Jerrie,

I have been recently treading down this same minefield of trying to
get usable digital files from video DVD's on my Mac - and your options
get really limited on this if you are on a Mac. I did buy an off the
shelf video converter (Plextor ConvertX DVR for Macintosh Computers
(Model PX-TV402U-NA/MAC) that gave me digital files of mediocre
quality because it is very dependant on the source deck for playback.
So I was faced with buying a new and much more expensive DVD player -
so I looked again for alternatives.

Then I found a source of free software on the web that works amazingly
well and works with your dragging a video file from the DVD that you
put in your computer and allows you to convert it into any of the
digital video formats available (even for ipods!).

This software has downloads for both PC's and Mac's - it is called
StreamClip and can be found at:

www.squared5.com

I have been experimenting with this for almost a month now to be able
to produce really good qaulity digital video files that will play
without skipping, jumping, or with stalls. It takes alot of trial and
error to find what works best. If any of you out there want to try
this contact me off the list and I'll send you the "recipie" that
works for me - just be concsious that that may only be a starting
point for your needs.

The nice thing about this free software is that it allows you to enter
in and out points to define just the section you want to convert - so
you don't spend time (and computer memory on things you don't need) -
and often that simple edit will be all that you need.

I then can either edit the digital files in Final Cut Express, IMovie,
or Quicktime Pro, and can burn them using Titanium Toast.

But I'm on a Mac - so there are probably a whole other universe of
options for you folks on PC's.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California  USA



On 6/11/07, Jerrie Clarke <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> We are in the research phase of purchasing software that will enable us to
> transfer our oral histories that are presently on audio and video cassettes
> to DVD.  Adobe Pro and Adobe Edition have both been recommended to us.  Is
> there a different software that is being used successfully?  Or, can someone
> give one or both of the Adobe programs a good review?
>
> Thanks for the input.
> Jerrie
>
>
> Jerrie Clarke
> Director
> Sheldon Museum
> PO Box 269
> Haines, AK 99827
> (907) 766-2366
> fax: (907) 766-2368
> www.sheldonmuseum.org
>
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