[AndyLFC5]

Hello, been transferring some Holiday footage from Mini Dv to DVD via laptop. Using windows movie maker I converted them to wma after seeing no difference between that and avi (except the space required).

But bit disappointed in the overall quality. If I play my dv tape direct to the tv it looks crisper and sharper, when transfered to DVD it seems to lose detail and looks softer.

Is this normal, or is there any other ways to convert to get a better picture quality onto DVD?

[jaymac]

well as dvd (mpeg 2) is compressed compared to dv_avi bound to be some drop in quality how much depends on what you did if you used wmm the and exported as dv_avi then used a decent burner and did'nt try to put too much on a dvd it should be quite acceptable .As for wma presume you mean wmv and you cant see any difference twixt that and Dv-avi

[AndyLFC5]

Ok, think I might have to invest in better camcorder then, to up the quality, so when converted to dvd will be better.

Or stream from PC to PS3, which I have tried and is ok, only drawback is not being able to add effects,titles and menus.

[jaymac]

I would consider better software first they all do free trials .Also just how much are you trying to put on dvd timewise not file size

[AndyLFC5]

Originally Posted by jaymac

I would consider better software first they all do free trials .Also just how much are you trying to put on dvd timewise not file size

Only about an hour or so, can you recommend any decent software?

[jaymac]

Personal choice Adobe premiere elements though Ulead and pinnacle are worthalook its really a matter of what you find easier to use
Time wise an hours fotage on a dvd should be fine as you would burn that at the best possibele .Most fit 2 hours and that is usualy ok .Whatg are you using to author and burn with and are you choosing fit to disc which should give the best rate

[Timh]

I alos have a PS3 and MiniDv camcorder
Is it possible to burn the avi file I have captured in mpeg4 format with Adobe Elements so I can pay it back on my PS3 without loosing any quality from the original file.
Thanks

[chrishull3]

Andy Although dvd is slightly more compressed than mini dv the difference is small,look how good most cinema films look on dvd,i have always found converting dv tape to dvd whether by dvd recorders or pc burning that the picture even on large tvs look as good as the dv tape and even better on a upscaling player,yes tape is technically better but i suspect something is wrong in your dvd creation if they look the way you describe.

[glesgaguyav]

Originally Posted by AndyLFC5

Hello, been transferring some Holiday footage from Mini Dv to DVD via laptop. Using windows movie maker I converted them to wma after seeing no difference between that and avi (except the space required).

But bit disappointed in the overall quality. If I play my dv tape direct to the tv it looks crisper and sharper, when transfered to DVD it seems to lose detail and looks softer.

Is this normal, or is there any other ways to convert to get a better picture quality onto DVD?

Reading your post you imply that you converted the orginal DV to WMA then burned to DVD, this could cause the difference, best practice is to capture DV/edit in DV/ then burn or convert to your chosen format.