I am starting again to capture 8MM and Hi8 family movies to be able to burn them to a DVD. I have about 20 to do. Refresh my memory: These tapes seem to last about 2 Hrs and a couple of minutes. When I captured the first one of them I first used the LP mode and generated an mpeg file of 1,225,854 KB. When I tried the same 8MM movie at SP it generated an mpeg file of 3,516,183. Will both of these files easily make a standard DVD? What comes next? Do I need to change these mpeg's into what? Using what software? If I want a simple "Title and Date" Starting screen when and with what do I use to get that? If I want to remove some blank scenes or junk how when and how do I do that. Then, what do I have and how do I burn it to a DVD for Part 1 of my family movie? I have 2 computers capable of doing the job - one, a Sony, has a confusing capture program called Giga Pocket, but it does a decent capture. Another more powerful computer has an ATI TV Wonder card installed and is a bit quicker. I am looking for Free or small cost software that will make the job easy for my limited mind and budget---unless buying a suite of programs makes my job much easier and produces a better product.
Mpg2Cut2 can do simple edits of mpeg2 files. DVD flick can create a DVD (with multiple titles) a menu and optionally burn the disk. 'Project Settings' has an option to copy compliant MPEG2 files (instead of recoding the source). The size of the input files is less important than the running time. If the running time of your files is 2 to 3 hours they will fit a standard balnk. http://www.videohelp.com/tools/Mpg2Cut2
I assume I cut-out the undesireable parts once I have it in the mpeg form. I then add a Title and a menu after the cutting (with DVD Flick), and burn to DVD with DVD Flick. What is "an option to copy compliant MPEG2 files (instead of recoding the source)". I believe I have used DVD Flick but it seemed to take so long to get a burnt disk - does that have anything to do with "recoding"? What is "recoding"? What is "authoring"?
A DVD compliant mpeg2 file is for example 720x480 or 720x576 resolution. If the mpeg2 source is not a compliant resolution it has to be re-encoded to make it so. Encoding takes more time than authoring. Authoring, refers to the task of getting the now compliant video into the standard DVD format - multiple .VOB files that are 1GB maximum and the creation of .IFO (information) and .BUP (backup) files.
Now I understand a little better and am capturing a Hi8 video tape now. I am using the most suitable computer that I own for the job. I am using a Core 2 Duo 6400, with Windows XP Media Center. (I'm not sure what use Media Center is). Computer has 2048MB DDR II memory, 2 large hard drives, a CD burner and a DVD burner, an Nvidia GeForce 7100 with 512 MB, and an ATI TV Wonder 650 HD PVR. The TV Wonder came with a program called ATI Catalyst which sees my Hi8 video in it's TV section. It will capture the video but I cn find no way to tell it how long to capture, i.e., 2Hrs and 10 minutes. If I leave it alone it will continue capturing satic for several hours. The XP Media Center doesn't seem to have a clue either. The computer ame with an OEM Suite version of Nero Express (6.3.1.2... with Nero Vision Express 2.1.2... Nero keeps popping up an error saying that the capture card is in use elsewhere and that shuts down the program (I couldn't find the ATI card running anywhere.) but that error keeps popping .up What else might I use to capture my video, put a capture duration time on it, delete a few wasted scenes from the cature, add a Title and date recorded, and burn it to a DVD?
Think it would be worth your time to ask at the Videohelp site. It has an active Capture forum. As long as you post your hardware specs with your question you will get a fast response. http://forum.videohelp.com/forums/10-Capturing
