Need Help Getting DVD-RAM onto DVD-R

[lbeck]

I'm trying to find some way to copy to/from DVD-RAM discs containing video. I have Pinnacle Instant Copy and several freeware programs (DVDDecripter, Shrink, IfoEdit, etc.). Instant Copy has a "Profiles" selection for DVD-RAM, but the software apparently doesn't read or write to it, unless I'm missing something.

I have several DVD-RAM discs that I'd like to copy -- either to DVD-R or other RAM discs.

When looking at the files on DVD-RAM discs I see one folder named Dvd_rtav and 3 files:Vr_mangr.bup, Vr_mangr.ifo, and Vr_movie.vro. The vro file is large and contains the video. It can be played using MPEG2 software. When I go to Instant Copy it doesn't recognize the .ifo files, or any other file, as a useable file.

is some other software needed to construct a video_ts folder or some other routine needed for DVD-RAM? Has anyone worked with DVD-RAM files and PIC?

Thanks

[daz1976]

Hi Ibeck

I asume you are creating these on something like a Panasonic standalone DVD recorder.
To make a DVD you need to change the biggest file's type to mpg. I then use Ulead DVD Workshop to import the file and add chapters etc. If you then process it using the option to not chnage the size of the files, you get a perfect dvd with menu's and chapters.
DVD workshop can be expensive but if you look around you can find a bargain.
Hope that helps.

Daz

[lbeck]

Thanks, Daz.

You're mostly correct in your assumptions. I do use a Panasonic DMR-E20 standalone recorder, and this is primarily what influenced my choice to buy a Panasonic LF-D321 internal DVD-R/RAM recorder for my computer about a year ago. I have subsequently gotten into video editing using Pinnacle's Studio software.

The E-20 works great as a high-end "VCR," and the RAM disks play on the 321 using something like WinDVD. However, I've now progressed to the point of wanting to take these RAM files and compile video DVDs. The software that comes with 321 doesn't do this, as best I can tell. You can compile the RAM data as "data," but no video editing capabilities.

What I'd really like is to have a format that I can manipulate using something like DVD Shrink, for example, to compress the video or remove parts (e.g., commercials). Also, having the ability to work between RAM and -R would facilitate my transfer of material from VHS (mostly family video) to DVD, since my E-20 is with my Home Theater system and I have cabling to dub from VHS-to-RAM. My computer is upstairs. What I've been doing so far is to dub from VHS to DV tape using my camcorder, then capture from the DV tape using Studio 8, then use the S8 software to edit the resulting AVI files. It would be lots simpler to just pop out the RAM disk from the E20 and use it in the 321.

To make a DVD you need to change the biggest file's type to mpg

Can you do this by simply renaming the file with a .mpg extension? I haven't tried this, but maybe it will work. If so, then maybe there's some software to work with the MPEG1 or 2 format that is more common than the .vro file that the RAM video is in.

Anyway, thanks for your input. I'll appreciate continued input on this subject. There appears to be lots of expertise on this forum and I betcha there is someone who works between the RAM and -R formats.