when using windows movie maker

[azuberi80]

this is my first time making my own dvd from home video and i have a question.

how many hours of video can i fit on a single 4.7gb dvd?

im editing footage on the "timeline" and "storyboard" and i need to know how long i can make it so that it fits on one dvd.

thanks.

[tekkieman]

I guess the question is how long do you need it to be? Since you're using MovieMaker, you will still need to output as DV-AVI. The file will be huge regardless. You will then need to convert the AVI to MPEG2 for authoring on the DVD. This will be where the time of the movie comes into play. When you convert, you'll just need to use the total time to figure the bitrate needed in the conversion.

To give you an idea, you could use the bitrate calculator in the tools section and plug in some random times. It will then tell you what bitrate is required to make it fit the DVD. Obviously, the lower the number, the lower the quality. For home video, I see no reason not to figure 2-3 hours for your DVD. Since quality is subjective, and will vary depending on what you plan on viewing it on, some people have tried to cram 6 hours on a DVD. It can be done, but only you can decide if you're happy with the quality.

[azuberi80]

cool.

i want to keep this as simple as possible because the source vhs is not that good quality to begin with.

what program would you recommend to convert to mpeg2 and author the dvd?

i just want to add chapter marks and a simple menu.

im looking to put about 2 hours of video on one dvd (with an audio soundtrack)

i know about the huge files.....lol they are crazy in size.

THANKS!

[tekkieman]

The popular choice here is TMPGEnc to convert and TDA to author. Both have trial versions in the tools section. Both are low cost to purchase. Both do an outstanding job.

Just a note on outputting DV-AVI in MovieMaker. It outputs DV-AVI Type I, and I believe most encoders need Type II. There is also a tool to do that conversion in the tools section, but you may need to do a quick forum search to find the name, or wait until someone else pops into this thread with the answer.


EDIT - I might get shot for saying this, but I have also dopped the output of MovieMaker into a one click solution like Sonic Easy CD and DVD Creator just to make the menu and encode. It was a small 20 minute video, and I was new to doing DVDs, and in a rush. I didn't have the time to learn the proper way to do it, but I still got it done.

[daamon]

It outputs DV-AVI Type I, and I believe most encoders need Type II. There is also a tool to do that conversion in the tools section, but you may need to do a quick forum search to find the name, or wait until someone else pops into this thread with the answer.

DV Type 1 to DV Type 2 Converter

Canopus DV File Converter

[tekkieman]

Thanks daamon! I knew I could count on someone

[daamon]

The first one's easy to remember...

[azuberi80]

The popular choice here is TMPGEnc to convert and TDA to author. Both have trial versions in the tools section. Both are low cost to purchase. Both do an outstanding job.

Just a note on outputting DV-AVI in MovieMaker. It outputs DV-AVI Type I, and I believe most encoders need Type II. There is also a tool to do that conversion in the tools section, but you may need to do a quick forum search to find the name, or wait until someone else pops into this thread with the answer.


EDIT - I might get shot for saying this, but I have also dopped the output of MovieMaker into a one click solution like Sonic Easy CD and DVD Creator just to make the menu and encode. It was a small 20 minute video, and I was new to doing DVDs, and in a rush. I didn't have the time to learn the proper way to do it, but I still got it done.

oh boyyyy so im gonna have to encode twice? isnt there an easier way? i can re-capture if i have to.......

can i capture in nero directly?

also, can i ask what was so wrong with what you did with your movie maker output? thats the type of thing im looking for......simplicity.

[daamon]

@ azuberi80 - There are tools, commonly referred to as "all-in-ones", that will capture, edit and spit out a DVD with menus without you seeing or beng involved with a lot of what goes on "behind the scenes".

Yes, these are quicker and easier. But it's generally accepted that although you gain time (and keep your hair), you lose quality in the finished article.

If you want quality, you'll need to look into tools that are designed for each phase of the process. More to learn, nowhere near as simple, longer time (from you and the PC, more so the PC) but better results.

Your call...

[azuberi80]

could you name a few of these "all in ones?" im not worried about quality here because the source isnt all that great anyway.

[tekkieman]

I might get shot for saying this, but I have also dropped the output of MovieMaker into a one click solution like Sonic Easy CD and DVD Creator just to make the menu and encode. It was a small 20 minute video, and I was new to doing DVDs, and in a rush. I didn't have the time to learn the proper way to do it, but I still got it done.

oh boyyyy so im gonna have to encode twice? isnt there an easier way? i can re-capture if i have to.......

can i capture in nero directly?

also, can i ask what was so wrong with what you did with your movie maker output? thats the type of thing im looking for......simplicity.

You want to see me get shot on an open forum, don't you?

Ok, let me say this.....many of the people here are video hobbyist. They live for this. However, we (they) should also remember that some people come here with a simple question because they want to send grandma a DVD of Junior, and really don't care much for all the crap behind it. There's nothing wrong with that, and sometimes we just need to let the all-in-wonders get their answer and be on their merry way. They're happy. What should we care?

That said, NeroVision Express (comes with many new burners) can capture/edit/convert/burn. It is an all in one package. I don't recall if Sonic would capture, I had already captured with MM. You said you have Nero. If it is NVE, it will do what you want. Try it yourself and see if the final quality is acceptable to you. If so, use it. If not, there are many other ways to get you there. They will take longer, but the results will be worth it.

[daamon]

could you name a few of these "all in ones?" im not worried about quality here because the source isnt all that great anyway.

Off the top of my head, "No" - sorry.

I do home DV from my cam to DVD, and I want quality and find it interesting to delve into different tools, so I've never used an "all-in-one".

I think that one of Ulead's products is one, and maybe Pinnacle. But I really can't recall... Sorry.

Someone will come along and provide some suggestions - even if they're not advocates...

Good luck, however you get there. As long as you're happy is the main thing.

[azuberi80]

I might get shot for saying this, but I have also dropped the output of MovieMaker into a one click solution like Sonic Easy CD and DVD Creator just to make the menu and encode. It was a small 20 minute video, and I was new to doing DVDs, and in a rush. I didn't have the time to learn the proper way to do it, but I still got it done.

oh boyyyy so im gonna have to encode twice? isnt there an easier way? i can re-capture if i have to.......

can i capture in nero directly?

also, can i ask what was so wrong with what you did with your movie maker output? thats the type of thing im looking for......simplicity.

You want to see me get shot on an open forum, don't you?

Ok, let me say this.....many of the people here are video hobbyist. They live for this. However, we (they) should also remember that some people come here with a simple question because they want to send grandma a DVD of Junior, and really don't care much for all the crap behind it. There's nothing wrong with that, and sometimes we just need to let the all-in-wonders get their answer and be on their merry way. They're happy. What should we care?

That said, NeroVision Express (comes with many new burners) can capture/edit/convert/burn. It is an all in one package. I don't recall if Sonic would capture, I had already captured with MM. You said you have Nero. If it is NVE, it will do what you want. Try it yourself and see if the final quality is acceptable to you. If so, use it. If not, there are many other ways to get you there. They will take longer, but the results will be worth it.

thank you. i also understand that this board takes its conversion seriously, ive been lurking for over a few years.

its just that i finally got down to making my own dvd, its my first one and its a low quality source that im using.

im sure in the future i can learn and do it the "right" way.

thanks.

[tekkieman]

InterVideo WinDVD Creator
Sonic DVD Builder (part of Easy CD and DVD Creator)
NeroVision Express

There's three.

[daamon]

...im sure in the future i can learn and do it the "right" way.

Don't let people brow beat you into believing that there is a "right" way (not saying you are tekkieman ) - There is no right or wrong ways, just what's OK by you. Sure, some ways can be more efficient etc., but, if it's logical, efficient and you're happy then that's just fine...

[tekkieman]

No prob daamon. As you can see, I have no problem telling the OP the info he's looking for. I'm more worried I'll be tarred and feathered for it!

Hey, I've used everything I've mentioned to the OP, so it was something that once worked for me too!

[BroganMc]

Don't confuse the matter for him with lists of programs that do this and that.

TMPGEnc reads DV-AVI Type 1 just fine. It also reads WMV. Ulead's DVD Movie Factory reads DV-AVI but not WMV (not sure about the new version 3.0). Sonic MyDVD reads WMV, but offers less user control.

Movie Factory & MyDVD are authoring tools. They will create the menus for you, convert to MPEG-2 (if necessary) and burn a playable DVD. Their encoders are not viewed as the best here, but quality is fine. They just take longer. (Amazon has Movie Factory 3 Disc Creator on sale for $52.99, which adds motion menu creation.)

If you want absolute control over your encoding settings use TMPGEnc (the paid for Plus version, but I do believe the trial download gives you 2 weeks of MPEG-2 encoding). TMPG's project wizards gives you control over things like source cutting (good for eliminating commercials), noise reduction, and bit rate. It will also tell you what the final file size is and if it will fit on your DVD. You can also do batch encoding if there are several files.

I usually edit in Movie Maker, save as DV-AVI or WMV (highest quality), encode to MPEG-2 with TMPG (with MPEG audio), then author in Movie Factory. (Make sure you change the encoding settings in Movie Factory to the bitrates you used and select "Do not convert DVD compliant files".) Sometimes I burn straight to a DVD and others I just output the DVD files to my hard drive for burning later. This allows me to add DVD-ROM folders to the disc.

I used this method to make 2 hour travel videos, 18 minute music photo montages, and television compilations with photo archives for DVD-ROM use.

You can get up to 10 hours of video on a DVD if you don't mind a serious drop in quality. 2 hours looks good for miniDV source materials. I try to stay within that 2 hour window (mostly because there's a limit to how much a person will sit through home video) but will go up to 2h30m. 4-6 hours looks like VHS at EP mode.

[daamon]

Ok, let me say this.....many of the people here are video hobbyist. They live for this. However, we (they) should also remember that some people come here with a simple question because they want to send grandma a DVD of Junior, and really don't care much for all the crap behind it. There's nothing wrong with that, and sometimes we just need to let the all-in-wonders get their answer and be on their merry way. They're happy. What should we care?

I totally agree...

As you can see, I have no problem telling the OP the info he's looking for. I'm more worried I'll be tarred and feathered for it!

On the contrary - I think you should be applauded. All too often do I see people criticisng someone's technique / use of tools because they want to do it the easy way. So long as they understand the potential quality impact then if they're happy, good for them.

I mean, fair enough slating someone when they want "quick, easy, cheap and with excellent quality" - that's just an unrealistic expectation.

[edDV]

Here are some all in one's that I would reccommend.

Nero 6 Ultra
Ulead Video Studio 8
Sony Vegas Movie Studio

I have and use the first two and I use the high end version of the last, Vegas 5 + DVD

Nero is best if you just want the basics. You also get a comprehensive DVD burning program.

[tekkieman]

Don't confuse the matter for him with lists of programs that do this and that.

The list of programs I gave him is exactly what he asked for! Three all-in-one programs.

[daamon]

Don't confuse the matter for him with lists of programs that do this and that.

I agree - so why are you going on about specific tools:

If you want absolute control over your encoding settings use TMPGEnc (the paid for Plus version, but I do believe the trial download gives you 2 weeks of MPEG-2 encoding). TMPG's project wizards gives you control over things like source cutting (good for eliminating commercials), noise reduction, and bit rate. It will also tell you what the final file size is and if it will fit on your DVD. You can also do batch encoding if there are several files.

...when the OP has only just said:

could you name a few of these "all in ones?" im not worried about quality here because the source isnt all that great anyway.

[azuberi80]

well i found out a co-worker of mine has nero 6 ultra edition so i'll be giving it a try tomorrow with my wmm avi files.

thanks for your help guys.

[edDV]

After you install Nero 6, unless it is the latest 6.6 version, you will need to install the major updates. This is the second major update since v6 was first introduced.

Nero home http://www.nero.com/us/index.html
6.6 Update http://www.nero.com/us/nero-up.php

The update is very large (over 100MB) so find a fast connection.

[BroganMc]

Don't confuse the matter for him with lists of programs that do this and that.

I agree - so why are you going on about specific tools:
...when the OP has only just said:

could you name a few of these "all in ones?" im not worried about quality here because the source isnt all that great anyway.

I knew my post would get criticized. Forgive me, but I was authoring my post while the OP was asking that further question. Unfortunately he was faster than me in posting. Believe it or not that does happen.

My concern here was Azuberi80's question about having to convert his Windows Movie Maker file twice (once from DV-AVI Type 1 to DV-AVI Type 2, and again from DV-AVI to MPEG-2). I explained that it wasn't necessary as there were programs that did take that WMM video and make a DVD. Two of the three programs I mentioned were brought up in posts with erroneous information given about what they could and could not do. I mentioned Ulead Movie Factory only because it is a tool I most often use to author DVD's. It is also the Ulead "all in one" mentioned in a post.

I should have quoted, but then again about 5 posts were added to the message while I was writing my one.

[daamon]

@ BroganMc - OK, we'll let you off this time...

[tekkieman]

@ BroganMc - What daamon said!

Posting here is fast and furious. While it's best not to confuse the newbs with too much info at once, there are many different ways and opinions to get the same job done. As long as we get the question answered and the poster is happy, I'm sure all input is welcomed.