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I am learning how to use Visual Studio to transfer VHS tapes to DVD, and have just two issues that I can't see how to fix:

1. When I play the DVDs I have made the picture is centred and only about 2/3 of the screen size. I have 16:9 turned off (as I wanted). Grateful for any ideas how to get the DVDs to play full screen on my DVD player/TV.

2. Rather to my surprise, 30 minutes of VHS tape translates to about 2GB on a DVD - so I can get about 75 minutes altogether. Can I squeeze more time on the DVD or not ?

The third point is just a question - I am not sure how to choose what format to grab the VHS tapes on to my PC - I have a wide choice and am not sure which would be most appropriate - is it possible that this choice affects my first question ?

Many thanks

Martin

Welcome to the forums,

First this depends on what you're using to transfer your VHS tapes to your PC. Some devices allow DV (avi) (best for editing purposes), while others will only allow MPEG.

What version of VideoStudio are you editing with ?

Better yet instead of me posting some questions that we need to have answered, please view This Thread, and provide as much of the information as you possibly can.

Thanks for the prompt reply

I am using Ulead Visual Studio v 10 SE

The capture device is EZ Grabber which allows me to capture in any of:

DVD
SVCD
VCD
MPEG4
AVI
WMV
WMA
MP3

I had been using SVCD which results in an mpg file which I had successfully burned to the DVD using Visual Studio.

I had tried capturing to AVI (worked fine) but had not tried burning to a DVD as the HDD file was 9 Gb. Maybe I should have continued.

I have updated my profile as far as I can, and hope you have sufficient information.

Martin

SVCD is a different size to normal PAL/NTSC video
Resolution: 2/3 D1
NTSC: 480x480
PAL/SECAM: 480x576

NTSC 720x480
PAL 720x576

So it will look smaller than a normal dvd.

Capture as dv.avi, which is a bout 13gb per hour.
Your dvd authoring app will then make this one hour 13gb file into a file of about 4gb and fit on one dvd disc.
You can reduce this to just about anything you like and put say 3 hours on a disc, but whether you found the quality good enough to watch is another matter. I'd stick to a max of 1.5 hours to one dvd.

With your set-up, I would capture to 'DVD' format which, pretty logically, will give you the frame format suitable for burning to a DVD!

Then, when you go to burn a DVD, adjust the bitrate in the middle of the three icons in the bottom left of the burning screen. 8000 kbps will only allow about 1 hour of DVD video on a single layer DVD (4.3 GB); 6000 kbps will allow around 90 minutes, and 4000 kbps around 2 hours. You will get around 10 minutes more if you use one of the more compressed audio formats like mpeg layer 2 or Dolby (though I doubt that an SE version of Video Studio will allow you to use Dolby). And below 4000 kbps, the quality will drop off considerably.

Thank you Ken and Graham - that's very clear and I think I understand what I have to do now.

I will post back if I get stuck again - hopefully not.

Martin

I cannot see the "three icons" you refer to on the burning screen, not any reference to "bit rate" in the manual.

Is it possible that adjustinig the bit rate is not available in version 10 SE ?

Thanks, Martin

OK, I found the bit-rate setting screen )