Re: Consolidating MINI DVD's to a regular DVD

Gene, that's fine if it works for you. From where I sit quality in the final
output is everything. Being absolutely frame specific is paramount to
accurate editing. My opinions are based on editing and output at a
pro-consumer and professional or near-profiessional level. My opinion from
what I have seen of these DVD camcorder and the final output to yet another
DVD from that video - and yes, I have used the VOB method, is that the video
is sub-sstandard. To me it is like comparing the original King Kong to the
latest version - they are both engaging only the latest is more realistic
looking.

Sure, I spout some pretty harsh indignations about the equipment available
for the consumer, and many times rightly so. A customer of ours who once
brought miniDV tapes of the band she promotes suddenly turned up with an
Everio. Now she has to bring the entire camera and drop it off, which keeps
her from doing any further work for a day or so. The video on the hard disc
is not even close to being a good as a single CCD miniDV camcorder (noting a
Samsung with low color saturation). The compression is very noticable even
at the highest recording level the camera offers. Plus, there is an
additional loss in once the video is finally on a DVD.

I enjoy and understand your position that it is possible to do the editing.
As someone who deals in the equipment for quality DV editing and now the
emerging HDV/HD equipment I feel it is necessary to point out the pitfalls
of certain decisions which could save people headaches overall. Sorry I
sometimes do it like some crazed evangelist on a street corner screaming
'the end is near!". But hell, some may have made what I see as a mistake and
others may read and not even go there because of it. Sure, it sounds bad
when you read it, but I am here to reach as many readers as possible,
regardless of whether they purchase from me or not. Sometimes to accomplish
the goal I just have to beat someone over the head with a dead rabbit!!

Quality is key. What works in VOB for an HDV signal is not necessarily what
works for standard def. But, standard def had to be the proving ground
regardless of the end quality. You settle for what you like, and I will
continue to argue the point of quality over seeming convenience. You can
keep yanking my chain, and I will keep respecting you for that.

Larry

"Gene E. Bloch" <spamfree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:mn.143d7d66c6dca354.1980@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Is it not possible to edit and author with TMPGEnc, using its command to
import DVD video? As long as the VOBs from the miniDVDs are copied into
separate directories, there will be no file-name conflicts.

I believe I have done just this.

Also, PTravel has another method - see his post; I haven't done this, but
now I think I'll try it myself. Well, not right now, I have a huge project
(52 half-hour shows) to put on DVD :-)

Oh - I plan to use more than one DVD for that project, in case you're
wondering.

Gino

On 6/02/2006, Larry Johnson posted this:
Your first mistake was purchasing one of these miniDVD camcorders in the
first place. Each disc has to be finalized. Once this finalization takes
place the disc is assigned a menu having thumbs of the videos on the
disc. Those files on the disc each have a VOB number according to the
speed you used in recording. Each disc you make has exactly the same
numbering system as the other. When creating a larger compilation disc
from these file names cannot be repeated with the VIDEO_TS folder. In
addition the IFO files cannot be changed either because they point to
certain VOB's.

Your only recourse is to capture the video over analog inputs, since your
camcorder does not have 1392 or full resolution DV quality, and then
transcode each captured file to make the larger DVD.

However, the camcorder should have come with a little software package
which will allow you to copy the files to your hard drive over USB, but
the problem is that these are then labeled .MPG and I suspect they are
QSIF MPEG-1 files and not true MPEG-2 files as they are on the disc
proper. This copied MPG file is not for serious editing, but rather for
those who wish to use the included editing software to create shareable
video over the internet and e-mail.

If you have not had this camcorder for very long I highly suggest you
take it back to the store where you purchased it and get a refund, or
credit toward a serious miniDV camcorder instead. Unfortunately you fell
for the notion that DVD is somehow better, when the manufacturer had the
notion that recording straight to DVD would be more convenient for
playback at home in your DVD player since VHS is on the way out, and
there are few miniDV decks for this purpose.

DVD video is not for editing, and DVD does not mean "better quality
video". DVD, which means Digital Versatile Disc is for playback and
storage period. Buy a miniDV camcorder and a 1394 card. Shoot your video,
use any NLE - even Windows Movie Maker for editing and then make your
compilation DVD's from the final output files. Even Nero will make
passable DVD's for that purpose.

--
Larry Johnson
Digital Video Solutions
webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.digitalvideosolutions.com
877-227-6281 Toll Free Sales Assistance
386-672-1941 Customer Service
386-672-1907 Technical Support
386-676-1515 Fax



<pminor@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1149265286.362195.192400@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I have recently purchased a Mini-DVD Camcorder and I would like to take
multiple Mini-DVD's and convert them to a single DVD so I can
distribute them to other families from our soccer team. I'm not opposed
to buying software, but it must preserve the original resolution, and
be able to consolidate. Nice features such as titles and such are
preferable, but not neccessary.
Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Phil


--
Gene E. Bloch (Gino)
letters617blochg3251
(replace the numbers by "at" and "dotcom")




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