How do I transfer recordings from my DVD player to my laptop?

Hi

I have lots of recordings that I want to put online.

They are stored on my DVD/HDD recorder and several DVD-RW discs, but because they were recorded in 'Edit' mode, they aren't compatible with my laptop (which is a different make to the recorder). When I put the DVDs into the laptop, they just appear blank.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

(12-02-2012 01:36 )cmiller Wrote:  They are stored on my DVD/HDD recorder and several DVD-RW discs, but because they were recorded in 'Edit' mode, they aren't compatible with my laptop (which is a different make to the recorder). When I put the DVDs into the laptop, they just appear blank.

I presume the implication of you recording them in edit mode is that the DVDs haven't been "finalised". If this is the case, then in order to be able to play them on other machines (i.e. your laptop), they need to be finalised. Your DVD/HDD user manual should provide info on this - you should be able to put each of the DVDs into your recorder and finalise them.

If you can't find out how to do this, or this isn't the issue, another alternative is to put each of the DVDs into your DVD/HDD recorder and see whether your recorder has a facility whereby you can transfer the DVD contents to the HD of your DVD player (mine has this ability). Then once transferred, you can reburn them back to DVD in a mode which your laptop can play (making sure you don't burn them in edit mode and that you finalise them).

LOL i just sent him a PM telling him to ask skateguy

(12-02-2012 02:02 )skateguy Wrote:  I presume the implication of you recording them in edit mode is that the DVDs haven't been "finalised". If this is the case, then in order to be able to play them on other machines (i.e. your laptop), they need to be finalised.

i really hope i haven't been this stupid................

yes, i forgot to finalise the discs.

thanks again, Skateguy!

is there an easy way to reduce the size of the recordings so they're easier to upload?

grab yourself some dvd to avi software

(13-02-2012 01:15 )cmiller Wrote:  yes, i forgot to finalise the discs.

thanks again, Skateguy!

is there an easy way to reduce the size of the recordings so they're easier to upload?

There are 3 ways.
1) convert them to another format such as .mp4 with h264 codec
2) reduce the physical size of the picture (less pixels) to something smaller keeping the same aspect ratio
3) crop off some of the picture containing OSG etc.
Avidemux can do all of these things. See the tutorial here
http://www.babeshows.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=26385
A small reduction in file size can also be made by removing any sound or converting the sound to 64bps mono mp3 format. Avidemux can do this as well.

.... and while we're at it How Do I Upload Pics and Videos to my posts????

I cant exactly ask my 12 year old son!!!!

I use a programme called magic DVD Ripper.
It's perfect for uploading my DVD recordings, ready for editing in Movie Maker, before uploading to Dailymotion & finally, embedding it here. Phew!

I use VirtualDub to edit all my video's. If you get the Mpeg2 plugin for it, it allows you to edit Vob files directly.