On XP, I have converted a bunch of 8mm tapes into a digital format (using a Digital8 camcorder) and have edited the videos. Now I am looking for a good piece of software to put all these videos on DVD quickly and efficiently, with the ability to create a nice menu, a track menu for each video if possible, and tracks wherever I would like (at breaks in camcorder shooting).

I have heard decent things about the Sony DVD software, any others? Does any of the apple stuff work in Windows?

-Dwade

I know you are looking for software, but if you can.... the Sony DVD recorders (They look like a TIVO are great for that & multiple x's faster than a software solution & you can add menus wherever etc.,) Apple iDVD software won't work on Windows.

Adobe Premier Elements costs about $90 I believe and should do what you want. (I think)

Nero?

See what you have on your computer....you may have a copy of nero vision express (which is fairly good).

Windows XP comes with Windows Movie Maker (which only burns to a CD within the software) but only supports WMV (many home DVD players can handle WMV natively).

Windows XP media edition and Vista includes a version of Movie Maker with Mpeg2 and DVD burning.

For a fairly good all-in-one software Ulead Video Studio (http://www.ulead.com/vs/runme.htm?trkid=dvsedid&trkid=46949501) is very good.

On the linux side Cinerlerra (http://heroinewarrior.com/cinelerra.php3) is thee tool to use for editing your video.


For free, VirtualDub (http://www.virtualdub.org/) is the best software (imo) to do editing and clean-up....the number of filters available is second to none.


For converting video: Super (http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html) is another tool you'll want in your video arsenal

See what you have on your computer....you may have a copy of nero vision express (which is fairly good).

Windows XP comes with Windows Movie Maker (which only burns to a CD within the software) but only supports WMV (many home DVD players can handle WMV natively).

Windows XP media edition and Vista includes a version of Movie Maker with Mpeg2 and DVD burning.

For a fairly good all-in-one software Ulead Video Studio (http://www.ulead.com/vs/runme.htm?trkid=dvsedid&trkid=46949501) is very good.

On the linux side Cinerlerra (http://heroinewarrior.com/cinelerra.php3) is thee tool to use for editing your video.


For free, VirtualDub (http://www.virtualdub.org/) is the best software (imo) to do editing and clean-up....the number of filters available is second to none.


For converting video: Super (http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html) is another tool you'll want in your video arsenal

Here are my computer specs FYI:

1.8 Ghz, 512MB RAM, unlimited HD space, Windows XP Home Edition,

My computer came with Cyberlink PowerDVD but it doesn't do what I need it to do: put chapters in my videos.

Really I have already processed and edited these videos so that they are ready to watch. I just need a program that can burn a DVD and allow me to set chapters manually. I don't think there is any program that comes just with that however, so I may have to look at the bundle.

Will Ulead work on a 512MB RAM? The website says 1GB recommended, is that just for HD and Blu-Ray (I don't need either of those)?

EDIT: looking at the Super website I just realized how tech-ignorant I am! :-(
It was like Greek to me.

The Sonys you just stick the ilink cable (Firewire) hit record & mark the chapters with a remote (or just mark them in the video editor & sony picks it up on input.

VirtualDub & Super are great, but if you arent a person who is tech oriented, they are probably not & they are not the right tool for what you want to do.

I use Super to convert portfolios for my Iphone & it is nice for converting video formats.
Virtualdub can install conflicting files relating to codecs if you install it by itself which is a pain to get rid of.

Nero is good, but I swear I get more coasters from burning with it than I have ever had using a sony standalone.
Plus you can use some of the sony standalones for timeshifting.

Premiere Pro does it, but that is probably too expensive if you are not using it daily.

So yeah I think Premiere Elements looks like your best software choice, but I would download a demo if Adobe has it & make a test run.

You could of been done by now with the Sony.

See what you have on your computer....you may have a copy of nero vision express (which is fairly good).

Windows XP comes with Windows Movie Maker (which only burns to a CD within the software) but only supports WMV (many home DVD players can handle WMV natively).

Windows XP media edition and Vista includes a version of Movie Maker with Mpeg2 and DVD burning.

For a fairly good all-in-one software Ulead Video Studio (http://www.ulead.com/vs/runme.htm?trkid=dvsedid&trkid=46949501) is very good.

On the linux side Cinerlerra (http://heroinewarrior.com/cinelerra.php3) is thee tool to use for editing your video.


For free, VirtualDub (http://www.virtualdub.org/) is the best software (imo) to do editing and clean-up....the number of filters available is second to none.


For converting video: Super (http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html) is another tool you'll want in your video arsenal

Gord, thanks for the Super link...looks like I need that!

Here are my computer specs FYI:

1.8 Ghz, 512MB RAM, unlimited HD space, Windows XP Home Edition,

My computer came with Cyberlink PowerDVD but it doesn't do what I need it to do: put chapters in my videos.

Really I have already processed and edited these videos so that they are ready to watch. I just need a program that can burn a DVD and allow me to set chapters manually. I don't think there is any program that comes just with that however, so I may have to look at the bundle.

Will Ulead work on a 512MB RAM? The website says 1GB recommended, is that just for HD and Blu-Ray (I don't need either of those)?

EDIT: looking at the Super website I just realized how tech-ignorant I am! :-(
It was like Greek to me.
Yeah PowerDVD is just a software movie player.
RAM is cheap, you may want to up to at least 1 GB.
To author a DVD, your computer will get the job done as is. :)
Some pc's, burners and video cards come with authoring software: Nero, Roxio, Ulead Video Studio, usually older versions but still capable.

Since your videos don't require editing, these programs may be a possibility (why spend money when you don't have to):
Freeware solution (a little rough around the edge though): DVDStyler (http://www.dvdstyler.de/)
Here's another: DVDAuthorGui (http://download.videohelp.com/liquid217/dvdauthorgui.pl?p=download)


==================
sidenote: Nero has worked great for me, no coasters....might want to look into the media or possibly the burner itself.

Other good converters: mediacoder (http://mediacoder.sourceforge.net/download.htm)
DVD Movies to portable devices: Handbrake (http://handbrake.m0k.org/)

The Sonys you just stick the ilink cable (Firewire) hit record & mark the chapters with a remote (or just mark them in the video editor & sony picks it up on input.

VirtualDub & Super are great, but if you arent a person who is tech oriented, they are probably not & they are not the right tool for what you want to do.

I use Super to convert portfolios for my Iphone & it is nice for converting video formats.
Virtualdub can install conflicting files relating to codecs if you install it by itself which is a pain to get rid of.

Nero is good, but I swear I get more coasters from burning with it than I have ever had using a sony standalone.
Plus you can use some of the sony standalones for timeshifting.

Premiere Pro does it, but that is probably too expensive if you are not using it daily.

So yeah I think Premiere Elements looks like your best software choice, but I would download a demo if Adobe has it & make a test run.

You could of been done by now with the Sony.

Which Sony are you talking about? I have been looking through but the number of devices is simply staggering out there. Since my DVD RW+ drive spits out coasters intermittently I would prefer an external solution.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VRDMC5-DVDirect-DVD-Recorder/dp/B000SML2BQ/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1197339053&sr=1-1

This is the sort of device I am looking at but is has no USB connection.

To the original poster: Are you looking for something to burn a video file to DVD, or to edit camcorder footage into a good movie and THEN burn it to DVD?

-Allen

To the original poster: Are you looking for something to burn a video file to DVD, or to edit camcorder footage into a good movie and THEN burn it to DVD?

-Allen

I am just looking for an easy to use program/device that will take my wmv files and burn them to DVD with my personal selection of chapter points. No editing needed.

I am just looking for an easy to use program/device that will take my wmv files and burn them to DVD with my personal selection of chapter points. No editing needed.

Oh, then my suggestion of Adobe Premiere was stupid. I believe (as suggested by others earlier) Nero is the best PC burner out there. I have no idea about chapter points though.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VRDMC5-DVDirect-DVD-Recorder/dp/B000SML2BQ/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1197339053&sr=1-1

This is the sort of device I am looking at but is has no USB connection.

I'm considering the same thing as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VRDMC5-DVDirect-DVD-Recorder/dp/B000SML2BQ/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1197339053&sr=1-1

This is the sort of device I am looking at but is has no USB connection.

I have a much older model that I record TV shows and stuff from Video Cameras. Mine has FireWire, USB and RCA ports on the back.

The model you're looking at (VRD-MC5) does have a USB port but the use for the USB port is limited. I also found this from a PDF Spec sheet from the Sony site:


DVD CREATION (Video)
Recordable Discs (USB source) DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW
Recordable Discs (DV/Analog) DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW
Video Encoding (DV/Analog) MPEG-2 (standard DVD), AVC/H.264 (AVCHD recording only)
Audio Encoding Dolby ® Digital (2 channel) & 5.1 Surround Sound
Recording Aspect Ratio 16:9 (Wide Screen & 4:3 (Full Screen)
DV Input 4-pin i.LINK (IEEE1394), for camcorder connection only
Audio/Video Input Composite Video x1, S-Video x1, Audio L/R x1
Handycam USB Port USB Port for HDD/DVD/MemoryStick Handycam camcorders only
Recording Time Up to 12 Hours per DVD


Link (http://www.learningcenter.sony.us/assets/itpd/discburners/dvdirect/)

If you want to connect to your PC via USB, I think VRD-MC3 is what you're looking for...
Link (http://www.learningcenter.sony.us/assets/itpd/discburners/dvdirect/vrdmc3_specs.pdf)

I have a much older model that I record TV shows and stuff from Video Cameras. Mine has FireWire, USB and RCA ports on the back.

The model you're looking at (VRD-MC5) does have a USB port but the use for the USB port is limited. I also found this from a PDF Spec sheet from the Sony site:



Link (http://www.learningcenter.sony.us/assets/itpd/discburners/dvdirect/)

If you want to connect to your PC via USB, I think VRD-MC3 is what you're looking for...
Link (http://www.learningcenter.sony.us/assets/itpd/discburners/dvdirect/vrdmc3_specs.pdf)

Thanks! The VRD-MC3 looks exactly like what I need!

Now I am just disappointed that I didn't know this before I dubbed all my 8mm tapes onto my computer instead of just hooking them up straight to a device :bang:

Figure amazon to have the best price, but I will check tigerdirect.

Thanks to med267, gordo, and everyone else who helped me figure this out!

==================
sidenote: Nero has worked great for me, no coasters....might want to look into the media or possibly the burner itself.


I use Nero quite extensively for game film editing/ movie dubbing and have never once had it spit out a coaster

Oh, then my suggestion of Adobe Premiere was stupid. I believe (as suggested by others earlier) Nero is the best PC burner out there. I have no idea about chapter points though.

The Nero will handle manual chapter points, but also has a tool that will search for natural chapter points. The tool can be hit or miss sometimes though, so always found doing it manual best.

Thanks! The VRD-MC3 looks exactly like what I need!

Now I am just disappointed that I didn't know this before I dubbed all my 8mm tapes onto my computer instead of just hooking them up straight to a device :bang:

Actually reading it's information.. looks like it'll still use the computer to do the chapter editing anyway (comes with Nero7), you may just want to look at the nero software.

Thanks! The VRD-MC3 looks exactly like what I need!

Now I am just disappointed that I didn't know this before I dubbed all my 8mm tapes onto my computer instead of just hooking them up straight to a device :bang:

Figure amazon to have the best price, but I will check tigerdirect.

Thanks to med267, gordo, and everyone else who helped me figure this out!

You are welcome. I don't have the one you mention above, but the Sony RDR HX 900 (Cant remember exact model close though) with 160gb hard drive.

The thing that is nice about it (RDR HX 900) is that it allows recording realtime straight to the DVD instead of the tedious process of bringing it into the computer & then burning the DVD.

It allows chapter points to be punched in.

Nero is okay. I use it. It isnt as fast or as easy as the RDR though (especially if you are transferring from a Sony Digital 8 or DV cam)

I like using Ritek RiData 12X DVD-R discs.

The Sony you mention above .... I don't think the USB has anything to do with hooking to a computer, but I could be confusing the models.

On Amazon it seemed to have a review that mentioned that it was an error on Amazon's site (Maybe double check on Sonys before you invest)

You are welcome. I don't have the one you mention above, but the Sony RDR HX 900 (Cant remember exact model close though) with 160gb hard drive.

The thing that is nice about it (RDR HX 900) is that it allows recording realtime straight to the DVD instead of the tedious process of bringing it into the computer & then burning the DVD.

It allows chapter points to be punched in.

Nero is okay. I use it. It isnt as fast or as easy as the RDR though (especially if you are transferring from a Sony Digital 8 or DV cam)

I like using Ritek RiData 12X DVD-R discs.

The Sony you mention above .... I don't think the USB has anything to do with hooking to a computer, but I could be confusing the models.

On Amazon it seemed to have a review that mentioned that it was an error on Amazon's site (Maybe double check on Sonys before you invest)

Thanks for your help dude! I waited to reply until I received my model and tried it out. It works really well! The USB is for both computer and HDD camera hookup. It does have direct burning off a camera but since I already have most of my files on the computer I have been using Nero Vision Express (which is awesome and came with the device) to make nice menus and chapter points and then burning it on the external device.

Thanks for all your help everybody!
Dwade

Thanks for your help dude! I waited to reply until I received my model and tried it out. It works really well! The USB is for both computer and HDD camera hookup. It does have direct burning off a camera but since I already have most of my files on the computer I have been using Nero Vision Express (which is awesome and came with the device) to make nice menus and chapter points and then burning it on the external device.

Thanks for all your help everybody!
Dwade

Glad it all worked out for you & your welcome (no problem).
Happy Holidays & you & your close ones. Happy New Year *