AVI conversion question

[doodah12]

I'm capturing in Adobe Premiere pro using a Canopus ADVC-100 and it outputs the video into AVI files. I'm looking to take my analog video, digitize it, and then edit it and burn it onto DVD. Question 1, don't I need the files to be MPEG-2 to burn to DVD to play in my home DVD player? Question 2, if this is the case can I capture the video in Premiere directly into MPEG-2 and edit it as such, or do I have edit it as AVI's and then convert them to MPEG's for burning to DVD. Question 3, if that's the case what's the best program for converting AVI's to MPEG's. Sorry for all the questions but I'm new to this. Thanks.

[redwudz]

1. Does your settop player play AVIs? Mine won't. Your player may play MPEG2 or MPEG1 files without converting to DVD format. Depends on the player again.

2. Editing is much easier in AVI format than MPEG. You can edit in MPEG, but I see no advantage. Other than time saved in encoding.

3. 'Best' is relative. I use TMPGEnc encoder and TMPGEnc DVD Author, but others have their own preferences. I also use WINDV with the Panasonic DV codec for transferring DV to the computer and VirtualDub to edit and filter. Then the result can be 'frameserved' to TMPGEnc, avoiding an edited file taking up space. (Check frameserving in the tools section)

I think Premier may do all that, anyway. Another option is Mainconcept encoder which will convert DV from the ADVC to MPEG2 on the fly, though with reduced quality.

[jimmalenko]

I concur with everything redwudz has said so far.

Just to confuse you alittle more though, I recommend you look at FulciLives' guide. It handles everything from the time you get the files onto your HD in AVI to outputting to MPEG, with editing and noise removal inbetween. I use this method with all my TV/VHS/XBOX caps and thoroughly recommend it. There is a bit of a learning curve but once you do a couple, you'll shit it in.