OK, hardware works now. What software do I need?

[Neisse]

I finally (whew!) got Win XP installed, and I now have a working DVD burner.

This is what I want to do:

copy TV shows from VHS and digital cable sources, to a VHS/DVD recorder unit, using DVD-RW.

Take the -RW disc, download the video & audio, rip out the commercials, MAYBE do a nice, but simple, menu. That's it.

What software can I use for this? Looking for freeware/inexpensive stuff, but yet good stuff.

This is what I have right now:

Nero 6 suite & inCD 4
VideoReDo Plus 2.1
Avisynth 2.08
MPEG Video Wizard /MPEG2VCR
DVD Decrypter 3.5.4.0
Power DVD 5

Output will be onto DVD-R discs, single layer (for now. Might migrate to DL discs once they become more available. Burner supports 'em).

[FulciLives]

You have everything you need really other than a DVD authoring program. For that I would say go with the new TSUNAMI MPEG DVD AUTHOR PRO which is the new version of the most trusted TMPGEnc DVD Author which I use everyday.

Another option is to upgrade your MPEG Video Wizard to the new MPEG Video Wizard DVD which is the same program editing wise but is now also a DVD authoring program. Very new and I haven't used it myself but that would probably be the cheapest option as you could just pay for the upgrade whereas TSUNAMI MPEG DVD AUTHOR PRO is like $100.00

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Neisse]

Last night, I edited my first video in this project, using MPEG2VCR, and ripped the -RW with DVD Decrypter - it was quite easy, surprisingly!

Yes, I'm at the authouring point now. Couldn't I just use NERO suite for this? Or, is it crappy and I really need something else?

I'll look up the Womble upgrade right now and see how much more money it is.

[redwudz]

You can use the trial version of TDA or look into a freeware authoring program if you don't need anything fancy. Even the freeware DVDAuthorgui would probably do a better job than Nero.

[trhouse]

If you are near a Fry's Electronics store. they have DVD Easy Pack available for $79.99 with a $25 rebate until February 28th. It includes three programs, Video Encoder Express, Media Editor ( easy edition ), and DVD Author ( easy edition ).

The DVD Author ( easy edition ) lacks the ability to do custom menus. The manual mentions that you can use Media Editor for more accurate cuts than available in Author. This version of Author does GOP level cuts like the standard edition. I have not tried Media Editor yet but its interface does appear to allow frame accurate cutting. I will be testing this soon. Seems like not a bad deal for $55 since the standard DVD Author alone is $49.99.

[Neisse]

After looking around here, it seems that DVD-Lab Pro is a well regarded authouring app?

Well, I got a trial download. I'll play with it and see if I like it. If so, I'll pay to have it unlocked.

I've also seen that many seem to prefer DVD Decryptor to burn the finished DVD - is this correct? Should I use this instead of Nero?

[trhouse]

I have used Decrypter and Nero and decided I had fewer problems with Decrypter. It is possible some issues I had with Nero are system related. I also have Sonic RecordNow and that worked fine.

[FulciLives]

Please note that ImgBurn is the "replacement" for DVD Decrypter. The RIPPING part of DVD Decrypter will no longer be updated due to *cough* legal *cough* reasons.

So the maker's of DVD Decrypter made ImgBurn which is basically the same thing but it doesn't rip ... it only burns.

ImgBurn will be updated.

DVD Decrypter will no longer be updated.

So use DVD Decrypter to RIP your discs (should rip anything without copy protection and still works with most copy protected DVD discs but in the future it will work with less and less) but use ImgBurn to burn.

NERO sucks for most DVD burning needs (unless you are making just a "data" disc with back-up files ... not a Video disc in other words).

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Neisse]

Thanks for the "cough, cough" tip...

OK, here's where I am now.

Show is:

ripped off of the -RW (DVD Decrypter)
commercials removed, & cleaned up (MPEG2VCR)
chapters marked (DVD-Lab Pro)
Top menu made (DVD-Lab Pro)

Currently working on the chapters menu (GAWD! They bumndle some UGLY crapola buttons and backgrounds in these things!) I gotta find some compatible clipart for decent arrows, buttons, etc for this.

After that, I just gotta save it, test it, and burn it. Should have a working test disc done tonight (I'll burn the test disc on -RW, and try it in all of my set-top and PC/Mac DVD players. If it works in all of 'em, I'll burn it to -R for final disc, and use the stuff I did today as a template.)

Any one know where I can get DECENT looking arrows, buttons, etc. to import into DVD-Lab Pro? I hate to have to spend hours making my own in Photoshop or something like that...