PC problems.... (Page 2 of 3)

Maybe we can use this as an all purpose pc-related questions topic? I know that there are plenty of bright sparks around here!

I've downloaded a program that will allow me to convert the youtube clips that I've downloaded to my HD into other formats - the purpose being to convert them to a format that can be played on a conventional US dvd player.

It seems that the old Europe/US video definitions - PAL and NTSC - are still used to differentiate dvd formats - is this correct? If so, which one of these do I then select VCD, SVCD, DVD (PAL and NTSC) from the list below (copied from the program specs) , or something else?

Any advice or help gratefully received!

AVI - Audio Video Interleave (including HD video)
(.avi, .divx, .xvid, .ivf, .div, etc )

    * DivX codec *
    * Xvid codec
    * H.264 codec
    * DV codec
    * Cinepak codec
    * Indeo codec
    * MJPEG codec
    * Uncompressed codec
    * MS MPEG-4 codec
    * and other

MPEG - Motion Picture Experts Group (including HD video)
(.mpg, .mpeg, .m1v, .mpe, .m2v, .dat, .ifo, .vob, .vro, .mg4, .mod, .mvv)

    * MPEG-1
    * MPEG-2
    * VCD, SVCD, DVD (PAL and NTSC)
    * VOB, VRO
    * MPEG-4

That is a good question George. Michael has sent me DVD's of live Joe recordings that he did and yet, they would not play on any of my DVD players at home. I've got fairly current players including a Sony upconvert player that converts regular DVDs to upgraded quality approaching HD. And yet, none of the recordings that he has made for me will play. Thanks to a friend who has a conversion program, I've been able to view some of them. Usually, I can view them on a PC with a DVD player, but it would be a lot nicer to sit on a couch and watch them on a wide screen TV.

Anyone that can help would be great!

Roy

That's true Martin, but finding a "region free" player is not the easiest thing to do. Also, do I go buy another DVD player (I have a few now) just to play the few DVDs I have that won't play on them? It would be nice to have a conversion program.

Roy

Thanks for that, John. To make it clear, this is my issue: I have a load of clips from youtube in their .flv format. I want to convert them to a format that will allow me to burn more than one or two onto a dvd that Cathy can just insert into her living room dvd player, not her computer!

I'll come back on this as she's not home and I'm still waiting to hear what file formats her machine will play. Some dvd players (and I think hers is one) will play all sorts of file types as long as they're on a dvd. Others will play only 'proper' shop-bought dvd's of the correct region for that player. If I remember correctly, Cathy's machine plays standard NTSC and some home made dvd's, though not all. She's going to look for her dvd handbook when she gets home.

So, a format like xvid would normally play on most 'standard' living room dvd players? Is PAL or NTSC important in this instance, or irrelevant?

Well, here's what I decided to do after talking with the tech building my new PC. The new PC that I ordered comes with a 250 Gig disk which even if I live to be 90 years old (another 5 years ) I probably will never fill up. I then will have a separate 250 USB Gig disk which I can backup to whenever. The extra cost is about $100.

Gosh John, not only are you a very good guitar player, but I can tell your a PC Wizard too!!

Roy

Martin,

I won't be backing up onto the same unit. I will have two separate disks each being 250 Gigs. One will be within the PC itself and the other will be a plug and play USB disk strictly used to backup my main drive; it will not be contained in the PC. I know for some people 250 Gigs is not enough, but my current disk is 80 Gigs and I'm not close to filling it up. So basically, I'm increasing my disk size by 4 times and yet will still have a separate area (disk) for backup of all files.

Roy

Ahh I used to love computers and technology that was until I started working in the business I wonder if working with guitars would kill my love for them as well :x

A 250gb drive is more than ample, try not to do back ups from windows though it sometimes can mss up, just do like for like copies of files. Its much easier and makes it easier to transfer between computers

Windows 7? We are already running it...have been for 3 months.  Some Vista components will actually be UN-installed. Cheap computers with Vista

Rock On & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! "
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here.  I mean, there are professionals in here.”