HD video to DVD procedure

[feh]

Hi folks.

I have an HD video camera, but don't have a Blueray player or burner. So, for the last couple years, I've just been burning the HD video as regular DVD video in 16:9 format.

Anyway, I've been using the free tools that come w/ Vista to do this (Movie Maker and DVD Maker). I'd like to move away from these tools for a couple reasons:

• I've run into some encoding problem recently using DVD maker (the encoding process just hangs)
  I'm tire of not being able to control the bit rate of the output video

So, could somebody point me at a faq or howto on how this could be done with free tools? I have the video imported from the camera as both dvr-ms and mpeg files, in 1080i format. I want to take those files, author and burn them.

Thanks!

[minidv2dvd]

if you want to move up to a better editor, sony vegas movie studio platinum works with avchd cams. it's not free but not a pro level expense either. HD editors that work well are kind of scarce and mostly very expensive.

[feh]

if you want to move up to a better editor, sony vegas movie studio platinum works with avchd cams. it's not free but not a pro level expense either. HD editors that work well are kind of scarce and mostly very expensive.

Well, I'm burning in DVD video format, so I don't need an HD editor. I could down-convert the 1080i video before editing.

With all the swell tools out there, I'm assuming I can do this without spending any money (although I will, if need be).

[olyteddy]

<<<--- Over there in the margin, Click on 'Tools' under 'Lists' and you might just find what you're looking for.

[feh]

<<<--- Over there in the margin, Click on 'Tools' under 'Lists' and you might just find what you're looking for.

I realize that. I'm hoping there's a FAQ or HOWTO, so I don't need to try X different products in Y different combinations.

[olyteddy]

There are guides and user reviews over there too...