Hey guys, I understand some of the things I’m asking here may be in the wrong section of the forum, but I was a little bewildered at where everything goes and if someone can just guide me as to where to post some of the questions I have within this topic, I’d appreciate it. A few things I already understand are: -how to take DVD movies and put them on computer, then compress them with DVD shrink and burn to blank DVD’s -how to convert avi files of download movies and episodes to proper DVD format (with avi2dvd) Now here are my questions: 1. If there are several avi files that I would like to put on [bold]one[/bold] DVD disc with a menu for playing those files (for example, 5 tv episodes in avi format), how would I go about doing this? Is this still attainable with avi2dvd, or will I need another software to convert the files and make a menu altogether? 2. How do I go about hooking up my computer to my television, so that I can view my computer screen on my television (to be used for watching computer movies on TV)? I have a pretty decent dell computer and television, so they're not superold technology. I've heard something about needing an S-video cable or something, but if someone could elaborate more on that, and on other software/hardware requirements i might need and the process required to set this all up, i'd appreciate it. 3. This kinda maybe tie in to the previous question, but I was wondering, since I can’t use windows XP media center edition unless I purchase a system that comes with it, what is my best option for buying something that will allow me to connect my pc to my TV, record shows at certain times, and turn those recorded shows into movies file that I can either store on my computer, or burn to DVD after proper format conversions. Is there even such a thing other than Windows XP MCE? 4. I was looking into purchasing some sort of video recorder (sorry, i'm not familiar at all with what's in the market today in terms of digital recording video technology) that I could use to film stuff, hook up to my pc, transfer those movies to the computer (not sure what format they'd be in) and then either store them on my computer as video files, or burn them to DVD (either as single movies, or a bunch of files with a menu and all). What sort of camera would I need for this? any recommendation on particular products or brands? What additional software/hardware would be required? 5. Is there better/faster available software methods right now for converting avi movie files to DVD format other than avi2dvd? and also are there faster methods of copying normal DVD movies (greater than 4.7 GB) other than to put files on computer with DVD decrypter, and then use DVD shrink to compress and DVD decrypter to burn the compressed iso file? Wow, sorry guys I understand I've made this post really long. But yeah, really, I appreciate all the help you guys are giving out on this site! Thanks!
#1)I don"t use AVItoDVD so I can"t tell you if it can do it or Not(Probably not because I think AVI2DVD only Supports Full D1 DVD"s which will only allow about 2 to 2.5 hours on a DVD Max) but I can tell you that it is Possible with other Software Like Maybe Useing "Tmpgenc Pluss" and "Tmpgenc DVD author"..... #2)Too hook your PC to your TV you Must have a Video card that Has TV-Out which is usually a S-Video output and your TV has to have a S-Video input and you just Connect the Two..... #3)Well Connecting your PC to your TV and Recording TV shows are Two Totally Different things and require Different Hardware and Software, Useing your TV set as a Monitor is easy as you Just need a Video Card with a TV-Out but to Record TV Shows on to your PC you are going to need to Buy a Video Capture Card.... #4)To do this you will need a Digital DV Camcorder ($400 to $1500) and a Firewire Port on your PC to transfer the Video to your PC from the Camera....I cant tell you which one to get because there are so many different Knids and Qualities it really depends on your Budget and what you are doing with the DV Camcorder...Generally the More expensive the Better the camcorder..... #5)Yes there are Diffinately Better Quality methods for Converting AVI to DVD...You can even Make DVD"s that Look and act like the ones you Buy at the Video Store with Menu"s and Chapters and Special features ect...That is what I do but it entails spending more Time on encodeing and DVD authoring but the DVD"s are "MUCH" Better Looking...... Cheers
it sounds like you despratly need nero 7. im not sure which version has all the required progs, but nero is a good software suite that can record tv, compile vids and burn them to a dvd, and so on, it also includes a simple yet effective editing program called nero Vision to do basic editing. Other than that, figure out what outputs your computer has, i would suggest getting a new video card with a TV tuner and use it with your tv, also, get a video card that supports a second monitor and then hook up that output on the the comp to your tv, so u can use both at the same time, not sure how this will work though, also, nero can record tv, so no need for a standalone dvd burner
