Method to loop video clip?

[mzemina]

Is there a inexpensive (free due to being laid off for over 8 months) method to allow a video (AVI captured from home camcorder) clip to play (loop) foever in a DVD player? Want to take a series of video clips and add them together and then play them for daughter's 21st birthday party.

Mike

[jeanl]

Well, you have to convert your avi to mpeg2 (you can do that with TMPGenc, not free but you get a 30 day trial, enough for your project). Then you have to author the DVD (for that you can use TMPGenc DVD Author, not free but also a 30day trial). I don't think it allows you to loop the video, but that's very easy to add after the fact with PgcEdit (I'll help you if you get to that point).

Jeanl

[jmet]

TMPGEnc is freeware.

TMPGEnc DVD Author (A different program than TMPGEnc) is trail ware like jean previously said.

TMPGEnc- <A HREF="http://www.tmpgenc.net/e_download.html"><FONT COLOR="00CC99"> Click Here To Download TMPGEnc</A></FONT>

TMPGEnc DVD Author- <A HREF="http://www.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/tda.html"><FONT COLOR="3399FF"> Click Here To Download A Trial Version of TMPGEnc DVD Author</A></FONT>

[jeanl]

jmet, are you sure TMPGEnc is freeware when your goal is to encode to mpeg? I thought the mpeg tools had a 30 day trial...
Jeanl

[jmet]

Converting .avi and other formats to a compatible .mpeg file with TMPGEnc. <-- That part is freeware

[reboot]

The freeware part of tmpgenc will only encode mpeg-1 (VCD), not mpeg-2.
I could be wrong, it's been a very long time since I last did VCD.
Anyhow, encode your avi to mpeg.
Author in DVDLab (free fully funcional 30 day demo), setting autoplay, and loop it back to the beginning.
DVDLab will accept VCD (or any non-standard mpeg-1).
No need to mess with pgcedit.

[mzemina]

Originally posted by jeanl
Well, you have to convert your avi to mpeg2 (you can do that with TMPGenc, not free but you get a 30 day trial, enough for your project). Then you have to author the DVD (for that you can use TMPGenc DVD Author, not free but also a 30day trial). I don't think it allows you to loop the video, but that's very easy to add after the fact with PgcEdit (I'll help you if you get to that point).

Jeanl

OK Jean - I've converted the avi file to mpg (mpeg2) isnt there another method to get it into DVD format?

Is there a guide/tutorial to using PgcEdit?

Isn't it a matter to just get it into the proper directory structure?

Mike

[reboot]

You just need to author it.
Authoring is the process of creating the .vob's and correct dvd structure. Most good authoring apps also let you create menus, chapters, and stuff.
If you want a plain, autoplay dvd, then use ReJig, and click on DVD Author.
If you want fancy, get DVDLab or Tmpgenc DVD Author, or something similar. Please do NOT get DVDSanta.

[jeanl]

Originally posted by reboot
Please do NOT get DVDSanta.

reboot, this is a bit OT, but why not? I was going to look into it! Is that THAT bad?!
Jeanl

[reboot]

IMHO, yes, it's that bad.
Of all the authoring apps, there are better ones, and there are cheaper ones (even free). And some of the cheaper or free ones are better
If you want a real DVD, get DVDLab.
If you want a simple autoplay dvd, get ReJig (free).
If you want basic menus, try TheFilmMachine, or even WinDVD Creator even possibly Nerovision Express, and I daresay, even Sonic does a decent job of it, although I consider it a playskool app
Santa has too many issues, not the least of which are; crashing unexpectedly, at the worst possible time, overpriced, limited functionality...I could go on.
I figure, if you're going to take the time to make a dvd, you should make it as good as possible. Not just the video, but the menus, any interactive portion should compliment the video.
(take a look at the menus in The Matrix sometime! Exceptionally nice work)
At first glance, a good app like DVDLab will be extremely intimidating. Yes, it is. It has options that you've never dreamed of, yet it can also make a simple autoplay dvd.
Read a couple of my dvdlab guides, and then get the 30 day free demo (fully funcional, not crippled like some), and make a real DVD!
[/rant]

[jeanl]

mmm, thanks a lot for the various pointers!
Jeanl

[reboot]

(Notice my edits above)

[mzemina]

From the guides I have read it appears I can create what I want using DVDShrink! All I am looking for is to take video (it was AVI but I made it into MPEG2) and make an autoplay (and it will loop back can continue playing the same video over and over again). Since I am not planning to create any menus I think that DVDShrink will do what I want. Am I correct?

[jeanl]

Can you make it loop with shrink???? I didn't think so. But that's an easy job with pgcedit (sorry reboot I have to insist! )
Jeanl

[mzemina]

Originally posted by jeanl
Can you make it loop with shrink???? I didn't think so. But that's an easy job with pgcedit (sorry reboot I have to insist! )
Jeanl

I was looking over one of the guides for pgcedit and it looks VERY complicated. Maybe I am overanalyzing this? But is it simple (pgcedit) for what I want to do? Just one video file, autoplay and loop it.

Mike