Tech Peeps: Need DVD file editing software (pre-"Pimp My Swim")

Triathlon Forum
1

Getting my swim footage onto the 'net is as hard as swimming itself. OK, so I now have a DVD burned from my Sony DCR 101 cam. I have Sony Vegas video editing software, but apparently there’s no way to import the Sony-written DVD into it.

I’m looking for a very VERY basic tool that I can reliably import footage into and then snip up to just highlights so I can post it to youtube or someplace and get skewered by the Slowtwitch swim evaluators.

Please… ideas?

Thanks.

2

sorry, can’t help w/ tech support, but looking forward to seeing it !!

3

Doh! You got my hopes up that you actually knew something! :slight_smile:

So far, two hours of F-ing w/ this crap and no luck. I can play the damn DVD, but things like Microsoft Movie Maker can’t recognize the file. So don’t go getting your hopes up just yet.

DAMMIT.

4

it might be easier to burn copies and just mail them to kevin in md, myself, brentl, flanagan and some of the others on here.

is it possible to laod it straight from your hard drive? (warning: I’ve never posted to utube or other sites)

5

NO DOUBT mailing them would be easier (and thanks for suggesting that).

It would be possible to go straight from the hard drive (I have it saved there), but it’s really long and has far too much extra footage on there.

6

If you post it on youtube the expression “you’ve been Aztec-rolled” might be born…

7

It ought to be pretty simple. If the DVD can be read on a normal DVD player, you should be able to rip it using many different softwre programs and then import into an editor.

8

I’ll take that risk…

Now if only I can find a way to read a .vob file into something so I can chop it down!!

9

It ought to be pretty simple. If the DVD can be read on a normal DVD player, you should be able to rip it using many different softwre programs and then import into an editor.

It can, and in my PC’s DVD drives.

What can read it and edit?

10

use google.

11

Be specific.

12

Disclaimer: I’m not a pro and I can’t promise anything, but…

For some self-directed learning on this topic visit www.afterdawn.com
Lots of articles and ‘how-to’ guides as well as downloads of free software. Note: the site is NOT aimed at someone who wants an uber-basic piece of consumer software.

Try these steps:

  1. Suggest you go to www.divx.com and download and install the DivX bundle. It is free. If you install it then in the DVDx software step below you’ll be able to use the DivX codec for your editing steps and as a final format. It does a good job of compression and I’m 99% sure it is YouTube friendly.
  2. Your home DVD probably is NOT encrypted (all commercial DVD’s are encrypted to prevent easy copying) meaning you probably don’t need to ‘rip’ or decrypt the file, but I really don’t know. Try ignoring this step the first time - probably not necessary. Rip the DVD if necessary. If it needs to be ripped you’ll have to choose some ripping software from www.afterdawn.com.
  3. Convert from .VOB files to some other format. Try using this piece of free software:

http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/dvd_rippers/dvdx.cfm

Not entirely intuitive - but basically you have to open the file you want to convert (you choose the *.ifo file that shows the longest time), choose output settings, select a destination for the output file and then press the ‘encode’ button. It takes a while depending on the length of your video.

In the output settings, select the “AVI (divx, YUV…)” then in the pulldown a few rows down you choose the DivX selection.

I don’t think this software lets you edit the video (ie. make clips, edit out pieces you don’t want etc.) It will just convert it to a new format.

  1. Get an editor that will work on files in the DivX format. Here is a free one that will at least let you do basic editing:
    http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/video_tools/virtualdub.cfm/v1_6_19_build_24478

Basically you open your new DivX file (the output from step 2 above), choose the piece you want to keep and then make a new output file with just those pieces.

If you are willing to spend money there are lots of consumer software bundles that should be able to help: Roxio Easy Creator and others. All $40-$100(ish).

Cheers,
Chris

13

Thanks, Chris. I’m at 4th and goal from the 1 using something very similar to what you described. I may try your suggested software next time, as I’m not happy with what I got (iSoft DVD Ripper). I converted from .vob to what MSFT Movie Maker could read, and then wrote that to .avi. It lost a TON of picture quality.

I could be ~15 mins from having this horrendous task done!

14

Good luck! That is where something like the DivX codec is useful - really good compression while retaining lots of detail.

Look forward to the posting.

15

Take a look at my other thread with the results and you’ll see what I mean. HORRIBLE. And that was using DVD Ripper to convert .vob over to what is says is DivX+MP3 (.avi). The biggest loss was between that (which I opened and clipped in Movie Maker) and what Movie Maker “saved” to. I may try my Sony Vegas software tomorrow.

16

Oooh! I can’t help with the technology part of it but I can’t wait to see your swim video :slight_smile:

edit - never mind, just saw your other thread. Fun!!!