How to Edit to DVD??

[jet757f]

I am new to this and not sure if this should have gone in the newbie discussion. I am just learning how to convert my 8 mm and VHS tapes to DVD. I am now trying to figure out how to add chapters/menus/ and
other editing. I have looked at some of the ones already installed on my computer such as Adobe Premiere 6 and WIndows Movie Maker.
I cant figure out Adobe and actually WIndows Movie Maker looks like it might be easy to use but no one seems to mention it in this forum.
So which one would be the best to use for simple editing/authoring for someone like me. I also have Nero and some other SOny Programs that came with my computer. I have seen the program TMPGEnc talked about but have never heard of it. Which one should I use??

[mkelley]

Ummm, you're going to need to understand some basics first. I'd strongly advise you to start reading the guides on the left here for several days until it comes together for you.

You're really talking about two separate processes here (and mixing up a lot of software involved in those processes). You can edit a video in a variety of ways, and this calls for video editing software (like Premiere or Movie Maker). This editing means cutting out scenes, adding titles and transitions, etc. It really has nothing to do with a DVD (because the end video can be used on a wide variety of platforms and ways). For this you're probably better off using Movie Maker if you want to do simple things -- Premiere is a lot more powerful (it's what I use) but overkill for simple projects.

For authoring a DVD (this is where you'll put chapters and menus and all that good stuff) you then need to take your video and convert it to DVD compliant formats -- once again, do some reading to understand all this. TMPGEnc can do this, although not the free version (since you'll want MPEG2). Then you'll need a DVD authoring program, and there are a ton of these -- I'd recommend you look at DVDLab.

Last but not least you then burn your DVD authored files onto your DVD -- this is where Nero comes in (many DVD authoring programs can also burn, but it's better to use dedicated software for this).

Start reading and studying and in a week or two you'll be up to speed.

[jet757f]

Thankyou for the information. I have been reading this website for quite awhile, but there are so many programs that it gets confusing. I have been using the Adaptec capture card and Movie Mill to place 8mm and VHS on to my hard drive. I have burned just straight to DVD with no authoring. Now I am to a point I want to do more and add chapters etc.
I just need something simple. Do you think Windows Movie Maker would be ok or should I use something else like the TMPGEnc??

Thanks
Ken

[FulciLives]

I just need something simple. Do you think Windows Movie Maker would be ok or should I use something else like the TMPGEnc??

Oh my.
Ken ... did you not understand ANYTHING that mkelley said?
I mean, those two programs you mentioned don't even do the same thing.
No one can or will be willing to help someone that can't understand the basics.

My advice ... read as many guides on this website and the DOOM9 website including reading the forums on both website.

It may take a while but eventually it will (or should) soak in.

Best to wait and ask questions once you have a (much) better idea of what you are talking about.

Otherwise people will think you are an idiot and not want to offer any help at all.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Specialist]

So which one would be the best to use for simple editing/authoring for someone like me.

You seem to be searching for a simple, wizard-driven DVD authoring application.

Have a look at DVD MovieFactory 2.

It will take you step-by-step through the menu creation process.

You can read about it here:

http://www.ulead.com/dmf/features.htm

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[housepig]

NeoDVD is another very simple, wizard-driven app that might work for you.

it includes capturing, basic editing, and authoring functions (possibly even burning, it's been a while since I used it).

I would advise shopping around for it (I got my copy bundled with my capture card) because while it is good for a beginner, it's very limited in it's customization, and you will outgrow it after a few projects.

For lowest cost / highest flexability, I would probably recommend Virtualdub for capture and edit, TMPGenc for dvd encoding, and DVD Lab for authoring your dvd.

If Virtualdub doesn't like your capture card, I would use iuVCR for capture, Virtualdub for editing, then TMPGenc and DVD Lab.

[jet757f]

Thank you everyone for your advice. Yes I was only looking for some easy software programs, that I can play with and get a feel for how to do it. Sometimes it is easier to learn by doing things and not just reading about it.
I will look into some of the software that has been recommended.

Thanks Again
Ken

[lechtin]

Jet,

You're right, there is a lot of information to absorb and it can get confusing. But as the other guys say, the guides will cover a lot of what you need to know.

On the other hand, I would suggest you try Ulead VideoStudio 7 (demo available at www.ulead.com). It's the easiest all-in-one piece of software I know (IMO a bit easier to follow than Pinnacle Systems Studio 8 if you've heard of it). It goes from capture to actually burning your DVD. Once you've done a couple of projects with it, you'll have the basics to get more out of the guides and more advanced stuff. My father-in-law knows how to use email, word processors and may be install printers in Windows, and he had no problem learning VS7.

Good luck,

[housepig]

after re-reading this thread, I have one more suggestion.

plan out at least 3 projects that you can do in 30 days.

even if they are short projects - get some rewritable dvds so you don't waste any.

Then do them. Make sure you've done 3 or 4 complete, soup-to-nuts projects before you spend your first dime on software.

I'd hate to see you pick something because it's an affordable all-in-one, then putting it on the shelf after 3 months because it won't do some more advanced stuff, and having to buy a whole new piece of software.

Once you've gone through a couple of projects, preferably with a couple of different pieces of software, you'll start to see what you like and don't like, what you'll need and not need, etc. You may find that your first simple package is the best - great. But at least you'll have some other experiences to benchmark it against.

good luck.

[rsuave5]

moviemaker is great and though ive been doing this a while i still use it regularly. do a search in the forums for moviemaker 2 (dload it at microsoft.com) it is easy and works very well! lots of tutorials at microsoft .com and once you use that well other programs will come easier to you.

many people here underestimate moviemaker but mm 2 has awesome transitions and good effects easy to trim and the new titler is great! i use it for alot of stuff. be sure to capture to dv-avi and then save your project often and save the movie as dv-avi and you can then edit more later in premiere or whatever as they all will accept dv-avi. read up on this site alot and ask questions youll be a prosumer in no tome!

[rsuave5]

3 processes which i use three different programs

1. capture - movie maker2
2. edit - i use premiere and movimaker
3. author- i use dvdit (expensive) try ulead dvd movie factory 2 (round 50 bux)


i also use tmpgenc to convert my dv- avi to dvd mpeg 2 (located in tools) look up tmpgenc settings but a good way to get awesome quality is to set it to 2 pass vbr with a minimum bit rat of 5000 and max of 8000 or cbr 8000


dont understand? look it up and use the search function alot!

[jet757f]

I cant thank everyone enough for all your time and information.
This will help me out alot. This will give me some stuff to experiment with and get started.

Thanks
Ken