Video Guides > Basics > Good Methods to Create DVDs

Article last updated August 2006


Conversion Scenarios

This is a quick run-down of what hardware and programs are suggested for creating a personal DVD collection. It will allow you to make a DVD in a minimal amount of time, as this method uses fast software on good hardware. If you use this method, and follow the related guides on this site, you should easily be able to walk away with a perfect quality DVD.

Straight conversions on perfect quality sources: 
1. Use a DVD recorder in XP, SP or EP mode. This uses a DVD recorder as a capture device.
2. Use DVD Decrypter and rip the video in IFO mode. Edit on a PC.
3. Open ripped VOB and edit in Womble MPEG-VCR or VideoRedo. Edit and save as .MPG file.
4. Open Photoshop and make menu images. 
5. Open TMPGEnc DVD Author or Ulead DVD Workshop, import assets, make menus, and author/burn disc. 

Straight conversions on imperfect quality sources: 
1. Capture MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 in ATI MMC using an ATI All In Wonder card. Use VideoSoap to mildly restore video as needed.
2. Edit in Womble MPEG-VCR (MPEG-2 Edition) 
3. Demux MPEG in TMPGEnc, gives you M2V and MP2 audio.
4. Convert MP2 audio to WAV in Besweet, for faster audio editing (compressed MP2 can be slow to work with)
5. Open WAV in SoundForge, GoldWave or DartPro. Restore audio as needed. 
7. Open Photoshop and make menu images. 
8. Open TMPGEnc DVD Author, DVD Workshop or DVDit! PE, import assets, and author/burn disc. 

For extensive editing of the video: 
1. Capture HuffYUV or MJPEG in ATI MMC using an ATI All In Wonder card. Or transfer DV-AVI with DV device using Scenalyzer.
2. Import into Adobe Premiere and edit. 
3. Export to MainConcept's Adobe MPEG Encoder 
4. Demux in TMPGEnc. 
5. Convert MP2 audio to WAV in Besweet. 
6. Open WAV in SoundForge, GoldWave or DartPro. Restore audio as needed. 
7. Open WAV in Besweet and convert to AC3 if needed (can skip this step if AC3 not needed). 
8. Open Photoshop and make menu images. 
9. Open TMPGEnc DVD Author, DVD Workshop or DVDit! PE, import assets, and author/burn disc. 

To heavily restore video : 
1. Capture either MPEG or AVI in ATI MMC, maybe use ATI MMC 8.x VideoSoap filters 
2. Open in TMPGEnc if ATI MMC VideoSoap was not enough 
3. Apply filters as needed and then encode to MPEG as per guides on this site 
4. Demux in TMPGEnc. 
5. Convert MP2 audio to WAV in Besweet. 
6. Open WAV in SoundForge, GoldWave or DartPro. Restore audio as needed. 
7. Open WAV in Besweet and convert to AC3 if needed (can skip this step if AC3 not needed). 
8. Open Photoshop and make menu images. 
9. Open TMPGEnc DVD Author, DVD Workshop or DVDit! PE, import assets, and author/burn disc. 


Hardware By Workflow

Although such a hardware/software inventory is probably unlikely for many people visiting this site, this is the kind of setup it would take to be able to tackle most conversion, restoration and editing work, at a semi-professional level (some may even call this a full-on professional setup). If nothing more, it makes for an interesting read.

For playback:
- JVC HR-S9000 series S-VHS VCR (9911 is current model) with DNR/TBC $350
- Sharp VHS VCR $50 (for tapes the JVC rejects)
- DataVideo TBC-1000 $300
- SignVideo DR-1000 Image Enhancer $300
- Elite Video BVP-4 Plus Proc Amp $590
- Panasonic ES10 DVD recorder, for sync filter passthrough only $200
- Monster cables (composite/s-video), RG6 coax, all related filters/amps $200
- PAL/SECAM/NTSC multisystem VCR $500

For digital recording:
- Pentium 4 PC with Intel/Asus motherboard and 1GB RAM $600
- At least two hard drives, second one 200GB 7200rpm $200
- Good soundcard (Turtle Beach, SoundBlaster) $50
- Pioneer or LiteOn DVD burner, any speed/model is fine $75
- ATI All In Wonder card for video restoration $100
- Matrox RTX100 or Canopus DVstorm for realtime video editing $1000
- JVC DR-M10 DVD recorder for transferring high quality source $300
- 13" television for preview $100

For video software:
- ATI MultiMedia Center comes free with the ATI card
- Adobe Premiere is included with the NLE card
- TMPGEnc DVD Author (TDA) for stubborn or quickie authoring $50
- TMPGEnc Plus for encoding with filters $50
- Procoder (not Express) for high quality MPEG encoding/NLE export $600
- Ulead DVD Workshop 2 for semi-advanced authoring $300
- SoundForge for audio editing $400
- Womble MPEG-VCR for MPEG editing $70

For final output:
- Konica-Minolta 2300W color laser printer (for DVD cases) $400
- Epson R200 disc printer (for printing on discs) $100
- Ink/toner one-cycle replacements $450
- Starter 100-pack of 4x inkjet MXL media $100
- Starter 100-pack of double or single disc cases $30

Total pricetag = about $7,500.00 USD .... the cost of "best" is not low. These prices do not include taxes/shipping. All items are priced new. Used purchases and sales/clearance/discounts can also lower prices some.


Additional Notes

Playback hardware: Remember that the better the playback equipment, the better the quality that can be expected. For this reason, the JVC lineup of Super VHS VCRs are suggest (JVC 9600, 9800, 9900, 7800, 7900, SR-V10U). A dedicated TBC or clarifier/stabilizer may also help (Sima SED-CM, Sima SED-EM, DataVideo TBC-1000).

AC3 Audio Notes: I had been opening the MP2 audio directly in SoundForge 6 then saving to WAV, letting DVDit! PE convert to AC3. Sometimes this method is still required, depending on how Besweet cooperates with the audio source. Besweet's AC3ENC.DLL is not perfect. 

Restoration Notes: Software is only half the battle. You must have professional or pro-sumer playback equipment (good VCR with filters like JVC HR-S9800U and good TBC like DataVideo TBC-1000) and be able to master the filters in both the hardware and the software. Most of my work is MPEG METHOD, as I always use the JVC 9800 and TBC, which typically does enough light-to-medium RESTORING of the video before capture, thus eliminating the need to HEAVILY RESTORE VIDEO. Video is the hard part, audio is pretty simple to restore.

Authoring mistakes: If I make a mistake, and the disc will be too large, I typically author to the hard drive anyway and allow DVD SHRINK 3.x in DEEP ANALYSIS mode to correct my error. I've only done this a few times. On occasion I also do it on purpose (typically because I'm taking two discs and compressing them onto one with a new menu). This is not the most high quality method, but will work in a rush. The best suggestion is to start the project over and not make mistakes the second time.

DVD Backups: I use DVD2ONE for most discs. I use DVD SHRINK 3.x with DEEP ANALYSIS if the source DVD is full with already-medium bitrates (normally episode discs). Rarely use other methods now. This is fast and works great. I really don't back up as much as I capture and create all-new content. 

VCD to DVD: Do exactly like the guides on this site. Quick and easy. Works quite well. ISO Buster and TMPGEnc DVD Author is all that is needed. 

PAL to NTSC: Don't do it. You can easily buy a $40 DVD player that will play PAL format media, as well as remove or ignore region encoding. These players include APEX, MINTEK, and CYBERHOME brand players. No need to convert, but still buy discs worldwide. 

Non-captured sources: This site is not meant for helping with downloads. On the rare occasion that I get digital source, I skip the capture step (obviously), and merely encode to final VCD or DVD. Restoration done as needed. Also I pay close attention to every aspect of the source (resolution, framerate, etc), so that conversion goes smoothly. 


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