Converting

[TechGuy]

I need to convert some VCD's to DVD. Is there a way I can do this?

[Gene]

VCDs are a lot like DVDs in format, but usually lower resolution (and recorded on CD media instead of DVD media, of course). Depending on the resolution, converting will likely cause a resampling of the video, which may or may not give great results. Given that most newer DVD players and all computers with CD drives and the correct software will play them, are you sure you need to convert them? Given the whole DVD+R vs. DVD-R, I've actually had slightly better luck with VCDs and playability than DVDs.

If you do, you may be able to just copy the .DAT files off the VCD (in the MPEGAV directory), rename them to .MPG, then create a DVD with those using Nero or whatever DVD creation software you have.

[Robert Adams]

This article may help you...

[Gene]

Interesting tidbit in the article:

Do not skip ISO Buster and merely copy and rename the DAT files! While simply copying the .DAT files to your hard drive and renaming to .MPG may sometimes work, this is not the proper method. The .DAT file contains more data than simple MPEG information, and the reason ISO Buster is needed to filter it out. Drawbacks of doing this include distorted video and uncooperative DVD authoring.

[TechGuy]

I need to convert them so I can play them though EasyWorship

[Gene]

In that case, the easiest thing to try first is copy the .DAT files to the EasyWorship computer, rename them to .MPG, and see if EasyWorship plays them acceptably. As the note in that article says, it does work sometimes to just rename, even if it's not the "right" solution. I was able to do it with a VCD I'd made; my media player handled the renamed files with no problems.

[TechGuy]

Originally Posted by Gene

In that case, the easiest thing to try first is copy the .DAT files to the EasyWorship computer, rename them to .MPG, and see if EasyWorship plays them acceptably. As the note in that article says, it does work sometimes to just rename, even if it's not the "right" solution. I was able to do it with a VCD I'd made; my media player handled the renamed files with no problems.

Ok, can you give me a step by step process to do the renameing?

[[Admin] danroth]

Originally Posted by TechGuy

Ok, can you give me a step by step process to do the renameing?

it's real simple (assuming you know how to use Windows Explorer)...

right-click on "filename.dat"
change it to "filename.mpg"

Ta da! You're done.

[TechGuy]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

[Ervin Farkas]

Renaming might be tricky if you don't have Windows enabled to show the extension! In that case go to your control panel > Folder Options > View and de-select the option "hide extensions for known file types".

[TechGuy]

Originally Posted by Ervin Farkas

Renaming might be tricky if you don't have Windows enabled to show the extension! In that case go to your control panel > Folder Options > View and de-select the option "hide extensions for known file types".

Thanks I tried to do that last night at church and couldn't change the file extension.

[TechGuy]

I copied the .dat files from the two VCD'S and renamed them to .mpg and the play fine in EasyWorship.