Making a DVD using Windows Live Movie Maker

Hi WSC, I have WLMM, but have never burnt it to DVD using WLMM since it saves the project as a WMV,
There is no free tools where mpeg2 is concerned, it's owned by motion picture experts group,

However The Windows 7 has an inbuilt dvd maker not as good as Nero Vision.
http://www.online-tech-tips.com/windows-7/windows-7-dvd-maker-tutorial/
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Burn-a-DVD-Video-disc-with-Windows-DVD-Maker

But you are right here>>converting it to a playable DVD is not part of the functionality of WLMM.  

Once I have created my project and saved it then I use my DVD authoring software Nero, >Nero Vision, it is my authoring software which takes the WMV and assists me to create the Menues and chapters for the DVD.
I have posted some guides here
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/23440178/joining-two-dvd's-into-one-with-continuous-play.html

Do you have a DVD burner with software?
Post back if it's something like Roxio Essentials ( limited oem )
LG burning tools
Or Nero

Do you just require steps on how to make the video first in WLMM?

Hey Guys,

I think i have the steps for making a movie in WLMM, but I'm guessing that if I then want to turn it into a playable DVD, I may have to do something different to insert spots that you can jump to from the lead menu.  That is, do I have to break this single long creation from WLMM into separate parts for that DVD feature?

http://www.dvdflick.net/ has been recommended as a convert to DVD site.  Any experience here?

My computer came with Nero "lite" and I use ImgBurn for other disk creation purposes.  The burning part seems pretty straightforward.  It's how to structure the final movie from WLMM into a playable DVD that I don't understand.

Thx.

WSC

Yes, the structure of the DVD as in Menues and chapters are created at the authoring stage/
Like I said I use Nero Vision for effects etc, and it looks like DVD flick will do the same maybe a little complex than NV ( read the manual), I have not used it since I bought NV never needed to, but it's the same principal as Windows DVD maker.
drop your main video or several clips onto onto the video time line then add music below, add transitions between the clips or images add text efects if required ( save often)
then set chapter markers,  modify the markers with colour and effects, these show up as clickable windows on the Menue when the DVD first runs. With a colour changer as you click it on it to go to that spot on the DVD.
so long as the combined clips audio with transitions etc doesnt exceed 4.5 gig you'll be good to go...
Use a 4.7 blank  Verbatum or Sony DVD-Rwith a burn speed or either X4 or X8
Budget DVD fail as the mirror is very poor, burning at a high speed is not recomended with DVD video, creates a higher fail risk or playback problems.
DVD flick guide
http://www.dvdflick.net/guide/guide_new.pdf
Nero Vsion 4 which I use
http://www.dvd-guides.com/content/view/125/59/

Just to add
try and keep all the video format for your DVD in mpg format or a uniformed format, DVD format is Vobs but that's just another name for mpeg2.
If you use divx avi or other types it takes a lot longer to convert and author and merge the entire project to DVD video

Merete,

Using WLMM, I will have already completed the "drop your main video or several clips onto onto the video time line then add music below, add transitions between the clips or images add text effects if required " as you noted, when I'm done.  I'm worried that I'll have to do this again during authoring, and that's what I'd like to avoid. (As an aside, I guess I'm surprised that WLMM did as well in all the reviews that I've seen about it since it doesn't create a playable DVD at the end of your efforts.)

I've made 25 or 30 DVD's in the past with previous computers and various commercial softwares.  I was going to do this one with just WLMM on my new Aurora.  Now I've got to use DVDFlick too, which is fine, I guess.  I just don't want to have to do the work twice.

I'm guessing that I'll have to break my final WLMM movie into sections, where each section = a chapter that each section would be pulled in as a single entity or 'jump point'/'marker' for the DVD menus I'll create in DVDFlick.  Am I making sense?  Is this what I'll have to do?

(BTW: I already have the dvdflick manual, but it isn't printable.  Isn't that nice?)

You could just hit the print screen key on the keyboard and paste into word for each page then save word and print it out
I just saved it to my desktop?
Once the PDF has fully loaded in the web page go to file and save ...
Once your project is complete, ( which you say yours is ) add this entire project into your authoring tool and then skip to the part creating Menue / page 19  if you like to have a wallpaper or something extra as the top menue with chapters on there.
creating chapters. 13 through to 15

Feel free to post it here.  :)

So, by your reckoning, I can create an entire movie as a single mpg in WLMM and then add menus anywhere I want in various places along that long file and create jump points to each menu point using DVDFlick?  Remember this mpg will be a single object.

Thx.  

Hi WSC:
You have already made your entire video right? in WLMM with the effects and transitions?
Now you are at stage two, authoring it to DVD add in a top menue and add chapter points?
Refs to>
I can create an entire movie as a single mpg in WLMM << yes and no, it saves in WMV not mpg
refs to>
and then add menus anywhere I want in various places along that long file and create jump points to each menu point using DVDFlick?  < hmm no,
Let me explin it a bit
menues is not the right word, you will have only one Menue that's the main menue you see when you first play a DVD
on the main menue is the chapters you create
Each chapter you create along the video time line will appear on the top menue,
I would not recomend more than for 4 chapter points for the full clip otherwise you need to have several pages as a top menue.
With the PDF open that web page wait till it's fully loaded then save it???
If I post it here you still have to download it save it and still cannot print it?
Ok here goes Flick PDF 2.56 megs

Beneath this PDF is a snapshot of a completed DVD I made recently from photos and video of a recent fishing trip
I combined the images and videos in WLMM with music and effects
 then authored it in my Nero Vision, here you see my main menue is a blue sky with a bouncing ball, but not animated in the snapshot,
when I open the dvd I see this menue with the 2 chapters and the bouncing ball animation. One chapter points to the photos the other chapter points to the video we took
just illistrate

guide-new-DVD-flick.pdf
snap.jpg

Hey Merete,

The user's manual has been password protected so that it cannot be printed. Note that the print option is greyed out.

My bad.  Wrong terms.  WMV and not mpg.  Got it.  One menu at the front that can allow you to jump to multiple chapter points, suggested maximum = 4. Got it.

I'm in the process of creating the single wmv file with transitions, effects, etc.  I will soon be at stage 2, but I didn't want to get too far if I needed to manually break this single long WMV into smaller parts for the 2nd stage.  Apparently I do not need to do this, if I'm understanding you correctly.

What I'm concerned about is being able to insert chapter points into a single, finished WMV movie.  You're saying that you were able to do this with Nero.  It will insert the chapter points into the single movie with no problem.  I'm guessing DVDFlick will do the same thing.  Am I correct here?

Thx.

Manual: It's easier for me  to have a hard copy when working with new software.  Yes, I have the soft copy on my desktop.  Odd they would restrict it to no-print.  Never seen that before.  

Great news. I just wanted to make sure that I didn't need to do anything during my WLMM work to use the end product in DVDFlick. You confirmed that.  Thanks so much for going to the extra trouble of actually trying out DVDFlick.  I'm going to try that in the next few days, once we get a bit past Christmas.

I keep my DVD project on hard drive too.  I like having the ISO as well.

I've owned Roxio 4 or 5 times, but it was always problematic; parts of it NEVER worked, so I swore off of it.  Reviews of Nero were mixed.  Glad you've had better luck with it.

Stay tuned.  And THANKS.  Oh, and Merry Christmas, too...

Ok.  I did it all, but I got an error message when I pulled the wmv file into DVDFlick, saying,

"The audio format Windows Audio Professional v9 in file V:\Video\Finished Movies\Family 2010-01 to 2010-12.wmv is currently unsupported.  It will not be added to the project."  

But it was added, so I continued.  I created the DVD, but no audio.  (Imagine that!) How do I create the wmv in WLMM that will be compatible with DVDFlick?

Oh dear
Well first happy new year.
 I'd probably convert the WMV first to mpg and make the audio mp3 then.
DVD flick is not really a true authroing tool but rather a free open source unlike Nero Vision,
Use Super Video converter use the direct download link here at Video Help
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/SUPER 
saves exploring eRight's huge web
or go here at the bottom
http://www.erightsoft.com/S6Kg1.html
http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html
I'm still using 2009 version, but all you do basically,
convert your wmv complete to mpg in super
set the output container to your desired format mpeg or mpg and the rest follows, but check the audio output is on mp3
 drop the wmv on and hit encode
naviagte to the saved directory which is usually in Super programfiles or set the save to directory to desktop by r/clicking the interface.
Then DVD Flick should author it  (create chapters etc) to an ISO fine..
 

Thanks!  I'll try it.

And Happy New Year to you.

WSC

I just installed Super and McAfee quarantined two files it identified as Trojans: DS.EXE from the \Super folder and another one called Artemis from a Temp folder, related to the install process.  Is Super infected or did I lose an important executable?  Super is running, but I haven't processed my video file yet.

Thx.

I get that too I dont know why, with any versions
My AVG sees the temp file of Super as a trojan.
I have even downloaded it off the e-right site
which site did you download from?
Video help has always been good with installers/
I'll download off E-right to the latest to test it and post back later on today as I have to go work now
cya
http://www.erightsoft.org/GetFile.php?SUPERsetup.exe

Ok installed it and ran it and didnt see any virus warnings just yet, but I didnt install the real player thing or the crawler toolbar either.
Did you?
I'll run a conversion after work today see if it triggers anything
I dont think this Artemis from a Temp folder is related to Super.
I have not see this in my programfiles E right folder>> DS.EXE from the \Super folder

I installed the Real Player.  No option offered on that.  I guess I needed it?

I downloaded off Super site; finding the actual download is NOT easy.

I don't have a DS.EXE either in any folder left on my system.

Ow.

I'm trying the conversions, but they're all MUCH smaller.  3 GB original to 500 MB new.  That seems like a big loss in terms of quality.  I converted from WMV to MPG and to WMV (again).  

What settings will give me the best quality, = to the WMV I have now?

Thx.

Ok.  I tried this 3 times.  Which settings should I use?  I exported to mpg, mp4, and wmv.  All were .5GB or less.  The original is 3GB.

Tested playing the converted mpg1 in VLC and audio works fine but no audio in WMP so I re-encoded my original WMV using mp3
using mp3 as the audio settings in Super that is and now the audio works fine in WMP

Please use these new settings in Super, refer to new snapshot below, mp3 audio is the way to go
mp3-settings.jpg

I'll try it.  I think I did that in one of my attempts, but I'll redo to make sure.  My video scale was not set to no change, so maybe that's it re the size.  Stay tuned.

;P ok
cya tomorrow

Ok.  The conversion completed and the DVD burned successfully.  The audio is present, but the video content is awful.  Then I went back and compared it to the WMV file and it's not any better.  I went back to the original files extracted from my video camera and they're A LOT better than either of these.  I think I've been screwed.  

Do I need to go back and convert the completed video in WLMM to some other format, if I can (which this is not)?

Hello WSC
well done anyway now you have at least a full picture of what to do now using all those tools, please remember I have never used DVD Flick my DVD authroing tool sis Nero Vision.
Ok back to the start,
How is the quality of WMV as is?
When you play it in WMP at full screen?

My line of thinking in DVD Flick can do it all and you could bypass WLMM
On the guide page 22. Also has some important stats
Project Settings, which states is fundamental to the quality of the DVD
as it defines what regeon the DVD will be, ntsc or Pal etc.
You need to use 4.3 my preferred is PAL

the quality of final DVD depends on the quality of the WMV I dare say.
What video scale is used
What is the original video format used from your camcorder?

The quality of the original WMV file out of WLMM is fine; it looks typical of what I've had in the past.  It's the new one that is about 1/6 the file size of it that looks terrible.  

I'm at work now, but I think the video format from my camera is avi, which is an uncompressed one, right?

I did create a Hi-Def from WLMM to see if DVDFlick will accept that format.  (8.2 GB size).  That's really the point of failure.  (Not tested yet.)  

Or, Super needs to convert to another format w/o loss of quality which would suggest to me that the file sizes would be comparable.   I followed your settings, but it's definitely loosing substantial quality in the process.  Wouldn't it be best to convert it back to avi?  Will Super do that?

I took the DVD defaults that were standard for the USA and 4.3.  I think it's NTSC if I remember correctly.

No unfortunately you can't go back to avi you'll lose even more quality in the re-conversion.
Lets look at the original format and quality that's where it all starts and see if we can simplify it a bit, I know you must not have any dedicated DVD authoring tools there hense why you're creating an ISO image.dvd in DVD Flick

you say the camera records to avi?  would that be divx avi?  How big is this original divx raw avi?
What's your camera / camcorder please,  I'd look to look at  it's scamentics..
This may well be the area to look into first, my line of thinking, if DVD Flick didnt support editing the original avi??<< did it? Have you tried?
As it should have..
Since DVd Flick can add chapters and menues music etc  you may not have known this before, hindsight :)

otherwise there is the option to convert the original avi to mpg first.<<

I'm looking at your comment here>>>I did create a Hi-Def from WLMM to see if DVDFlick will accept that format.  (8.2 GB size).  That's really the point of failure.  (Not tested yet.) <<<

Did WLMM accept the original RAW DIVX AVI?<< need to know

Back to what you do have/ and have done..
you should have a copy of the WMV originally made from WLMM right?
Since the WMV seems to have pretty good quality in playback some setting is not right from the WMV/conversion to stage of DVD.
I'd say the high definition WMV is the problem

DVD Flick did not support the audio in WLMM~> WMV so you couldnt use that WMV then we converted the WMV to mpg, in Super no change to the video scale, changed the audio to mp3.
How long did this take with a 3 gig size?

Then you tested playback in this new mpg?

When you convert a WMV to mpg it will reduce  the over all size since a different video compression is used.
With my JVC camcorder records to >MOV quite large high quality when I convert to mpg the size is halved. That's normal.

So the mian points are:
Have you tried to use the original raw avi in DVD flick?
The problem here is the time consuming elements as well  since your files are very large
it must take a long time to process so Trying to avoid all this extra work

If DVD Flick doesnt support the original raw avi ( it should)  
you may have to go back to the original Divx avi and convert it first to mpg ,

then decide on which tool> WLMM or DVD Flick to make the chapters menues add audio etc as both should support this mpg format.
The quality will better if you use WLMM and save the project.
No WLMM only saves to WMV, I know pity that as WMV is not very good compared to the others but this is a MS product.
And MS had many fights with mpeg 2 ( motion Picture Experts Group)  to use their DVD codec, he paid heavily for a lisense to add support for mpeg 2 bundled  with windows 7.

I see you're running a 64 bit OS, but any windows still needs a few codecs,
 to get video editing running with supported compression tools, normally you get them within the DVD tools or video editing software with the camera and DVD Burner.
Otherwise one tool definately needed is ffdshow. It runs in the background when you play video. Assists in rendering and converting.
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/ffdshow
The other tool that is a must have whenever you want to know the difference between videos to determin if there is problem or what video scale is used.
Gspot
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/GSpot

Looking at DVD Flick
Features
•Burn near any video file to DVD<< near any Video. That would mean it probably doesnt support flash and quicktime but all the rest

•Support for over 45 file formats
•Support for over 60 video codecs
•Support for over 40 audio codecs
•Easily add a menu
•Add your own subtitles
•Easy to use interface
•Burn your project to disc after encoding
•Completely free without any adware, spyware or limitations
http://www.dvdflick.net/

Thanks for all the great input!  My answers follow your questions & quotes.  (Sorry no red color in EE.)

No unfortunately you can't go back to avi you'll lose even more quality in the re-conversion.
I’m surprised.  AVI is uncompressed; I would think that it would stay at the same quality level taking it from WMV to AVI.  Are you sure?

Lets look at the original format and quality that's where it all starts and see if we can simplify it a bit, I know you must not have any dedicated DVD authoring tools there hense why you're creating an ISO image.dvd in DVD Flick
I’m trying the “Free” way.  I’ve used three or four commercial tools before.  I have about 30 DVD’s I made.

you say the camera records to avi?  would that be divx avi?  How big is this original divx raw avi?
Hmm.  Not sure.  I’ll have to look.  It’s a bunch of avi’s, as WLMM breaks eacah scene into its own avi, unfortunately.
The camera is about 8 years old, so I doubt they’re DivX.

What's your camera / camcorder please,  I'd look to look at  it's scamentics..
My camera is a JVC GR-DVL720U.
http://support.jvc.com/consumer/product.jsp?archive=true&pathId=26&modelId=MODL026784

This may well be the area to look into first, my line of thinking, if DVD Flick didnt support editing the original avi??<< did it? Have you tried?
I used WLMM to remove bad footage and put in transitions, etc.  So no, I didn’t try one of the individual avi’s.  (WLMM creates separate files for each “shot.”)  DVDFlick doesn’t offer any editing; it just automatically creates a DVD with minimal customization and maximum efficiency.

As it should have..
Since DVd Flick can add chapters and menues music etc  you may not have known this before, hindsight :)
If it has editing capability, I missed it.

otherwise there is the option to convert the original avi to mpg first.<<
I can’t save the WLMM in another format except High Def, which I’ve done.   It created an mp3 that’s 8 GB in size.  I’ll try that soon to see if DVDFlick will accept it.

I'm looking at your comment here>>>I did create a Hi-Def from WLMM to see if DVDFlick will accept that format.  (8.2 GB size).  That's really the point of failure.  (Not tested yet.) <<<

Did WLMM accept the original RAW DIVX AVI?<< need to know
Not sure what you’re asking.  I took individual avi files and created a finished wmv movie I need to turn into a DVD.  I tried converting to an mpg, but the quality was awful, I’m guessing because mpg is a further compressed format.  Going to avi would be going to an uncompressed format?  Wouldn't that reproduce the same quality in the avi?

Back to what you do have/ and have done..
you should have a copy of the WMV originally made from WLMM right?
That’s the file that DVDFlick won’t convert to a DVD, so yes.

Since the WMV seems to have pretty good quality in playback some setting is not right from the WMV/conversion to stage of DVD.
I'd say the high definition WMV is the problem
The mpg from WLMM was standard definition.  I just created a high def as a last resort to get DVDFlick to accept this format.  If so, problem solved.  I haven’t tested this yet, but the problem occurs with a standard def mpg from WLMM.

DVD Flick did not support the audio in WLMM~> WMV so you couldnt use that WMV then we converted the WMV to mpg, in Super no change to the video scale, changed the audio to mp3.
How long did this take with a 3 gig size?
I think about an hour.  I have 4 processors, 8 threads.

Then you tested playback in this new mpg?
Yes.  Terrible quality but sound ok.

When you convert a WMV to mpg it will reduce  the over all size since a different video compression is used.
About 6x reduction in size!

With my JVC camcorder records to >MOV quite large high quality when I convert to mpg the size is halved. That's normal.
Again, it’s about 1/6 the size.  That seems like a lot.

So the mian points are:
Have you tried to use the original raw avi in DVD flick?
No, but it doesn’t matter does it?  I need to use the edited finished single file.

The problem here is the time consuming elements as well  since your files are very large it must take a long time to process so Trying to avoid all this extra work
I don’t think so; it’s about the sound and quality.  Or, DVDFlick updating it’s software!

If DVD Flick doesnt support the original raw avi ( it should)  
you may have to go back to the original Divx avi and convert it first to mpg
then decide on which tool> WLMM or DVD Flick to make the chapters menues add audio etc as both should support this mpg format.
Again, I’m at work so I’m not sure, but I don’t think DVDFlick offers any editing capability.  WLMM doesn’t created chapters, menus, and other DVD features.  Thus I need both apps.
Why would converting all of these avi files (there’s a bunch of them) make the final WLMM more likely to be compatible?  I only get the option of making the completed movie a wmv.  I need to move this to another format with no loss of fidelity.  I was going to try to move it to an avi with “Super,” but you say that’s a waste of time, right?

The quality will better if you use WLMM and save the project.
This is what I did.

No WLMM only saves to WMV, I know pity that as WMV is not very good compared to the others but this is a MS product.
It seems pretty good.  The finished wmv plays fine in Media player and the movie looks good.

And MS had many fights with mpeg 2 ( motion Picture Experts Group)  to use their DVD codec, he paid heavily for a lisense to add support for mpeg 2 bundled  with windows 7.
Hmm.

I see you're running a 64 bit OS, but any windows still needs a few codecs,
 to get video editing running with supported compression tools, normally you get them within the DVD tools or video editing software with the camera and DVD Burner.
Otherwise one tool definately needed is ffdshow. It runs in the background when you play video. Assists in rendering and converting.
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/ffdshow
I can play videos in Winamp and WMP.  What else do I need?

The other tool that is a must have whenever you want to know the difference between videos to determin if there is problem or what video scale is used.
Don’t I get this from “Super?”  I’ll check out GSpot.

Gspot
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/GSpot

Looking at DVD Flick
Features
•Burn near any video file to DVD<< near any Video. That would mean it probably doesnt support flash and quicktime but all the rest

•Support for over 45 file formats
•Support for over 60 video codecs
•Support for over 40 audio codecs
•Easily add a menu
•Add your own subtitles
•Easy to use interface
•Burn your project to disc after encoding
•Completely free without any adware, spyware or limitations
http://www.dvdflick.net/
It just doesn’t support the latest version of WMV, right?

Thanks so much for your help!

Hi again,  glad to help, going over everything in type is a lot simpler than the video work so we'll find a solution. It is a long way round where as with the right tools a lot simpler.
If you had Nero WLMM will burn to DVD Video.

You mention yuou have made a few dvd before?
No problems and off the JVC?

I'll try to keep it simple, The main problem here is the quality and getting DVD flick to author to DVD.
How did you transfer the video off the JVC? USB?
This may hold a key to quality. What condition is the tape in the JVC?
Good to see we both use JVC :P
Mine does not use a casette but rather an internal hard disc, records to .MOD my model
JVC-MG20AA
I found the manual for yours
Download JVC GR-DVL720U Manual
http://resources.jvc.com/Resources/00/00/98/LYT0869-001B.pdf

If I understand you have a few video clips in avi off the JVC, and you say yours records to avi?
 Your comment~
I’m surprised.  AVI is uncompressed; I would think that it would stay at the same quality level taking it from WMV to AVI.  Are you sure?<< yes I believe so, once the original avi is converted to WMV re-encoding back to avi will cause pixelated blotchy video playback. Unless you use a divx player, remembering  the end result is mpeg2 ie DVD Vobs.

The best method is to do little as possible to the original clips,
 convert each original avi  straight off JVC to mpeg, mpg is close to the DVD format mpeg2>Vobs
the less processing the better.
Also the standard video scale on a DVD is 720 × 576 pixels  so if your avi are less and you convert to WMV with a small video scale  less than the dvd required
again the end result in the DVD  720x 576 will produce  poor quality.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD-Video
Install Gspot , dop on one of your original avi, Gspot will read and produce all the features codecs video scale etc used in the clip.
Then post a screenshot, we can then decide if the original avi have the right video scale for DVD.
WSC,
AVI is divx regardless how old your JVC is, there is the Xvid and divx codecs in all avi.


ok recapping your points...
Again, I’m at work so I’m not sure, but I don’t think DVDFlick offers any editing capability.<< maybe words misunderstood, but DVD flick does support editing> adding chapters markers and music
please refer to page Contents page,
# snap included. DVD Flick Contents

 refs to>
WLMM doesn't created chapters, menus, and other DVD features.<<< yes it does , I made my thumbnail markers in WLMM then used those for the chapter point in  my NV authoring tool.
Since I paid for the full boxed version I prefer to use it over WLMM.
But you can burn to DVD Video you have Windows 7 ultimate x 64
http://www.7tutorials.com/how-burn-dvds-windows-dvd-maker

# Snapshot DVD Flick Contents
DVD-Flick--Contents-Page.jpg

Hi again,  glad to help, going over everything in type is a lot simpler than the video work so we'll find a solution. It is a long way round where as with the right tools a lot simpler.
If you had Nero WLMM will burn to DVD Video.
Thanks.  Actually, I created a High Def wmv file from WLMM and it worked in DVDFlick!  Don’t ask me why.  The file was 8GB in size (as opposed to 3GB standard def).  No explanation. I haven’t done a full test by looking at the whole movie, but it looks good so far.  But let’s proceed anyway.

You mention yuou have made a few dvd before?
No problems and off the JVC?
Nope.  None.  And I used 3 or 4 different commercial apps.

I'll try to keep it simple, The main problem here is the quality and getting DVD flick to author to DVD.
How did you transfer the video off the JVC? USB?
Firewire played into the computer real time.

This may hold a key to quality. What condition is the tape in the JVC?
Good to see we both use JVC :P
Mine does not use a casette but rather an internal hard disc, records to .MOD my model
JVC-MG20AA
I found the manual for yours
Download JVC GR-DVL720U Manual
http://resources.jvc.com/Resources/00/00/98/LYT0869-001B.pdf
Yep, I thought I sent you the link.


If I understand you have a few video clips in avi off the JVC, and you say yours records to avi?
Yes.  It created 80 avi files from 51 minutes of tape.  Each scene got its own file.
 
Your comment~
I’m surprised.  AVI is uncompressed; I would think that it would stay at the same quality level taking it from WMV to AVI.  Are you sure?<< yes I believe so, once the original avi is converted to WMV re-encoding back to avi will cause pixelated blotchy video playback. Unless you use a divx player, remembering  the end result is mpeg2 ie DVD Vobs.
Ok.  Good to know.


The best method is to do little as possible to the original clips,
 convert each original avi  straight off JVC to mpeg, mpg is close to the DVD format mpeg2>Vobs
the less processing the better.
Also the standard video scale on a DVD is 720 × 576 pixels  so if your avi are less and you convert to WMV with a small video scale  less than the dvd required
again the end result in the DVD  720x 576 will produce  poor quality.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD-Video
Install Gspot , dop on one of your original avi, Gspot will read and produce all the features codecs video scale etc used in the clip.

Then post a screenshot, we can then decide if the original avi have the right video scale for DVD.
WSC,
AVI is divx regardless how old your JVC is, there is the Xvid and divx codecs in all avi.
I’ll do that.

ok recapping your points...
Again, I’m at work so I’m not sure, but I don’t think DVDFlick offers any editing capability.<< maybe words misunderstood, but DVD flick does support editing> adding chapters markers and music
please refer to page Contents page, # snap included. DVD Flick Contents
I mean, it doesn’t trim or remove unwanted footage.  And I can’t even seem to edit my DVD title.  Although the disk burned fine, the title runs off the screen w/ too big a font.  Too bad.

 refs to>
WLMM doesn't created chapters, menus, and other DVD features.<<< yes it does , I made my thumbnail markers in WLMM then used those for the chapter point in  my NV authoring tool.
Since I paid for the full boxed version I prefer to use it over WLMM.
But you can burn to DVD Video you have Windows 7 ultimate x 64
http://www.7tutorials.com/how-burn-dvds-windows-dvd-maker
Great.  I’ll look into this.

Just wanted to ask you
WLMM offers to burn to DVD?
Doesnt work?
DVD-R
not DVD+R or DVD-RW

WLMM DVD
Start by saving the finished project but use the SAVE to DVD
you'll see it save then opens to a new windows the DVD stages
Add menues here and customise TEXT etc when you happy save it first then burn, now this part I dont know if it burns to a true DVD video if you dont have any NEro or Roxio DVD.
But I belive this is where MS paid for the lisense so you can burn DVD Video without those tools.
Previous OS you couldnt, mpeg 2 plugin was always required and you had to buy it via Nero or Roxio DVD tools . Otherwsie you could only bunr data stuff. Audio discs never VCD or DVD Video.
Save-to-DVD.jpg
stage-2-saved-DVD-opens.jpg
stage-3--DVD--Menue-and-styles.jpg
Menue-stles.jpg

Thanks WSC: , Hope I am not drowning you yet with details, but if it's ok with you I can fill you with so much knowledge on this you'll be better adavnced to know where to start next time.
Details are good!

Is this your only problem>> in regards to quality playback on the DVD?
And using WLMM to make the video structure
>>>>
I mean, it doesn’t trim or remove unwanted footage.  And I can’t even seem to edit my DVD title.  Although the disk burned fine, the title runs off the screen w/ too big a font.  Too bad. << lol again yes it does trim.....WLMM has a TRIM Tool, go to video tools>Split or trim, insert a start and end point in time, playback time in secs and or ,minutes
Yes, I know.  I used WLMM to create the finished video.  I needed an app to turn that into a playable DVD.  Hence, DVDFlick.

I use Virtual dub mod to trim unwanted bits out of my originals,  then when I am ready to make my clip into a DVD with menuies and chapters I have done all the other work first with video clip.
Ok.  So you like Virtual dub over WLMM.  The critics all recommended WLMM, but I’ll give it a look-see.

Yes, I didn't have any trouble with those things in WLMM.  It was all in DVDFlick.

Just wanted to ask you
WLMM offers to burn to DVD?
Doesnt work? DVD-R  not DVD+R or DVD-RW
WLMM DVD
Start by saving the finished project but use the SAVE to DVD
you'll see it save then opens to a new windows the DVD stages
Add menues here and customise TEXT etc when you happy save it first then burn, now this part I dont know if it burns to a true DVD video if you dont have any NEro or Roxio DVD.
But I belive this is where MS paid for the lisense so you can burn DVD Video without those tools.
Previous OS you couldnt, mpeg 2 plugin was always required and you had to buy it via Nero or Roxio DVD tools . Otherwsie you could only bunr data stuff. Audio discs never VCD or DVD Video.

I think it did, but I assumed that was just sticking the wmv file on a disk, not making a playable DVD with menus, thumbnails, etc.  Your screen shots indicate that maybe it does!  Is that what you’re saying?  You seem doubtful about the finished product.  But, I’ll try it.
So, WLMM will step me through creating the various menus, titles, jump points, and thumbnails?  If so, cool!

And how does adding still pictures work with a movie?  Is it a timed slideshow at the end?
Thanks for all the details!

WSC

Lol, if only I could show you and talk you through it.
No, when you choose save to DVD that's the whole deal, you need to put a blank DVD-R in the rom so it's ready when you hit burn to. Just finalise the disc, that's difference between it playing on any DVD player.
Finalise the DIsc.
This will be a DVD Video once done.

I havent burnt a DVD in WLMM will have to test that, looks like it has some fun options.
Remember I used Nero Vision only to burn to DVD.

I went through a test of creating the DVD steps for you in WLMM but not burn to DVD that was the last step
 ( didnt want to waste a DVD)  :)

refs to>>
And how does adding still pictures work with a movie?  Is it a timed slideshow at the end?
Thanks for all the details!

You do this part when you created the project at the start WLMM.
Look at my Archers point, other than burning that to DVD in Nero I used WLMM to create the main menues and chapters. I used only two, one for images and one for video.

I used the photos first and added the  scroll effect to each image manually, and time consuming,
 but this way each image zooms in or out making it look like a video when played back, no timed frames needed.
>>Yes it plays back on the DVD like a slideshow.
Worked very nicely at the playback.
 I also added music to my images section.
So once you have added the effects and all your images> files videos Credits / music etc save the entire project
or
Save and Burn to DVD<< using this method you again use your main Title and Credits using the one's you already made in the project.
For my Test for you
I imported my Finished WMV into WLMM and then went to save to DVD instead of saving Project.

The only part I cannot test is if WLM will burn a DVD Video without Mero or Roxio onboard ,
I have Nero 7 ultimate onboard.

But I believe it will !!!!
which is quite a stepup for MS since no previous windows  from Vista back would do that without buying the mpeg2 plug.
Normally you had to buy Nero or Roxio which gives the mpeg2 plugin for DVD Video and VCD.
I highly anticipate your feedback to see how it went.

Since you already have your  finished WMV just use that in WLMM and burn to DVD
Just take your time and look around all the options in WLMM DVD making section.
Ummm
How big is this WMV??

Regards Merete

Ok I tested.
Putting a blank DVD in the rom
snapshot 1 auto Play
Add Pictures and Video
Snapshot 2
I Added  the WMV original I made
DONT GO NEXT, ( always look around for anything else you can do at each stage..)
So I did this>go> OPTIONS
snapshot 3
Here you can set Start with DVD Menue and regeon Pal
4.3
DVD burner >>use Medium or slow, slower is better for DVD video, too fast may cause a bad burn to mirror.
Temporary file, I use a TEMP folder in C drive
This way I can quickly delete it later, often times TEMP files fill up on the hard drive especially windows TEMP.
So now press ok and go Next
Now we are at Menue Styles, this is the background
I chose Video Wall it looks pretty cool and saves adding Titles and menues, I think you can just click on any image at the DVD menue , play the preview of it

 plays like in Windows Media Center, nice effect for a DVD main Menue,
snapshot 4
You could customise the Font used, but since I have already done that I just hit burn, it doesnt offer any SCENE select with Video wall  options.etc, so I'd like to know how this works.
So here goers it's burning to a DVD Video using only what is in the WMV, and the video wall as the main menue.
 the first thing I noticed no activity on the DVD rom, Light not flickering,
of course my brain reminded me it's creating a temp first( authoring to Vobs Ifo and bup files) in the TEMP folder, once it's doen that it'l burn to DVD, so I wait.
Here's the snapshots in the mean time
I'll post them to you now since it will take a while to author to DVD and burn. And I like to leave my PC alone while it does this. I'll time it
will post then
bty my wmv is around 800 megs
before burning to DVD Video. (Video_TS)
Autoplay-1.jpg
add-pictures-and-video-2.jpg
DVD-Options-stage-3.jpg
video-wall-4.jpg

OK, it took about 35 minutes using the WMV and to eject stage, it offers to copy it and closing that re-opens back the WLDVD maker
which I had not closed.
Closing WL DVD maker you can save the DVD project
Now to play it on my pc it opened to media player home cinema and the main menue is the wall video
if i click on scenes I can click anywhere
and that highlights in yellow
I just click on the play it starts from my main menue I made.
ok all good so far.
The contents is a DVD Video>VIDEO_TS folder
Now I'll play it on my Panasonic DVD DVR over at the TV
Perfect, uses the same thing the WALL VIDEO and choose Play or select scene and highlighted in yellow
There ya go
Enjoy
easy as.
snapshot of what the DVD plaing looks like when you select a scene any scene it goes to that spot

playing-scenes.jpg

I'lll try it.  Thanks for all the great info.  This is great.  Stay tuned!

My wmv was 3 GB std def and 8 gb hi def although it was shot std. def.  I have to use the hi def. Not sure why.  52 minutes long post trimming.

Can/should I create an iso first or is that a wasted step?

Thanks
Step by step, glad you liked it

Can/should I create an iso first or is that a wasted step? << up to you
but is waisted.
3 gig will fit ok on blank DVD-R
8 gig no good must not exceed 4.7 gig
well 4.5 gig so it has some space to write the lead in and lead out.
good luck

The 8 GB did fit on a 4.7 GB disk, surprisingly enough.  It's the only way I got the wmv file to be accepted by DVDFlick.  It wouldn't accept it in standard def, so on a whim, I tried the hi def save option in WLMM which created an 8 GB file.  I'm guessing that the 51 minute length (60 min max) is the limiting factor, not the size of the wmv file.

Neither maybe a problem,
refs to>I'm guessing that the 51 minute length (60 min max) is the limiting factor, not the size of the wmv file.

remember that WMV is authored to mpeg2 ( vobs) once on the DVD
Most DVD play up to 2 hours.

more details if it helps.

How much time can I record on a DVD?
http://hometheater.about.com/od/dvdrecorderfaqs/f/dvdrecgfaq7.htm

Recordable DVD Media Format Guide
DVD-R Media
DVD-R (which is pronounced "dash R" not "minus R") uses organic dye technology, like CD-R, and is compatible with most DVD drives and players. First-generation capacity was 3.95 billion bytes, later extended to 4.7 billion bytes. Matching the 4.7G capacity of DVD-ROM was crucial for desktop DVD production. In early 2000 the format was split into an "authoring" version and a "general" version. The general version, intended for home use, writes with a cheaper 650-nm laser, the same as DVD-RAM. DVD-R(A) is intended for professional development and uses a 635-nm laser. DVD-R(A) discs are not writable in DVD-R(G) recorders, and vice-versa, but both kinds of discs are readable in most DVD players and drives.

http://www.proactionmedia.com/dvd_media_formats.htm

Should I avoid DVD+R? Or does that exist?  (CD+R did.)  What about double layer?  Is there a better brand or type you recommend for each?

Hi WSC:
That's why I provided the above links, it's worth a read if you have time so then you are well informed, I personally always use DVD-R Verbatim or Sony.
And Buy DVD-r with a burn speed written on them X4 or X 8 and burn them at that speed, I have 100% success every time and they have always played on my family/ friends/ customers DVD players in their Home TV setup.

There are six recordable versions of DVD-ROM: DVD-R for General, DVD-R for Authoring, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD+R. DVD-R and DVD+R can record data once, like CD-R, while DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW can be rewritten thousands of times, like CD-RW.

extract
Is it true there are compatibility problems with recordable DVD media formats?
Yes. A big problem is that none of the writable formats are fully compatible with each other or even with existing drives and players. In other words, a DVD+R/RW drive can't write a DVD-R or DVD-RW disc, and vice versa (unless it's a combo drive that writes both formats). As time goes by the different formats are becoming more compatible and more intermixed. A player with the DVD Forum's DVD Multi is guaranteed to read DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVD-RAM discs, and a DVD Multi recorder can record using all three formats. Some new "Super Multi" drives can write to DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW, but not DVD-RAM.

In addition, not all players and drives can read recorded discs. The basic problem is that recordable discs have different reflectivity than pressed discs (the pre-recorded kind you buy in a store), and not all players have been correctly designed to read them. Very roughly, DVD-R and DVD+R discs work in about 85% of existing drives and players, while DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs work in around 70%. The situation is steadily improving. In another few years compatibility problems will mostly be behind us, just as with CD-R (did you know that early CD-Rs had all kinds of compatibility problems?).
http://www.proactionmedia.com/dvd_media_formats.htm#DVD+RW

Wow!  I want to get back to this movie and redo it when I get some time.  Thanks for all the additional info.  It will be helpful.

WSC

Lol I fully understand I love it too, now it seems a lot simpler and less time consuming,
 one point WSC, my WMV are not perfect quality either but good enough. The images are perfect and with panning effect works great.
Always a pleasure to help matey
Look forward to your final DVD outcome.
regards
Merete

Great help, beyond the limit!