Need advice on process of getting digital video to DVD

[Wekiva]

I am in the process of converting my 42 miniDV tapes to DVD (all personal family stuff). I am not cleaning up before burning...just putting each tape straight to DVD in chronological order. I have transferred 12 so far. After creating the DVD I will keep the miniDV tapes in a safety deposit box as my backup. I am only burning 1 DVD of each tape. I though about burning 2 and then putting 1 of the DVDs with the tape...but that seemed overkill. I can always make a DVD copy or if it’s destroyed I’ll just redo it from the tape.
I'd like to get input on the process I am using to see if there's something I should be doing differently. I'm not as interested in people telling me I should edit for content as I like having everything I've shot. I'm looking more for feedback on the overall process I'm using for moving the content from miniDV to DVD.

1. Computer specs:
CPU: Intel P4 3200MHz
Motherboard: Asus P4P800
Memory: 1024 MB of Geil PC-3200
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 6800
Hard Drive (system): Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74.0 GB @ 10000 RPMS
Hard Drive (capture): Hitachi 250GB @ 7200RPMS
DVD R/W: Pioneer DVR 108
Operating System: Windows XP Professional
Other Components: Sony DCR-PC110 Mini
I use the Raptor as my system drive where my software is saved. I have the Hitachi 250 GB as my video drive that has nothing else on it. I create my DVDs in groups of 4 so when I start I erase everything on the video drive and then create 4 folders where I capture my video to, create my Premier file in, create my Encore file in and create the image in. After creating 12 or 16 DVDs (in groups of 4) I’ll probably defrag the video drive. Should I do this each time I create the 4 DVDs and then erase everything?

2. I am using Adobe Premier Pro to capture (and edit if necessary...but rarely done). I use Adobe Encore DVD 1.5 to put together the DVD and create the image. I use Nero to burn the DVD image to DVD. I had heard previous recommendations that as good as Encore is it my be better to leave the DVD burning to software that specializes in that field...hence Nero.

3. When capturing in Premier I start a new project using the DV-NTSC Standard 32Hz preset. I then capture the video from my Sony DCR-PC110 to the capture drive. At the end of each capture (about 1 hour) I get an error about it not finding the timecode or timestamp (something like that). I ignore this and save the .avi file to the capture drive. Once I kept getting the timecode error in the middle of a tape and it would cancel the capture. I had to capture the tape in 2 portions and then splice them together in Premier...but this has only happened once. Before capturing each video I always fast forward to the end and then rewind back to the beginning to make sure there are no tension issues w/ the tape.

4. I then open Adobe Encore DVD 1.5 and start a new project. I insert the .avi file and have Encore convert the .avi file into a timeline. I go through the timeline and insert chapters at each scene change. I set the transcode settings to automatic for the amount of compression of the .avi file. After setting up my links and checking the project for errors I have Encore create an image.

5. I then use Nero Burning ROM 6 (6.6.0.8) to burn the image to DVD and I use Maxell DVD-R 8X media. I then burn the image to DVD using the following settings: Image type=data mode 1, block size=2048 (under foreign image window) and I finalize the DVD and write it at the slowest speed possible (4x).

I know this is all rather straight forward but thought I'd write it down and see if anyone has any feedback.

Thanks for taking the time to get through all of that.

Wekiva

[Chewy]

what's the dvd burner?

nero is out of date, ...8>>>>....18

if the maxell is made in japan, grade aaa

made in tawain, grade B

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdmedia.php?dvdmediasearch=maxell&dvdmediadvdridsearch=&type=1&size=All&dvdburnspeed=8&order=Name&hits=25&country=&search=Search+or+List+Media

[Wekiva]

DVD R/W: Pioneer DVR 108

Does the upgraded Nero offer more features or is it important due to a better burn?

DVD are made in Tawain

[Chewy]

you seem like you have already gone to a lot of expense and trouble,
I wouldn't cut corners with the media or the burning software, and you want to do the free update to the mature 6.6.....18 version, not the upgrade to the
immature buggy nero 7.
latest firmware on the burner and you should be good to go(for the backup).
Get new media tho.
Burnt with Pioneer DVR-109 / DVR-A09 / DVR-509 at 8x
Burning reliability is Poor.
PC reliability is Mixed.
DVD reliability is Poor.
Console reliability is Poor.

[Wekiva]

Well crap! I have 100 of the DVD media I bought 3 months ago at Office Depot for $30. Is the main problem burn issues or is it more of an issue that everything burns OK but then a year later it simply goes bad. If everything burns ok and the DVD player reads it ok does that mean I'm in the clear?

[Chewy]

burn at 4x, test, go for it
you can always repeat the process, the tapes
will deteriorate too, tho.

[Wekiva]

Chewy...I really appreciate your help.

I'm thinking I'll use the 100 DVDs previously discussed for other things and get some good media for the 42 tape transfers.

If you don't mind me asking what is a really good media for me to use...and where do I get it? Can you find good stuff in Office Max, Office Depot, or Comp USA. I've always been rather unimpressed w/ those store's selections.

I'd prefer to buy locally and not buy on the net if possible.

Thanks again for all your advice.

[Chewy]

if your firmware is up to date the best deals are verbatim on sale.
for 30c or less they can't be beat, 16x speed tho.
Something made in japan at 8x would even be better in your case

[kennethg]

I does any know of a thread that i can go to and check out. I just brought a dvd copier with nero6 included and i am totally new to this and do not know anything

[Chewy]

start here,

http://forum.digital-digest.com/index.php

explore, use the search feature, there's a lot more than
I care to ever try and learn.

[dvdburn]

capturing from dcr-pc110

I have tried to capture my many mini dv's from my sony dcr-pc110 - but I have been unsuccessful in getting the pc to see the device. How are you connecting from the camcorder to the pc? Any other advice?

[Wekiva]

I connect the PC110 to the computer with a firewire cable to a firewire port on an Audigy soundcard. Adobe Premier is the software I capture the video with. Sometimes the order in which you plug in the camera, turn on the camera and start the software can screw with your computer's ability to see the camera. How have you been trying to connect? Some make the mistake of trying to connect using USB...but this is only good for getting the still pictures off of your memory stick.

[Wekiva]

Chewy

Where do you recommend buying the verbatim you are discussing above? I'm looking HERE and it's about 60 cents a DVD. I'm sure there are better places to buy media.

And how do you tell where they are made? I'm OK w/ checking the label in a store but how about buying online where you can't read the label?

Thanks

[Chewy]

Can you find good stuff in Office Max, Office Depot, or Comp USA. I've always been rather unimpressed w/ those store's selections.

Office max and Best Buy have had some great sales lately.

these are pretty much the best and I can garanteeeeeeeeee they are made in japan

http://www.supermediastore.com/taiyo-yuden-dvd-r-media.html

the 4x will probably come 8x, your firmware should see it
pioneer like -R's, they started the format

[Wekiva]

Thanks again. I went with the Taiyo Yuden recommendation. After further research T.Y. seems to be the media of choice.