Converting recorded programs to DVD format

[Glynderi]

Hi,

I'm really struggling with getting the dvr-ms format that recordings end up as converted into a format playable on a standard dvd player. They play perfectly on my PC:

XP Pro SP2 & all updates
Athlon 64 X2 Dual Processor 3800 (2Ghz)
2Gb ram
160Gb hard drive (93Gb free)


My preferred plan is to load the recording into Ulead VideoStudio 10, cut out adds & then burn to DVD.

Very rarely (2 out of 20 recorded shows) can I do this. Almost always UVS 10 says it can't read the file. Just occasionally Ulead loads the file but says it must prepare it first (can't remember the actual wording of the message). This it does and then I can edit the resulting file.

I've just tried another video editing program (Movavi Video Suite) and that says dvr-ms files aren't a valid file format.

Any practical advice would be welcome as GBPVR works well as a recording medium, but I do need to be able to watch the programmes in our lounge! :-)

Thanks.

Robin

[sub]

If the files play perfectly in GB-PVR, then I'd have to guess these apps dont have DVR-MS support (or poor DVR-MS support). There must be other apps out there with better DVR-MS support.

[FirstTeamOPS]

Take a look on www.videohelp.com and see if you can find any converters. That's a great site to find just about every kind of digital video tools you would need.

I do know that ConvertXtoDVD supports DVR-MS files. The program isn't free but it's worth every penny if you convert alot of shows to DVD (about $40 U.S.). I don't have a digital tuner so I can't speak for those file types, but it converts the MPEGs from my 350 beautifully. They have a trial version on their website.

I don't use it but I also think there's a plugin for GB-PVR (I think it's the Archive plugin) that supports DVD burning, but I have no idea if it supports DVR-MS files.

[Glynderi]

I went to http://www.videohelp.com and found a tool - DVRMSToolBox - which does the job (for free) just perfectly. Ulead VideoStudio Plus 10 loves the converted files.

I am a very happy bunny.

Many thanks for that spot-on advice.

Robin

[rowle1jt]

I drop mine into Pinnacle Studio 10 (which I already had installed on my main box), edit the commercials and burn away!

I could save my self a few minutes and comcut them, but I would rather do it manually in this case so I know it doesn't miss anything.

[Wim Fabri]

I use videoredo to trim the paddings and convert to VOB and DVDStyler to create the DVD.

Wim

[liteswap]

I cut the ads using TMPGEnc DVD Author and then re-encode if necessary (if the files are too big to fit on a standard DVD) using DVD Shrink 3.2. Does anyone know of a single, easy-to-use tool that can do both - and produce good quality results?

[FirstTeamOPS]

I use videoredo to trim the paddings and convert to VOB and DVDStyler to create the DVD.

Wim

I also use VideoReDo... the problem is that it doesn't support the DVR-MS files she's looking to edit.

I cut the ads using TMPGEnc DVD Author and then re-encode if necessary (if the files are too big to fit on a standard DVD) using DVD Shrink 3.2. Does anyone know of a single, easy-to-use tool that can do both - and produce good quality results?

The programs you use are free and probably the cheapest way to do that. I use VideoReDo to cut commercials and ConvertXtoDVD to burn to DVD (it automatically adjusts the bitrate for the amount of video you want to burn and the size of DVD you're using). Both of these programs aren't free but are great if you burn alot of shows you record to DVDs.

[liteswap]

Will ConvertXtoDVD allow you to create DVDs with no menu? With just one film on each DVD (apart from the occasional dual-layer jobbie), I can't see the point of going through the faff, if you see what I mean.

[FirstTeamOPS]

Yes you can. You would just uncheck 'include menu' in Settings -> Menu. In the project window, if you see a blue quill pen and it says menu next to it, that means there will be a menu on your DVD. If you ONLY see a video reel in the project window with the file name of the video source, there will be no menu.

However, the DVD standard indicates something must be loaded after the last title on the DVD has completed playing (this would usually be a menu). Without a DVD menu, when you first insert the disc, the DVD player will play the video you burned. Once it's done playing the last video (this would be the last title on the DVD), it will look for a menu, not seeing a menu, it will begin to replay the first title on the disc. This is NOT a problem with the ConvertXDVD software, it is how the DVD standard is implemented. I speak from experience because I wanted to do the same thing

EDIT: Finally found the thread on their support site.