Conversion for DVD

[dubb93]

I've been downloading videos(non porn I can promise you) and have been trying to burn them to a dvd. The problem seems to be that I can only burn them by making a "data" disk. When I try to burn them into a "dvd-video" disk it will not allow me b/c the files are not ".ifo, .vob, or .bup" file extensions.

All the videos are either .mpeg or .avi. I'm wondering if there is anyway to convert them(and how I would go about it) to one of the above so I can watch them in my DVD player.

NOTE: "data" disks can only be watched on your computer, while a "dvd-video" disk will allow you to play it on home dvd players.

[Qrusher14242]

I use a program called VSO DivxToDVD. You can here it at: http://www.vso-software.fr/download.htm

It'll convert most anything to DVD format.It'll make a directory with the vob files in it. Now you have to do it one by one, but you can then burn em all using either TMPenc DVD Author or DVD Shrink. DVD Shrink(www.dvdshrink.org) is the easiet. Just use the 'Re-Author' Option and then go to each directory that DivxToDVD made for each movie and put it into the the new DVD area on the left.

When im done putting the movies on the left, Click Backup. You can have it make a Hard Disk Folder, which you can then burn with Nero or Recordnow Max or any other program. Hope this helps.

[gstelmack]

What's your DVD burning software?

[dubb93]

NERO, it came with my computer.

[3ric]

I use TMPGEnc Plus 2.5 to convert the video files to MPEG-2 format and then IfoEdit (which is freeware) to create the *.vob files.

[dubb93]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I downloaded TMPGEnc Plus 2.5, SO DivxToDVD, and dvdshrink. They all work great so far. 1 followup question. The file I plan on buring is a wrestling show video. The download was divided up into 3 parts, all big enough to completely fill up a cd. The problem comes in that I want them all on 1 DVD, is this possible to do?

IE, I converted all 3 files, and with DVD shrink you can select the folder you want to burn. If I select all 3 folders will they all show up on the dvd? Or will it cause the dvd not to work? If the latter is the case is my only option to burn all 3 videos on different DVD's and then just switch DVD's when 1 ends to see the whole show?

Sorry for all the questions but I just started burning things on a computer 3 days ago and this is my first experience ever with burning DVD's and the damn things are too expensive to waste one trying something that won't work.

[Easy Mac]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I downloaded TMPGEnc Plus 2.5, SO DivxToDVD, and dvdshrink. They all work great so far. 1 followup question. The file I plan on buring is a wrestling show video. The download was divided up into 3 parts, all big enough to completely fill up a cd. The problem comes in that I want them all on 1 DVD, is this possible to do?

IE, I converted all 3 files, and with DVD shrink you can select the folder you want to burn. If I select all 3 folders will they all show up on the dvd? Or will it cause the dvd not to work? If the latter is the case is my only option to burn all 3 videos on different DVD's and then just switch DVD's when 1 ends to see the whole show?

Sorry for all the questions but I just started burning things on a computer 3 days ago and this is my first experience ever with burning DVD's and the damn things are too expensive to waste one trying something that won't work.
I think burning each folder will make the DVD not work... don't take my word for it though. did you convert all the MPEG's to 1 .IFO file in one folder, or does each file have an .IFO file.

I do the following if it is a .avi file:

TMPEGenc 2.5 converts to MPEG
TMPEGenc DVD Author converts to .IFO files (and lets me set tracks for the DVD) - this costs money,
DVD Shrink burns the files.

If the videos are the size of CD's after conversion to MPEG, then they will all fit on a DVD. Generally, about 5-6 CD's worth of MPEG's will fit on a DVD (give or take).

Go to www.doom9.org (http://www.doom9.org) for a more exact way of doing this (look in their guides section, it should show what you are looking for

[dubb93]

Thanks EasyMac. So what I'm seeing here is that TMPEGenc DVD Author will do pretty much the same exact thing that thing that VSO DivxToDVD, in converting to DVD format, however TMPEGenc DVD Author will then go on to let you layer the DVD to include several videos on 1 DVD? I'm downloading the trail now, it if does indeed work as you say it seems I will have to pony up about 80 bones to buy the program.

I now remember why I visit this forum so often. Someone here can help answer any question, thanks again guys.

[gstelmack]

Upgrade to the latest Nero and use their authoring / burning tools to set up the DVD exactly how you want. You can edit the video, set up a menu for it, and burn the DVD so you can pick which one to view.

Although I use Roxio 7 Easy Media Creator instead of Nero, I do this stuff all the time with home movies.

[dubb93]

I called my local Staples and they do carry Roxio 7 Easy Media Creator, but before I buy it I need to confirm it will do what I need it to do. They guy on the phone was very unsure. The program will allow me to take 3 mpegs I converted into DVD-video format and then burn them onto 1 DVD and play them in like chapters? And then the DVD will play on a standard DVD player(connected to my TV, not my computer)? If it will do all that I will purchase it very soon.

[jbmagic]

i hear Nero is Better than Roxio 7 Easy Media Creator.

[gstelmack]

I called my local Staples and they do carry Roxio 7 Easy Media Creator, but before I buy it I need to confirm it will do what I need it to do. They guy on the phone was very unsure. The program will allow me to take 3 mpegs I converted into DVD-video format and then burn them onto 1 DVD and play them in like chapters? And then the DVD will play on a standard DVD player(connected to my TV, not my computer)? If it will do all that I will purchase it very soon.
Yes. I do this all the time with AVIs from a digital video camera. It will actually work with the original mpegs/AVIs and handle the conversion to DVD for you, no other work/steps required. You basically create a separate "Title" for each, and each one gets its own item on the main DVD menu.

The latest Nero will do this as well, and you may find upgrading your current Nero cheaper. I have not worked with the latest Nero so I can't comment on its ease-of-use, but it has received good reviews. I can say that I've tried several DVD authoring solutions, and Roxio 7 is the first one that hasn't really ticked me off in some way and costs under $100 (you can get some nice packages for $400+).