I love my MythTv Box...

I am trying to create DVDs from the mpeg 2 files recorded with my PVR-250, but want to sacrifice as little quality as possible. I have a samba share set up so that I transfer the files over to my XP box (with a dvd burner). I have tried using SONIC myDVD and I find that that program transodes the mpeg2 files into a fairly grainy, artifact laden stream. Does anyone have any recommendations for Windows software that will allow good quality DVD discs (playable on standard dvd players) with a menu?

Thanks!

well not sure about windows programs, but there are two programs for mythtv. mythburn scripts or something like that, which has a 20+ page thread on this forum, and nuv2disk, which is included in R5A9/10.

_________________
Have a question search the forum and have a look at the KnoppMythWiki.

Xsecrets

OK, time for some more heresy!

I am doing something very similar to you. I am using the ULEAD movieFactory 2.0 that came with the PVR-250.

The most important thing to avoid your problem is to record the videos in a format that does not require transcoding to begin with. That means something like

MPEG2
720x480
8000 Kbps (normal AND max)
MPEG II audio at sampled at 48000 with 384Kbps stream

You set these in the MythTV recording profiles.

Then transfer the file over the LAN with SAMBA to the Win PC.

Use Ulead MF to add the video to the project and set its recording parameters to match the recording on MythTV. Then check the button that says "do not convert compliant MPEG" or something like that.

Set up your project and burn the DVD ISO. You can tell its working in that it will relatively quickly convert the videos to DVD because it doesn't have to transcode. This should preserve as much quality as can be done.

I think. YMMV.

Thanks!

Andrew Lynch

PS, I am doing this right now to convert some home video tapes to DVD.

Thanks for the reply... I know it is Heresy as well... I almost feel ashamed to ask about windows tools here, but I do not have a dvd burner on my MythTv box yet, so the answer must be WinXP.

I will try this tonight.... I wonder how big recordings are going to be in that format? Also, I seem to have problems when I tried transcoding recordings to Divx (mpeg4) and attempting to burn them to dvd (watchable on a standard set top player) Any suggestions on that?

Thanks!

I've actually had good luck with the default recording profile on a PVR-250. Cut a DVD with mythburn or even a more primitive script, and they just work. I've made DVDs for several different people using this method and all report that they played just fine, as well as working in my player (low end Panasonic S27 which can be had for under $80). Modern players are actually quite tolerant of different formats.

For Windows XP, try the "TMPGEnc DVD Author". It's very straightforward and it doesn't resample the mpeg2 streams. Some menue templates are included for a quick 1-2-3 dvd creation, they look very nice and professional (in my opinion).

Drawback is, it costs 68$, but you can test drive it for 30 days.

Get it here: http://www.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/tda.html

The quality will be no better than the original analog signal that your pvr tuned. I think overall, this is where most of the distortion comes from. I've used the mythburn scripts and they seem to pretty much display just as good as my original recording. I use a 60" rear projection TV, so nothing gets hidden...

If you don't want to do menus and just burn the file to disk, I have found DVDSanta to be quite good.

Also for other info, try http://www.videohelp.com this has lots on info on doing what you are trying to achieve with tutorials, tool and the like.

If you don't have a burner on your mythbox, you can create the iso image using either mythtvburn or nuv2disk and copy it to your windows box for direct burning.

I've been using nuv2disk successfully for a few weeks now. Quality is as good as the original broadcast. I think there is a good wiki on it. If you have problems getting it to work, turn off cutlists. I tried mythtvburn, but had some problems. I didn't investigate them too far once I realized that using the web interface on a TV wasn't what I wanted. The menu building functionality looked nicer than nuv2disk though.

Allen

_________________
ASUS AT3N7A-I (Atom 330)
TBS 8922 PCI (DVB-S2)