Capturing so it's ready to put on DVD?

[jmw1137]

I just started capturing and after doing a lot of reading here (many of the guides & forum posts) but I can't find the answer to this. I'm using an ATI AIW Radeon to capture and I like to record a lot of TV shows. I don't mind watching it on the computer but some I'd like to put on DVD to watch on the TV. I have Nero installed and know most of you don't like it so I've installed the TMP programs for encoding/authoring.

My main gripe is having to encode to be able to put something on DVD. I'd like it to be as simple as recording and burning to DVD. Is there any way to do this?

Thanks!

[Bodyslide]

Try here for help

http://www.digitalfaq.com/

[jmw1137]

Thanks for the link. I've been to that site and couldn't find the answer to my question. Is there any way you can give me a link to the page it's on?

[ZippyP.]

Is there any way you can give me a link to the page it's on?

Maybe here.

[redwudz]

The easy way to do what you are asking is to get a set top DVD recorder.

But if you want to do it with what you have, Bodyslide has a pointed to a good site for beginners, especially with a ATI card.

If you have TMPGEnc encoder and TMPGEnc DVD Author, that's also a good start.

But there is a lot to learn. This is a hobby for most of us. I have been involved with it for a few years, and the more I learn, the less I find I know.

[jmw1137]

I was on that page Zippy...I'll re-read it though.

Thanks Red. I guess I'm just shocked there isn't an easy way to do this. I'm an audio guy (radio/live sound) and remember a long time ago when you wanted to make a CD you needed a WAV file. If you had an MP3 you had to convert to WAV before burning. Then Easy CD released a version of their software that would automatically convert an MP3 to a WAV file so it would burn (and the conversion was very fast).

It seems this is what currently has to be done with captured video, which I figured the software/technology would be ready to skip the step of encoding and could burn right to disc. I know Nero and other programs will encode before burning but I tried that and it was going to take something like 16 hours.

The feedback is appreciated and unless someone else has other information I guess I'll continue doing it this way until what I'm looking for happens.

[daamon]

Hi jmw1137,

Check out Ulead Video Studio (among others, can't recall their names though).

It's not a recommendation (I'm a "encode it myself" man), but I know it does what you want - capture, edit, choose (S)VCD or DVD and it does it all for you. The "all" includes encoding - that can't be got around. It just does it without you seeing / having minimal input.

Just don't gripe about any quality issues.... That's where encoding yourself has the edge over "all-in-pne" software.

Hope its OK for you...

[Evander]

windvd recorder might be of interest to you:
http://www.intervideo.com/jsp/WinDVDRecorder_Profile.jsp

"DV, VCD, SVCD And DVD Compatible File Output
WinDVD Recorder lets you save your favorite shows as DV (digital video), VCD (video compact disk), SVCD (super video compact disk) and DVD files."

There's a free trial, full version costs $100. But a standalone dvd recorder can be had for below $200 (and doesn't require a computer) so take that into consideration.

[andkiich]

This is as simple as I can figure your process could be:

1) Capture with ATI MMC as MPEG2 audio/video.
2) Author the MPEG2 files - You choose, IFOEDIT, TMPGEN DVD Author, DVD-Lab, etc.
3) Burn with Nero, Burn4Free, etc - pick one.

[babyboo]

This is as simple as I can figure your process could be:

1) Capture with ATI MMC as MPEG2 audio/video.
2) Author the MPEG2 files - You choose, IFOEDIT, TMPGEN DVD Author, DVD-Lab, etc.
3) Burn with Nero, Burn4Free, etc - pick one.

Agreed...for super simple, use one of the MMC DVD presets as that will assure that you have the correct resolution. If it wasn't that you have to author a DVD you would be able to go straight from capture to burn (asumming you don't want to edit your capture).

[lordsmurf]

use one of the MMC DVD presets

Never. Never, ever, ever, never.
Those default ATI settings are NOT MADE FOR standard sources like VHS, cable, television broadcast, etc. I do not know what those people were thinking.

Create your own presets.
Guides are digitalFAQ.com help make this easy to do.


Looking for "easy" ???
Capture MPEG-2 in ATI MMC.
Then use TMPGENC DVD AUTHOR to edit, author and burn (WinXP).
Two steps. Not a lot of choices this way, but super easy.

[edsmith77]

As stated by Lord Smurf, just two steps. In fact you do NOT have to have WinXP in order to burn to DVD from withn TmpGenc DVD Author. If you have W2K you can burn to DVD as well. That is my setup.
I capture in MMC (with my own tailored presets), then input into TmpGenC DVD Author and when it has authored it will automatically ask me if I want to burn. Just say yes, pop in a blank dvd, sit back an enjoy a cold one and voila a ready to go dvd.
Now if you want menus and chapters a slight bit more work is needed but with tmpgenc dvd author a very simple task. If you want more comlex menus then expect to invest your time and learn a new application.

TWO (2) steps can't get much easier than that.

[lordsmurf]

Any WinNT system (NT, 2000, XP) should work for TDA to burn, but there are known issues with that engine. Skip it if at all possible. It tends to work best in XP ... just wanted to clarify.

[babyboo]

use one of the MMC DVD presets

Never. Never, ever, ever, never.
Those default ATI settings are NOT MADE FOR standard sources like VHS, cable, television broadcast, etc. I do not know what those people were thinking.

The original poster was looking for the simplest method. The simplest way is to accept the default settings. Now, will they yield the BEST results? Obviously not. Personally, I have created numerous presets to my own liking to maximize the quality of my captures...Would I accept the default presets? No...but it would have been simpler to do so