StarDestroyer.Net BBS

I've tried a couple of programs that didn't work. Essentially I'm looking for a freeware program that converts AVI files to DVD in a non complicated way. If anyone knows of any good programs it's appreciated.

I'd be interested in the same thing.

You're not likely to find it, though. As I understand it, DVDs are authored with MPEG-2 to create the VOB video files. It's a two-step process you'll need: one to encode these MPEG2/VOB files and one to arrange them on a DVD in the proper method so as to be readable on a DVD player.

However, MPEG2 is a licensed format! In otherwords, in order to use anything with MPEG2, you have to pay for the MPEG2 license as part of the program. As far as I know, any program offering you an MPEG2 video codec as part of its standard package for free is illegal.

In short, you won't find what you're looking for, to the best of my knowledge. If I'm wrong, I'll be happy to be proven wrong!

Incidentally, a lot of DVD/AVI/video stuff can be found at VideoHelp.com.

McC wrote:I'd be interested in the same thing.

You're not likely to find it, though. As I understand it, DVDs are authored with MPEG-2 to create the VOB video files. It's a two-step process you'll need: one to encode these MPEG2/VOB files and one to arrange them on a DVD in the proper method so as to be readable on a DVD player.

That's exactly my problem. I cannot get the 2-step process to work with two different programs. You'd think a bundled version to do it all at once would exist?

You might try DVD Lab, which isn't freeware, but is a pretty powerful DVD authoring package. Though I don't know why two-step processes are such a problem...

For freeware (well 30 days trial) I used TMPGenc studio, it's pretty slow but gets the job done. To do it manually it's alot more complicated and not worth running a bunch of little programs, other than the speed issue, but it's going to be hours regardless. Like McC mentioned the license issue, but any paid for program should have it covered and built in, even the cheap 20 dollar programs. If you want to make a DVD that just runs with no menu etc those cheap ones are fine.

Try http://www.tmpgenc.net/e_main.html they even now have dual layer support, not sure if that's in the trial though.