For my son Tony - Problem using MSMC(2004) and MCMM(2.0.3312.0)

[Guest]

Hello Everyone, My son Tony has a large collection of VHS tapes (mostly
animation cartoon type) that he has recorded himself over the years. I have
also taught him how to use computers since he doesn't go to school. Knowing
his VHS (and a few old Beta) tapes will get old and deteriorate, I decided to
save up and get him a new computer to transfer the video tapes to DVD.
Hopefully to edit also. Therefore, I purchased a Dell 8400 with the video
capture card and MS Media Center 2004. (I'm having trouble getting the
overseas customer support to assist me in upgrading to MSMC 2005). The media
center will capture the video (we are using COAX cable for now), (also have
s-video, RCA, and comp jacks if really necessary). However, once the videos
are captured using the MSMC we are unable to get the Movie Maker (2.0.3312.0)
to allow him to edit his captured video which is in "dvr.ms" format. Is there
a better product to help him to capture the analog video from VHS and Beta,
then edit/clean up to his pleasure, and finally burn to his double layered
DVD writer? I'm willing to try and get better software if it is highly
recommended and the cost is not prohibitive. But, If everyone suggests using
what we have, could someone tell us how best we do that?
We appreciate any assistance! Thank you for helping my son Tony get his
Videos to DVD!! (his web site - http://www.tonysimaginationlab.com - in case
your interested)
Mac and Tony

 

[PapaJohn \(MVP\)]

Hi Mac,

First check the Importing Source Files > Video > Recorded TV page of my
site... the free utility DVR2WMV that I mention and link to in my Comments
block was commented on in the newsgroup just the other day, in a positive
way.

I don't routinely capture from my TV and haven't used that utility. I'd be
interested in your comments about it... there are other methods if it
doesn't
work for you.
--
PapaJohn

Movie Maker 2 and Photo Story 3 - www.papajohn.org
Photo Story 2 - www.photostory.papajohn.org
..

 

[Bob [MVP]]

Mac and Tony,

If capturing in DVR-MS format is the only option available
on your MCE PC, then I recommend getting a DVD Authoring/
Video Editing program that supports that format directly.

Nero 6 Ultra includes NeroVision 3.0, which is a decent
DVD Authoring/Video Editing program.

In general you want to minimize the number of times
you perform lossy compression on your video, as you
go through your flow from capture to DVD burning.

Using Nero, you'll be compressing your video at most
twice.

1. MPEG-2 compression during capture to DVR-MS file.
2. MPEG-2 compression during DVD encoding.

Using an intermediate conversion program like DVR2WMV,
you will be adding additional lossy compression steps,
and the quality of your final DVD video may suffer.

1. MPEG-2 compression during capture to DVR-MS file
2. WMV compression during DVR2WMV conversion.
3. DV-AVI compression in Movie Maker
4. MPEG-2 compression during DVD encoding.

Not only will your final DVD video quality be better,
you'll get there a lot faster.

--
-Bob
_______________________________
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Media Center Edition
http://www.microsoft.com/ehome

 

[Guest]

Thank you both PapaJohn and Bob. I mean that sincerely!
I will test both scenarios. As for the purchase of Nero6 Ultra, I'm guessing
from the words you used that it will not only directly capture from the COAX
input on the video capture device, but also Nero6 Ultra would do a good job
of allowing my son to edit the captured Video tape (VHS) recordings, then
burn to his double layer DVD burner? He has already told me that he would
like to move some stuff from one video tape to another, puts some inserts in
between, and maybe even clean them up a little. (I know - trash in trash
out). Bottom line is that we can get them moved from video tape to DVD
without loosing much in the process.
This forum is great with lots of good people to assist us newbies. Thanks
for recommending it PapaJohn. I hope this thread doesn't stop so that others
may be able to get assistance from it also. If there are other
masters/experts out there that have some words of wisdom, "all are welcome".
I want to help Tony make this conversion process as quick, easy, and with out
loosing much quality as I can. Thank you Everyone.