MiniDV Camcorder tapes to burn onto DVD

[geek2330]

Please help me understand the process a little.

I have some mini DV tapes that I captured video with on my last vacation. I used Windows Movie Maker and extracted the video tapes (about 4 tapes, 1 hour each), this gives me files with *.WMV extension.

1. Did I use the right program (Windows Movie Maker) to extract the video?

2. If so, what format I need to change this files to in order to play them with DVD player (AVI, MPEG2, etc) ?

3. Best free program to convert the files AND burn to DVD ?

Please help as I'm still trying to understand so many things about the video world.... :P :P

I appreciate your feedback...!!

[redwudz]

When you used Windows Movie Maker, you should have selected DV as the output instead of WMV. Or if you are not using WMM for editing, just use the freeware program WinDV to get the DV files to your hard drive. Then you can use one of many encoders that will give you a MPEG-2 suitable for DVDs.

Or easier may be to use a all-in-one converter like ConvertXToDVD to go from DV to DVD. Even the older freeware version DivxToDVD will work.

If you want the best quality, then use a MPEG encoder like the freeware HC or other MPEG encoder. Then a authoring program like the freeware GUI for dvdauthor. For guides, just look to the left for 'CONVERT' to encode the DV to MPEG and 'AUTHOR' to create the DVD format. Those tools also have guides listed at the bottoms of their tool pages.

I use TMPGEnc encoder, then TMPGEnc DVD Author, both payware, but easy to use. I burn the authored VIDEO_TS folder to DVD with the freeware ImgBurn.

Just do some reading. It's all there.

[thecoalman]

this gives me files with *.WMV extension.

Mistake # 1.... :P You want to transfer as DV-AVI, this is exact copy of what is on the cam. It will produce a file approximately 14GB's per hour. You can use other programs fopr this too such as WinDV which is free. If you follow that link to the software, check below for a guide on howe to use it.

From there you need encoding and authoring software. You need to convert the video to DVD compliant MPEG2 then use authoring software to create the chapter points, menus, correct files, folders etc. You can't do this Movie Maker, at least theXP version. There's many tools. some that do it all and some that are single purpose for each step.

You can do it for free but it's pretty steep learning curve. If you want to try somewthing consumer oriented download the trial for Ulead Video Studio or Movie maker. both will go from capture to burn.

Whatever the case it's important that you initailly transfer the footage as DV-AVI.

[geek2330]

Thanks guys for the quick replies..!!!

So, it is ok to grab the video from the tape using Windows Movie Maker and that I just need to capture as DV-AVI instead of WMV format, is that correct ?

Just wanted to make sure as WMM already comes with XP Pro.

Is there a step by step guide on capturing tape videos all the way to burn to DVD? This way I don't have to keep asking questions... :P :P

[geek2330]

Understand better now, thanks.

[edDV]

Thanks guys for the quick replies..!!!

So, it is ok to grab the video from the tape using Windows Movie Maker and that I just need to capture as DV-AVI instead of WMV format, is that correct ?

Just wanted to make sure as WMM already comes with XP Pro.

Is there a step by step guide on capturing tape videos all the way to burn to DVD? This way I don't have to keep asking questions... :P :P

You capture over IEEE-1394. XP will see the cam. Select the DV cam under "Capture from Video Device"



To export find DV-AVI "Save to My Computer" under "Other Settings". They did a good job hiding it.



If you aren't editing, WinDV is a more direct solution.

[geek2330]

One more question, I understand that I need to upload the video and save as DV-AVI, I can do this with Windows Movie Maker. Then I understand I need an encoder to convert the DV-AVI into MPEG-2 format......all clear.

Now, does Windows Vista include any encoder by default, any experience with Vista?

I have a Vista upgrade CD with me (well, the Business edition I think), so I can upgrade if Vista will give me an embedded encoder and an "all in one" solution.

Hopefully the Business edition can do all this........

[geek2330]

Ops, I was just checking at MS website but the Vista Business edition does NOT include the Windows DVD Maker program which includes encoder for MPEG2.

Damm....!!!!

[edDV]

One more question, I understand that I need to upload the video and save as DV-AVI, I can do this with Windows Movie Maker. Then I understand I need an encoder to convert the DV-AVI into MPEG-2 format......all clear.

Now, does Windows Vista include any encoder by default, any experience with Vista?

I have a Vista upgrade CD with me, so I can upgrade if Vista will give me an embedded encoder.

No. Vista (also XP) don't include an MPeg2 encoder because a royalty must be paid to the MPeg gods. If a $2-5 license fee is added to the OS cost, it causes a $10-50 effect on your price.

M$ knows that the computer manufacturers that supply a DVD writer need to pay for the license anyway so why load up Vista with a double hit?

As for upgrade customers, they already paid for the MPeg2 license when they bought a DVD writer. Exception is those who bought an OEM writer without license.

If you bought full Nero or something similar, you also bought the license.


PS: I'm out of date on who currently gets the cash from MPeg royalties but if you want to write a high school term paper, first research these guys.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraunhofer_Society
http://www.broadbandweek.com/news/020318/020318_biz_on2.htm

Or one extreme
http://www.techliberation.com/archives/038768.php
and the other
http://www.mpegla.com/aboutus.cfm

[geek2330]

Thanks edDV, however Windows DVD Maker does include an encoder to record into MPEG-2 format, this DVD Maker program comes with the Vista Home Premium and the Vista Ultimate edition though, according to MS.

[edDV]

Thanks edDV, however Windows DVD Maker does include an encoder to record into MPEG-2 format, this DVD Maker program comes with the Vista Home Premium and the Vista Ultimate edition though, according to MS.

That is one of the reasons you pay more for "Premium". Same issue with Apple and the iLife apps.

[geek2330]

so you're saying if I buy an inernal DVD burner it will bring a DVD burner software that includes the MPEG-2 encoder ??

Sorry for the dumb question, it is not my expertise.....

[MJA]

retail,not OEM

[geek2330]

right, that's what I implied, a "Retail" DVD burner will bring the encoder software?

[thecoalman]

Haven't seen one yet that hasn't come with some form of encoding/authoring software. These are usually limited versions and do not have all the features of the retail versions though. Guess it depends on what you get but some key feature might be disabled, less templates, less options etc. As an example I got a copy of Pinnacle Studio 6 or 7 with a ATI graphics card if I remember correctly and you couldn't adjust the brightness and contrast, I'm sure there was other things but that disc went in the trash after using it for a few hours.

Also note most capture cards will also provide software, I'm qualifying it with "some" because my ADVC didn't come with any software. All the others I have purchased did. In some cases the basic software may actually pay for the card or burner if you upgrade get the upgrade, it will definitely offset the cost.

[edDV]

The last two DVD writers I purchased came with "Nero Essentials" which was extremely dumbed down for codecs and capability. It lacked Dolby Digital support and the "Essentials" version of Showtime didn't play a commercial DVD as I recall. The "Essentials" version of Burning ROM didn't support Video DVD burning, only data. Optional software is required to do these tasks. I upgraded to the full Nero 7 package.

In the good old days, a retail DVD writer included a basic version of PowerDVD or WinDVD and an MPeg2 encoder to make a Video DVD. That is rarely true today.