Direct to DVD Burning

[bakura82]

I have been trying to do some research on this, but I am coming up dry. I know there are external DVD burners that have 1394 inputs and will burn video directly to DVD. I assume this is chapterless?

Anyway, I am looking for software that will capture DV and directly burn it to DVD without the PC interfering (for speed). Is this possible? I simply don't have the disk space to go from DV to HardDrive to DVD and I can't afford the HardDrive... :/ Thanks!

[subsang]

Hi

I am also trying to find out what is best to burn my DVs as well as old VHS to DVDs. Please see my posting in 'best quality picture'.

The DVD Recorders perhaps have facility to chapter the video. The manuals for the DVD recorders are available in the net. I have them in pdf but files run into 3 to 7 MBs. So I can't post them.

Still i think a HDD would be cheaper than buying any of the Direct DVD burners if you have already a DVD writer on your PC. Sony VRD-MC3 that would double up as USB DVD burner is around USD 200.

pfloyd had replied to my posting that he is using Lite On DVD REcorder. Have to search for it in Abu Dhabi but is doubtful of getting it here.

Cheers
subbu

[bakura82]

The DVD Recorders perhaps have facility to chapter the video.

I have looked at a couple so far, but I need to do more research. Considering the lack of control with the output, it seems to be a very costly solution. I have editing software for captured DV that I can burn to DVD, but I need HDD space to that...

Still i think a HDD would be cheaper than buying any of the Direct DVD burners if you have already a DVD writer on your PC.

I agree, but I am struggling with speed issues. I use Firewire400 for DV and that runs at about 50MB/s. When I do file transfers in Vista though, it reports a max speed of only 8MB/s. The HDD in my laptop runs at least 150 MB/s, but probably a ton faster. I have never checked. So, that is now the issue... speed.

I need to figure out why the speed is being bottlenecked at 8MB/s. That's silly. There has to be something in the OS doing this. Granted, the external HDD is 5400 RPM, that still shouldn't matter. Once the data gets to the external enclosure I have, it uses SATA (way faster than Firewire), so I don't know what's going on.

While cost effective, I just don't know if getting a HUGE HDD to capture an entire DV tape (which I can then edit) would be the best option because of this speed bottleneck.

Come to think about it, I wonder if my TV Tuner for my laptop somehow offers the ability to burn directly to a TV like...[/quote]

pfloyd had replied to my posting that he is using Lite On DVD REcorder. Have to search for it in Abu Dhabi but is doubtful of getting it here.

Yeah, looked that. Doesn't seem it was originally meant to do what we want though... "DV Link (IEEE 1394) Input Connection preserves the content in its original digital quality" I mean, what does that mean exactly. It doesn't say "DV link so you can record from cameras etc etc etc"

Anyway, thanks for your input. Any more input is very much appreciated. Especially on overcoming the speed issue with HDD data transfers to external HDD from my laptop.

[pfloyd]

I have a Liteon 1105GHC+ and I just hook up my camcorder to the firewire port on my DVR and burn right to DVD.

[bakura82]

I have a Liteon 1105GHC+ and I just hook up my camcorder to the firewire port on my DVR and burn right to DVD.

Yeah, I saw your last post about that. I didn't know you actually tried it though. When I went on the web to check it out, it didn't say that it could actually do that. That's cool. Unfortunately, I am not sure it will do what I want. If I get a hardware solution like that, I will likely get a external burner that allows for RCA also...

I am really hoping for a software solution though... :/

[subsang]

Check out Sony VRD-MC3. That does everything and double up as DVD Writer too. Not sure if the Aspect Ratio could be switched between Normal and Wide. I am waiting for it to comeout here in Abu Dhabi.

[bakura82]

Well, here is the question then. Is there such thing as software that will burn the output of the DV camcorder STRAIGHT to DVD without saving the stream on the computer?

[src2206]

You are looking for something which can burn "On the Fly". In your DV camcorder you should have a option like that to burn directly to DVD or VCD using software supplied by your Camcorder manufacturer (at least with SONY you can do that).

[pfloyd]

Pinacle does.

[bakura82]

yes, "on-the-fly".

My camcorder came softwareless. So you guys are saying that you're cameras can do this? What models do you have and what is the software?

Does anyone know of a third party piece of software?

[src2206]

Try Pinnacle...but I am not very sure as I never do this kind of on the fly thing without editing. Mine is a DV Camcorder of SONY and as I conect it with a Firewire with my PC I can use options like that. But what model exactly you have? Every SONY Dv model comes with a basic media manager software from SONY! When did you buy it?

[bakura82]

Pinacle does.

Just realized this was third party. I am looking at heir site: Dazzle DVD Recorder. Is this what you mean? They say on their site: "Dazzle DVD Recorder is a plug-and-play USB 2.0 device that allows for easy capture of home videos and TV recordings directly to DVD via VCRs, camcorders or other video equipment." Is this required? Can I use my DV Firewire or USB connections?

[src2206]

Just realized this was third party. I am looking at heir site: Dazzle DVD Recorder. Is this what you mean? They say on their site: "Dazzle DVD Recorder is a plug-and-play USB 2.0 device that allows for easy capture of home videos and TV recordings directly to DVD via VCRs, camcorders or other video equipment." Is this required? Can I use my DV Firewire or USB connections?

To use Firewire you need the card to support the Firewire Port. Does dazzle support 1394? If yes, then you can otherwise you have no option but to go for USB connection. But remember that USB connections are far slower than 1394, and you can be rest assured to encounter a hell lot of drop frames, dies Dazzle take care of this drop frames?

IMHO, weigh your options carefully before jumping in the pool.

[bakura82]

what model exactly you have?

Panasonic PV-GS85 MiniDV Camcorder

Does dazzle support...

Seems to only support USB and they don't seem to have trial versions on their site. I am looking on google though. I am trying to find any software that will do it and see if I can test it with a trial version. No luck yet.

[src2206]

If you take my suggestion I think the following will be far more easier and you won't have to pay a penny:

Transfer your recorded master file using 1394 to your HDD (hope your Panasonic supports 1394).
If you do not have a firewire port built in your PC right now, just buy a PCI to Firewire Port (these are very cheap, you should get within $10) and this basic card will come with 1394 cable too.

Now if you are not interested to edit your master just use any of these tools to get a DVD folder structure of your master file:
AVI2DVD. DVD Flick or FAVC ( for FAVC see here: http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tools...Submit=Search? )
Afterwards burn the DVD folder using any standard burning software (I recommend ImgBurn)

In my opinion this is the easiest way that you have with least probability of spending.