[achenier]

I am using my Panasonic video recorder (DMR-E50) to digitilize my analog videotapes (VHS and HI8). I record the videos on a dvd-r and copy them to the hard drive of my computer (2yr-old computer with XP pro).

I would like to use an application like Windows Movie Maker to edit the transferred videos but I am not able to do so because the format it has been digitilized into does not seem compatible with Movie Maker.

I cannot even play the videos with Windows Media Player... I get the following message:
"....Windows Media Player cannot play DVD video. You might need to adjust your Windows display settings. Open display settings in Control Panel, and then try lowering your screen resolution and color quality settings...".

The folder in which the video files are found in my computer is named "Video_TS", and the largest files listed in that folder are in the .VOB format. For example: VTS_01_1.VOB.

I would need to know how to make analog transfers using the E50 that are compatible with Windows Movie Maker so that I can edit (and view) the material on my computer.

[Gavtech]

Welcome to the forum.


You are currently at the bottom of a steep learning curve.
There is a lot to find out about when it comes to video editing on a PC.

Firstly and generally, the Windows tools are limited and not considered much use for this sort of task so I suggest you look to other solutions.

Secondly there are a great many media players you can try. But have a look at VLC Media player which is open source and will reputedly 'play anything' See here.

For editing software have a look at this list.

Also see this comparison chart.

Software that users have generally recommended on this forum include:
Premiere Elements, Videoredo, Womble Video Editor, AVS Video Editor.

A number of these will have sites where you can download the software to try it.

Some general guidance: All DVD Video is in MPEG2 format. It is a less than ideal media form for editing because it lacks a complete frame structure.
In editors it is generally better to target Inf. files rather than VOB's as these contain metadata about the video in the associated VOB's.
As a result you will be less likely to suffer from Audio/ video sync issues.

You also need to have a good browse through the Videohelp website which is packed with help and guidance through the issues you face.
See the 'How to' Guides especially.

Good luck.

[achenier]

Thank you. You gave me much to follow-up on. I appreciate the contextual comment about the complexity of the task. It will help accept the frustrations, I'm sure.

BTW, re your question about "Why we believe what we do". There really are two questions here: Why in the sense of "How come", and Why in the sense of "for what purpose"... Could require two different answers couldn't it...