Newbie Question

[moorthy]

I have a football game on VHS that I'd like to burn to DVD.

I'd like the DVD menu to have chapters like:

Pregame
!st quarter
2nd quarter
Half time
3rd quarter
4th quarter
Post game

What's the best way to do this? Capture to 7 different avi files, or make one FRIGGIN huge one?

I know squat about DVD authoring.

Thanks in advance.

[Barry Lyndon]

I think it is far more efficient to make the entire video one file. Especially if you plan on having the option of playing the entire thing continuously.

After compressing to M2V your file won't be that FRIGGIN huge.

[andkiich]

Just make one use file and add the chapter points during the authoring step.

[moorthy]

If I create one very large AVI file, space will be a concern as the tape is approx 4 hours long.

Is it possible to create small avi files, convert them to MPEG, and then rejoin them ?

[Barry Lyndon]

4 hours is a long time. You might want to think about splitting your project into two disks. I don't know if you can fit 4 hours on one disc and have it still watchable.

If file size is an issue you can definitely capture them as seprate clips, and then stich your AVIs together. I don't know any programs off hand.
One thing you coulld always do is import your avis into Premiere 6.5 drop the clips onto the time line and export as one MPEG2 file.

[pixel]

It states you have "Tons" of hard drive space in your comp. specs.

It is in your best interests to capture as one file (for ease of authoring). And add in the points you want as chapter points so you can also play the video straight through.

To make the file smaller, use the HUFFYUV codec, if this takes up your "Tons" of space use the PicVideo MJPEG Codec with the quality settings a 20.

(It is really much easier for us to help you if you fill in accurate info on your comp. specs.

@Barry Lyndon, yes it is possible to put 4hrs on a DVD, but at a resolution of 352x576 (Half D1) at the most. I frequently make 6Hr+ DVDs which are comparable to VCDs. I put this amount on, because if I wasn't using a DVD I would just make VCDs anyway.