I am about to give up with DVD Writers

[Erwin]

At first, I was thinking, I will get a DVD-/or + Drive to capture. Thinking, "Hey, this is less than half the price I would pay for a DVD-Recorder- So, I'll go for it". Then, now I am learning that unless you have some sophisticated Capturing program that cost about $300 (DVDit), you can't fit more than one hour on a DVD because MyDVD (the same company of DVDit) is too cheap to give a feature that will allow the audio to be done with simply 2 channel dolby instead of PCM. I am seriously considering just getting a DVD Recorder.
Advantages that I can see with the DVD Recorder over a DVD Writer:
You can fit atleast 3 or more hours on a single-sided DVD-R without a $300 program. You don't have to upgrade or buy a new computer that is needed for all the editing. Total: $588 for a Panasonic DVD Recorder.
Advantages to a DVD Writer: You have more control (Menu wise and you are able to give a personal touch). Total: $200- $300 for a DVD Writer and $$$$ for a decent software package. (and this is if you have the proper computer).

I have a computer (800mhz Duron, 192 MB RAM, Ati AIW 128 Pro 32MB). I was only able to capture up to the "Better" Quality using MyDVD; My capturing would be too slow and jerky when capturing at BEST. I really like MyDVD, but is one hour all one can fit on a DVD due to their PCM restriction? That really bites. The whole reason I got into DVD editing from VCD editing was for higher quality and more space. I am simply trying to get all my Simpsons episodes archived before they deteriorate until the Simpsons are all on DVD (if that ever happens). Thanks in advance

[HyperYagami]

get a dvd recorder. it's almost like "hey you can use your computer as tivo" - yeah, it's technically possible, but practically the idea sucks. for instance, you wanna capture/record a live show and your computer crashes on you...

[kazzer]

[quote="Erwin"]Then, now I am learning that unless you have some sophisticated Capturing program that cost about $300 (DVDit), you can't fit more than one hour on a DVD because MyDVD (the same company of DVDit) is too cheap to give a feature that will allow the audio to be done with simply dolby instead of dolby.

Can someone please elaborate on this for me...

Thanks!

[Erwin]

"Can someone please elaborate on this for me..."

Sorry, I put Dolby in the sentence twice instead of putting PCM at the end. I went ahead and corrected it though. Hope this clears things up. What I am wondering is if the setting "GOOD" is worth using for simply putting anolog VHS "Simpsons" on DVD since I have heard the "GOOD" setting in MyDVD takes up less space and allows about 2 hours, I think.

[cchitson11]

Do Some Reading before you run out buy a recorder. There is programs out that are completely free for recodeing captured video. They will probably even allow you to fit more video on a disc than a recorder(5-6hrs+). There is even mothods to re-encode audio to ac3. Trust me writer can do a hell of alot more than a recorder. the downside to this You are going to have to LEARN SOMETHING. All the tutorials you will ever need is in the column to the left. Good Luck.

[ejai]

Get a standalone, you won't regret it. I use the computer and my standalone Panasonic DMR-E30. I use the standalone much more than the computer.

The computer is too tempermenatal and pisses me off at times. The DMR-E30 works like a dream. I use my computer to store and edit video if I want to customize the video. Before I bought the DMR-E30 I had made many coasters, now all my disks look and work fine.

I love my DMR-E30.

ej

[Erwin]

"They will probably even allow you to fit more video on a disc than a recorder(5-6hrs+). There is even mothods to re-encode audio to ac3. Trust me writer can do a hell of alot more than a recorder. the downside to this You are going to have to LEARN SOMETHING. All the tutorials you will ever need is in the column to the left. Good Luck."

Thanks for the input. I have been into doing VCDs since I got my Ati AIW 128Pro in 2001, and this site is definitely a "life saver" with information. I have used tools for doing VCDs like the MMC_Reg Tools which is an excellent tool. Too bad they don't have something like this for MyDVD. I know there are tools out there, but if they cannot be used in realtime, I am not interested. I know there are hundreds (thousands) of people on this forum who spends hours doing one disc- I applaud them for doing that because I just don't have that kind of patience. I believe technology should remain easy and fast like everything else. I only want to capture and copy....that's what it comes down to. Those menus do like nice in MyDVD though It's strange b/c when I bought the Sony DVD+-RW, I thought my worries were going to be things like will I be able to capture via my ati card or will the Sony DVD+-RW work, but no, it's the software limitations.

[Erwin]

"The computer is too tempermenatal and pisses me off at times."

You got that right. This is probably why I changed my major to Computer Engineering after getting my first B.A. Computers are strange creatures, but I would rather work on one of them anyday in a nice air conditioned room with a Dr. Pepper than a greasy car in a hot garage. Although cars make their errors more prevalent at times.

[yg1968]

The simple solutions to your problem is: don't use Sonic MyDVD.

Other alternatives that are not too expensive are: Dazzle DVD complete or Ulead DMF 2.0. They have trial versions. Both programs use mp2 audio. Given that most DVD-Video players can read mp2 audio, this shouldn't be a problem.

You are better off using TMPGEnc to encode.

[kazzer]

Sorry Erwin, what i meant in my last post was: Do you have to use PCM audio when authoring with cheap software????

I'm trying to decide between the PC and standalone DVD creation routes.


Cheers!!!

[Erwin]

"Do you have to use PCM audio when authoring with cheap software????"
Atleast with MyDVD, you have to (there is no way around it with this software). They state that one of the versions, DVDit gives you the option of having dolby which is 1/10th the size of PCM audio. All I am capturing is VHS and I think most people are capturing and archiving their old Videos/8mm videos. Why would you need anything more than dolby? PCM is unnecessary. I guess I can try those trial versions of programs that yg1968 listed.

[StudeBarc]

Erwin,
Another alternative to try is NeoDVD PLUS V4.1. This allows for AC3 (D/D-2ch) audio or PCM. MP2 audio can be problematic on some DVD players ie it must be multi-channel not 2 channel. AC3 is always acceptable. With NeoDVD on direct to disc (+RW in +VR mode) you will get approximately 2 hrs plus in highest quality setting ~9.8mbps constrained VBR. I have used Neo for DV direct to DVD captures and found it acceptable but not brilliant. It is real-time mpeg2 on machines > 1.3 gig or so. At around $50 US it may be worth a try. Also supports plenty of TV cap cards. Site link for more details : http://www.mediostream.com/products/neodvdplus/index.html

Regards
Studebarc

[Anonymous65]

Get the Pansonic LF-D311, it can only burn at 1x speeds, so you don't have the problem with flaky fast media. 1X burns on the Panasonic is quite solid, and high quality 1X DVD-R are cheap. I have tried the Pioneer, but it and the fast blank media gave very poor results.

As for authoring, I only use Ulead. Works for me...

SK

[Thorn]

I think that ulead software lets you use ac3 audio only if you mux it with the video. Since there is free software available to encode to ac3 (but I haven't seen cheap software that can encode to ac3) you're probably best off encoding separately then authoring with a program that is ac3 'capable' (meaning it will burn files already encoded)

[Chips144]

I have a Pioneer AO4 and a Sony DRU500A. I do a lot of work with various dvd-type programs from svcd with DVD2SVCD in the beginning up to dvd with DVDit, DVDXCopy, DVDSplit & Burn, dvd2one. I also recently bought a Panasonic DMR-HS2. The DMR is connected to my digital cable box and I subscribe to ALL the pay services available in my area. The DMR does all that they claim and does a very good job. Direct video recording on a stand-alone in addition to dvd recording through the pc provides a combination that covers all my needs.

[MickeyMouse]

Erwin: Your probably right... you should give up on the whole DVD recording scene....

.. btw - can I have your DVD recorder

Hope you found a solution to your problem... I purchased a Sony 500UL and it works great. Here's the solution I came up with:

1. Sony 500UL using Firewire
2. Use Ritek, Memorex or Maxell DVD-R
3. First I use SmartRipper
4. Next use DVD2One
5. Record with RecordNow DX v4.6

Done

[Erwin]

After thinking about if for a while, I may just have to give NeoDVD at try. I wish they had a trial though. Anyone want to spare a free copy ?
The NeoDVD software looks good from what they claim on their site. It states that they do use AC3 instead of PCM. I like the way they compare their product in detail to all the other software bundles. It would be nice to fit an 180 to 240 minutes on a DVD-/+R. Does the NeoDVD come bundled with any DVD burners or capture devices out there?

[StudeBarc]

Erwin,
NeoDVD Standard V3 came with my Ricoh MP5125, last August that is. Not sure what the software package is nowadays. The Upgrade to V4 of Neo Standard was free. NeoDVD Plus V4 is the version supporting AC3 etc. NeoDVD also supports +VR functions as well. For the MP5125 +R/RW burner it works very well.

Regards
Studebarc

[Erwin]

StudeBarc, thanks for all your help. This is one thing I am wondering with capturing DVD. When I playback my capture in MyDVD, it looks great, but the viewing box is squished and I have to MAXIMIZE it. It looks fine, but is this how it's supposed to be. I don't recommend anyone capturing in the "GOOD" setting at all. "Better" is a step way above "GOOD". In other words, GOOD is not good I can't wait to see what capturing is like with NeoDVD. If the quality is the same as "Better" with more space allowed on a DVD-R/+R than I am sold. I am amazed that when I capture an 11 year old Simpson tape, it looks decent on the computer. I wonder how the DVD-R end-product will look though. I'll let everyone know how my first Simpson DVD turned out. I played it safe with buying an Imation DVD-R. I also bought a 12 pack of Verbatim DVD+Rs for only $23.99. So far, on the Better setting, it looks like I might be able to fit about 1 and 20-30 minutes(hopefully).