Anyone interesting giving lessons?

[dolphinmom]

I am new to burning movies and so far have done alright but I need help. Is anyone here interesting in posting or emailing a basic How-To for beginners? I would be very grateful.

[cynthia]

Hi and welcome to the forum, dolphinmom!

You could check out this FAQ.

[setarip]

To dolphinmom

Are you simply making backup copies of the DVDs that you own (If so, follow the link provided by "cynthia"), or do you want to convert DVD videos to another format (DivX-compressed .AVIs, VideoCDs, SuperVideoCDs, etc.)?

[dolphinmom]

Setarip- I have not tried attempted any of those yet but would love to know how.

[dolphinmom]

Cynthia- thanks a ton for the link. I am off to read it. Thanks again.

[setarip]

To dolphinmom

For excellent tutorials and required (FREEWARE) software, go to the sister site of these forums at:

http://www.divx-digest.com/

[setarip]

To dolphinmom

Although there are many other methods that can be employed, the following will provide you with some of the information you are seekin - regarding compressed .AVIs and VideoCDs:

From Ripping through VCD (by setarip)

1) Rip DVD with DVDDecrypter

2) Convert to .AVI using Flask or MPEGMediator
A) Using DivX v.3.11 codec (Fast Motion 910kbps, keyframe every 10 seconds) or other DivX codec, or Xvid codec, or 3IVX codec
B) Using PCM (uncompressed) audio at 48,000Hz (Maintains synchronization of audio and video)

3) Load .AVI into VirtualDub
A) Set "Video" to "Direct Stream Copying"
B) Set "Audio" to "Full Processing Mode"
C) Under "Audio", click on "Conversion", select "44,100Hz" (or 48,000Hz, if this doesn't present a playback problem for you)
D) Under "Audio", click on "Compression" select "MP3", "44,100Hz" (or 48,000Hz), "96Kbps" (or higher)
E) Save revised .AVI with new filename

Then, to create a VCD:

1) Load .AVI file into TMPGEnc
2) Set to "System Video and Audio" (lower right side)
3) Click on "Setting" radio button
4) Click on "System" tab, change mode to "MPEG1-VideoCD" (from default of "MPEG1")
5) Click on "Advanced" tab, change "Video arrange method" to "Center (Custom Size"), change dimensions to 352x288 or 352x240
6) Change "Source aspect ratio" to either "4:3 525 line (NTSC 704x480)", "4:3 525 line (NTSC)", or "16:9 525 line (NTSC)" - If you're in the PAL world choose either of the two similar PAL settings instead
7) Under the "Video" tab, change the dimensions to 352x288 or 352x240 (Note: "Video" tab mode of "MPEG1" is okay) - for highest quality set "Motion Search Precision" to "Highest Quality". Change the "Aspect Ratio" to match, as closely as possible, the "Source Aspect Ratio" you set under the "Advanced" tab.
8) Change "Rate Control Mode" to "Automatic VBR (CQ_VBR)"
9) Under the "Audio" tab, set to "MPEG-1 Layer II", 44,100 224Kbps
10) Press "Start"

(Or, instead of the steps 1)-10) above, you could attempt to use TMPGEnc's VCD "wizard"/template)

Note that if your video runs longer than 60 minutes, you'll have to subsequently split your VCD-MPG file in two. This too can be easily and precisely accomplished using TMPGEnc. Under the "Files" dropdown menu, click on "MPEG Tools" and select the "Merge & Cut" tab. Once again, make sure to change the mode to "MPEG1-Video CD". Load your file and enter a new (.MPG) name in the "Output file" box. Then doubleclick on the ORIGINAL file's name in the window, which will bring you to the cutting area. Select your desired start and end points for the first half, click on "Okay" which will bring you back to the first window and generate (in a sequence of three automated steps) the first new file. To create the second new file, repeat the steps starting with "Then doubleclick on the ORIGINAL..." (be extra patient with the second half, as the program has to do more seeking to establish the beginning of the new file).

Use a burning program, such as NERO to burn your CD-R or R/W CD as a VCD (DON'T ask NERO to format the file as a VCD, since you've already accomplished this!)

[LT. Columbo]

TO SETARIP/DOLPHIN MOM

Posted by setarip:

"Note that if your video runs longer than 60 minutes, you'll have to subsequently split your VCD-MPG file in two."

actually your video can be anywhere up to 80min (or close), unless a 74 min disc is being used for VCD. (i'm sure setarip mis-typed)