Posted by Mark Burns on 11/16/22 11:44

Many of recommend and use:

1) VideoRedo for frame accurate mpeg editing. DVD Recorders record in
either a .VRO or .VOB format, which is a special envelope for mpeg
files. VideoRedo can trim and make sure that the Video and Audio stay
in sync before joining with other videos. $50 with 30-day trial.

Another very good mpeg editor, but for different reasons such as adding
titles and effects is the Womble Video Wizard. $100 with 30-day trial.


2) TmpgEnc DVD Author is a very good authoring tool for putting menus
and chapters on the DVD. It is very open to the user adding their own
backgrounds and buttons. Easy to use and very reliable. $50 with
30-day trial.

3) DVD-Shrink is great for making that authored DVD folder that is just
a little too large for a single layer DVD fit. It also makes a good
..ISO file from the authored DVD folder. Freeware.

4) ImgBurn is a great utility for buring the DVD on the PC. It is from
the famous, or infamous, but alway brilliant Lightning!UK. Free/Donate
ware.

5) Look at an Epson R220 inkjet printer that will print on inkjet
printable CDs/DVDs. This is the finishing touch for personal archiving
of DVDs. About $90 at Sam's Club last time that I looked. Inkjet
recordable Verbatims are available there at $44/100.

6) Always make two or more copies of your DVDs, as if one should go bad
there will be a backup. DVD Recording for consumers is dye based,
therefore not as long lived as glass pressed commercial DVDs. Keeping
your VHS tapes is also a good idea here as a backup. Always store both
DVDs and VHS standing up in a controlled environment.

DVD Shrink and ImgBurn are available from www.mrbass.org which also has
some very good guides for newbies.

I would recommend starting with the TmpgEnc DVD Author so that
information about who, what, when, where, and why can be added to the
film. They also make great unexpected preasents.

If there are any video/audio sync issues after joining videos, then
VideoRedo can be used to fix join the original transfers and clear this
problem up.

If one does want to get fancy with the video, such as adding captions
or fancy transitions, then Womble is a good purchase.

Do not convert the VHS to AVI. Keep it in mpeg for the best results
here. This would not be my advice coming from a MiniDV camera, but
this is starting out as VHS. Direct recording of VHS tp mpeg provides
the best quality, imho.

Also, capture your VHS at the highest quality setting on your DVD
recorder. One hour of good video is better than two or four hours of
bad quality.

Cheers...

Mark

[Back to original message]