Computer Savvy Ladies (or gents), I need DVD help...

[Kimberland30]

I am a computer idiot in recovery. My terminology might not be correct, so if I'm not explaining this right please let me know.

Two friends of ours video taped our wedding and reception. We have the original DVD's. One is burnt on a DVD-R by Memorex, the other on DVD-R by Verbatim (DataLifePlus).

I have Media Player and HP Movie Maker on my computer, but neither program will open the DVD's. My daugther has InterVideo Win DVD 4 player on her laptop and can only view the Verbatim DVD.

Somehow I'd like to open them so I can make copies for our families, maybe doing some editing using one of the programs on my computer (they are not copywrited DVD's, just taped by friends). I'd also like to see if I can create still pictures using the DVD's, as a lot of shots were missed of the wedding.

My questions:

Is there a way to reformat the DVD? Can I copy and re-record it to another one (a media CD perhaps)? How would I do this if my computer won't open them?

If and when I get my computer to open them, is there a way that I can make pictures from it?

If this is something I can't do myself, is there some type of service somewhere that can help me?

I appreciate any help anyone can give...I'm really hoping that this works so I can get copies and pictures made.

TIA!!!

[Kimberland30]

bumping

[MsPeachy]

Kim - I'm not familiar with the software programs you're using and I'm not sure why WinDVD will only play one and not the other of the 2 DVDs. However I just wanted to pass on to you that DVDs are read-only. Once the data has been encoded and burned to the DVD, you cannot change it. This may be why you're having trouble "opening" the DVDs with your software. You need to get the video on the DVD into an electronic format (a file) stored on your computer. Then you can edit, get stills, burn to a new DVD, etc.

Check to see if your software can transfer the video. Look for options like Get Video, import, rip, etc.

PS - You might be able to copy by creating an image but DVDs have different encoding formats than CDs so I'm not sure. Otherwise, you should be able to make copies by using a DVD recorder.

Sorry I wasn't more helpful - I only have experience using video on tapes or already in digital format.

[Kimberland30]

My computer has a DVD player and it still won't play. When I put the DVD in, it says something like D:\File not valid or something like that. Anyother DVD ROM we've been able to play and copy to our hard drive and mess with...except for the 2 most important ones.

My DD tried to import the video but that didn't work. :confused:

[MsPeachy]

I didn't think Windows Media Player played DVDs. I thought you had to have WinDVD to actually play the DVD.
Anyother DVD ROM we've been able to play and copy to our hard drive and mess with. This is what concerns me. If you have sucessfully done the same thing with a different DVD, then that would indicate a problem with something on the DVD itself. Does the DVD play normally in a regular DVD player? Oh - something else that might have bearing - how new is your DVDROM? Encoding/burning standards and/or versions may have changed since your DVDs were made.

I think my recommendation to you would be to find a place that copies DVDs and have them do yours, then use those new DVDs in your computer. Good luck!

[Kimberland30]

I think you're right that I'll have to get them copied.

My computer is 7 years old...I know...ancient!!! But it will play CD ROMs and videos. Well, I haven't tried a movie recently, but my DD has played her music videos that come on a CD on it.

Our regular DVD player that is hooked up to our TV set is also old. It plays movies, but neither of these two wedding DVD's.

[Kimberland30]

Well I called a video production company that duplicates DVD's and I won't be able to do what I want. Well, I can, but first I'll need to buy an external hard drive to hold the file, then I have to take in my two DVD's and have them download/reformat them to a MIDI file (or something like that). Then I can use my software (if it's compatible) to edit them into one and make pictures from it. It will cost me about $60 just to get the DVD reformatted. But it must be done if I want to get copies out to our families. The way they are set up now it won't work.

So first I need to check my computer and see if I have the right components for an exterior hard drive, then if my program will handle a MIDI file, and go from there.

UGH!!!!


Thank you MsPeachy for all your help, you definately pointed me in the right direction...and it even sounded like I knew what I was talking about when I was talking to the video guy! :)

[MsPeachy]

Well, I'm so glad you at least have a direction to go in. Did they offer any suggestions as to why the DVDs wouldn't even play - even in a DVD player?

Did they tell you what components you need for the external HD or specify/recommend the size you needed to hold the file? Most external storage devices (HDs) connect via USB or Firewire and you can get a 200 GB for about $150 or so. However, if they use USB v2.0 and your computer's USB ports are v1.0, transfer and file access speeds to this drive may be slow. You can buy a new USB card for about $30 though if you want to upgrade.

PS - I thought MIDI files were a sound file type? :confused:

[Kimberland30]

He told me that most older computers can only read a DVD+R disk, but the ones they are recorded on are DVD-R's. Our TV DVD player is really old, as is my computer, so that may be why. My daugthers laptop will play one of them but not the other. For the one that won't play, it could be the disk itself. But I have the original tape it was recorded on, and a VCR copy that they can transfer.

As for the external drive, he did say what I needed, but I left the papers at home. It was definately something around the range of 200 MB. I'll need to see if my computer has a USB2 port, and if not, he said that I could buy a card with like 3 USB2 ports and 2 USP1 ports relatively cheap. I know a few people that rebuild computers, so they might be able to hook me up. I'll be calling in favors this weekend. :)

I don't know if it was called a MIDI file now that I think about it. You know when you get a movie file (like a commercial) via email and play it? Whatever type of file that is is what they'll be formatting it to. He said that this type of file will allow me to view and play with it full page, and make photos from it.

Since you've been so helpful, maybe you'll know this...how do I go about seeing if I have a USB2 port? I have a couple ports in my computer, but no idea how to check. Also, how can I tell if a program will run a MIDI file (or whatever it's called)?

[MsPeachy]

Wow - something I actually know about! :)
how do I go about seeing if I have a USB2 port? I have a couple ports in my computer, but no idea how to check. USB2 means v2.0. Since your computer is so old, you likely only have v1.1 (I got my home PC in 2001 and it has v1.1).

You need a USB PCI card which will go in one of your expandable card slots (I hope you don't have a MAC b/c I know nothing about them!). I would recommend a card that has both USB2 and FireWire Ports since both standards are becoming more commonly used for attaching devices to PCs. For example, this card here has 3 USB2 slots and 2 FireWire slots
PCI Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815158013)
http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/15-158-013-01.JPG

Oh - and these USB2 cards are backwards compatible with USB v1.1 devices as well so you don't have to worry about losing functionality of things you may already have. These cards are usually plug and play so you don't have to configure or set up your computer to recognize them either.

Also, how can I tell if a program will run a MIDI file (or whatever it's called)? Once you determine the file type (MPEG, WMV, AVI, etc.) You can either search for the keyword "file types" in the software program's help menu or look for menu items like "Options" or "Set Up" or something and see if you can find anything under File Type. Oh - or you could look on the company's webpage for that software - usually they list what file types it supports.

[Kimberland30]

Thank you so much! Now that I know what I'm actually looking for, that will help. The guy on the phone yesterday mentioned FireWire, and I had no clue what he was talking about. ;)

I have a Gateway right now. We are going to get a Dell at Christmas - our present to eachother. I just have NO memory left on our computer....we can't even run the defrag because we only have 3% of memory. So is that going to be a problem once I start mixing the files?

My DD's laptop has about a million times more memory space than mine does, and she only uses about 10% of it. I'm wondering if it would be better to see if she has a USB2 port on her laptop. Do you know how I could check? It may well have a USB1 only, so I might just upgrade her laptop (if possible) instead of our computer since we'll be getting rid of it in a few months.

[MsPeachy]

Well, if you are going to buy a new computer, it will come with USB2.0 ports since no new PCs come with the old standard. However, if you buy a card and install it in your old computer, you can transfer it to your new and still have extra USB ports (I always seem to need more than I have)

Regarding the memory - I would imagine that the video files, etc. you would be working with would be stored, kept and updated all on the new external drive. However, such a limited amount of regular HD space may cause problems with the software as sometimes software programs will create temporary working files within their installed directory or your C:\temp

I'm wondering if it would be better to see if she has a USB2 port on her laptop. Do you know how I could check? Right click on the My Computer icon (either on desktop or from Windows Explorer) and select 'Properties' from the pop-up menu. You should see a tab that says 'Hardware'. Look for a button that says 'Device Manager'. Then look for 'Universal Serial Bus Controllers' - It may say USB2 there or right click and select properties. You should see something that says USB2 or 2.0.

Given your lack of existing HD space, your plan to purchase an all new PC soon and the fact you have another computer to use (laptop) you may want to consider this option if your DD's laptop doesn't have USB2.0 -

An USB2.0 PCMCIA card. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815158007)
http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/15-158-007-01.JPG

[Kimberland30]

Wow, you are such a BIG help, thank you! :) I'm at work now but when I get home I'll check it out. But you're right about having the extra ports. Right now we have our printer one one, and the scanner on another. Thankfully my printer has the digital camera card readers already in it, or that would be another thing plugged in.

What exactly is an external hard drive? I know enough that "C" is my main hard drive, right? So an external one is kinda like hooking up another "C" drive, but it's plugged in instead of being in my CPU?

Can items be stored on it - application files - and run while it's "plugged in"?

Besides my computer having a small memory capacity, we have a TON O' CRAP on it. Games, picture files, video clips, etc. I've been very vocal about not wanting to jam our new computer with stuff that we don't need. So would it be feasible to put that type of stuff on the external hard drive? Or would it be better to just put it on the C drive?

[MsPeachy]

This is an External Hard Drive.
Maxtor 200GB Ext. HD (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6971048&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat33200050002&id=1099386965391) - $299 @Best Buy
http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/6971/6971048_rc.jpg

People use them for additional storage and also for backups. It plugs into your computer via USB or Firewire (depending on the brand) and your computer "recognizes" it as such. It automatically assigns it to the next available drive letter. So if you have
A:\ - floppy drive
C:\ - Primary Hard Drive
D:\ - CD/DVD ROM

Then your external hard drive will be E:\
When you 'Save As' select E:\(foldername) and it gets stored there. Typically applications must be installed on the C:\ drive for access to system files and such. However, I do not know if this has changed but I would go on the assumption that applications need to run from C:
NOTE: This does not mean that files you create with the application must be stored on C. For example, Microsoft Word is installed on C:\ but I can open, edit, create Word documents stored on E:\

Also, the nice thing about having things like picture files, movies, documents, etc. stored on the external drive is that when you do get the new computer, you just need to plug the external drive into the new machine and Bam - all your stuff is right there. You don't need to transfer anything.

[Kimberland30]

Ahhhh-ha! Which will also save our memory problem, no? Having an external drive will allow us to save more documents to it, like pictures and such. That is too cool! :) I get what you are saying about applications having to stay on the C drive...that's where Windows and the Program Files are kept anyway, so that makes sense.

Again, thanks for everything. I know who to turn to if I ever have a computer issue!

[MsPeachy]

You're welcome! I'm a semi-geek and glad to be of help! :D Also, it just so happens that recently I was looking into both the external HDs (for additional storage and backup) as well as the USB2.0 cards since my computer is old and still running v1.1!