"Gene" <genes@wildblue.net> wrote in message
news:B1ozh.28$LK7.27676@news.sisna.com...
It sounds like you two could learn how to use the
existing features of the programs involved.

Most encoding programs have "Templates" that you
can create to be able to save and apply the encoding
settings. They also usually have some form of batch
processing management. (There need never be a
2:00AM settings change.)

Editors, Encoders, and Authoring programs produce
"project" files.

Luck;
Ken

<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.