I am trying to transfer my AVI Files to DVD

[dmbware41]

Can someone please help me out on this issue? I have recorded all of my footage using microcam format. I have captured and saved as AVI. And I have done all of my edits in Pinnacle Studio. My questions is what format do I export from Pinnacle Studio? And then What? Any information would help me get started, thankyou!!!

[TheWolf]

Hi dmbware41.

I realy don't know, what Pinnacle Studio does, but to make a DVD you have to create .vob-Files, that must be located in a folder named VIDEO_TS. If you can't export those Files (and I don't think, you can) you have to use an authoring-prog, which will create the .vob-files (and some other which are necessary too) for you.

Try a search for authoring, 'cause there are many progs that do this and anybody has his own favorite (mine is: Sonic Foundry DVD Architect).

cu

[dmbware41]

Well what have been doing is doping all of my edits in Pinnacle and then saving as dv AVI. But thenI need a converter to convert the AVI to mpeg2. I am thinking of usin tmpenc to do this operation. However do I export the audip and video to seperate files? And if so how do I convert these to .vob and such filesand record the disk?

[gcutler]

All Depends on the SW available...

1) Capture and save program to AVI file (Capture Program, Like DVCapture)
2) If neccessary, Edit AVI file. (Edit Program, like MovieStar 5)
3) Use Encoder program (like TMPGEnc) to convert AVI to MPEG-2 file (pick quality level at time), as for splitting into Video and Audio or leave one file that is dependant on Authoring SW being used. Authoring SW I use will take MPG file and split it or accept seperate Sound and Video so depends.
4) Load MPG or Split Vid/Aud files into Authoring SW, make chapters, menus, etc. Then Burn to DVD. (Authoring program, like DVD Complete)

Many programs will do all but Editing (all will probably chop off beginning and ending bits but only editor program will remove data from middle of file)

[TheWolf]

When you convert from avi to mpeg you don't need separate files.
But first of all take a look at the authoring-prog!
Some of them only accept video-resolutions like 720x752 (PAL) and 720x480 (NTSC). Any other resolution would bring you another re-encoding-process inside your authoring-prog.
The authoring-prog builds up any files your DVD-Player will look for (vob, ifo, and so on).
These files can be burned to a DVD with i.e. Nero or direct from inside the authoring-prog.

To avoid re-encoding inside the authoring-prog I do the following:
1. convert from avi to mpeg by holding the resolution of the avi-file.
2. Using the DVD Patcher, that changes the resolution in the entire file without re-encoding it.
3. Authoring (the authoring-prog thinks, the resolution is ok an doesn't re-encode)
4. Again using DVD Patcher to patch all .vob-Files back to the resolution that the original avi-file has.

I did it several times and it works preety fine!

[dmbware41]

ok last question which program to you recommend for splitting the mpeg file into its vob parts, And which program should I use for burning the dvd?

[TheWolf]

Remember:

You can't split MPEG-Files direct into vob-Files. That is done by the authoring-Prog.

My favorite is DVD Architect from Sonic Foundry http://www.sonicfoundry.com/

Authoring and burning with the same Prog.

You'll find it under "Vegas 4 + DVD". Take a look at the Download-section there.

[dmbware41]

What do you use for an authoring program? Is it DVD Arch, or Vegas? Or Both?

[TheWolf]

DVD Architect is the authoring Prog that i use. Vegas 4.0 is a kind of Editting-Prog. I sometimes use it for re-rendering avi's into MPEG-files i.e to convert from NTSC to PAL without loosing audio-sync.

For authoring and burning you only need DVD Architect.

[dmbware41]

perfect!! Thank You for your help I am working on it now

[TheWolf]

You're welcome.

If you have any questions, let me know.

[dmbware41]

Your sending the Wolf? Yeah do you feel better mother ****** ? Shit Man thats all you had to say!!!!

Wolf hey man I need help:

have used Sonys Movie Shaker to capture from my microMV camera. I exported as DV AVI. I then Imported the files into Pinnacle studio where I did all of my edits. I then saved as AVI Using the HUFFYUV 2.11 Codec. Next I used Tmpeg to convert to Mpeg-2 for DVD Burning. My problem is that The quality of the mpeg-2 file isnt that great. Should I be using a different process, or different codecs.

[ktnwin]

If you are using Pinnacle Studio 8, then you can simply select DISC in the MAKE MOVIE section, in SETTTINGS , select DVD format. Put a blank DVD in your DVD writer and it's ready to go.

[dmbware41]

Studio 8 has a terrible mpeg2 codec, Awful!!!!!