Transferring video to DVD

[MazdaUK]

DH is planning on getting rid of the VCR and replacing it with a blu-ray player (thanks to Which saying how much power it uses to play one on a PS3 ). I've got acouple of videos - our wedding and my DSis's wedding - which I'd like to convert to DVD. I've also got some home movies right bac to DS(17) as a new baby which I'd like to move over as well. Has anyone found a company which can reliably do this? I know SnappySnaps do it (has anyone used them?) What sort of price are we looking at?

Also, most of the home movies are unedited - is it possible to edit them on the PC afterwards and reburn to a new DVD without specialist software?

Many thanks!

 

[DISWolves]

DH is planning on getting rid of the VCR and replacing it with a blu-ray player (thanks to Which saying how much power it uses to play one on a PS3 ). I've got acouple of videos - our wedding and my DSis's wedding - which I'd like to convert to DVD. I've also got some home movies right bac to DS(17) as a new baby which I'd like to move over as well. Has anyone found a company which can reliably do this? I know SnappySnaps do it (has anyone used them?) What sort of price are we looking at?

Also, most of the home movies are unedited - is it possible to edit them on the PC afterwards and reburn to a new DVD without specialist software?

Many thanks!

If you want to edit the video, it is probably cheaper to by a video grabber that will plug into your USB on your PC and then save the file as MPeg.

Have a look here http://www.video-2-pc.co.uk/?gclid=CJiP3daEnKYCFcoe4QodySSYYw

 

[MazdaUK]

Thaty looks brilliant! Thanks - I found a site which cost £12 per DVD (plus of course sending everything to and fro) so this looks the much better deal - especially as so much is unedited.

How easy is it to edit .mpeg? Do I edit it first then burn to DVD? (Like making a mix CD) I'm OK with most windows stuff (just don't ask me to do a complex spreadsheet) but the only video editing has been telling someone "keep that bit, cut here" for a work DVD. and he had a BIG deskful of kit

 

[DISWolves]

The first thing to do is to transfer the Video to your PC. This is just a matter of linking the VHS to your PC with the cables supplied and loading the software. Press play on the video player and record button on the PC software. This will create a large .mpg file.
This .mpg can then be loaded into into the editing software. It will appear as a long film strip (timeline) You can then drag your mouse cursor along the strip to select various start and end points. Each of these 'cuts' will be created as a separate .mpg file.
When you have done all of the chopping about - you can then just drag each clip onto the storyboard in any order that you choose. Simple predefined dissolves can also be dragged onto the storyboard for a nice touch.
It is far easier to do this than explain it
The software supplied - I have used in a similar form and is quite good - Give it a go
Forgot to mention - the burn to DVD is the final part

 

[karentan]

if you know someone with a dvd recorder you could just plug the vcr into the recorder with a scart lead and record them onto dvd that way. thats what i do

 

[MazdaUK]

My mum did get a DVD recorder but she had a lot of problems with it And editing was pretty hit and miss - but maybe that's just her

I like the idea of doing it here a few at a time when I'm working at home and the kids are back at school I can just boot up my work laptop and leave the PC to get on with the boring bit