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General discussion

AVI to DVD

Feb 1, 2007 7:02AM PST

Hi,

I would like to put some .avi files onto a DVD so that they can be watched by putting them into a normal DVD player, can anyone please recommend me a freeware or open source software to do this?

Thanks very much in advance!

Discussion is locked

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Not for a Mac but an example how perverse it can be.
Feb 1, 2007 7:07AM PST
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It is a bit jumpy,
Feb 1, 2007 8:11AM PST

but if you drag the AVI onto iMovie project then use iDVD, then you will be able to put that burned DVD into a "normal DVD player" and watch it... and iMovie and iDVD are bundled with new Macs, hence, "free". We don't know which Mac you are using...

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I didn't realise you could use iDVD to do this...
Feb 1, 2007 9:06PM PST

So do I simply need to import my files into it, arrange them in the right order and export them to a DVD? Does it read mpegs and avis?

Are there any useful guides you know of for doing all this?

I have a new MacBook btw.

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MPEG = Yes. AVI = complicated at times.
Feb 1, 2007 9:43PM PST

A little catchup on what an AVI is first. An .AVI is a container system. It can contain some MS encoding, DIVX, or any number of encodings. This area of "CODECs" is something I'll note and leave you to discover.

Look to HANDBRAKE or VLCPLAYER to transcode content if your software doesn't handle the .AVI

Bob

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You can't use just iDVD. iMovie first.
Feb 1, 2007 10:09PM PST

You need a transcoder before it gets to iDVD... Handbrake is one... or just use iMovie. Please re-read my post.

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iMovie keeps crashing
Feb 2, 2007 12:33AM PST

Every time I try to import a file greater than around 300MB, iMovie crashes! Does anyone else encounter this problem? And how do I get around it?

Thanks

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Transcode it first.
Feb 2, 2007 12:47AM PST

Your crash is typical for downloaded content which is encoded "oddly."

Bob

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Great...
Feb 2, 2007 1:01AM PST

When I managed to get a smaller file in, there was no sound! So I am having quite a few problems here! What do you advise I do?

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Doctor...
Feb 2, 2007 1:41AM PST

To dissect this further I'd have to see the file in question. Then I would see how it was encoded and if VLCPLAYER or Handbrake can transcode it.

Without seeing the file, I can't offer more. Remember that Doom9 link? Here's what is important. Don't encode your stuff in oddball codecs.

Bob

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It plays perfectly well in VLC
Feb 2, 2007 2:15AM PST

and not in iMovie, which I have seen s few posts of on another forum. Unfortunately there were no answers to the posts!

How can I check what encoding was used e.g. DivX, as when I open it in QuickTime and go to Show Details it does not list any information about encoding. If it is a DivX, can I add the codec to iMovie? Would that fix the problem?

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I can't guess this stuff.
Feb 2, 2007 2:36AM PST

Did you use VLCPLAYER to transcode it?

You never told. Also since I can't see that file I can't dissect it or tell you have to transcode it.

-> But first, if it's copyrighted material, don't tell me about it but just say so and I can unsubscribe from this conversation.

Bob

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I only played it in VLC
Feb 2, 2007 2:42AM PST

I have not transcoded it, just played it to watch it. It is not copyrighted material btw.

How do i find out how it has been encoded?

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OK, now transcode it.
Feb 2, 2007 2:47AM PST

Sorry if I don't tell you how to use VLCPLAYER to discover the encoding but it doesn't matter. If VLCPLAYER plays it, then it will likely transcode it. Pick a nice neutral encoding.

Why don't I tell? Simple, it's in the docs or easy to find web pages.

Bob

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Encoding
Feb 2, 2007 3:18AM PST

It says Stream 0 is mpgv and Stream 1 is mpga

So what do I do about getting these avis to DVD??

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Sorry, I'm stepping out here.
Feb 2, 2007 3:22AM PST

The information on how to do this is all in this discussion. It appears you need a click by click instruction?

Bob

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You're right
Feb 2, 2007 3:43AM PST

I do need a step by step guide. I appreciate all your help, but I have no idea what I am supposed to be doing! If I need to transcode the avi files, I have just had a look on VLC's site and it looks complicated, as I need to put some information into console...

Do you know of any guides that will help me, and am I right in saying that I need to transcode the files so they import into iMovie correctly (with sound and without crashing)?

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(NT) So why didn't you use File, Wizard in VLCPlayer?
Feb 2, 2007 3:47AM PST
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Didn't know that existed
Feb 2, 2007 3:54AM PST

What do I transcode it to though for the Video and Audio?

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Use file, wizard?
Feb 2, 2007 3:56AM PST

It seems we are in some loop.

Bob

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Sorry, didn't explain very well
Feb 2, 2007 4:22AM PST

I mean, under the transcode step, which codecs do I use for video and audio?
It offers me MPEG-1,2 & 3, DIVX 1,2 & 3 etc for Video, and MPEG, MP3, MPEG 4 etc for Audio.

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(NT) Simple is better. MPEG or MPEG 1...
Feb 2, 2007 5:00AM PST
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AVI to DVD
Apr 9, 2007 4:40AM PDT