Hello
I'm new to the video conversion/DVD authoring game and feeling very confused ATM. I'm hoping some kind soul can give me some simple guidance.
My goal is only to convert valued VCR tapes to DVD; I don't aim to do anything creative. For this purpose I've acquired a JVC VHS VCR and a Terratec Grabster AV400. Bundled with the AV400 came Ulead DVD MF5, and that's why I'm here
I want to:-
capture in MPEG format from the Grabster,
edit the captured video to cut out commercials, etc
shrink the resulting file - if necessary - to fit onto a 4.7 GB DVD
either burn it directly or create an ISO from which to burn it later
I can't figure out which of all the different elements in Ulead's bundle is/are the one/s I should use. I know this must sound stupid (and probably is) but it seems to me that MF5 and DR2.2 duplicate each other in various ways. I wonder if anyone could map out a simple path for me?
Overkill? Why such a (confusing) plethora of different apps
If you didn't get a Movie Factory User Manual, you should download one.
What is DR2.2????? It is very possible that the two applications overlap each other. Movie Factory can essentially "do everything".
If DR2.2 came with your capture device, and it can capture, then use it for the capture step. Capture-software and analog capture-hardware sometimes don't play well together, and you are almost always better-off using software that's specially made for your hardware.
And, MPEG editing is another "weak area" for Ulead. If DR2.2 can edit MPEGs, you may get better results with it. But, you'll have to experiment.
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There are several steps involved in digital video. You could use different software for each step (like the professionals do) or you can use an all-in-one program like Movie Factory or Video Studio:
1. Capture- Get the video into a digital-video file on your computer. (Technically speaking, "capture" actually refers to capturing a real-time broadcast or transmission, as from your VCR. A "capture" from a digital video camera is more of a data transfer than a capture, but you will see the term used for both.)
2. Editing- This all of the stuff the movie director does to assemble the movie after the film is shot. It includes cutting & splicing, special effects, adding background music, adding titles, etc.
3. Encoding- Converting the Video to DVD-compliant MPEG-2, and converting the audio to Dolby AC3 or another DVD-compliant format. (Movie Factory encodes automatically as part of the burning step.)
4. DVD Authoring- Converting the finished movie to DVD format. Adding DVD menus & chapters, subtitles and alternate-language soundtracks, etc.
Authoring also includes converting the files to the proper format/structure with VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders, etc. (Again, Movie factory takes care of creating the file-structure as part of the burning step.)
5. Burning- (Or "pressing" if you are a making commercial DVDs).
What is DR2.2????? It is very possible that the two applications overlap each other. Movie Factory can essentially "do everything".
If DR2.2 came with your capture device, and it can capture, then use it for the capture step. Capture-software and analog capture-hardware sometimes don't play well together, and you are almost always better-off using software that's specially made for your hardware.
And, MPEG editing is another "weak area" for Ulead. If DR2.2 can edit MPEGs, you may get better results with it. But, you'll have to experiment.
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There are several steps involved in digital video. You could use different software for each step (like the professionals do) or you can use an all-in-one program like Movie Factory or Video Studio:
1. Capture- Get the video into a digital-video file on your computer. (Technically speaking, "capture" actually refers to capturing a real-time broadcast or transmission, as from your VCR. A "capture" from a digital video camera is more of a data transfer than a capture, but you will see the term used for both.)
2. Editing- This all of the stuff the movie director does to assemble the movie after the film is shot. It includes cutting & splicing, special effects, adding background music, adding titles, etc.
3. Encoding- Converting the Video to DVD-compliant MPEG-2, and converting the audio to Dolby AC3 or another DVD-compliant format. (Movie Factory encodes automatically as part of the burning step.)
4. DVD Authoring- Converting the finished movie to DVD format. Adding DVD menus & chapters, subtitles and alternate-language soundtracks, etc.
Authoring also includes converting the files to the proper format/structure with VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders, etc. (Again, Movie factory takes care of creating the file-structure as part of the burning step.)
5. Burning- (Or "pressing" if you are a making commercial DVDs).
[size=92][i]Head over heels,
No time to think.
It's like the whole world's
Out of... sync.[/i]
- Head Over Heels, The Go-Gos.[/size]
No time to think.
It's like the whole world's
Out of... sync.[/i]
- Head Over Heels, The Go-Gos.[/size]
Hi DVDDoug
Thanks for the lightening-fast response.
I'm much obliged to you for the clarification. I think I will now have to do some more experimenting, and then come back if I still have questions, if that's OK
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Thanks for the lightening-fast response.
"Ulead DVD DiscRecorder 2.2"DVDDoug wrote:What is DR2.2?????
I hadn't appreciated that DiscRecorder 2.2 might be an app specific to the Terratec OEM (?) bundle - I just assumed it was another off-the-shelf Ulead product. But if it is specific that would account for the apparent duplication, as you say. But (as you may not have realised) it is still a Ulead product, which makes the duplication all the more apparent - and confusing!It is very possible that the two applications overlap each other. Movie Factory can essentially "do everything".
If DR2.2 came with your capture device, and it can capture, then use it for the capture step. Capture-software and analog capture-hardware sometimes don't play well together, and you are almost always better-off using software that's specially made for your hardware.
And, MPEG editing is another "weak area" for Ulead. If DR2.2 can edit MPEGs, you may get better results with it. But, you'll have to experiment.
I'm much obliged to you for the clarification. I think I will now have to do some more experimenting, and then come back if I still have questions, if that's OK
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