Copying from PC to DVD and playing on TV - and it doesn't work...HELP!!!  

I don't know a thing about AVI - I just follow the prompt directions on the screen! I would like them to be at least an hour per DVD. I don't (that I know of) do anything to "finalize" the DVD when I copy it...it doesn't mention/ask me to or not to do that so I don't know on that one either.

I have heard that the age of the TV and/or DVD player could be at issue...but then again, everyone doesn't replace theirs every year or so - I've had mine for at least 8 years for the TV and 3 for the DVD Player.

THen I have to wonder, even if I could get it to work, how long before they are out dated? I say whoever thought of this should be slapped! We should have stuck to VHS - quick, easy and playable EVERYWHERE!!!

What is Nero and how do I find it?

nero is an audio, video and data cd and dvd burning software. wherein you can put all your stuff in a cd or dvd from a pc.
you can manage all your audio, video, photos and tv contents.
its very good burning software.

Well you have said it in a way I can understand, so pat yourself on the back as that is not an easy feat to obtain! Thanks for your help.

I was using the software that came with the Sony camera - Picture Motion Browser nad the import program. I see my files are .mpeg. I did sucessfully copy one to a DVD+RW and it played on one tv I have nut not the other one

My problem is that I want to make copies for the family (these are family movies I am doing) and from what you say I have to ask each person to see what kind of DVD their tv/dvd player accepts and then buy that kind of DVD? Surely not! I could have literally every style available! Am I missing something or is this correct?

And is it the tv or the dvd player that has to accept the dvd?

So I believe I need another software program...these you mention..where do I find them? Store or online? Free or price? I'd prefer free, but will pay if I have to!

Which will accomodate my ultimate goal of copying/burning my movies to a DVD (or should I be using a CD? I thought those were for still pictures nad DVD was for motion) and that DVD be "universal" to my familys TV's!! I can't do to PC's as not everyone in my family has one!

Good grief, I should have stayed with VHS nad just bought up a bunch of players to "keep on hand". I have a camera of that and I just copy the tapes over and over nad hand them out and everyone can play them!

--'I was using the software that came with the Sony camera - Picture Motion Browser nad the import program. I see my files are .mpeg. I did sucessfully copy one to a DVD+RW and it played on one tv I have nut not the other one'--

Hmm. From what it sounds like here you were able to get it to play on one tv/dvd but not the other? Then it seems like I was correct. The other tv might not be able to read the RW but the first one can.

--'My problem is that I want to make copies for the family (these are family movies I am doing) and from what you say I have to ask each person to see what kind of DVD their tv/dvd player accepts and then buy that kind of DVD? Surely not! I could have literally every style available! Am I missing something or is this correct?'--

That is actually correct because not all DVD players are made equal. One sure bet you can make is using "-R" type DVDs since thats the older one and more players are designed for that.

To make it easier to see, here's in plain sight statistics on the matter Coffee
http://www.videohelp.com/dvd

On the plus side, most in the market and owned DVD players can accomodate -R or +R.

"And is it the tv or the dvd player that has to accept the dvd?"

The DVD player is usually the culprit if it can't read the disc. Usually if the TV has problems with the DVD format usually it'll come up as a visual problem (distortions, lesser quality). Any burned DVD has to match what the DVD player will play (it'll usually be -R or +R or both, but later and later models feature -RW, +RW, RAM).

--"So I believe I need another software program...these you mention..where do I find them? Store or online? Free or price? I'd prefer free, but will pay if I have to!"--

Most DVD recorder programs have a price, especially the reliable ones. I mentioned Xilisoft, Nero and DVDit, there is also Ulead and Adobe Premiere. You can find any of them at a computer store or online.

Here is a shop-price listing for Adobe Premiere Elements which should be a good choice for the project
http://www.google.com/pro...

And here is price listing for Ulead another fair choice with less price
http://www.google.com/products?q=ulead&hl=en

--'Which will accomodate my ultimate goal of copying/burning my movies to a DVD (or should I be using a CD? I thought those were for still pictures nad DVD was for motion) and that DVD be "universal" to my familys TV's!! I can't do to PC's as not everyone in my family has one!'--

You should only use a CD if you decide to just write the computer files to the disk (just like if you were sharing documents or photos). Depending on the size of your videos however it might not fit a CD.

--'Good grief, I should have stayed with VHS nad just bought up a bunch of players to "keep on hand". I have a camera of that and I just copy the tapes over and over nad hand them out and everyone can play them!'---

And thus goes a problem of technology. I'm still thinking of that onion clip. With the technology comes more difficulty in making things talk to each other, and more importantly work! Its getting better though, but in some cases better has to be worked for (or asked for in the assistance of friends).

-R - that might be the key!! If I get DVD-R it might fit all, but then....once a dvd player is updated/replaced....since the -R is the oldest...will a new DVD player accept an old -R disk?

You have been so much help. Thanks so much. I am looking forward to working on this come Thursday!!!

And I will look into thos programs. Adobe I know so I will probably favor that one. I didn't see the thing about the onion

programmer - heres' a question that haunts me....what kind of DVd do they use to burn movies to so that when we rent one at BlockBuster...that DVD plays on literally every single DVD player out there?

--"-R - that might be the key!! If I get DVD-R it might fit all, but then....once a dvd player is updated/replaced....since the -R is the oldest...will a new DVD player accept an old -R disk?"--

Most new players accept the -R format, but you should always double check the box or specifications(especially when shopping online). And for some good news, you can also copy the old -R disc to a +R disc usually without trouble.

--"You have been so much help. Thanks so much. I am looking forward to working on this come Thursday!!!"--

No problem.

---"And I will look into thos programs. Adobe I know so I will probably favor that one."---

Be sure to check carefully but yes Adobe Elements seems like a good choice. Nero 9 hasn't been all that great to most reviewers.

"I didn't see the thing about the onion"
Its on the video website and actually I found one about spam as a bonus

Sony releases next thing that doesn't work:
(Parental advisory due to language: I have warned the public)
http://www.theonion.com/c...

Spam one (Again, mature audiences)
http://www.theonion.com/c...


--"programmer - heres' a question that haunts me....what kind of DVd do they use to burn movies to so that when we rent one at BlockBuster...that DVD plays on literally every single DVD player out there?"--

Its most likely -R format DVDs but the quality type dvds built proper to ensure maximum compatability.

If you want more reading on it, here it is. It highlights differences in DVD types and also the compatability of dvds made by various media producing companies.
http://dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html

theprogramer - do you know the difference between DVD-R and DVD-RW?

Forget that! I forgot to read the link you sent of the plain explanations first! And yes, that is totally plaina to understand and if I can understand it, anyone can! Thanks so much for that. I printed it out! I think with your help I have solved my problem! I just have to get those kinds of DVD's and give it a try and see if it is sucessful! I thank you and my children and grand children thank you! I'll let you know how it works!

theprogramer - IT worked! It worked!! The DVD-RW worked on BOTH my tv's! I will send it home with one of my kids and see if it works on theirs but at least I have half the problem solved!!

But....how do I control how many mintues I can put on the disk? It holds 4 hours...so do I just add up the minutes on the video clips until I have 240 minutes and drop it by a few for "just in case" kind of thing?