Win7 MediaCenter

[WA9FCL]

I am having a problem with pre-recorded long length TV program created via MediaCenter and Hauppauge USB tuner. No problem recording the
program to pc hard drive, but run into problems trying to create DVD because file is too large for 4.7GB DVD. I do not see a method in MediaCenter to create multiple stringed DVD's from the large 3HR program. Don't know how to get around this problem other then possibly dividing
the initial recording sessions into smaller separate initial steps. Don't know if that is even possible. The recording initially is started by clicking on the wanted TV schedule which selects the entire length of program and then option record. Guess I am looking for a method to split up the initial recorded file into 2 or 3 separate files before transferring to DVD. The reason I am trying to create DVD's of program(football) is to send them to my son in the Navy on ship. He has facilities to view DVD's on player hooked to a TV, but no over the air or internet method on his particular ship.
-Ernie-

[KA9JLM]

You could use a 2 layer DVD or decrease the record quality.

[K6ABZ]

In the past, I've used Nero to burn DVD's from recorded TV shows. When the Battlestar Galactica miniseries showed for the first time on the SciFi channel, I spent quite a bit of time cleaning it up, cutting out commercials, setting chapter breaks, and splicing it to fit 2 DVD's.

however, you can also just set timed chapter stops; the mastering tool will quite happily split a video file in to multiple discs and then put in chapter breaks every n minutes.

[WA9FCL]

Thanks for the updates guys. Don, I have tried the lower quality option w/o success. As far as 2 layer DVD, I'm not sure that my son's setup would be able to playback. I am going to try K6ABZ's suggestion on Nero. I have a 7 Ultra Edition of it that I never opened the box. It does not say Win7, but I am making a system image of of laptop and will try installing it anyhow. I will update on results here. -Ernie-

[WA9FCL]

Well, Windows 7 gave me ample warning on compatability issues with that version of Nero and Win7. It linked me to a Nero site which stated that Version 11 should be used. I will trot down to Best Buy and see if they have it. -Ernie-

[VA3CSS]

As far as 2 layer DVD, I'm not sure that my son's setup would be able to playback.

It has to. That's the DVD standard.

A DVD player has to be able to read both single and dual layer DVDs, as per spec.

It'll even cost less than Nero v11, and take less time than asking Nero v11 to compress your recording down.

[KA9JLM]

The 2 layer Blank Media is still a bit pricy.

I agree that 2 layer is the normal DVD and should work on any dvd player. But not all burners can burn them.

Seems like 4 hours would be no problem, I put that much on a single layer DVD, But it is not HD quality.

Recording sport events and making copies may cause problems , with the new copyright software on the new Media OSs. Distribution is Prohibited on some programing.

Nero is good, but there are some others available. DVD Shrink was popular in the older days and was free.

[VA3CSS]

I agree that 2 layer is the normal DVD and should work on any dvd player. But not all burners can burn them.

I haven't seen any burners that don't in the last eight years.

But then, I stray away from the "no name" brands that end up the cheapest one on the block.

[WA9FCL]

Well, I have purchased Nero 11 online and downloaded it. Was a little expensive, but it seems to be quite versatile. I have used it to 'squeeze' a 3 hour program to DVD without problems. Of course the DVD was less quality (average) then the original recording. I have successfully played the newly made DVD's in my entertainment center and the quality is very pleasing. The whole process seems to run fairly fast, about an hour. I have not done any editing yet, ie. remove advertising, but that all appears to be workable. I appreciate all of the suggestions and warnings given. Thanks again. -Ernie-

[AF6LJ]

There are a couple of things you have to do.
Home DVD players don't like long chapters or no chapters on a disk.
There is another issue too many chapters, as I remember you can only have 127 chapters on a disk and you need more than two or three.
That software will identify scene breaks which can be3 used to remove most but not all commercials.
I have done my fair share of this over the years. I have also done the BSG miniseries , but decided just to buy the DVDs.

I hope you are using a computer with at least four gigs of ram and a dual core processor, otherwise things are going to be slow going.