Likely stupid newbie questions.

[Faustus]

I am using a hardware codec to convert my vcr into dv video onto the computer, the goal is to then burn as VCDs, I don't mind using more then one CD per movie, actually I want quality before anything else. But I have a few problems I have ran into.

I've used various cap cards and devices as well as different software in the past, and while I've been able to USE them all they have all shared the same probem on the capture side... every one of them has a garbled band of video at the bottom after the cap is converted, does anyone know how to remove this using Ulead video studio 6? (the program I'm using)

The last questions should be simple but I can't find an easy answer, when I'm done converting to the VCD format (hours later) I have a large file that the program cannot burn with its burn plugin because its too large, I think no problems I'll find a way to chop it up into smaller files and burn them to several CDs for each movie, but I cannnot find an easy program to do this, every program I find splits by time but cannot ensure that it will use the entire CD before needing another (I just kinda have to play it by eye) and then what program is best to burn it??

I'm almost there but if I can get these 2 questios answered I'm happy with what I have.

Thanks ahead of time for your assistance.
-Flaystus

[rallytbk]

Here's my method of converting Avi's to Mpeg1 comparable video, then to VCD.

hardware: Studio DC10plus, HIFI Stereo VCR and Sony 8mm camcorder.

Adjust video feed with video out and TV/monitor (very important).

Capture composite video (best results with tape recorded in SP mode) in 10-12 mins files (helps with sync and editing problems) using a kitchen timer.

Edit video (add wipes, etc) and output to avi file to disk.

Convert avi to VCD comparable Mpeg1 format with AVI2VCD (the newest version creates a second Mpeg1 file after 650 Megs is reached) and burn file with Nero CD burning software.

That's what worked for me (bare in mind the DVD/VCD player should be CDR comparable).

Rallytbk

P.S.

I also use Vagas Video with the Mpeg plug-in to re-edit Mpeg movies that I archived.

[The VidKid]

every one of them has a garbled band of video at the bottom after the cap is converted,

Some video captures have that "garbled line" at the bottom. It may be annoying to watch on the computer, but if you actually get it onto a VCD and play it on your stand-alone DVD player to watch it on your TV, it DOESN'T show. That's because that's just an area that is out of range, and your TV doesn't show it. Yes, it's annoying to see sometimes on the computer, but if the reason why you want it in VCD is to be played and watched on your television, don't hassle and stress yourself out over it. It doesn't show on TV.

BUT, if you MUST get rid of it... try using VDub and clip off the bottom and top or "mask" it over with black bars.

I cannnot find an easy program to do this, every program I find splits by time but cannot ensure that it will use the entire CD before needing another (I just kinda have to play it by eye) and then what program is best to burn it??

There are several programs out there that can split your video file.
Have you tried TMPGenc?
Check this site out for a list of video splitters.

Hope this helps.

[invisibler]

if the "garbled band of video at the bottom" is normal and has nothing to do with your capture card...

...nearly all VHS video and TV signals have "a garbled band of video" at the bottom which you don't see because it's cropped by the borders of your television...this extra area on your video image which is cropped by your TV is called "overscan"...one of the advantages of DV and DVD is that there is no garble at the edges of the image...

...however, once you capture this video into your computer, you no longer have the border of your TV to crop the garbled video you you see the garbled video...

...many capturing programs have a feature called something like "TV cropping"...if you enable "TV cropping" then your capture area will be smaller and you will no longer capture the oversan area on your video...

...if your capture utility does not have such a feature, then when you are encoding your footage, simply use a "Clip", "Crop" or "Trim" filter to get rid of a small amount of video around the edges and you will never know the difference...however, as the Vid Kid said...if you are watching your final product on a TV screen, the oversan video will once again be covered by the borders of your TV and you won't ever see it...