conversion from vhs video to Pioneer 520 DVR to Computer friendly format

[newguy23]

I have some old video tapes that I would like to convert to digital format to be posted on Youtube.

I inherited a Pioneer DVR 520 H from my stepfather.

I burned the video to a DVD using a vcr and the Pioneer and neither of my computers can acess the files other than to play them.

I burned them in both the VR and VM modes, no luck. I tried opening them in the windows movie maker (where I have sucessfully captuered video from my camera), no go. The Mac saw the files and said acess was denied when I tried to move them onto the hard drive.

Question: does the Pioneer encode a copy protection on its DVDs when burning them?? They mention a copy protection program in the manual and are unclear about its application when the discs are burnt. I called Pioneer for support but the individual on the phone was unconvincing in that he was not familiar with even the scant info in the manual....

I know I could run the videos from my vcr into my digital video camera and then feed them to the PC but I wonder if there is a cleaner way??

I know that answering questions like these must get old, so I appreciate any help and all of the pateince that you can spare. If there are online tutorials, just point the way.

Thanks

Guy

[Baldrick]

Windows Movie Maker is not designed for any dvd converting. I would instead try tmpgenc xpress to import directly from dvd-vr or dvds and cut and convert.

If you are looking for free tools I don't know what you can do for dvd-vr modes. Can't the pioneer record in standard dvd mode(a video_ts folder)? If it can I would edit with dvd shrink and then use vob2mpg and upload the mpg to youtube.

[newguy23]

Baldrick,

Thanks for taking the time to help me out. Turns out the Pioneer was creating a TS folder with a vob file and a couple of attendant info files in it. I downloaded the vob2 mpeg program and converted to mpegs but I lost the audio..Any suggestions??? I did this on my XP equipped laptop. I also downloaded the net program that vob2mpeg said it needed.

Thanks,

Guy

[guns1inger]

The audio is AC3 - do you have the codecs ?

I use VOB2MPG on discs from my Pioneer regularly and never have a problem.

[newguy23]

I do now..Thanks guys.. the videos work and they sound right. I frequent other forums on the web and I must say that you guys treat beginners very nicely here. I will recommend this place to anyone who needs help in this area.



Guy