a newbie experimenting

[just_some_guy]

hello, ill try and keep it short but i have to explain all what i'm doing....

1. i do not have a dvd-rom or the software for it, so i guess i cant rip dvds...unless there is software that allows you to play them on your computer for free, if there is, can you tell me some?

2. i have nero 5.5.8.2 for the burning of vcd's. i tired this and nero comes up as nero express... i put in several files i have downloaded such as some faces of death clips, WTC stuff, and some cartoons as a test disc....almost all my files are in AVI or MPEG or MPG format...i have some in ASF but i dont know how to convert them to the other....ok so i tried burning them(or i actually did) and nero gave me some message that they are not in the proper format..i remember i read in some places to burn in 'dao' so i clicked on "turn off multisession" and left the 'dao' on...unless i screwedup....this is what happened : nero converted the files(so it said) and i burned it as a video disc, but then when i tried to play the disc on my standalone dvd(GE 1106P,which says it accepts vcd), the disc didnt load and on the screen it said "cannot play this disc" & "check disc" so now im wondering what the hell to do?

3. the thing i want to do is do dvd ripping so i can back up my dvd, and i also want to make vcd's out of them and all the cartoons i have on my pc..with nero i guess now i would rather convert the AVI, ASF & MPG or MPEG files manually to the MPEG1, but all the programs are pay programs, is there any free ones? the main thing i want to do is make vcd's out of all the files i have downloaded.

4. the last thing is, and i have read alot of the how to's and manuals, but i really do want to make vcd's out of all my files, and from my dvd's, so im looking to see if anyone can tell me what programs i need and what i can do without a dvd-rom

thanx for any and all help
richie_zee@hotmail.com

[revjake]

Okay, let's take these one at a time:

1) To even READ a DVD in your computer, you've got to have, at the least, a DVD-ROM drive. Take heart, at the moment I don't have one either.

damned Creative pieces o' shite die at the worst times

Once you *have* a DVD-ROM, software such as WinDVD will let you view it on your computer. I hope you have at least, say, a PII400---decoding DVDs takes a li'l bit of processor horsepower.

2) Nero is GREAT for actually BURNING (s)VCDs, but for AUTHORING them, it's absolute shite. Pick up TMPGenc. There are free versions out there, it's easy to use, *cheap* if you want to buy the full version, and has a whole lot of depth to it. Once you've got that one figured out, move up to CCE.

You may be having a problem with your player. I did a [link=http://www.vcdhelp.com/dvdplayers.php?DVDnameid=69&Search=Search&#comment s]little checking for you[/link], and it seems your player is quite finicky with the CD-R media it'll read.

I've got a GE 5803, m'self, and it works great. I got my father an Apex 1100 for his birthday, and he loves it---I'd recommend the Apex, since it's *slightly* more forgiving on high-bitrate material than the GE players, and cheap as hell at your local Wal-Mart (assuming you're in the States).

3) Sounds like you need to go out and download TMPGenc, and [link=http://www.doom9.net]DVD2SVCD[/link], then buy yourself a DVD-ROM. DVD2SVCD makes backing up DVDs really easy, and TMPGenc should help you convert most anything to VCD.

Without a DVD-ROM drive, all you can do it take material on your HD and make it into (s)VCDs. No DVD-rips for you!

4) With all your questions, I'd have to suggest reading the guides (to your left) again. Pay particular attention to converting, authoring and burning. Keep a browser window open and go step-by-step if you have to---it's not the easiest thing to learn (but then, I'm a pro pianist), but with practice you'll be making (s)VCDs to amaze your friends in no time!

Heh. They're still wondering how I was able to play the new Matrix trailer on my TV screen the night it was released...

[boss]

revjake is exactly right. You cant "unlock" a cd-rom to play dvd's.
As for nero, i had the same problem with it loading up as nero express. To get regular nero just enter in your serial code. if you don't have one, then get the keygen from file sharing sites like www.grokster.com that will generate a serial code for you. Make sure you get the right keygen for your version of nero.

[Mirror_Image]

You cant "unlock" a cd-rom to play dvd's.

Quite correct, because if you could do so, would anyone buy a DVD-ROM drive when they could just buy a cheap CD-ROM drive instead? I think not!