Sony introduces first computer Blu-Ray recorder

[Cholly]

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,126462,tk,nl_dnxnws,00.asp

[DonLandis]

Looking forward to this. Most likely, I'll be going with the format that can record HD programming since I also shoot HDV now and have a need for recording my programs with a consumer HDTV format. I will be seriously looking at a recorder drive in 2007.

[Chris Blount]

Looking forward to this. Most likely, I'll be going with the format that can record HD programming since I also shoot HDV now and have a need for recording my programs with a consumer HDTV format. I will be seriously looking at a recorder drive in 2007.Actually it's pretty easy to do that now. I'm transferring my HDV footage from my Sony Hi-Def camcorder to a regular Dual layered DVD-R that will play back on a HD-DVD player. Works fine. Can fit about 40 minutes of Hi-Def video on one disc.

[DonLandis]

Chris- what format is the DVD using? ie how do you make the file set to author the HD DVD? Are you really getting HD 1080i on the DVD that is played at full def or is it just downconverted to widescreen DVD res at 720x480p? 40 minutes is a bit short for my projects I have but I'm interested in details to do something that is compatible for that player too. I had heard of people doing wm9 HD conversion and then playing on a computer but you describe a real DVD STB procedure, I think.


I have my daughter's wedding video I shot in HDV and want to put on an HDTV distribution media. The length could be over 2 hours in all content for one DVD.
Two other projects I did were stage performances that are 65 minutes and 88 minutes long. Thenm I have my vacation videos that are all between 1 and two hours. the 40 minute limit is livable but not favored.

[Bogy]

Well, I'm definitely NOT going to buy something that only can write at a 2x speed. The cost is NOT the reason I won't be buying it, it's the speed. :lol:
The cost and speed should intersect at a point where I can justify buying one. :)

[Chris Blount]

The disc is formatted for HD-DVD and is full 1080i.

It's a little bit tricky. I use a program called Ulead Movie Factory 5. It will create the HD-DVD files necessary to burn to the disc. To do the actual burn, I use Nero 6. Here is the exact procedure that I use. This is a slightly modified version from someone who posted the procedure over at AVS.


STEP 1- Open Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5

STEP 2- Select "NEW" project.

STEP 3 - Select "HD DVD"

STEP 4 - Capture HDV from camcorder

STEP 5 - Select "Add Media" and find the video you just captured.

STEP 6 - Select "NEXT" and set-up your menu if desired

STEP 7- Select "NEXT" then select "Create HD DVD Folders" check box. Make sure you know where the folder will be saved. When this is completed go to step 8

STEP 8- Open up Nero 6.6 and select Nero Burning Rom. Select DVD-Video from left menu. Next, click the "NEW" box.

STEP 9- The left half of the next screen is your new DVD, the right half is you files. Find the HDDVD_TS folder you created in step 7 from the right side and drag it over to the left (Your new HD DVD). Notice that the option to burn the DVD is ghosted, preventing you from creating the new HD DVD...no problem, lets go to step 10.

STEP 10- Go to your desktop and create a new text file. To do this right click on the desktop and select NEW. Then select TEXT DOCUMENT. Now right click this file and select "rename". Rename the file "VIDEO_TS.VOB" and drag it into to Nero screen. You need to drop it into the folder "VIDEO_TS" (it has the red folder icon).

STEP 11- Burn the DVD


Like I said, dual layer will hold about 40 minutes. Single layer about 20.

I believe you can still download the trial version of Movie Factory 5 so you can try the procedure first. Otherwise, the program is $50.

[DonLandis]

Thanks Chris. Is there a way to control the compression rate for HD-DVD in Ulead, product or is that fixed for HD files?

[Chris Blount]

Thanks Chris. Is there a way to control the compression rate for HD-DVD in Ulead, product or is that fixed for HD files?Yes but it greatly extends the rendering time and the disc may or may not play correctly. You will just have to play around with it and be sure to have a few DVD-RW's on hand for testing.