I have some videos on my hard drive of various formats: MPG (Movie file mpeg), AVI (Video Clip), WMV (Windows Media Audio/Video File), and ASF (Windows Media Audio/Video File). I would like to copy some of these files onto a DVD (the same way I burn MP3 files on a CD) so that I can watch them on my DVD player. I have searched for hours for a beginners guide to burning DVD's and have come up empty. I have no problem using Windows Media Player to burn MP3 files onto a CD, but burning DVD's seems to be infintitely more complicated. My questions are... 1. Is burning a DVD in any way comparable to burning a CD with MP3 files? Windows Media Player automatically converts the MP3's to WAV format and then burns the CD along with an index to each song. Will software like Nero automatically convert the files to the proper DVD format, then set up the "chapters" automatically? 2. What are the limitiations of Nero? Do I need to employ special software to convert certain file formats before using Nero to burn? Which of these formats (MPG, AVI, ASF, WMF) are converted automatically by Nero and which require special software? I took a look at the guides on this forum for converting multiple formats (file types) using WinAVI, DVD Santa, and Avi2DVD. I was just wondering when these were required. Also, I read on this forum that WMF and ASF file formats were closed/proprietary and difficult to put onto a DVD, yet WinAVi seems to support these formats. 3. The specs for my DVD burner are 16X DVD+/-RW (double layer write capable). Is the quality the same for both DVD-R or DVD+R DVD's? Can my Sony DVD player play both kinds of DVD? (the instructions make no mention of DVD-R or DVD+R) Are there different DVD's for double write capable burners, or is it just the way they are recorded? 4. Which of these software is easiest for converting files: WinAVI, DVD Santa, or Avi2DVD? Do these software also burn DVD's? Does anyone know how Sonic DVDIt! SE (the software that was bundled with my DVD player) compares with Nero? Many, many thanks for any assistance. Ken
So many questions, so little time. Most if not all your questions can be found on links on my sig. Bbmayo and Scubapete have some of the best guides for beginners. http://www.afterdawn.com/glossary/ --->Definitions on differences DVD +/- R. I mostly use DVD+R but since you are a beginner, you should use DVD RWs to start you off so if you make a mistake, you can do it over again. DivxToDVD is a good converting program that turns the files to a dvd file. DVD Shrink will make it fit on one DVD. Nero (best if its current) can be used in burning or converting. NeroVision Express is the movie making program of Nero. Putting the files on the list and making menus and burning the files is what it does best.
Thank you, that helped. I read the glossary entry for DVD+R and it helped answer several questions. Dual-layer discs ARE available and all most common recordable DVD formats, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R and DVD-RW can be read with most stand-alone DVD players. Your signature link did a good job at explaining the three step punch: 1. Convert (using DivXtoDVD) 2. Shrink (using DVD Shrink) (optional step) 3. Burn (using DVD Decrypter or Nero) Three followup questions: You also said in your post that Nero can be used to convert. I imagine there are limitations on Nero's conversion capabilities (otherwise the various conversion software would not exist)? Or maybe it is just more efficient/logical to convert before burning? You mention DivXtoDVD for converting AVI files and other formats to DVD. Is this the equivalent of the other software I listed: WinAVI, DVD Santa, or Avi2DVD? These software all specialize in converting? Whereas the software that came bundled with my DVD, Sonic DVDIt! SE, is more along the lines of a burner like Nero? This last question is merely out of curiosity, and the answer is not really important. In your example, you converted 2 avi files with DivXtoDVD, and it produced 5 files in the Video_TS directory (VIDEO_TS.BUP, VIDEO_TS.IFO, VTS_01_0.BUP, VTS_01_O.IFO, VTS_01_1.VOE). What exactly are these 5 files and how do they relate to the 2 original avi files? Many thanks, Ken
Ken, I'll answer the last one. Think of your .avi files as simply large pieces of audio/video information. To make them play on a DVD player they are required by the DVD Specification to be in a certain, specific format. Thus the files that you listed. The .vobs contain the actual audio/vidio information: Video OBject. The .ifo contains the navigation information so the player can do all the cool things that your VHS player could not...Chapters, Scene selection, multi-angle, etc: InFOrmation. The .bup is an identical copy of the .ifo. It is required by the DVD specification: BackUP. Technical stuff: http://www.pioneer.co.jp/crdl/tech/dvd/4-e.html http://www.disctronics.co.uk/technology/dvdintro/dvd_intro.htm
