Hey all,

Just gotta vent here and ask for help with DVD burning from all of you
experts in these newsgroups. All I've wanted to do is transfer some
old home movies on VHS and 8mm video camcorder tape. I've been
running the outputs from the VCR or camcorder to a Dazzle Digital
Video Creator 150. In order to hopefully enhance the video quality, I
run the video output through a GoDVD video enhancer between the VCR/
camcorder output and the Dazzle input. The Dazzle then inputs into my
computer which is a:

Dell Dimension Desktop 4700
3.4 GHz Pentium 4 processor
16X DVD+/-R/RW (Phillips DVD burner)
1 GB DDR2 SDRAM at 400 MHz
250 GB hard drive
Operating System is Windows XP Media Center

My computer came with Sonic MyDVD software for burning video and data
DVDs. The Dazzle video digitizer also came with Pinnacle Studio 9
Quickstart, which allows video clips to be edited and output as
various types of files. My media of choice is Delkin eFilm Archival
Gold DVD-R. I have given up trying to make video DVDs because they
were riddled with various problems. Instead, I've decided to make DVD-
compatible MPEG files and store them on data DVDs. At least I can
reliably make data DVDs which I can verify as being exact copies of
the MPEG files burned.

Unfortunately, I have a series of problems in the created MPEG files,
pre-burning. First of all, Studio 9 Quickstart seems to force me to
double-encode my MPEG files. The reason this happens is as follows:
The capture step only allows me to save my initially captured video
from the Dazzle video digitizer as MPEG files. These initial MPEG
files look better than the finished ones, but I don't want to burn
these initial MPEGs onto DVD because they need to be edited and
trimmed such that blank tape captured at the beginning and end of the
tape can be edited out. Well, after I drag the initial MPEG file to
the storyboard in edit mode and trim the ends, I then have to use the
Make MPEG function in the Make Movie step to make a new MPEG with the
edits. The Make MPEG settings allows me to set a quality level of the
output edited MPEG, such as DVD-compatible, which leads me to believe
the program is re-encoding the edited MPEG, which seems rather
pointless as it is already an MPEG file. The re-encoding seems to
make the picture jerkier in the edited MPEGS, especially when the
camera moves. Isn't there a way I can just trim the beginning and end
of an MPEG file, without re-encoding the middle of it and altering the
resulting video quality? I can't seem to find a way of doing so on
Pinnacle Studio 9 Quickstart.

In addition, even some of my initially captured video MPEG files have
problems. The frames seem to be flickery and jerky at times. My
Pinnacle capture settings are MPEG (high-quality DVD) (6000 Kbits/
sec). I was wondering if maybe this is too high of a quality setting
for my computer to keep up with? If so, what would be a better
quality-level, in terms of bit rate, in light of my processing power.

I have tried everything I can think of to try to fix the above
problems, including updating Studio 9 Quickstart, Sonic MyDVD, and my
DVD burner driver, turning off my screensaver, emptying my recycle bin
and temporary files before burning, turning off my power saving
settings, checking my system for viruses, running my disk
defragmenter, not running any other applications while using my video
software, and restarting my computer right before using my video
software. Nothing seems to work.

I can't understand why I can't get this stuff to make simple MPEG
files for burning on data DVDs which are quality representations of
their respective videos. Is this technology not perfected or what?
All I have read indicates that my system should be perfectly capable
of doing all that. I've looked at other software video digitizing
equipment, but if you go on amazon.com, it seems like every such
product has highly mixed reviews, even Nero software, which seemed to
be the most highly respected video software on these newsgroups. If I
just knew what hardware and software and settings that could reliably
do what I want, I would happily try to purchase and use them.

I tried technical support from Dell, Sonic, and Pinnacle, but am still
having problems.

I'm so frustrated, I'm just about ready to give up on my whole
archiving project, which I was really looking forward to. What is
going wrong here, and how can I fix it? I tried to provide as much
information as I could for anyone willing to give an opinion or
advice.

Thank you very much in advance.

Please reply to this message on the newsgroup.

"youarehappyhey" <youarehappyhey@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1171003042.975849.210460@k78g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
Can't really help you too much as I stopped using my TV card when I bought a
seperate DVD recorder (A lot cheaper now than they used to be and great for
recording Camcorder and VHS tape to DVD with no problem!)

There is also a lot of different software mentioned on this group...Video
Redo spring to mind for trimming the blank sections as you've mentioned at
the start.

Before shelling out for more software, Check the freeware newsgroup first, A
lot of the freeware is just as good as the pay for stuff!

Nero 6 would be handy as well, As there's a *Make DVD* option in the menu,
Even a Record direct to DVD (Though I have'nt tried this yet with my TV card
and somehow just hitting record and it going direct to disc!)

I can't remember the actual audio, But do know it has to be set different
for DVD compatabilty to what the usual audio settings of a TV card are also.

I kept forgetting all the settings like a jerk, hence I took the DVD
recorder route to make things a lot easier :-)

T.W.

"The Wizard" <the_wiz@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:f9Vyh.2853$mn2.2174@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
www.VideoReDo.com should be all you need to do
what you have described. Nero is a great burning
program, but "burning" is only the process of using
a laser to burn pits in a die layer of a blank DVD.
Included with the Nero package is also "NeroVision"
which insists on re-encoding perfectly good DVD
compliant MPEG. Exposing any video to
NeroVision, is a form of abuse.

You have unfortunately ended up with a very poor
combination of hardware and software.

Dazzle has a very poor reputation.

Sonic MyDVD has been a total disaster for many users.

Pinnacle software isn't well liked either. (The more recent
Avid versions, are definitely improving pinnacle's rep.)

If you are getting acceptable MPEG from your Dazzle
hardware, then a few software changes can get you
back on track.

The one hardware addition I would recommend is a
capture hard drive separate from your system hard drive.
Since you are capturing in MPEG, it need not be a
large drive. (I use a 34GB 10k WD Raptor)

If you want to do more extensive MPEG editing,
consider the www.womble.com wizard products,
or Ulead's VideoStudio 10+.

To author a video DVD that functions like a commercial
DVD, you should use a dedicated authoring program.
My favorite for quick and dependable DVD authoring
is TMPGEnc DVD Author 1.6 (TDA), a Google may still
find a source for that version. DVD Lab Pro is a more
capable authoring program, but is more complex and costs
a little more. www.mediachance.com .

First try trimming your Dazzle captures with the free trial
download of VideoReDo, in addition to doing frame
accurate cuts and joins, it will process and improve the
audio and video timing. This will most likely fix your
jittery video.

Check out the user comments, for what you have now,
at www.videohelp.com , there is often some workarounds
mentioned for known problems, like alternate drivers or
software for your capture card.

Luck;
Ken

FWIW, Pinnacle products are notorious for not working right (I spent many
hours beating my head against an earlier version of Studio), and when I
tried Sonic --it came bundled with video editing software-- it wouldn't work
at all. So I'd say you need new software, like the others have recommended.

On Fri, 9 Feb 2007 04:25:27 -0600, "Ken Maltby"
<kmaltby@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

captures - cutting out commercials, joining files, etc. As far as TV
capturing and converting VHS tapes, I use a Hauppauge WinTV PVR2 USB
unit which does an vary acceptable job of encoding the VHS tapes input
to MPEG2 files. As I'm sure Ken will agree, you will perhaps get a
better result if you capture to uncompressed AVI and then do the
encoding to MPEG2 in another program such as TMPEGEnc Plus but since
my unit only allows capture to MPEG1 or 2, that's the way I go. And
Ken's suggestions as to DVD authoring programs would also be mine with
one alternative added. While I do use TMPEGEnc DVD Author for most of
my TV serial captures, I generally opt for either DVDLab Pro or Sony
DVD Architect to do more extensive authoring projects. But as Ken
states, the learning curve for these two alternate programs can be
rather daunting and one will have to devote some time to learning the
intricacies of each program before one can really appreciate all that
they are capable of doing.

OldTimer

"youarehappyhey" <youarehappyhey@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1171003042.975849.210460@k78g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
As others have told you, Pinnacle software is not good. I spent many
frustrating hours with Pinnacle Studio 9 before I gave up in despair.
My only attempt at using VideoReDo also ended badly as a bad synch problem
arose between the video and audio streams on my output.
The only software that consistently works for me is Ulead Video Studio. It
will co-exist happily with other software, runs happily while I'm doing
other work and has never failed to produce exactly what I wanted - trimmed,
edited, effects, titles and menus added.
Badger

"OldTimer" <oldguy@noddingoff.com> wrote in message
news:aipps2djj2mk4b9eddb4b2ck1ncv7rs76t@4ax.com...
I most certainly do NOT agree with that. There is no benefit to
having TV video spend any time as DV-AVI, on its way to
a DVD.

"Badger" <nunaya@bizness.com> wrote in message
news:45ccff85@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
VideoReDo is famous for FIXING problems with A/V
stream sync. In addition to its automatic improvements
in that area, by how it treats MPEG timing data; there is
a tool to allow you to make manual adjustments.

Every incident I've heard of VideoReDo adding to A/V
sync problems, it was do to an excessive number of very
damaged video and audio frames, causing the need to
reject too many, so as to bring the rest of the video into
sync. This is most often a capture problem.

Luck;
Ken

Thank you everyone for all of the great advice. I am taking it all
into consideration and will be following your advice.

"Ken Maltby" <kmaltby@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

<snip>

Ken:

You make this point frequently, but do you have (current) hard
evidence please?

In response to earlier similar criticisms, I emailed them and
challenged them about your warning that NVE re-encoded unnecessarily,
and posted their reply here:

Newsgroups: alt.video.dvd.authoring
Subject: Re: Nero 7
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2006

Here's an extract from that post:

---------
"It is definetly not true that Nero Vision Express 3 recodes
everything needlessly.
Nero Vision Express provides a feature named "Smart Encoding".
If activated Nero Vision Express will check your file and only recode
if needed.
The feature can be found this way: Start Nero Vision Express and click
on "More"->"Default Video Options"

I haven't yet tried this, but aim to revisit NVE soon and give it
another chance. On balance, during my early brief exploration I found
it a well-integrated program, with an intuitive interface.
---------

I never had any response from you or anyone else here to that post.

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK

"Terry Pinnell" <terrypin@dial.pipex.com> wrote in message
news:bk2rs2526pjkbrvvibpcdilhqlq21lm6kv@4ax.com...
The latest Nero package I have is 6 Ultra. If they are saying
that it works correctly in 7 or some patch to 6, fine I would like
to know that myself. Let me know how your revisit goes.

Luck;
Ken

"Ken Maltby" <kmaltby@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

I have Nero 6 too. More specifically, here's what the Nero Information
Tool says I have under the 'Software' tab, on this XP SP1 Home PC:

Program Version
------------------------- -----------
Nero Burning ROM 6, 6, 0, 16
Nero StartSmart 2, 0, 0, 26
NeroVision 3,1,0,16 <---
Nero ShowTime 2, 0, 0, 44
Nero Recode 2 2, 2, 6, 17
Cover Designer 2, 3, 0, 47
Nero BackItUp Application 1, 2, 0, 54

I don't think the 'Nero' version, 6 in our case, is directly related
to the NVE version. But then, I've always found Nero's program naming
and updating/upgrading rather confusing.

Anyway, on the point at issue, my 'revisit' of NVE was some time ago.
As far as I can tell it *doesn't* re-encode existing DVD-ready MPG
files.

On the Burn Options page, use More > Video Options > General and
ensure 'Enable SmartEncoding of video and audio material' is checked.

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK

Ken,

You seem to be very computer savvy. I got one for you if you don't
mind. How do I convert a torrent that I downloaded into something
that looks
good on a DVD? When I finished downloading it (Rescue Me - Season 3),
it looks fine when I watch it on Winamp, but when I convert it to a
DVD, the picture looks terrible.

I was using dvdSanta and ConvertXtoDVD to create the DVDs and they
look horrible. Can you or anyone tell me how to convert this torrent
into a
DVD that looks as good as it does when I watch it in file form on my
computer?

Thanks a million.

-Arthur

<novak.arthur@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1171134566.175281.111850@h3g2000cwc.googlegro ups.com...
I don't expose my system to sites that provide
"Torrents".

The process that gives you the best chance for
converting highly or oddly compressed video is
"Frameserving". Unfortunately, mastering the process
requires a greater attention span that most torrent
users, can muster. Experience with dvdSanta or
ConvertXtoDVD, would provide little if any help.

Luck;
Ken

"Ken Maltby" <kmaltby@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:Nt6dnfdVFqiTLVDYnZ2dnUVZ_qunnZ2d@giganews.com ...
It simply does not work as they say. Compliant to Nero is undefined.

Ken,

I was the original poster that started this thread. After fully
considering your comments, I wanted to ask you what is the best video
capture device to use instead of Dazzle, and also what is the best
video capture software to use in conjunction with whatever that best
video capture device is? Something external would be best, such as
something that plugs into my USB port. Also, is an external hard
drive that plugs into my USB port going to be sufficient for an
external hard drive for video capture? Anything else I should require
for an external hard drive? Also, I have heard about a Firewire port,
but have never used one, and am not sure if I have one. Is it better
to hook the hard drive and video capture device into a Firewire port
instead of a USB port? Do they even make hard drives and video
capture devices that plug into a Firewire port? What does the
Firewire port look like so I can tell if I have one?

Sorry for all the questions, but I think this will be the last stuff I
will need to know to get the equipment I need.

Thanks.

"youarehappyhey" <youarehappyhey@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1171169828.417235.311700@k78g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
I have tried both the USB Hauppauge and the USB Instant DVD series and they
both work well. YMMV. They, of course, require USB2. I had the Dazzle,
which is based on 8 year old technology from a company bought up by
Pinnacle, and when it worked it was fine...but it had serious driver issues.

Always be careful when you say best, because Canopus, Matrox, and Avid make
$$$$$ systems that are very much better than the low end consumer line. I
also have Canopus and love it.

Separate programs per function are best, and Ken, a true expert, has
outlined some of the best. I prefer Ulead Studio now, but that is a matter
of taste...others hate Ulead.

Try to buy from Amazon.com or a store where you can return items.

novak.arthur@gmail.com wrote:
I have no problem burning downloaded video with either DVD Shrink or
Clone DVD. Both give excellent results.

"youarehappyhey" <youarehappyhey@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1171169828.417235.311700@k78g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
As pointed out by Alpha; "best" is relative to a number of
factors, not the least of which is your budget.

Normally when talking about capturing camcorder video,
I would suggest using a device or procedure that "captures"
to DV-AVI. That could still be your best bet, to allow
for the most options in processing and editing your "old
home movies on VHS and 8mm video camcorder" video.
If you plan any complex editing or need to do extensive
processing to improve the quality of you old video, then
get an AV to DV device, or one that includes that function.

If you were dealing with already edited material, (like TV
shows or movies), or only needed to use the most common
editing procedures to make your "Home Movies" ( titling,
transitions, frame accurate cuts and joins, simple video and
audio effects, image stabilization) then you can use the faster
and simpler DVD compliant MPEG; capture, edit and author
process.




V-One Multimedia, the company behind Snazzi*, makes
the Movie Mill capture program, that has worked very
well for me. Their "Snazzi* III DVD Creator" PCI card
uses the same reference design and chips as the capture
card that I still use. (This is hardware MPEG encoder
only and you may want a model that also converts AV to
DV.) If there is a DV camera in your future you should
consider one with DV inputs as well.
http://www.snazzishop.com/vcp.asp



The "Capture" drive I was referring to is just another hard drive
installed in your computer, so that you can capture to a drive
other than the drive with your operating system on it. It is also
better to setup your processing so that a process has the input
data coming off one drive and outputs from the process go to
another drive.


Anything else I should require
Firewire does have a slight advantage for uncompressed
video transfer (because of how it buffers and handles the error
detection and flow control), but neither hard drives nor video
capture devices (except those that only do AV/DV conversion)
transfer anything near uncompressed video. Even DV-AVI is
compressed 5:1.

On Feb 9, 9:12 pm, "youarehappyhey" <youarehappy...@hotmail.com>
wrote:
You might want to consider getting a standalone DVD recoder. Just
plug your camcorder in and press a button. you won't have to spend
half your life trying to figure out how to get it to work on your
computer.