like that)....

I think I'm doing it right.

Using Adobe Premiere 5.X, I convert my mov file to the mpeg1 structure using the trial version of the Panasonic plug-in that I downloaded.

My file is then converted as an .mpg file (mpeg1/352x240/29.97fps/44k aud) NTSC.

It still won't take it. are there any other variables that I'm missing? bit rate? etc.

Help.

[Mirror_Image]

Are you converting the mov file to vcd using TMPGEnc's built-in ntsc vcd template (which will work just fine), or just setting TMPGEnc up to make an MPG-1 file that meets this rough spec:

mpeg1/352x240/29.97fps/44k aud

If you are doing the latter, the actual VCD 2.0 specs are a bit more exact:

Constraints for MPEG files in VCD

The MPEG standard allows many variations for the stream format. Not all possibilities are useful for implementation in the Video CD decoder, so additional restrictions are made for VCD compliant MPEG sequences. The most important ones are:

-Each pack has the length of a CD-ROM/XA Form 2 sector, i.e. 2324 bytes
-There is exactly one video stream and one stereo or two mono audio streams in each sequence
-Video streams have a bit rate of 1151929 bits/second
-Audio streams are in Layer 2 and have a bit rate of 112000 bits/second per channel
-A video stream must have one of the following resolutions and frame rates:
352x240, 29.97 Hz NTSC
352x240, 24.976 Hz Film
352x288, 25 Hz PAL (only in VCD 2.0 and later)
-The distance between two subsequent I-pictures must not be greater than two seconds

[hangzen]

Are you converting the mov file to vcd using TMPGEnc's built-in ntsc vcd template (which will work just fine), or just setting TMPGEnc up to make an MPG-1 file that meets this rough spec:

Neither. I'm converting through adobe's export function.

However, if it's easier to use TMPGE, please let me know (or link me to) the exact download. I notice that this is freeware.

Thanks

[hangzen]

Close, but no cigar.... yet!

OK. I have now sucessfully converted an mov to mpeg & written it as a VCD under NTI CD maker pro. At least everything says that it is successful.

Now, I try to play it in my Panasonic DVD/VCD/CD player and it says "NO DISC". Now what?!!

What am I doing wrong? Maybe my DVD recorder is screwed up. It's probably around 4-5 years old. Too old? It does say VCD on the front.

Thanks for any additional input. So far you guys are great.

[Mxjshaf69]

Try using nero to burn it. I never get any of the problems i do in other programs with it, and it is really easy to use.