Questions about DVD backup

[Anonymous187]

I just got a recorder that can copy VHS tapes to DVDs. I'm backing up all my old home movies to DVD, which is working fine. But that's just for the straight backup - I also want to edit some of the worthless footage out (of which there is a lot), and then make new DVDs of the edited version. My question is what's the best way to get the videos off the backup DVD, edit them, and then burn them onto a new one. I've been experimenting with different types of conversion and compression trying to keep the same level of quality, and I'm about at my wits end with this. Thanks.

[wayne421]

You're trying to encode to mpeg2 (DVD format), then import somewhere else to edit, then re-encode to mpeg2 again. This is certainly possible, but you're going to lose a LOT of quality going this route.

The best way would be to capture the footage in DV .avi format through some kind of capture box/card. You can edit a DV .avi file much easier than an mpeg2 file, and it will look a heck of a lot better when encoding it for the final DVD.

If you do not have access to a capture box/card, you could rip the DVD out of your combo unit onto your harddrive using DVD Decrypter and then look in the TOOLS section for something that can covert mpeg2 to DV .avi for editing.

Again, editing mpeg2 is very messy. Try to avoid it if you can.

Good luck!

-W-

[ZippyP.]

Edit and re-authoring a dvd: https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=224833

I personally recommend MVW and TDA.

Rip with DVDDecrypter in file mode. Set file splitting in file mode setup to none, that way you get one big VOB which is easier to edit.

TDA will do simple cut edits but MVW has more advanced features if required.

TDA to author and burn.

TDA will not re-encode, MVW will only encode where required such as transitions or other special effects so losses are kept to a minimum.

[trhouse]

Not as flexible and full featured as the software methods, but a hdd recorder is very fast and convenient. Capture to the hdd, edit, burn to dvd-video.