Starting anew

Redester · Post by **Redester** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 9:22 pm

This may get a little long... pls hang on folks.

I have just returned from a conference where I took 13 Mini-DVDs with a Sony DCR/DVD 301 camera. There are multiple takes on most of these disks of various performers which would like to include in whatever I may succeed in rendering and authoring into full sized DVDs.

Having recently suffered a windows-XP meltdown, I opted to reformat the partition and reload all from the git-go including MedioStudio Pro 8. I was not really 'into' MSP8 before my sabatical and computer problem... so not a lot is lost there.

I have an Athlon 2800XP machine, 1 gig memory, Seagate 7200 RPM drives, nVidia card, Snd Blstr 5.1 audio card and a Pinnacle Av/DV capture card. I have interfaced the capture card with a VHS/DVD player with which I can input my collection of "Raw" mini-DVDs and audio via the line input of the SB card.

I find the manual with/MSP8 to be somewhat difficult to make sense of in order to form a plan of use in making/authoring "Movies". Most reference are for dierect use of a camera. I think programmers should never be allowed to write the manuals and hardware engrs. likewise. They know intimately the details of their pruducts, but often cannot impart that to their audience. That is what Tech Writers are for! javascript:emoticon(':?')

I have ordered the book by Charlie Hill to help see through the fog of my mind. (Old dogs, new tricks apply.)

I am at this time wondering if "BATCH" mode may be the best approch to capture the contents of my DVDs and sort out the clips to save? I cannot get a clear understanding of this mode, therefore my question.

Any help will be appreciated and thank you for your indulgence.

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 9:32 pm

You can get them into your computer much faster by using the capture program to "Import from DVD"

Go Capture/Video Capture
Then next to capture Format -- hit that little icon with a check mark in it -- that will change your capture Plugin -- change it to Import DVD Plugin

Then hit the red circle to record/Import -- navigate to your DVD (you might have to "Finalize" them in the camcorder before your computer will recognize them).

This will import the mpegs, but editing mpegs isn't the best if you are doing heavy effects. Straight cuts and occasional transitions won't be too bad (use Smart Render so that only the edited sections need to be rendered). Try to use the same settings on your output as your originals.

Regards,
George

THoff · Post by **THoff** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:42 pm

Not only is GeorgeW's method much faster, it also won't result in any quality degradation unlike the digital-to-analog-to-digital conversion that using the VCR does.

Terry Stetler · Post by **Terry Stetler** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 9:01 pm

I do this all the time when transferring video from our Panasonic DVD recorders. Works with -R, +R and DVD-RAM, which is what we use most of the time because they're quickly erasable.

Redester · Post by **Redester** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:03 pm

Thanks to all,

I'm as far as ready with George's directions and ready to start importing.

I'll be back, I'm sure as there are many misteps for a newbie!

Ray

Redester · Post by **Redester** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:16 pm

Uh, getting audio. But, no video???

I HAD video with "Pinnacle DV/AV and AVI " capture format??

Gotta do some more pokin' & jigglin'.

Ray

Redester · Post by **Redester** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:22 pm

Question;

What does the "Capture device" assume using "DVD capture"?

Switchin' back to the Pinnacle capture card regains video.

Amusing.... But, confusin'!

Ray

Redester · Post by **Redester** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:45 pm

And now....

The choice only allows "Pinnacle AV/DV" card as input, regardles of the capture format selected. For every action there is a re-action diametricly opposed to the desired effect! Blast!!!

Ray

Redester · Post by **Redester** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 5:28 pm

Gentlemen,

As I stated earlier;

I have a "Pinnacle Av/DV capture card. I have interfaced the capture card with a VHS/DVD player with which I can input my collection of "Raw" mini-DVDs and audio via the line input of the SB card. "

The video comes in via the S-Video input of the Pinnacle capture card. I have NO Connection available for a direct link to the Sony DVD camera.

It appears this is my only choice....

Ray

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 5:36 pm

Does your computer have a DVD-ROM (or DVD Burner) drive?

If so, are you using the "Import from DVD" function (by changing the capture plugin)? You don't connect to your camcorder, just insert the DVD into your computer's dvd drive, and import the video.

Have you done this already, and that resulted in mpeg files on your computer -- but you cannot see video (meaning you don't have an mpeg2 decoder setup)?

Regards,
George

Redester · Post by **Redester** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 1:00 pm

Yes to all.

And, I don't have a MPEG2 setup.

How do I get one and is it available within Windows-XP?

Tks,

Ray

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 1:23 pm

Try downloading the Trial versions of PowerDVD and/or WinDVD. And then use them to play your mpeg files.

When you put the mpeg on the MSP timeline, you are saying there is no video

rt-click for the properties of the mpegs -- can you post those properties here

Regards,
George

Redester · Post by **Redester** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 2:21 pm

I can play my DVDs using Windows player or a couple of others....

You say "Placing the MPEG on the Timeline"....

How is this done???? It seems that is what I must do by the use of the capture card. It would be a dream to thing I could drag n' drop from the DVD player to the timeline!!!!

It seems my only choice is to use the Pinnacle card and AVI or mpeg to capture my DVDs. 13 of them. Each with ~ 60 minutes of content. (Will I live long enough to accomplish this?

)

Ray

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 2:35 pm

When you IMPORT FROM DVD, the capture program will import the mpeg video to an mpeg file on your hard drive. Did you do that step?

Redester · Post by **Redester** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 6:56 pm

I have looked this program over and also the book "Getting Result.." and can find NO pathway to do that type of IMPORT.either from ediotor or capture program.

The ONLY source offered in CAPTURE is the via the capture card...

WTH am I going wrong? Frustration abounds!!!

You wrote;

"When you IMPORT FROM DVD, the capture program will import the mpeg video to an mpeg file on your hard drive. Did you do that step?'

Ray