Avi on DVD players

[Dr.MAD]

This is the first time I post in the VCD/DVD/MP3 board...

But here is my question: if you have an avi file, what should I do to convert this avi to another format which makes me able to see this avi on a normal DVD player (not one in a computer, but one you connect to your tv) if I burn it on a normal CD?

I heard something about converting it to mpg4 or something... but I have no single idea on how to do that.

[Jedi Master]

You can convert it to vcd,svcd or dvdr.Theres guides on www.dvdrhelp.com on how to do it.You use Tmpgenc to convert.

[JordanQ]

I was as clueless as you were just a couple of months ago! I know from past experiences of tryin to get help on the subject that its not always easy to get a straight and complete answer, so, with some time to spare, here are the complete basics.

1) You have an .AVI file right? IF so, to get your .AVI file to play on a DVD player external from your PC you will need to convert it.

2) The only converter i have ever used is, as Jedi pointed out, TMPGenc. Basically, its a very simple program that loads in your .AVI file and converts each frame into an MPEG-1 movie (not sure what ur talking about with MPEG-4????).

3) You Can download TMPGenc from their website: http://www.tmpgenc.com/

4) Once installed, simply load up TMPGenc, and a window should appear asking you choose which format you wish (PAL NTSC etc, you should know which one to select - depending on your dvd region i think). Then, click next. A window should appear asking you to load the particular film you want to encode. Load the .AVI file, and by default, the program should also load up the SOUND FILE that accompanies that movie for encoding (if you wish to change the sound that aaccompanies the video, simply locate the file in the browse menu and load it up!

5)In this window you can choose which aspect ratio you wish to encode the movie to, i.e 16x9, 4:3 etc. For example, if your .AVI file is recoded in the 16x9 format (widescreen) but you wish the picture to fill the entire screen, re select the 4:3 to do so. (you prolly know all about aspect ratio's but just incase you dont :D .

CLICK NEXT!

6) Here is the main part that confused me: VCD's capacity is subject to the length of the movie, NOT the file size. Therefore, and normal length movie will need to be SPLIT into two halves and encoded onto TWO cd's (sucks i know). To do this, simply click the source range option.
From here move the cursor to around halfway along the timeline (i try not to split the movie where there is allot of action going on, so keep that in mind) and "set end frame". It is a good idea that you write down the frame number of the last frame so that when encoding the second half you can simply set the START FRAME as the same number. click ok.
NOTE: IF the sound bar displays no changes in pitch etc (if it doesnt detect sound) then thats a whole new problem ive experienced once before and in that case, you will need some other form of help.

Now till this day i have barely touched the other options in this window, such as CLIP FRAME etc. So it is not necessary to touch those, click next.

7) this window simply shows you wether the file size will fit on the VCD (the file should be approaching or succeeding the half way line. CLICK NEXT


8) Simple. Set the place where the output file is created so you know where it is you are encoding to, rename the file, and click OK.

DONE. Your first half of the VCD should begin to encode. When this is done (TAKES AROUND 50 MINS LOL! allot of waiting huh?) Do the same again, but simply change the start frame to the same as the end frame on VCD 1. and encode again. Then, just make the CD. Im sure u have NERO BURNING ROM, from the wizard, select the VCD option blah blah blah and encode it (if you can download the free trial of ULEADS DVD MOVIE FACTORY you can create a main menu from wihich to start your movie, and even insert different, named chapters!).
I hope this was as simple and concise as possible, and has decreased the amount of confusion :)

Im here to help, :P
JOrdan

[Dr.MAD]

Thanks for all this help, comrades. I'll try it out, and let you know