I have a Windows Media Center computer and have been recording television shows with it. The files are saved as massive *.dvr-ms files (3 GB+ for a 1 hour show at best quality). I was wondering if anyone knew of a program that could re-encode them to .avi or .mpeg so I can edit the commercials out and shrink them to a more reasonable size. Windows Movie Maker doesn't recognize the file type and M$ even says itself that these files are not editable. M$ I tried using Roxio Media Creator 7.5, that is installed on another computer, it recognizes the files but promptly crashes when I try to open it. I've been told that Adobe Premiere Elements will do it but I don't want to lay down a c-note for software unless I'm sure it's going to work. (I'm looking for something free, preferably) There is a Sonic plugin in Media center that allows me to burn the shows directly to DVD but without editing out the commercials or shrinking the files. I suppose I could then rip the DVD's back to the HD and edit them but that seems like a round about way of doing it. Any help would be greatly appreciated....
I have InterVideo WinDVD Creator on my computer which lets me edit recorded .dvr-ms files and even allows me to change the format to save room on my HD. However, some .dvr-ms files are copy protected. Those I can only open in MCE. I'm still trying work around that. I know of no such program that cracks the protection.
You can record and edit dvr-ms file by using a video enhancer to remove the macrovision sent over the cable. Do this by installing it between your cable box and your computer. when your computer records the movie it will not be protected. you can edit you commercials out with a free program called dvr-edit available though a search on the enternet. I heard that the sima2 is a good video-enhancer..once edited I would use dvdSanta to encode then use dvdshrink to turn into .Iso then use dvdcrypter to burn. I know it's sounds like a lot of work but it is a lot faster than using DVGATE by sony that came with my Vaio computer. The average time would be 12 min to edit with DVR-edit and save, 90min to encode using DvdSanta, 11 min using DvdShrink to ISO, and 8 min to burn using DvdCrypter. This is for an average 2:30 movie....The only movies I have run into that had Macrovision were movies From HBO, Stars, Max, and all of the other Pay Channels....They didn't need the commercials edited out because they didn't have any, but they will require being clipped at both ends, so you would only get the movie....The pay channels just started using Macrovision this year...Before then they were not protected...I think I'll get me one of those Sima2 myself.........HUM...
Use a tool called DVRMSToolbox. http://www.tech-forums.net/computer/topic/62779.html It automatically removes commercials from your programs. However, I found that it won't work on Copy-Protected .dvr-ms files. I'm still trying to get a Sima CT-200 off of Ebay.
DVRMSToolbox works. Thanks. You have no idea how many times this website has saved by butt. The only peeve aganist it is the GUI. It's not my favorite, but since the program is free, no whining from me!
