OK I nee to convert a MPEG4 video file to a DVD - is there free software to do this?

[h0ughy (David)]

if not then what would be a recommendation?

Need to do this urgently too

[h0ughy (David)]

i found this one http://www.aone-soft.com/divx2dvd.htm but I am not sure about it. I do not wish to buy it if I can avoid it, as i will probably only usethis 3 times.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Yes there is but the only thing I'm familiar with are Linux command line tools (scary for some):
1) transcode to convert mpeg4 to dvd-compliant mpeg.
2) dvdauthor to create dvd directory structure.
3) growisofs to write to dvd.

There are 3rd party GUIs around for these tools, but more hassle than they're worth IMO. The above conversion to DVD would consist of half a dozen commands or less.

If you have a small sample mpeg4 file you can link I'd be happy to give it a go and tell you exactly how to convert it to dvd. If you have a Linux box you can repeat the same thing with your full length mpeg4 file(s).

[Dennis]

You are wise to tread carefully.

A commercial DVD appears to have files of the type .VOB when you browse it using Windows Explorer.

I have Pinnacle Studio 9 which can “write” DVD format files but these are written as .MPG2 files.

My computer DVD drive can play either.
I’m not sure what “under the TV” DVD players can playback – they should definitely play .VOB files but I’m not sure if they can playback the other types of file extensions?

What equipment will the DVD files be played on?

Cheers

Dennis

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Dennis, the dvd authoring software should generate the vobs and the dvd-compliant directory structure from the mpeg video files. Then when burnt to DVD (as a dvd video disk) it will play in any player - except some older ones which have trouble physically reading home-burnt disks.

[h0ughy (David)]

well its for my wifes school. so I suspect a old dvd player. the MPEG4 files are from Terry Tate who graciously sent them to me to save my bacon (Jamies Kitchen) but the program i have for DVD authoring does not do MPEG4 conversion. so thats why I am looking at this software I found, I have downloaded it but not loaded it yet.

[h0ughy (David)]

Steve, the last time i did command lind coding Apollo Unix nearly 20 years ago - have not touched it since

[acropolite (Phil)]

Looks like the full version of Nero 7 Premium suite will do it as detailed on this website Also there is info on other versions of nero here.

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

well its for my wifes school. so I suspect a old dvd player. the MPEG4 files are from Terry Tate who graciously sent them to me to save my bacon (Jamies Kitchen) but the program i have for DVD authoring does not do MPEG4 conversion. so thats why I am looking at this software I found, I have downloaded it but not loaded it yet.

Hi Dave

I converted a VCR tape of a friend driving race cars at Willowbank to an MPG2 DVD file using Pinnacle Studio 9 some 2 years ago and their "under the TV" DVD player would not recognise it, so the (old) school DVD player may be the limiting factor here? Standards are wonderful aren't they!

Good luck son!

Cheers

Dennis

[spudrick]

Hello Dave
Ah so you needed to play on standard DVD? I can convert and put the 2 episodes on a DVD if you want (but i am overseas this coming week) so let me know i will do it after i return.
The software to convert is easy enough to find acropolite was correct Nero has NeroVision very easy and user friendly. But it aslo costs.
I have had for a couple of years now a DVD player for DivX and Mpeg4, avi etc. playback allows to play direct without conversion (very cheap now from $60.00)
Anyway let me know, it is no trouble to do it.

[JohnH]

Originally Posted by Dennis

...their "under the TV" DVD player would not recognise it...

We (well mostly swmbo to be honest) have done this several times as we produce a DVD yearbook for my daughter's class at school, like others here we mostly use Pinnacle Studio - now at vsn 10, the free tools are not so hot imho (on M$ anyway).

The trick for getting older DVD players to recognise the disks is to buy good quality media and burn at the minimum speed, tedious, but it reduces the failure rate.

Good Luck!

[h0ughy (David)]

ok i used avi_divxtodvd and it seemed to work. thanks for the advice too.