Hi Norm,

I've been using Sonic CinePlayer to preview DVDs on my computer monitor. I found I can build a DVD image on my hard drive and then point CinePlayer to the VIDEO_TS folder of interest and it will play it for me. I can check for proper operation of menus, OOS, etc. this way before I burn the DVD. I've also used DVD-RW for testing but this way is quicker. Of course, I don't have so many OOS problems now that I've quit using Studio 8!.

Jim

I do something very similar.

First, I use Screenblast to create my work of art.
Next, I render it to DVD quality .mpg format.
Then I use PowerDVD to view the .mpg file to ensure the video and audio are the way I want it. If something is amiss, I go back and tweak it some more.
If everything is okay, I use DVD-Lab to add menus, chapters, etc. Then the whole project is saved to hard disk in DVD format (.vob, etc.).
Once again, I use PowerDVD to view the DVD image on my hard drive.
If everything appears to work properly at this stage, I will create a DVD +RW disk and preview it on my TV.
And finally, if everything is okay at this stage, I will go back and burn two copies of the image to DVD -R. One copy is for home and the second copy is stored offsite (in case of fire, theft, etc.).

Whew!! Seems like a lot of work, but it works for me!

Thanks Chienworks for your suggestion of rendering just a small portion to make sure it will work properly on the TV. That's one of those "D'oh... now why didn't I think of that??" suggestions.

Al

Had the same problem. Edited a 35 minute video taken from tweo cameras. It was so dark on my computer, a lot of the scenes just looked black. Burned it to dvd and watched on my tv and everywhere I had increased the brightness and contrast with SB, it was all washed out. Took all of the brightness and contrast effects out, re-burned it and it looked fine. So now I sort of "know" how it will convert from computer to tv, although thanks to Chienworks, I now have a use for that DVD RW that came with my burner.

Thanks for the response.
The DVD/RW is the best solution except I bought my dvd player well before I ever thought I would get into video. Unfortunately it doesnt support RW dvd disc :(. I'd have to buy a new dvd player. Since I lost money with Studio8 and then had to buy ms3 & dvdlab on top, Im tapped out, so buying Sonic CinePlayer or PowerDVD in cdn dollars probably wont happen. If I were to spend any more money it would be on a dvd player that supported RW DVD. Anyway if your using CinePlayer or PowerDVD to view, your still seeing it on a monitor though. Is that still going to give a true representation of what one will see on TV? Maybe I should get a new dvd player $$$?

Norm

"The loud sucking sound you hear is money being removed from your wallet for video gear. Do not be alarmed. Relax, and the process will soon be over. I repeat, do not be alarmed, do not resist. Your next appointement is Tuesday at 4"

Norm,

The video quality on my monitor isn't too awful, but the main reason I test the video with CinePlayer is to check for gross errors and it works well enough for that. It's quite a bit quicker than burning a DVD-RW and running downstairs to test it on the TV.

My copy of CinePlayer came with my DVD burner so I didn't have to shell out $$ directly for that. Perhaps there are other inexpensive DVD playing software that will work with the VIDEO_TS stuff the way that CinePlayer does. Anyone here have any suggestions?

Once I'm happy with the way the project looks in CinePlayer I make the DVD-RW for final testing.

Like many others here, I've started using DVD-lab for DVD authoring and so far I like it. My first try at it worked!

Actually EasyCD6 has a dvd player that I have used to test my projects. Thats how I noticed some of the saturated colors on my monitor, that werent there when I went to my TV. I was a little disappointed when I realized my dvd player didnt play RW's. Maybe I should break down and get one that does...I hear that sucking sound on my wallet again... :)

Yes I too really like DVDlab, it was a good investment and the first dvd I burned worked perfectly. No regrets with either dvdlab or ms3.

TKS
Norm