How to convert Windows Movie Maker file to DVD

[econrad53]

I captured the video ( DV ) from my camcorder with Windows Movie Maker 2.
I need to put this on a DVD Disc. What is the best way to convert a .Mov or WMA, so that it will play on my DVD player?


I have Nero software, if that helps.

Thanks,
Eric

[edDV]

You need a DVD authoring program that accepts WMV or MOV as an input. Most of the mainstream consumer DVD Authoring programs will. Check the specs before you buy. MS also lists programs on it's Movie Maker site.

I don't recommend using Movie Maker in wmv mode if DVD is the goal. It will work but most will capture uncompressed or DV-AVI if a quality DVD is the goal. Others capture with a hardware MPeg2 encoder. If you must use wmv, you can get reasonable results if higher quality wmv bitrates are used.

[econrad53]

Thanks for the help. So the DVD Authoring program will convert these files to DVD format for writing?


Anyone know of a program that takes Mov or WMV?

[SingSing]

If you want to get a ceratin video quality, then you should use an external encoderlike TMPGenc, then use TMPGenc DVD author to put it together as a DVD disc.

[edDV]

This will. Very good reputation. Compare to others.
http://www.ulead.com/dmf/runme.htm

[econrad53]

Thanks

[turk690]

If you are already using a full version of Nero (NOT the one usually bundled with DVD-rewriters, although some ARE indeed full versions), Nero Vision Express in Nero Digital can capture DV from your camcorder all the way to editing it, encoding to DVD-compliant MPEG (including Dolby Digital audio), and authoring a final DVD.

[edDV]

I just realized you are capturing DV video. Sorry I missed that.

Think about it. DV is very high quality. Why go to highly compressed WMV only to decompress that to less compressed MPeg2?

If you go with one of the programs discussed, they are capable of transferring DV video at full quality and authoring the DVD.

If you insist on using Windows Movie Maker then you need to take the responsibility of avoiding WMV and maintaining DV-AVI. You should capture to DV-AVI, edit and output to DV-AVI. It is there in the export to computer menus under other format settings.

Consider it a game. Evil Microsoft wants you to use WMV and will steer you in that direction. But they do allow you to maintain DV quality it you can find the export to DV-AVI golden key.

Game Hint: "other settings"

[econrad53]

Thanks for the tip.