BIG VHS conversion to MPEG

[totus]

OK, I understand AC3 will not work with TMPGEnc. But is there another codec I can use that does work with it. Surely, there's zillions of TMPGEnc users out there, and they get audio?

[ozymango]

OK, I understand AC3 will not work with TMPGEnc. But is there another codec I can use that does work with it. Surely, there's zillions of TMPGEnc users out there, and they get audio?

You can use either LPCM ("wav") or MP2 for sound with older versions of TMPGEnc. Or you can upgrade to the latest version of TMPGEnc with the AC-3 plugin; it's a few $$$ but not terrible. Quality is pretty good.

For best sound quality and compatibility, I'd go for either LPCM (best sound but takes up lots of disk space) or AC-3 (close enough to LPCM at a tremendous space savings). I've never had any problems with MP2 audio (still pretty good sound but not as good as LPCM, huge space savings) but it's not a standard for DVD spec so it may or may not be supported on some players.

[FulciLives]

You need a program that can edit MPEG-2 video with muxed AC-3 audio. The two most popular are:

1.) VideoRedo
2.) MPEG-VCR

That will do what you want to do.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[totus]

For the moment, guys, I want to avoid spending money on products that may or maynot work. So I won't give up on the free stuff yet!

I tried to find an older version of TMPGEnc but no luck. The TNPGEnc website only let's you download the current one.

Do you maybe have a link to somewhere where I can get an old version (actually, which old version - any old version?).

Also, do these codecs get picked up by TMPGEnc automatically, or are there settings I need to be aware of?

[Nelson37]

Just trying to get something figured out.

So you have all these videos on DVD, which you have copied onto your Hard drive into different folders, like Wedding, Birthday, Funeral, then you want to join them into one humongous chunk, and then seperate them into chapters, with names like Wedding, Birthday, Funeral?

Why join them at all? Just use the directory structure like Super-chapters. Or if you join them, it should be in chunks sized with the storage/distribution media in mind, such like as-is for DVD, 9 Gb for DL DVD, 25Gb or so for HDDVD, and 35-40GB for Blu-Ray, or whatever.

Or just wait for the Super Whizzo 3000 and put in all on one cube.

[FulciLives]

I still say that you need something like VideoRedo or MPEG-VCR but I forgot to mention that Womble who makes MPEG-VCR also makes an enhanced version called MPEG Video Wizard which has more features than MPEG-VCR (or VideoRedo) but just recently Womble has released MPEG Video Wizard DVD which is a single program with all the enhanced editing features of MPEG Video Wizard but it is also a DVD authoring program now as well.

So my point is this ... MPEG Video Wizard DVD sounds like a good "deal" since it gives you all the editing ability you need plus you can author your DVD with it. It's like 2 programs in one.

Of course I haven't used this new MPEG Video Wizard DVD so I cannot comment on how well it works for DVD authoring but MPEG-VCR, MPEG Video Wizard and VideoRedo are all well tested popular programs.

My point to all this is to show you what are the most popular programs for editing MPEG video. These programs are popular because they work and work well and are used everyday by a lot of people. I couldn't live without MPEG-VCR myself.

Even more to the point ... stop bitching about this or that not working and get the tools you need to get the job done.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[totus]

So I've finally worked it out. Big thanks for all the advice - even to those who let their frustratiions get the better of them because I couldn't understand what they were trying to say!

Just to remind you, the issue was how to painlessly convert about 20 hours of home movies to hard disc on the PC and have them easily accessable by the whole family. Here's what to do:

1. Check you disc space. For 20 hours of VHS you may need 100GB od disc space. If you don't have enough, buy an external disc drive.

2. Have your tapes converted to DVDs externally (to find your local conversion facility, try something like 'VHS DVD conversion city' in Google. It may cost a bit, but for all thoses memories isn't it worth it? With the right hardware and software you can do it yourself, but for most people it probably isn't worth the trouble.

3. Download DVD Decrypter (try Google for the source) and use it to transfer the content of each DVD to your PC. Use File Mode, make sure that in Settings, the files are not split in the File Mode tab, and select only the VOB files. This will ensure you end up with one HD file from the whole DVD (which has lots of files). Be sure to change the name of each file on the HD after the transfer before you transfer the next one.

4. Download VideoReDo Plus (Google again!) and use it to join and convert the files to the MPEG format you need for your player. When you've done that, run the file through QuickStream Fix (in Tools) to clear up synchronisation problems. If you're lucky, you can convert all your DVDs during the free trial period. If you don't get it done in time, it will cost you $50.

5. Finally, download the ALShow player from ALTools and use it to create your bookmarks - them playback and enjoy! By the way, their support is fantastic - all your questions get answered, and in a way anybody can understand. A good alternative to ALShow (but with no direct support - just forums) is VLC player.

[A_51]

You can google seach all tools if you want to but every single one of them is been linked, rated comment upon and even there is guides on how to use it on the tools section.
You can leave your huge video file on your computer, but mustt likekly when you least expected your preasuse menories will become corrupted. Not to mention the fact that on family meeting you will have to carry your computer just to look at part of the footage. If you put it on disk it will not only be safer but also you will be able to grab your disk and see it at relative's or loane it to someone in the family.
You are up to a good start. Take some time to scoop on the site's diferent sections expetially on guides, tools, forums and others. Give your self 2 weeks on reading and then go back to your project.

By the way I would go with the DVR option even if you then edit later on the computer. The posibilities are endless and the satisfaction after all is done is worth the time and effort.

Good luck.

P.S. Pardon the typos.....