I want to convert some home movies to DVD's. I've reviewed the forum posts repeatedly, followed links to other sites, used Google, and I STILL can't find an uncomplicated method to convert to DVD disc. I have some saved on VHS, some on VHS cassette video (straight out of the older camera) and some on my current digital camcorder which are also tapes. So far following site advice, I've bought a Canopus 110, a firewire cable to connect it, another hard drive (Maxtor 120 GB) another firewire cable to connect my digital camcorder to the PC, and a Monster cable to connect the digital camcorder to the VCR. It would have been cheaper just to pay a commercial company to convert it for me! The Canopus came with no software, should it have? Cutting to the chase, could SOMEONE PLEASE give me a simple tutorial walking me through the steps for conversion? As the material is irreplaceable home movies, I'd like as good a result as possible. I've noticed in posts, it is often said quality is sacrificed for time issues. Thanking you in anticipation, justOk...
Get WinDV (it's free) Connect the VHS (or the cam) to the Canopus, the canopus to the computer. Open WinDV, select the capture device, capture to the hard drive. Get an encoder. Encode the video to mpeg-2, dvd compliant streams. Author and burn.
JustOK.... RebootJim just gave you the word. I would add just a couple points that Jim was good enough to pass my way. The WinDV is just about perfect in what it does. Above all.. it does not drop a frame, no matter how long the movie is. Try to keep the the movie you are planning to place on a DVD to 120-minutes or less. This will insure you get the maximum clarity possible. I use the ADVC-100. It was less money but gives me the AVI download I want. I would use Canopus Procoder Express to change the AVI format to MPEG2. The main secret for the clarity is done here with the BitRate. The B/R for a 120-minute length movie is 4853 give or take a couple. Procoder will let you know exactly what is required under the existing conditions. Let me say this while at this point. You can have a longer movie, but your B/R will be less, if it is the lesser amount your clarity will be less, however using Procoder it will be hard to notice unless you are as nit-picking as I am. The last part is done with DVD-Lab. RebootJim wrote a fine beginner's guide on this program last year. You can download this on www.videohelp.com. Right now, all your ADVC-110 is going to do for you is to download your movie into the AVI format. DVD-Lab will also burn your DVD for you after remuxing. It will burn it with Nero, but a word to the uninformed, do your burn at a low figure like 4X. So it takes 5-minutes longer, but no coasters. Timewise, it will take whatever the length of your movie, plus approximately 2-hours for Procoder Express, plus about 1-1/2 hours for DVD-Lab. The total time will depend on the length of the movie. RebootJim.... Finally figured out how to export whatever scene I want for the movie title and credits using DVD-Lab. Have it in the Preview Window and do it the step prior to OBJs. Save it to whatever directory you require to build the scene..... Texas Outlaw
@ T_Outlaw: You're scratching the surface now Wait until you get into some of the fancier UOP's, VMR commands, or mixed assets and bridging, etc. DVDLab Pro will go as far as you're willing to learn, and then some Hint: For movie title screens, try getting copies of the original movie posters from the net. A little creative editing makes great title screens. I made an animated one for Haunted House. I have it so the door opens and closes, and the mist comes out, with a door creaking sound playing. All done in paintshop pro and animation shop.
Rebootjim.... That's already been tried here, but site imdb has put a block in that you no lomger can download the original movie titling screen. So the next best thing is to use a shot out of the movie itself. Doing it this way allows me to put whatever information that I want on the cassette label. I like your ideas regarding the "Haunted House". Looks like my favorite Canon printer has gone South probably due to a faulty printhead. That's the indication I am getting from the lights. Canon wants more for a repair than the cost of new printer.I can pick up an Epson Stylus Photo for under $75 at Sam's or switch my labeling to my backup computer. Talk to ya' later...... Texas Outlaw
