Conversion to DVD Opinion

[TheOldMan]

I've actually spent some time converting both Analog and Digital 8mm tapes using a firewire connection to a system similar to yours,(Used Ulead Software but my comments apply to other software options).

Bottom line is that its ok for small 5 - 15 minute projects but to do entire tapes you need a higher end system w/ raid storage and more memory and CPU horsepower. That still may not be the best route to go if you have multiple tapes.

My recommnedation for volume conversions, is that you check out bulk conversion services. I've used these for convereting Film to VHS and am looking into using them for film to DVD as well as my 8mm to DVD. I send a single sample tape for testing and select based on the quality and service received. Price is a concern but it can take an awfully long time to convert and then correctly MPEG compress entire tapes and I personally ran out of time.

Good Luck

[dr_roberts49]

True, but where's the fun in that? I much prefer to beef up my hardware and do it myself. In fact, I already did

Robert

[phenious]

You dont need a whole lot to really do it on a bugget... You can capture your film from the camera on firewire to DVD assuming you have 512MB RAM and 1.8Ghz or faster CPu... from there you need at least 8.7GB of space to store for the video files and their image when buring. From there you just capture and slap to video. The ulead DVD factory option even has the option to record live to disk so it is possible to record right from your VHS or camera onto a DVD... down side is I doubt you have much control of the menu options but I have never tried it and Im sure you wouldnt be able to do much with your machine. I think you can get the software and few hardware upgrades needed if any to do this work on your own and its a great learning experience and you can do what you want

-: phenious :-

[Xtreeme]

DVD format isnt that compresed itself. ITs pretty quick to encode say a hour of film. If your source is good you dont need tons of extra enhancments that suck time up. 1 I can take 1 hour Hi8 to dvd format and its nice quality vid and sound change format AS its captured..real time. That isnt long. With 8x dvd burners out at cheap prices (though media at 8x isnt) its not long to burn one either. Home video is truly easy today. Converting films that used to cost a fortune to do is now really cheap in comparison. A fast pc isnt nearly as $ as even 5 years ago muchless 10. Home video making and editing is a great use for a pc. there is a learning curve to the encoders....all the formats and the little quarks of some progs that you may use. (specially soem freeware) But in the end I think its worth the effort. Its def a what ever you prefer type thing.

[dr_roberts49]

Xtreme, what applications do you use? I've been using Movie Maker 2 for Windows XP. I've also tried the Imagemaker software that came with my SONY camcorder. For the burn process to DVD, I have Nero 6 Ultra Edition. I have a P4 2.4c with 512 MG and a 160GB SATA drive for the video storage only. I was using USB 2.0, but switched to firewire recently.

Right now, I'm basically putting all my 8mm family videos to DVD without any edits. After I have everything backed up on DVD, I will then work on editing and will be in the market for a good editing program. I have a lot of family video on 8mm analog. My old SONY Hi8 died a few months ago, so I bought a SONY TRV350 Digital Camcorder that will playback the older analog tapes. I got a SONY miniDVD camcorder for Christmas, and that's what all my new stuff will go on. I consider myself very lucky to get the TRV350 on sale at Best Buy. It's nearly impossible to find digital camcorders that playback the older analog 8mm tapes. Even when my Hi8 was still working, I was looking at purchasing a capture board. Glad I didn't. Using the TRV350 as a pass-through for the older tapes works great. No loss in quality. And I have a 2nd great digital camcorder!

Robert

[Xtreeme]

I use nero. Works great for me. Also movie maker at times which isnt too bad. Tmpeg inc mostly for editing. I also have a ATI tv tuner card. So I can pipe the Hi8mm into the line in and rca, then have tv tuner convert in real time to dvd format. Or divx or svcd or vcd etc. etc. Real time conversiont hat way if Im in a hurry. Takes exact time of film to have a dvd ready capture. Then I just run nero6 and make a dvd-video disc. Now if taking a LARGE dvd of like 9 or 7gig to a 4.7gb disc. I use nero dvd copy. You only need a vob. not a entire dvd. I enter it into video files catagory. It converts at around 250-300fps. The video is now SQUEEZED down to a std. 4.7gb disc. Its reencoding to a lower bitrate dvd file is all. Cant tell the diff. Works for when I merge several Hi8mm's to one dvd too.

My 3 year old hi8 sony has f-wire and I somtimes use it. Depends on my mood. heh. With nero 6 I can use my Fwire and use nero to capture aswell in realtime to dvd format. Just read about it-gonna try tonight as it will allow one prog. to do it all. In nero try the capture setting once under dvd movies (nero quick start). Its all in there.

[dr_roberts49]

Thanks for the tips, Extreme. Good advice. I'll take it

Robert

[Xtreeme]

Glad to help. I kinda enjoy the whole conversion/dubbing process. So I try alot of diff things.