How to create your own DVD video

How to create your own DVD video

Gatot Susetyo
Contributor
Jakarta

Most DVD players recreate excellent video performances, far
exceeding the capabilities of TV or cable TV for that matter. In
the past, recording a picture with the same quality as a DVD
video was almost impossible. That all changed with the
introduction of a media software called DVD-R (DVD recordable)
and DVD-RW (DVD rewriteable).

So if you have DVD-R or DVD-RW -- in the form of a 12-inch
disc, a DVD recorder, and other audio-video sources, such as TV
and a handycam, you can record your own DVD video performance.

The DVD video recorder is a recorder which is used to record
or copy DVD content -- the data, music or film -- onto DVD-R/W
media. Some manufacturers, such as Philips, Pioneer and
Panasonic, have released their DVD video recorders, which are
able to record video performances onto DVD-R discs.

The DVD video recorder can record data on the available space
throughout the rest of the disc for about two hours. With some
recorders, the length of the recording can be as long as six
hours. So, it is possible for us to use the disc's recording
capacity efficiently and record with optimum picture quality.

The results are unimaginable thanks to the use of the advanced
MPEG2 encoding technology. This technology can accurately
reproduce the images and sound from its original source.

What are some sources for filling DVD-R/W discs? You can
record your favorite TV shows and other programs, movies -- even
sports programs for your own play-by-play enjoyment.

Some recorders are equipped with an Index Picture Screen -- a
DVD menu that provides instant access to your recordings, and
enables you to view the entire contents of the discs on the TV
screen.

But one of the most interesting features is the ability to
connect your video cassette recorder (VCR) or camcorder to the
DVD recorder and your video will be preserved in digital format
forever. You can even edit recordings easily, with no need for
extra software or hardware. That's right, this recorder can
replace the VCRs' better digital recording technology, while
allowing you to record or transfer videos from your handycam or
VCR to DVD discs. The DVDs you record on it will play on nearly
all DVD players using the DVD-R or DVD-RW disc. All you have to
do is connect your analog or digital handycam to a DVD recorder
and your video will be preserved in digital format. Recordings
can also be played back on a PC if it is equipped with a DVD-rom
drive.

The ability to write CD-R and CD-RW discs with a DVD-video
format is an important feature, but be aware, however, that not
all DVD players will read DVD-video formatted CD-R or CD-RW
discs. A CD-R/W label will have to be displayed in front of the
players front panel if the player is capable to play a CD-R/W
formatted disc. Bear in mind that all commercial movie discs are
copyright protected, with the primary method used by DVD video
discs to prevent unauthorized digital copying being the Content
Scrambling System (CSS).