Question about using DVD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD-R & DVD+R

[CFELIX52]

I am a bit confused and need help. I see in the instruction book that if you use a DVD-R, the DVD Movie Factory 5 will give you the option to save the movie in the hard drive to edit and then re-burn onto a new disc when you are done. My question: Will DVD-RW's do the same thing?


I am archiving old VHS tapes that you cannot get on DVD (B-Movies), and I am using a Standalone burner, but using this program to add some menu options etc. I tried to use a DVD+R to burn in my standalone, and then bring it in to Moviefactory, but it gave me an error "No disk in the drive, or the target format is not support". Is this normal? I am assuming so due to different format on the standalone, but I am not sure.

If I am able to use DVD-RW and save to hard drive to edit, once I am ready to burn a new copy, can I burn to any DVD be it - + R or RW?
Also, regardless off which medium I use, will ALL DVD players be able to read and play? (I noticed that there are three files when your done, so I am curious).

[heinz-oz]

I think you are still lacking some basic understanding. Yhat's why you are baffled by the different media formats. Let me try to explain it to you:

• 1. You cannot edit a DVD+ or DVD-R disk. This disk format, like normal CD R disks, cannot be rewritten. If you were to add more data to it, the FAT (file allocation table) would have to be amended and that you cannot do.
  2. DVD MovieFactory can leave disks open for further editing, but only in it's native format and the disks need to be rewritable ones, DVD+RW or DVD-RW.
  3. DVD recorders use their own format which, as far as I know, cannot be read by other drives if they are not finalized. Once finalized, you cannot edit this disk but you can overwrite it.
  4. Because I don't use your kind of work flow, I'm not 100% on this but my understanding is such: You need to finalize your disk in your DVD recorder (use DVD-/+RW). Which format, DVD- or DVD+ depends on your burner and your recorder. Not every burner can burn all the formats but they can usually read them. Using DVD-RAM disks, if your burner/recorder can handle these and your PC can read them, may even be better than RW disks.
  5. DVD MF should allow you to import the DVD from your recorder and can then edit the imported DVD. It may be best to actually copy the entire disk content from your DVD to your HDD before you import into DVD MF.
  6. Once your DVD has been edited and authored with menus etc. you can burn this back onto another blank disk. I would not recommend the use of RW disks for the final product because the signal level on these is weaker and not every stand alone DVD player can play them. By the same token, DVD-R seems to be the most widely accepted format with DVD players. I have seen players having problems with DVD+ but not yet with DVD-.

Hope this helps your understanding of it all.

[CFELIX52]

Can DVD-RW's be put in the hard drive and edited there? Or am I only able to do direct disc editing?

If so, which is the better editing tool? (I noticed direct disc editing is a bit slow at times).


Thank You for your response..it did help, but now I need the straight up answers on these.
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW-I did complete one project and VERY happy with the outcome, just want to know if there are other ways to do things..

[DVDDoug]

Can DVD-RW's be put in the hard drive and edited there?

Yes. And, that's the correct procedure. As long as the DVD reader/burner in you computer can read R/W discs (most can), and as long as Movie Factory can Import it.

Or am I only able to do direct disc editing?

You can only edit R/W discs that are formatted as DVD-RAM. You can add to a DVD-VR formatted disc before it's finalized, but you can't change an existing file. You'd have to erase the entire disc and re-write the file. The correct way is to edit the file on your hard drive.

If so, which is the better editing tool? (I noticed direct disc editing is a bit slow at times).

What part is "slow"? Ripping/Importing can take a few minutes, and rendering can take some time too. AFAIK, you won't notice a speed difference between the various Ulead programs, except the newer programs are supposed to take advantage of dual-core processors.