Although I have seen a few DVD apps take some AVI input - try rendering as MPEG 2 and burn.

In order to make a DVD you need to have a MPEG-2 file, don't let your DVD authoring program convert it for you, most of them do a really horrible job at re-encoding files.

I will try this! I am just not to familiar with all the DVD recording software that is out there. I would have figured that they would have a standard by now. Sort of like if you use Nero burning ROM or Adaptec burning software for Cd's. That actually brings up a question I would like to ask. Is it not the same? Burning CD's and burning DVD's!! I know that the format is different but wouldn't all softwares be some what the same??? Just asking!! Trying to get a little more familiar with DVD burning. Thanks again, I do appreciate it. Tim.

Ok! Where would the conversion to an MPEG-2 file take place? When I render it in Vegas? Thank you!!! Tim.

I used the DVD software that came with the drive itself. I have not yet purcahsed VV4. I will in the future. Question: Is DVD Architect easier to use because it is part of the VV4 suite????????

Thanks for the help!!!!!!!
Tim.

Most DVD authoring programs will accept AVI and convert it properly to MPEG format for you. However, Vegas will frequently convert to MPEG2 format better than the authoring program and it can be used for this process.

Let's narrow things down. What software came with the drive?

Most of the "free" software that comes with a DVD drive is junk or at least watered down versions. There's even a term for such useless software: shovelware.

The software that came with the drive is called B's DVD. Never heard of it!!

Big LAUGH on that one. I will be upgrading to the VV4 suite but i am not sure when so I'll try to use the shovelware until I get to that point. Let me ask a question that may make me sound like a real amatuer. In vegas there are many formats to render in, for example: MPEG1, MPEG2, .avi, .wma. What is the best to use for DVD burning? Which format will work in most DVD players? Maybe I could save you a bunch of typing time. Do you know where I can read up on this or get a bit of quick info concerning these extensions????? Thanks again!!!!!!

Tim.

"What is the best to use for DVD burning?"

MPEG2

MPEG2!!! OK! This format should allow me to burn to my DVD burner, correct?

In your situation, I would recommend Dazzle's DVD complete (http://www.dazzle.com).
Not as good as Vegas but only $99.00 or so. Sometimes they run specials for $50.00. Dazzle will render the avi file for you to mpeg II and make the DVD without any problems. The B's software that came with your drive is more for data backup. If you are a student or a teacher, I would recommend buying Vegas+DVD at academic pricing ($260.00) If you deduct the $99.00 you spend on Dazzle (that you will get rid of as soon as you get Vegas) thats only $160.00 for VEGAS = the best bang for your buck! Good Luck... Oh and one more thing... Once you are using Vegas you will never look back. Sonic Foundry's software is the best on the planet!

Teepolo:

If you are just getting your feet wet with DVD, I would suggest you get a very simple DVD "Authoring" program until you can get familiar with the process. I would recommend heading over to www.ulead.com and trying out the trial version of "DVD Movie Factory." You can leter get a more sophisticated program, depending on your interests and your budget.

Hey thanks for all the input guys but all this does raise one question, if dazzle and ulead have trial versions of there software doesn't sonic have one? I bought dazzle software about two years ago and did not like it that is why i crossed over to sonic foundry. i just need to get used to the DVD burning. I have never done it before but it wouldn't seem that hard especially if your familiar with cd burning. I am very close to getting VV4 but i was just wanting to mess around with a few clips i wanted to put on DVD. So i cannot render as MPEG2, the videos i already have, in VV3? Am i looking at this the correct way? In order to burn sucessfully to DVD, i have to render in MPEG2? Sorry for sounding redundant in my questions just trying to make sense of it all. Thanks againg guys.

Tim.

Vegas + DVD will give you both the Editor AND the DVD Authoring software. Edit in Vegas - render to AVI or MPEG2 and load that into DVD Architect. Create the menus and burn the DVD with DVD Architect.

Really curious!!!!!! What are the "menus"???????

If you want to get your feet wet Ulead's DVD Movie Factory allows you to burn a DVD from their trial version. I used it before I DVD-A came out. At least it did in version one. Now they are up to version two, so you'll have to check their site.

Vegas and other editors... edit. In other words they do everything up to and including rendering to a file format (MPEG-2) that a DVD Authoring application needs. You need to finish with a DVD Authoring application that typically performs two functions, the making of a menu system (typically thumbnails on various menu pages that takes you to "chapters" (set points in the video) and allows you to have multiple videos (space permitting) on one DVD. Then it actually "burns" the DVD, which of course requires a DVD burner (hardware) very much like a CD burner.

I also suggest you visit http://www.dvdrhelp.com/ and spent some time there. They have a forum sset up for "newbie" type questions and many others too. They also have tons of help on the general topics of video editing, making CD's, DVD's, etc.. Their server is frequently overloaded so if you can't get it or if the site is down for a day or two try again, its worth the visit. I use to post there a lot, but haven't for a long time, because of time. Now I'm usually here. <wink>

Teepolo,

As has been suggested, check out www.dvdrhelp.com which has step by step guides. You need to do three steps: encode the avi to a DVD compliant mpeg2, "author" the mpeg2 (which produces the proper file structures, multiplexes, makes menus), and finally burn the authored folders to DVD.

A poor encoder will ruin your DVD even if you have a nice authoring program. Most inexpensive packaged programs give you a poor encoder with a marginal authoring program! For a beginner, it's hard to beat TMPGenc as an encoder ($48 US) and Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2.0 ($44.95). The encoder is very good, and the authoring program is easy to use. So for < $100, you can produce a good DVD.

Would i be better off spending the money on VV4 suite that has the dvd authoring program in it. Is Sonics DVD authoring program better than Ulead and wouldn't I want to keep everything Sonic FOundry if that is what I have been learning on?

Thanks for all of your help!!!

Tim.

Thanks much for the input billyboy. I know once i get down to it and burn a few dvd's i will be well on my way to dvd burn heaven. I just need to get some of the basics down so i have a foundation. I am understanding the cahpters and menus. If i am thinking along the correct lines would i liken it unto the different chapters seen on the movie dvd's you can rent from the video store? I will check out that site also. Thanks again. Have a great weekend!!!1

Tim.

Back to orignal question: When you try to copy a file to a DVD disk - you are not making a DVD! Even if that file is am Mpeg2. What you are making is a DVD-Rom disk - which can be any type of file - that's why you got that original message. DVD's have very specific file systems to play AS a DVD movie - menus or not. You have to understand that authoring software creates that file system for you and makes a playable DVD.

All DVDs are Mpeg2. Video CDs are Mpeg1. Most newer players can play both types of disks. But, as far as I know, when a DVD is inserted the player will look ONLY for an Mpeg2 coding and if not found, will reject the disk. That's kind of a mute point because authoring software won't except Mpeg1 to author a DVD.

Tim,

I got the impression from your earlier posts that you weren't ready to spend the money on the V4 + DVD. If you are, then by all means enjoy.

I suggested the Ulead / TMPGEnc combination as a way to produce good quality DVD with less expense for starters. The only other advantage of this path is it also supports VCD and SVCD if you have any interest in those. DVD Architect is DVD only.