Ok, I'm starting this thread because I have a lot of issues with learning ht do this, I'm a total newbie. I'm hoping someone can walk me through some of this stuff. I am not looking for hyperlinks to websites like DVD-freaks, which is huge & seems like it *should* be helpful but has so much effin data on it I can't see straight after 2 minutes, it makes my eyeballs roll around in my head.

If other people can't help with my specific questions then at least maybe you guys can use this thread for your own technical questions... & maybe I'll learn something that way?! Thx. --e

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I have movies and TV shows on my computer. I want them on discs so I can get them off the hard drive. I don't care if they're on CD or DVD discs.

The problem is twofold: 1, most of these files are over 700mb. Two, they're AVI files.


Burning them to CD is cheaper & seems as if it would be easier than burning to DVD because I don't have to "translate" the AVI format into a thing the DVD player can read.

I've tried to overburn CDs & either my player won't allow it (it says it will but it's not happening), or Nero won't allow it (I've tried fiddling with settings, reading up on it online, etc: it says it will, but it's not happening either. Yet, anyway.)

So I feel stuck because I can't use the CD option.


The DVD option is appealing because then I can watch this stuff on my TV set, not just the computer. But every single file I've tried to burn to DVD comes out with the soundtrack massively off-synch.

(This has happened, also, with CD files I've tried to fool with: anything other than a straight transfer seems to fuck up the soundtrack.)


I have Nero, which as I said claims to overburn but won't. My CD-burner claims to be compatible with overburning. I've got the latest driver. Dunno what else to do there.


I tried Xilisoft's Avi-to-DVD converter with AVI files--a tv show--that played fine on my computer--but the DVD's soundtrack was totally screwed up. Stopping & restarting the disc every 5 minutes fixed this problem, but obviously isn't the optimal way to watch stuff.

Is this where Virtual Dub comes in?

I am happy to spend time learning to use new software but it seems I spend more time downloading stuff, trying it out, making coasters, uninstalling it, & doing the whole thing over these days than I do watching movies.

I know exactly what you mean when you say you're downloading, learning how to use it and then uninstalling it. I am trying to make a musicvideo and i had the same problem.

My advice to you, get some coffee, take a few breath, remember this is going to take a long time before you figure it out and then go to: www.videohelp.com Trust me, this site will be your friend!

I would recommend going from AVI to DVD, basicly because you CAN view it on your tv and because there is more material on how to do it. If you go to videohelp.com you can type in the search box "AVI to DVD" and then you'll get lots of tools and programs (most freeware) with which you can do that. It also had tutorial guids so you'll know how to use the programs. If you have any additional questions or problems (there will be dozens how have had the problem too) and you can search the forums if the question has been asked before. If that all doesn't work, you can creat your own thread and ask the question. In some cases the creater of the program will answer your question and help you out.

Also, try to break down what you need to do. You want to burn AVI to DVD. You want the sound to be good. And you want it to fit on a 700 mb disc. All these different problems can be found on the site if you looking in the right thread.

On the note of the audio problem, well i used different programs (for different purposes) but the AC3 filter did the trick for me! You can also download it from videohelp.com


It is good to know that you don't mind doing you homework, because you know the phrase RTFM right? On videohelp.com is lots and lots of information. So much so that you'll probably get tired of reading all of it. If that happens, get another cup of coffee or go for a walk. I say this because the people on the forums will help you out, but only if you show them that you have spend hours looking for the answer. They will want to know what programs you have used and what problems you have faced. And you will get comments if you ask a question that has been asked before. Especially if it was just recently.

If you do want to ask a question, make it specific. Start with what you want to do. (I have films/ series in AVI that i want to burn on a DVD disc.) Then people will know the end game. If you are way off, people can tell you, you're way off and tell you what ohter program to use. The say something like: I use .... program version .... and now the audio is off. I have tried using AC3 filter, but it doesn't work for me. Am i using the program wrong, or do i need to use a different program all together.


It may sound rediculous to get this peace of advice, but it'll help you get the answer you're looking for.

Good luck and don't get discouraged. You'll get there!

Hi Jules2 & thanks for the suggestions, I know, I know, rtfm. The irony is, some of the stuff I've tried working with really doesn't have much in the way of manuals, & the subject matter is basically pretty complicated.

I got a different version of Nero, and that seemed like it would work--at least recorded 1 tv show correctly, although the images still feel a bit choppy--but a movie I tried didn't work, the sound was synched just fine (more irony) but sounded terrible, very tinny, like it was sampled at the wrong speed.

I think the main problem for now is I still have so much to learn I don't know the right questions to ask, so you're right, will have to just pick through the Help material on various sites & try to see if I can make any progress.

The biggest problem, as I see it, is when something goes wrong, I don't know why, what specifically went wrong, so don't actually know what to ask or where to look for the problem in the first place: basic settings? combining different types of files? disc flaw? advanced settings? <shrug> Who knows.

This is kind of like woodworking. I've sold hundreds of different books on how to make various projects, you know the sort, but they all conveniently assume it'll turn out perfectly. I can't think of a single book I've ever seen--not even repair books, really--that says, ok, here are 200 examples of how projects get screwed up, and how to fix them when you're halfway through but things aren't working, the floor's not level and the door closes too high, so do you make a new door or take apart the floor? This is kinda like that.

Thanks again for your thoughts, I guess I'll just plug gamely ahead. :err

Don't get discouraged. And get that cup of coffee. STAT! Have you converted the AVI file?

http://www.videohelp.com/tools?convert=AVI%20to%20DVD

Here is the link that has multiple (freeware) programs to do the stuff you want. If you for instance would like to use Avi2DVD, just click on it and it comes with several guides on how to use this program and how to convert AVI to DVD in general.

If you do need help, break down the problem. They will want to know things about your computer. (CPU, how much GB on harddisk, this sort of thing) Then take it step by step. Were there problems with downloading. What version did you download. Is there only a problem with sound, or are there different problems. Do you only have problems with films or do series not convert properly either.

Just take it step by step and you'll be able to explane your problem fine, or better yet look for the answer in the forums. Or try this link. It might help a lot. http://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=186739



Good luck, chin up and go for it!

I don't drink coffee. ;)


Tried Avi-to-DVD; it's a little quirky, seemed to work once, refused a second time. Converted files, but the final result had terrible sound quality, couldn't tweak it to get the quality up & still fit it on a disc. Shrug. Uninstalled it.

Currently trying DivX-to-DVD at your recommend--the reviews are excellent--which is no longer freeware & now called something different. I will say it's fast. Beyond that, unknown as yet.

Why Nero can't do this, or can't do it well enough--it pretty much owns this market, that prog, doesn't it?--escapes me.

We shoulder bravely on. --e

Neither do I :lol:


Don't go with payware. Not just yet anyway. Perhaps you should look for another program than Nero.

And go to videohelp.com I'm out of answers. They're not!

I signed up for their forum, it's ridiculously detailed, this whole subject, I feel like I need a postgraduate degree in math & programming, ugh. Got a semi-decent copy of something today but I don't know if it's an accident or not. Kinda feels like playing the lottery. Thanks for your suggestions & support, maybe other people will join in since the thread will continue to exist for awhile... I know I'm not the only one here who's probably got questions. :)

Haahah, imagine how i felt. And English isn't even my first language! Just hang in there.

Good thread as I have actually been "battling" this myself. I've tried a number of different programs and had major difficulties.

My 13 yr old cousin suggested Nero so I downloaded the latest version which is a total resource hog on my system.

The first test ran well. For that I burned an avi file of S7Ep10 as a vcd. Played it on my LG dvd player connected to the tv and it was excellent.

Test #2 did not go as well. Tried to burn a movie larger than 700mb to a dvd. Nero ran for over 2 hours and then failed.

Test #3 was even worse. Tried to burn the same movie to dvd,this time taking down the quality a bit so it would burn faster and instead it was worse. Began it before leaving for work and when I came back nearly 9 hours later it STILL wasn't finished and had another hour to go. Finally cancelled that.

I, too have been to the other sites mentioned and while there is great content there, it can be overwhelming. Will have to do a bit more hunting as I do want to back up my content. Did just get a deal on a 400gb hard drive but it isn't connected yet. LOL

Well, as you know I'm a flamin newbie, but all the customer reviews I've read at a variety of sites say the same thing, Nero 7's a major resource hog, dump it & get the last stable release of Nero 6. (I think it's 6.6.1.4; I'm using 6.something.0.8 & finding it... ok-aay, at least better than 7.)

DivX-to-DVD (it transcodes avi's too) has been pretty good so far, it's fast & easy to use, you might want to give it a try. They have an Official version that's called something different but DivX-to-DVD is free. When I use it and then switch to Nero to burn, the burn only takes about an hour on avg for 2 episodes of something (abt 1 1/2 hrs film time), which is pretty decent, far as I can tell.

Still can't figure out how to re-code stuff that has the wrong aspect ratio: Nero gives you an option to do that & claims to be doing it, but as yet, hasn't. So... long way to go. And I don't even want to get into the sync-problems with some of the soundtracks I've got, ugh! --e

ekny, thanks for the suggestion. I uninstalled Nero 7 and will give 6 another go. Previously I had an OEM version of 6 but it did nothing so I went with something else. Well at the time I was looking to clone, rip and burn, protected dvds as a "backup" so other programs were better for that.

Will take your advice and look for the version of 6 you recommended or will try some more opensource programs out there. Something has to work. LOL

EEEEEEEEEEEKS ! I wish I were more of a techie when it comes to burning DVDs etc.....but alas, I'm more of a graphic arts/music vid/html type of gal.

just a few links to major help/reference sites:

http://dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html

http://www.videohelp.com/
http://forum.videohelp.com/

http://www.doom9.org/

I have NTI DVD and CD maker that came with my PC when I bought it. Does anyone here use it? I did look at downloading nero but it will take at least 10-12 hours to download on dial up.

I sometimes can get NTI to copy DVDs and other times it won't work. It will only work using the copy function using easy steps 1 & 2 sometimes. When I tried to copy my eps of Wire in the Blood it doesn't recognise the format or something on the DVD I'm copying from.

My brother has the same NTI prog on his laptop. He managed to copy a couple of eps by doing a simple copy and paste of the DVD onto his hard drive. (I also was able to do that). But then my brother was able to copy that to another DVD using the DVD Video function Video_TS option. But when I try to do that I get a message saying access denied to the drive in which I have the DVD waiting to be copied.

Ok, I have a question. A friend is sending me files on DVD of a tv show. The directory shows BUP & IFO files, I don't think they're mission-critical--backup & info, but whether for reading or burning purposes I dunno. Then there are the files themselves, VOB files. These should be viewable on my computer as well as my TV, but I'm having a difficult time viewing them, opening them, finding software that seems comfortable working with them. She's burned several copies of this show & we've tried a bunch of different things--different discs, etc.


So. In the Video_RM folder there is Video_RM.BUP, .DAT, and .IFO. These are info files--menu structure or whatever, far as I can guess--so the thing will play in Real Media (I'm guessing--I don't use RM anyway, ugh). Regardless they're too small to have video data on them.

In the Video_TS folder is the main stuff:

Video_TS.BUP
Video_TS.IFO
VTS_01_0.BUP
VTS_01_0.IFO
VTS_01_1.VOB
VTS_01_2.VOB

So the first set of two is info & backup for 1 type of software or DVD-structure, & the next set is for some *other* type of software/DVD structure, and only the final 2 files are actual audiovisual information. This all looks standard & ok to me.

So why's is so bloody hard to play? Either I get audio but no visual or the visual can't be adjusted for aspect ratio or the software freezes or the sound is rubbery.


I have Nero Showtime as well as VLC.

(Winblowz Media Player (sucks moose) won't play it very readily, doesn't 'recognize' the DVD & will not adjust aspect ratio.)

VLC freaks out after running a bit of 1 ep through, screen just flickers & goes black.

Nero Showtime--which I think is the same company & same basic program as "WinDVD Player" (on my home computer) seems to see two sets of 2 files apiece here, not just 1--but only opens the first & seizes on the rest.

How could something so seemingly easy have become this complex?

Sadly, too easily. Something went kerploohey (technical term) with my computer and now my Real which used to play professional and burned dvds is saying that it is missing files. WinBlows chokes and the only program which is still working for me is VLC, which can usually play anything, I throw at it.

I can't speak for you, but I need to back up everything, defrag and perhaps uninstall and reinstall applications in order to fine tune my little baby computer.

I'm afraid I've thrown in the towel: I just ordered a Divx-friendly player. It means I can skip transcoding entirely for the most part (except in unusual cases): just burn things to discs as data-files. I'll still screw around with it but it's taking up too much of my time for not a good enough reason. I'm not getting paid for this & I've got other stuff I need to be doing. Ugh, I hate making these kinds of choices.

I love film, I'd love to learn how to do this (and get subtitles beautifully synched up while I'm at it) but... so what if I do? Other people already know it better and share it for free on the internet. The technology will continue to change, the software will continue to need to keep up with those changes, and what I know will still be obsolete in 5 years. And it's entirely too easy for me to convince myself this is Really Useful Information for my alternate-life as an indie filmmaker when I win the lottery or some such. Right. Or is just cool to know because it *is* bloody interesting. So it's killing me but I'm taking the coward's way out.

Being a grownup sucks.


ps: I've never had a day's bit of luck with VLC. I know it's highly regarded plus it's opensource which I'm very keen on but it just does not do what I want it to do. Every time I download it I wind up uninstalling it. I am *fairly* certain--not completely--that the older software on my home computer--Win DVD Player?--is the same basic program as Nero's Showtime. I'm not crazy about it but actually prefer it to VLC. And I found a very old version of BS Player on my old hard drive--from before they ruined the program--and that's been great to work with, actually. Can't do everything but it's simple, fast, small, changes things like aspect ratio on a dime, etc. If you can find an old old copy (the new stuff's spyware, forget it), it's worth a look, although by now it can't handle some of the newest codecs.

Got my divx-friendly player. Wow, it is painless. I copy avi files to discs. I take them home. I play them. Poof, all better.

I got a DIVX 'friendly' DVD player on Ebay for £29...we have all the epsiodes of 'Third Rock from The Sun' on the hard drive but can now burn and watch on the big TV :)

My new fave toy is a dvd player I bought for a friend but had to open it up to make it region free for him. Well, this dvd player also has a USB port and that totally ROCKS!!! Of course I had to "test" it for him last night and put the last few eps of BG S8 on a thumb drive (USB flash drive) and inserted into the usb port. Wow! I left them as I had downloaded them as avi files, just copied to the drive, inserted and voila! I was watching BG on my tv without burning any dvds.

I still haven't mastered the copying avi files to disk thing yet. However, in the time I was away from here I did swap out my hard drive into my faster computer and reinstall many programs. Haven't tested burning avis yet but will get to that.

Just happy to have my fast computer back again.