safely archiving a video file

[Alan]

Can I take a avi file, convert it to a .wmv file using windows movie maker 2
and store it on a dvd for later use and reconverting back to avi for
editing and to take clips for another video? I am wondering if this is an
easy way to store movie files - or should I put the original back onto tape?

Al

 

[V Green]

Each step you are describing will result in
a loss of video quality.

Archive the original .AVI to avoid this.

Use as many DVD's as is necessary. You can
use Virtual Dub to chop it up if it won't fit on
one DVD.

 

[Alan]

thanks - what if I used a program such as Norton Ghost to back up the file
(and compress it) - to store on dvd. Would that be an option

alan

 

[V Green]

Problem with doing that is you'll always
need Ghost to get it back again. And it may
not compress much, depending on the CODEC
used, it may already be fairly compressed.

 

[Alan]

ok thanks - you make a good point

Problem with doing that is you'll always
need Ghost to get it back again. And it may
not compress much, depending on the CODEC
used, it may already be fairly compressed.

 

[Alan]

V Green

One question - I have used virtual dub - and done the split and saved on
dVD/. I wonder if you have had any negative experience with V Dub - the
reason I ask is that some instructions I found that explain how to split the
avi file also note how to fix out of synch audio and video and I wonder if
this happens often or even ever? Just wanted to get your thoughts since the
software seems to be very effective and easy to use for splitting

thanks

alan

 

[V Green]

Did you notice A/V desync when you played back
the segments? You shouldn't have had any issues...
VirtualDub just copies things over directly if you
choose "Direct Stream Copy" in the Video and
Audio setup. No desync in source = no desync
in segments of that source, in general.

To make sure that this is going to work for you,
divide up your source, then put it back together
again using Append AVI Segment and see if things
stay sync'ed up.

Just like when you chose a way to backup your
HD, you should ALWAYS to a test restore to
make sure things are going to work as planned.

That way, you can rest easy.

 

[Alan]

no desynch noticed - just wondered about it since the instructions I found
mentioned it could happen. I find it interesting that you say, generally no
desync in segments. Is there a known reason why issues like this can occur?
Just want to be prepared

alan

 

[V Green]

no desynch noticed - just wondered about it since the instructions I found
mentioned it could happen. I find it interesting that you say, generally no
desync in segments. Is there a known reason why issues like this can occur?
Just want to be prepared

alan

Usually desync happens when you change the frame
rate during transcoding, or if you use VBR audio
compression of certain types. It's also player-specific,
meaning that if you play the clip in certain media players,
it'll desync, while in others it won't.

If you do a "Direct Stream Copy", NO processing
of any kind occurs, thus, the segments should NOT
desync, if the original was OK.

As I said, try it, prove to yourself that it works for
your own peace of mind.

 

[Alan]

perfectly understood thanks. appreciate the explanation

alan