Burning Quicktime mov. to DVD-Video

[Straker]

Please forgive me as I am new to the whole subject of burning video clips stored on my hard drive to a DVD format that can be played on most DVD players. I have read some posts which have been very helpful and I've actually burned a DVD-Video format disc that works.
I downloaded the 30 day free trial version of Ulead Video Studio 7 as recommended and am very impressed with the software. The only real problem I'm having is that the conversion process is extremly slow (converting a mov. clip to a DVD-Video format). Often I will have to leave the process running while I'm away only to find the program has stopped for some reason leaving a blank desktop on my screen. Grant it it may be my computer. I have a PC with a Pent. III processor at 600 Mhz. and 768 Mb. of RAM. But if there's something I'm missing as to expedite the conversion process I would greatly appreciate any advice. Thanks, Straker

[bugster]

Thats a slow PC for encoding. You can expect it to take quite a few hours to generate a discs worth of DVD compliant mpeg. As to why your screen goes blank etc, it shouldn't really. Is it possible your CPU is overheateing as encoding will run it at 100% capacity for quite a few hours. Something you may not have done before.

[Straker]

Your right about the CPU working at 100%. I checked the task manager and she was really chuggin'. To fill an entire DVD disc (4.7 GB), I estimated 180 hrs. based on reaching 5% completion in over 9 hrs. The best I've been able to do is a 5 minute clip at 450 MB. I just didn't think the conversion process was so complex. Well I guess it means either a new faster computer or many cheaper dvd discs. So far I've used only Maxell discs at $20 for a pack of 10. Any recommendations on a cheaper but reliable brand?

[bugster]

You could try a more efficient encoder. I don't know which encoding engine is included with Ulead VS7, but Cinemacraft is probably the quickest encoder. I think there is a trial version available, but honestly, encoding DVD standard mpeg-2 with your system is still going to take a very long time. Think about upgrading rather than buying cheap discs (they only cause trouble).

[Straker]

Thanks Bugster. Unfortunately I'll have to stick with the system I got for now but I'll check Cinemacraft.

[evilwarmaster]

You could try using the RAD Video Tools to convert Quicktime files into AVI. AVI then can be imported into most DVD projects, or you could encode the AVI into a MPEG using a tool like TMPGenc. I don't know if this is faster, though.

[Straker]

Thanks Evilwarmaster. It appears I do have options based on Bugster and your suggestions. It will be a matter of trial and error though as to which will be the most efficient method. I'll be checking in on any other
recommendations since I can't believe I'm the only one in this forum with a 5 year old computer....or maybe I am.

[bugster]

I'll be checking in on any other
recommendations since I can't believe I'm the only one in this forum with a 5 year old computer....or maybe I am.

Maybe not the only one with a five year old computer, but one of only a few using such a PC for DVD standard encoding