[talizman]

I'm currently learning how to get the most out of my Sony DCR IP7E micro mv camera.

I've exported a 60 minute movie to my PC's HD with the intention of burning it to a DVD, however when I exported it as an MPEG1 (recommended) the file size is 3.2GB.

What do I need to do to get it onto a DVDR?

Thanks

Not sure why you think it should be MPEG1 - for a DVD it should be MPEG2 - although if you expect to play it on a standard 'set top' DVD player you cannot just burn the mpeg files to DVD - you have to 'authour' the DVD which will convert your mpeg2 files to .vob and put them in the correct sequence in the correct folders.

Whats the problem with a 3.2Gb file - a single layer DVD can hold 4.3 Gb so you should have no problem getting the 3.2 on

[talizman]

Sorry I meant MPEG2, not MPEG1

The finished file is 720x576 and 3.2 GB, but I never realised a DVDR could hold files that size.... this is all kinda new to me so please excuse my ignorance.

So, should I obtain a program to convert the MPEG2 to .vob and thats it?

[MarkE19]

If you have one of the latest versions of Nero (>5.5 IIRC) then this will be able to author a DVD. Many of the editing programs can also do everything from capture to DVD authoring - what program did you use to get the footage onto the PC? If you just used an old program without DVD authoring, or even MS Movie Maker (this does not have DVD capabilities) then you can buy Nero or even better a dedicated DVD authoring program such as Ulead DVD MovieFactory (you can get a free 30 day trial from Here) and this will cost you around £30 to buy.
These programs will do all the work for you, so no need to worry too much about conversion and correct ways to creat the DVD. I haven't used Nero to create a DVD, but do use MovieFactory and it is very easy to use and gives very good results.

So you have a few options and which way you go depends on what software you already have.

Good luck,
Mark.

[talizman]

Thanks Mark

I have Nero on my PC so I've been checking it out.

Basically, my footage is on 3 x 1 hour Micro MV tapes, so the total file size will probably be circa 3 x 3+GB.... Is there any way I can get the 3 hours of footage onto one disc, or is it gonna need to be 3?

There are ways - but only at the expense of picture quality - if they are seperate videos it would be better if you could restrict yourself to one video per DVD.

[talizman]

Ahh I see.

Its a 3 hour wedding video so it would have been nice to get it all on one disc, but if its not do-able.....

[MarkE19]

Just edit out the boring bits and you'll only be left with a 10 minute DVD

Seriously though, try it. You may find that with a bit of editing and VBR compression (it's a setting in MF etc) you may be able to get acceptable quality onto a single disc. Or if you have a duel layer burner you can get twice as much (well almost) onto a DL disc and still keep the quality high. If not then all you have lost is 1 DVD and can just recompress the video and create 2 or 3 discs instead.

Mark.