WHen I stream in to my PC from my camcorder, I save to file as a AVI file, but some programs give you the option to stream into a MEPG2 or MPEG4 file format.

Can I ask what is best for burning onto a DVD when the editing is complete.

Many thanks,

Porto

[vonhosen]

DVD is MPEG2 , but most editing programs are designed for use with AVI.

[senu]

Originally Posted by vonhosen

DVD is MPEG2 , but most editing programs are designed for use with AVI.

... Many programs these days can capture and edit mpeg but it is a pain ( because of the way mpegs are "made") .Really it is a compromise to address shortage of HD space.
If you do not intend to edit or you do only very minimally you may import to mpeg and this will subsequently get to DVD unaltered (if appopriate).
In fact, most programs which capture as mpeg still reencode for purposes of dvd creation as the originally captured mpeg is unsuitable for DVD creation in that form.
This makes it questionable as to why mpeg was captured in the first place as the re-encoding will probably degrade the footage a bit more.
Some programs ( eg: Ulead DVD Moviefactory 4) allow you to record " straight to dvd". obviously encoding from the avi on minidv tape to mpeg2 " on the fly".
This certainly can

http://www.ulead.co.uk/dmf/dmf_stand/features.htm

Mpeg4 is a compression format with small(file) size good quality but striclty for watching on the computer.Many computer video downloads are in this format . videos encoded this way are e- mailable if short due to small file size.
Mpeg1 = vcd
Mpeg2=svcd and dvd
The term DVD compliant mpeg2 refers to an mpeg 2 file which has a (pixel ) size and encoding rate compatible with the dvd standard. Although you can have a data dvd with any mpeg1 or mpeg 2, for DVD Video
( playable in any machine) there are standards outside which compatibility cannot be assured
Check this
Capturing/editing dv, what format ?
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