How are .mpg files created?

[modraker]

What are the most popular programs used to create .mpg movie files? Can I copy portions of a video casette or dvd into .mpg files?

[TwoRails]

Hi modraker,

there are a number of popular programs out there from companies like Ulead, MGI, and others, ranging from $50 to $150.

The two most popular "pro-sumer" programs are from Ulead and Adobe, but they are in the $600 range.

However, you'll need analog capture abilities to get tape into your computer, and all capture cards will come with a program to edit and create movies. ATI is the most known in this area, but a good GeForce 3 or 4 vid card that has analog capture will be up to the task.

DVD is a form of mpg, but I've never tried capturing it, and probably is a taboo subject at this forum because of copyright laws and such.

HTH

TwoRails

[modraker]

Thanks TwoRails, I appreciate the input. Though it seems a bit beyond my present ability, I'll research the programs.

[RJ]

Oh no, the truth is different. Forget about the $600 programs. Adobe Premiere for example is a complete video editing software.

If all you need is MPEG encoding, then take TMPGEnc. Only $47, and it's one of the best MPEG encoders out there, equal or better than Ligos LSX (which is mostly used with Premiere), and also nearly equal to the $2000 (or similar) CCE (but CCE is alot faster than TMPGEnc).
With TMPGEnc I let the PC encode over night.

If you want to capture from tape, don't think about changing your video card to an ATI or GeForce. Both are not capture cards. Although you could do it, it's better considering a real video capture card with hardware compression, like the cards from Pinnacle.

DVD is MPEG-2, so it's already in *.mpg format. Sure, on the dvd itself there are vobs, that's because a VOB contains the mpeg and various audio tracks and subtitles.
You can use TMPGEnc to demultiplex those streams, and thus get the pure *.mpg stream.
As long as you copy a DVD that you own (making a backup copy) it's legal. If you wanted to rip DVDs from others for yourself, that'd be illegal.

RJ

[TwoRails]

Oh no, the truth is different.

Gee, RJ, Thanks ........

I was simply giving a brief overview. I thought that was more than obvious, but appearently not.

The original question was:

What are the most popular programs used to create .mpg movie files?

And Ulead, MGI, and Adobe are among the most popular.

modraker did not give specifics, like all he / she wants to do is encoding. "Create mpg movie"s to me ment something different than it did to you.

Perhaps modraker would like to share more details as to what modraker would actully like to be doing in this very large topic of "creating movies???"

TwoRails

[RJ]

Aww, yes, sorry, you're right. "Most popular" and "best price/quality" are different things. You're right about the most popular brands.

RJ

[TwoRails]

That is one thing I like about PC Mechanic: All the different view points !!

TwoRails

[modraker]

Thanks TwoRails and RJ. You have both been very informative. What I want to do is hook up my VCR (if this is possible) to my computer, capture short segments of a movie and convert those to .mpg files. I'd like to do this from a DVD as well, but I understand that this discussion is forbidden by PCMech.

[TwoRails]

HI modraker,

I'll share the way I went about it (for tape) and RJ can fill in from the other angle.

The ATI is very popular for people that want to do analog capture, which will the method needed for getting the tape into your computer.

However, I didn't go with the ATI for several reasons. One is that I also do gaming, so I didn't want to sacrifice in that area. Another is that ATI is famous for driver problems. So I got a Asus GeForce Deluxe vid card that has S-video and regular composite analog capibilities, both for video in and video out.

This does an excellant job, for my needs, of capture all types of analog video sources; meaning anything that can go thru your VCR.

It came with various video software, most I haven't tried, like VCR controls and time-shifting. I just record with the supplied software and then edit it with Ulead's Media Studio Pro. Media Studio is pricey, but most people are happy with the supplied video editing software. It is not as powerfull but does the job.

It really comes down to what you want to do, and what your budget is. Even if you wanted to go semi-pro, or pro, something along this line is a good starting point.

HTH !!

TwoRails

PS: I got friends and family down in OC... beatya it hot there today!!

[RJ]

Ok, now my turn

Besides video cards with S-Video input you can get video capture boards. The advantage of video capture boards is their hardware compression. TV cards don't offer hardware compression (except the ATI cards with hardware MPEG-2 chip).
A video capture card has also the advantage that you don't need to exchange your video card as well.
I use the Pinnacle Studio DC10plus. In USA it has been replaced by the Studio AV, which is also an analog capture card.
The bundled Studio 7 is a basic video editing software. It's easy for the beginner. It does MPEG encoding, too, but the resulted MPEG stream is of pathetic quality. So Studio 7 is good for editing and outputting it as an AVI again, then use TMPGEnc for encoding.

Another possibility would be a DV camcorder. If you consider getting a DV camcorder, then take one with additional analog inputs. That way you don't need a PC capture card, and can use the camcorder to digitalize. Then just copy the DV stream via firewire to hard drive (yes, with DV camcorder you're gonna need firewire. . .)

RJ

[TwoRails]

...snip... Another possibility would be a DV camcorder. If you consider getting a DV camcorder, then take one with additional analog inputs. That way you don't need a PC capture card, and can use the camcorder to digitalize. Then just copy the DV stream via firewire to hard drive (yes, with DV camcorder you're gonna need firewire. . .)

Good point, RJ!

I've often toyed with the idea of getting a DV camcorder instead of a better capture card and copying over the important VSH tapes into it..... But I hear (haven't checked it out yet) that analog input is getting more scarce in camcorders nowadays. I already have 3 FireWire ports that don't have anything to do!



TwoRails

[glc]

You may discuss how to rip DVD's for the purpose of making a backup of a DVD that you own for personal use.