Is there an Idiots Guide to simple DVD editing anywhere.

[Oldandwrinkly]

Hi,

I hope you don't mind me asking this question here.
I am an absolute beginner wishing to make simple edits to recordings made on a domestic DVDR.
I have no wish to become an expert, at my age time might be too short for that, but just want to edit out adverts and trim the beginnings and ends of recordings.

I have searched the FAQ's at VirtualDubMod and on here but find there is so many technical terms and abbreviations that I can make no headway.
I have managed to learn how to rip files and convert VOB to AVI etc. but there are still too many questions regarding multiple files and how to join them up, how to get both video and audio at the same time etc. for which I can see no answers in a language I can understand.

Does anyone know of a "Do this, do that" type of guide that will help me in my quest. I would prefer to use freeware ( for which I am very grateful ) as I am on a very limited budget.

Sorry for lowering the tone of this board.

Dave.

[paglamon]

Try DVD Shrink.It is free.And there are numerous guides in this forum on this excellent piece of software.

[Oldandwrinkly]

Thanks, paglamon.

DVDShrink combined with the most excellent guides on this site works for me.

Is it possible to fade out, pause and then fade in at the change from one file to the next ?

Dave.

[soup]

I am not sure if this is what you are going for.

http://www.dvdshrink.info/still_image.php.

[Oldandwrinkly]

Thanks soup, but that's not quite what I was after.

I can get the whole of the edited recording onto a single single disk but the problem is the abrupt scene changes at the point where I have edited out an advert.
I'm not talking about the little hiccup, I've seen how that can be dealt with, but it would be a smoother transition if it could be made to fade out and in rather than an instantanious change.
Usually the adverts are inserted at a point where there is a 'natural break, a scene change, and there is a quick fade out and in to the commercials. This softens the blow so to speak. I just thought it would be nice to do something similar at my edit points if that is possible.

Dave.

[MikeyBK]

Thanks soup, but that's not quite what I was after.

I can get the whole of the edited recording onto a single single disk but the problem is the abrupt scene changes at the point where I have edited out an advert.
I'm not talking about the little hiccup, I've seen how that can be dealt with, but it would be a smoother transition if it could be made to fade out and in rather than an instantanious change.
Usually the adverts are inserted at a point where there is a 'natural break, a scene change, and there is a quick fade out and in to the commercials. This softens the blow so to speak. I just thought it would be nice to do something similar at my edit points if that is possible.

Dave.

You can probably do this with Nero Vision Express 3. All you do is drag each clip into the timeline, then insert a transition effect like fading out/ fading in, then insert your next clip, so forth and so on.
But of course you need the NeroVision Express 3, and I don't know of any 'guide' per say, but it is relatively easy. Hope that helps.

[soup]

I think NeroVision gives you popup hints as you go through it.

[MikeyBK]

I think NeroVision gives you popup hints as you go through it.

Soup, You are indeed correct my friend.

[Oldandwrinkly]

Many thanks, I'll see what can be done.

Dave.