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General discussion

Digital 8 to DVD

Jun 28, 2005 1:30PM PDT

What software is needed to take my digital home movies to DVD? Is there any freeware? I've had great results with freeware like DVD D'Crxxxxr and DVD Shxxnk; it would be great if there were free apps to put home movies to dvd.

I have gotten as far as hooking the camcorder up (ieee cable) to my computer and transfering the video to the computer hard drive. WinExplorer says it's a "videoclip" file.

Now what?

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Have you tried Microsoft's Movie Maker?
Jun 28, 2005 8:09PM PDT

It is free. How about the DVD burning software that came with your computer/burner?

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Doesn't Seem Like Enough
Jun 29, 2005 2:52AM PDT

I have a toshiba notebook (P4, 3 Ghz), XP home. It came with Movie Maker but it doesn't seem to have a way to burn to DVD. If it does, can you tell me how? Likewise, the computer came with a DVD +/- R and a stripped version of SOnic that doesn't seem to have DVD authoring.

What's next?

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Read ...
Jun 29, 2005 3:07AM PDT
http://ask.slashdot.org/askslashdot/04/03/12/0115229.shtml could be a nice primer as to why you don't want to dive headfirst into a roll-your-own-dvd production. I've seen people expend a few months and in advance I never help them do such because it's not in my interest to invest that much time when Ulead, DVDSanta and other softwares to do this are so cheap.

But you are more than welcome to attempt it.

Bob
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I don't understand
Jun 30, 2005 4:56AM PDT

Mayube I'm miscommunicating something. I'm not sure what you mean by "roll-your-own dvd prodcution".

What I want to do is use my computer and DVD burner to put analog and digital home movies (my handycam Digital8 can play both) onto DVD to make them quicker and easier to view. Are you saything that I shouldn't try this myself. If that's the case what do Ulead (which app by the way) and dvdSanta do?

Please clarify
Thanks

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Not exactly.
Jun 30, 2005 6:50AM PDT

Your post seemed to indicate that use of commercial products was not an option and you wanted to use your existing recording software. This is entirely possible but is very stressful on the user that tries this. They usually burst into flames at those that comment it's not a good idea.

"Are you saything that I shouldn't try this myself. If that's the case what do Ulead (which app by the way) and dvdSanta do?"

These applications do all that heavy lifting for you by creating the proper files and more. Try them. Demos are ready so you can see which you like best.

Bob

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Due Respect
Jun 30, 2005 7:51AM PDT

Bob:

my very initial question was "What software do I need?" I was thinking that freeware might be available since antivirus, Open Office, and the aforementioned DVD ripping and compressing programs are all free.

In the end, I just want to know what is the best and cheapest for very simple transfer of my analog 8mm tape and Digital8 (my handycam plays both) to DVD. All I want to do is maybe break them up into chapters and add some simple titles.

Thanks
Andrew

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Exactly "free"
Jun 30, 2005 10:37AM PDT

It is indeed possible to create a video CD with sheer work and CDBURNERXP. But I can't help you do this. It's far too much work for how cheap the software items I listed.

There are too many tutorials about how to create a video DVD with just your free CDBURNERXP and whatever else video editing and encoders you find out there, but ... it's more support than anyone I know will type into this small box.

Bob

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I use Ulead's Movie Factory
Jun 30, 2005 8:38PM PDT

and it does a good job. The version I have came with the video capture device I bought. You might be able to use a trial version and see if it meets your needs. If converting tapes to DVDs is something you plan to do often, I'd suggest you find a program you like and buy it.

http://www.ulead.com/dmf/runme.htm