Need help with Nero 7.11 and a short mp4 video clip, as well as AVS Creator.

Hi nickg5, yes I understand, unfortunately once the trial has run out you need to pay for the mpeg plugin, this the codec that allows you burn video cd or DVD Video using Nero burning rom. Updating it wont help sorry.
All you can do is buy the Nero 7 ultimate boxed version or re-download a trial then buy
this the one I use on Windows 7.
http://www.amazon.com/Nero-7-Ultra-OLD-VERSION/dp/B000BCGFCO

However not all is lost.
You have windows live moviemaker? yes no?
It is actually brilliant.
Burns to dvd with excellent internal tools for creating menus.
It also supports mp4.
I'm on windows 7  and have done this successfully
I provided some screenshots on the steps scroll to the bottom
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/26691652/Making-a-DVD-using-Windows-Live-Movie-Maker.html
regards Merete

I'll just answer your concerns, but do note you wont be able to make dvd video with trials or expired lisenses in Nero.
The AVS will probably allow you to sample it only.
You mention these>
I can drag the file all day long on my desktop, but can not drag it into the Nero window.
With Nero you open Nero smart start then open>> Nero Vision>then make a movie>dvd video
this opens to a working panel where you drag and drop your clip onto the side panel,projects, then drag it down onto the video time line.

Where do thes files need to be stored so the Nero, or the AVS, can find it?<< anywhere, now that you understand how to drag and drop.
It is in the selecting the right tool for the right job, data discs dvd video vcd audio discs all differ and use different tools within the main program.

I have not used avs editor or any avs products but the method is the same.
I have heard good results about it though.
here's the guides
http://videoguides.avs4you.com/index.aspx
http://www.avs4you.com/AVS-Disc-Creator.aspx

let me clarify, as this has been confusing in previous questions.
I have Vista not Windows 7, so what you see and what I see, may not be the same thing.

I have Office 2007 and it has Wiondows Picture Maker.
I can install the CD again and see if it has the live Movie Maker.

I did try ConvetXtoDVD. It allowed the file to be dragged into the window.
It worked fine except the DVD won't play on my table to DVD player (TV). It plays 15 seconds (on the display) and then goes back to zero and starts over. Also, there is no video or audio, so when they say the DVD should play on all DVD players they are wrong. Also their name is in the middle of the video window so you have to get a "key" to unlock it and it is a trial as well. So, this is no good, but at least, the file was able to be dragged.

So, back to Nero and possibly Windows Movie Maker.

>>> Let me see if I have the movie maker. <<<

So, really, there "are no free DVD burning software out there", even though other forums and yaoo answers all recommend some, but when you get there, they are all trials. Maybe these people are "advertising" for those products for income. Ha.

I heard this:
A standalone DVD player will not play mp4 files.
Convert the mp4 to DVD movie format

true or partially true?

My single video was a flv and I converted it to mp4.

Is there an acronym for DVD movie format?

I'll check my Office 2007 disc for the Movie Maker and get back later today.

I am not seeing any indication that Windows Live Movie Maker is a part of my
Windows Office, Home, and Student 2007.

I do have Windows Picture Maker.

Do you have Vista Business?

I have Vista Home Basic 2007, 32 bit, with service pack 2.

I have Windows Movie Maker, 2007, version 6.0.6002.18273
Version 6 (Build 6002: service pack 2)

I used ConvertXtoDVD for one experiment.
It did 4 steps.
1. it converted but it never said "what" it was converting to.
2. then it burned.
3. then something I think was called "root menu." (?)
4. finalizing - this make take 5 minutes (it took less time than that)

The one thing it did not tell me, was the size of the file I had, or how much space it was taking up. Since my blank media is 5-6 years old, it is DVD+R.
They are junk and I have 10 so I will use them to experiment.

When I used Nero years ago for music, I remember nice features.
You could arrange the play list any way you wanted, it told you the size of each so you would know how many tracks per disc.

So, I have Windows Movie Maker, so forget ConvertX.

Let me look over WLMM and the above links, today and tomorrow, and maybe try to burn a disc.

I'd say you successsfully made a DVD using  ConvertXtoDVD by the steps you mention.
I'd never use old media as the mirror tends to go bad causing a failed burn.
It's possible your DVD set top player doesnt support  this DVD+r
Try using a DVD-r
I have always used DVD-r for authoring DVD Video and general things simply because it seems to be the most suitable for this type of media and so far I have very rarely experienced a Fail. And I have burnt well into 1000 or more DVD over the years.
I also found DVD+r had to be formatted first.
I use Verbatim  first up otherwise >TDK or Sony, on the front of disc is written X4 or x8 and that is the burn speed recomended for DVD Video.
Nero 7 still has the nice features but I must say Windows Live Moviemaker was a pleasant surprise and it's free with windows.
Please ensure you have windows media player installed, WLMM needs it.
If you go that way.
Have fun
Merete

Try using a DVD-r

Well, that is not good news.
I have a DVD recorder, brand new, still in the box, never opened from 5-6 years ago.
It is DVD+R/RW and was bought so I could move my VHS tapes to DVD.
It came with a small pack of 10 blank DVD+R.

So, that DVD recorder is somewhat junk-trash.......and I should buy a new one for DVD-r.
I did not know DVD-R from DVD+R at the time.

These 10 blank media are 4X (good ?)
4.7GB, 120 minutes, (standard ?)
DVD+r (not good ?)

I'll play around with WLMM and get back with any other questions. Thanks.
You are in the top 5 EE members that I have encountered (no offense to the 100's that have never aswered any of my questions of course) for "detail."

The mp4 video clip on my desktop has VLC as the default player.
I changed that to WMP. I got a mesage saying WMP did not recognize the format. I was given the option of continuing which I did. The video clip started to play in WMP but audio only, no video.

I opened WLMM and put the file, still mp4, in the timeline at the bottom.

I went here:
http://www.windows-vista-tips-and-tricks.com/vista-movie-maker.html
and checked all settings under tools, everything is fine.

But it says mp4 is not compatible with WLMM.

I went ahead and clicked on auto-movie, to see what happens. It noted several reasons it failed, and one is the file format.

As I understand it from one source, only mpeg2 will play on any DVD player, anywhere (car, home, computer).

So, I need a file coverter.
Or, I need to download codecs for WMP.

Here is information I got a few weeks ago:
DVD movies (AKA DVD Video) are mpeg2 files that are DVD movie compliant.
The files must be authored into a VIDEO_TS folder that contains .IFO .BUP and .VOB files (the VOB files are the mpeg2 files).
AVStoDVD is freeware.
There are no restrictions to it's use.

So, this "authoring" of files sounds sketchy.
Where does the VIDEO_TS folder come from?
How do .IFO or .BUP fit into the picture, if the files I need for any player is mpeg2 which are .VOB?

Thanks.

Multimedia is my passion nickg5 and I love sharing what I know so that you don't have to struggle through the trial and errors like I did.
Ok you cleared one thing up, since your DVD writer is DVD+rw then the DVD+r indeed are the right discs.
So we can rule out any problems there..
You can relax now lol.
ok
mp4 was not native to wmp in the older versions but it should play them in WMP 11 and 12.
You may need some codecs.
Using my WLMM mpeg 4 drops on just fine.
My WMP 12 plays it fine

You're using Windows moviemaker in Vista? yes no?
 it's not the same as Windows Live Moviemaker nickg5.
The page is for windows moviemaker not windows live.
So if you are using WMM I'll have to go over to my XP machine and take a look at windows moviemaker.

looking at the Vista WMM tips page did you see no mp4 listed it's not supported?.>>
You can work with all kinds of video files, music files and image files. The following formats are compatible with Windows Vista Movie Maker:
•Video files: .asf, .avi, .m1v, .mp2, .mp2v, .mpe, .mpeg, .mpg, .mpv2, .wm, .wmv and dvr-ms.
•image files: .bmp, .dib, .emf, .gif, .jfif, .jpe, .jpg, .png, .tif, .tiff and .wmf.
•Audi files: .aif, .aifc, .aiff, .sf, .au, .mp2, .mp3, .mpa, .snd, .wav and .wma.
I'll give you a picture.
Before we continue could you test your mp4 for me. download Gspot drag and drop your mp4 on and Gspot will analyse the codecs used it will report if you have the codecs required for this is installed on your system so we can determin why windows media player doesnt have audio.
More than likely the audio in the mp4 is a codec you dont have.
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/GSpot
screenshot of my windows media player 12 playing the mp4/mpeg4
screenshot of my WLMM with the same mpeg4 on, that's windows live moviemaker not windows moviemaker.
and the 3rd
snapshot of the same mp4 /mpeg4 on Gspot, see the codecs used in the audio

I'll test this same  mp4 on my xp machine in windows movie maker and see if it runs in that there.
No it does not, Windows movimaker states it's not suported even though I imported as All Files.
So on that windows moviemaker in XP and Vista does not support mp4.
Use Windows Live moviemaker or you have to convert it.

wmp-12.JPG
windows-live-moviemaker-with-mp4.jpg
same-mp4-on-Gspot.jpg

AVStoDVD looks like it's free, I have never used it.
Also avs to DVD indicates it converts avi to dvd. Doesnt mention mp4. / mpeg4
It also states works on Operating System
All 32-bit MS Windows (95/98/NT/2000/XP)<< no mention of Vista or windows 7
You'd need to install a few tools by th elooks of it, reminds me of the old way.

I have tested DVDflick for another question it's also free and seems simple enough to use.
Also more importantly it runs in Vista and windows 7 supports mp4, also I can walk you through it.
http://www.dvdflick.net/features.php
guide to take a peek.
http://www.dvdflick.net/guide/index_en.html

In refs to>So, this "authoring" of files sounds sketchy.
Where does the VIDEO_TS folder come from?
How do .IFO or .BUP fit into the picture, if the files I need for any player is mpeg2 which are .VOB?

I think I have already explained this in my above comments.
The authoring process combines your clips on the time line and converts the files to mpeg2~>vobs, then adds a directory structure for menues and chapters.~>ifo and bup files
Once authored it is housed in a Folder called Video_ts which is what your DVD laser sees
and recognises.
regards Merete

>>> you cleared one thing up, since your DVD writer is DVD+rw then the DVD+r indeed are the right discs. So we can rule out any problems there.
...............I was referring to the new and still never opened, DVD recorder, to move my VHS tapes to DVD. It is a table top DVD recorder not related to a computer. It is DVD+r/rw.
So, the new device that is still new in the box is no good, because DVD+r will not play on standard DVD players, and will only play on my computer?
As far as the DVD burner on my computer, I do not know the type, or version.
-------------------------------------------------------------

>>> mp4 should play them in WMP 11 and 12. You may need some codecs.
Using my WLMM mpeg 4 drops on just fine. My WMP 12 plays it fine.
...............I opened my WPM and I do not see "about" so I do not know which version I have. The computer has a version of Vista with a date of 2007-2008.
Maybe Microsoft offers me the latest version.

>>> You're using Windows moviemaker in Vista? yes no?
................yes, my error, I have WMM.

>>> The following formats are compatible with Windows Vista Movie Maker:
•Video files: .asf, .avi, .m1v, .mp2, .mp2v, .mpe, .mpeg, .mpg, .mpv2, .wm, .wmv and dvr-ms.
•image files: .bmp, .dib, .emf, .gif, .jfif, .jpe, .jpg, .png, .tif, .tiff and .wmf.
•Audi files: .aif, .aifc, .aiff, .sf, .au, .mp2, .mp3, .mpa, .snd, .wav and .wma.
..................yes, I saw that list and mp4 is not supported. I do not see mpeg2 either. Please remember my overall goal is a DVD that will play on ANY DVD player, car, home, pc, etc., so in the end, mp4 will not do this, according to some research. I can use the rest of my 8 blank DVD+r for experimenting with this mp4 file. But, I want the type media that will play on any DVD player and the proper format.
I am disappointed that, it seems, the DVD recorder I have, still in the un-opened box, is DVD+r/rw and what I really need is DVD-r so my VHS tapes, once recorded to DVD, will play anywhere. Right?
My DVD+r recorder is limited to DVD's that will only play on my pc, and if I want me VHS tapes to play on ANY DVD player, than I need a new DVD recorder which is DVD-r/rw?

So, I assume I can not get WLMM downloaded from Microsoft for no cost.


>>> Before we continue could you test your mp4 for me. download Gspot drag and drop your mp4 on and Gspot will analyse the codecs used it will report if you have the codecs required for this is installed on your system so we can determin why windows media player doesnt have audio.
.................I will do the above. But, my WMP DOES play the audio of the mp4 video, it does NOT play the video part.

I downloaded Gspot and the entire window is full of information which is all greek to me.

top right, under video, I see:
codec: avc1
name: H.264/MPEG-4AVC
status: codec status undetermined

lower left under audio I see:
codec: mp4a: MPEG-4 AAC LC
info: 44100Hz 93kb/s tot, stereo (2/0)
status undetermined.

I forgot to mention, I'll need a converter since my files are not mpeg2.
I'll take a look at DVDflick and see if they convert.

I went to DVDflick and downloaded Fpx Tab AVI converter but it says it only supports:
Supported formats (convert from and to AVI video):
*.mp2, *.mp3, *.aac, *.au, *.ogg, *.ape, *.flac, *.aiff, *.m4a, *.mpc, *.ac3, *.wav, *.wma1, *.wma2

So, I'll delay using that pending clarification.
Fox Tab is sending me places that do not seem what I am looking for.

My files are either .mp4 or .flv.
And I'm told the formet I want is mpeg2 (?)

So, what is AVI?

well, now I see this:
The FoxTab AVI Converter tool works easily, simple to use, fast and fun interface let you enjoy the process which takes few seconds to retrieve the converted video.

 Supported formats:
 FLV, AVI, 3GP, MPEG, MOV, MKV, WMV, SWF, and popular audio formats such as MP3, WAVE, OGG, WMA, AU.
 
so maybe the download page had an obsolete list of formats, as above, I see MPEG, FLV, and MP3.......not MP4.

The previous comments may now be obsolete.
I downloaded the Fox Tab AVI converter.

I converted the mp4 file to....?....I am not sure what format.....AVI...?

During the converting it said the input was 10.4mb and the output ended up being 6.64mb.

Since my media is 4.7GB, then only 7 of these 3 minute clips can be burned per disc. This seems low. That is 21 minutes when the media says 120 minutes.

So, I guess there is some "compression needed." (?)

I thought WMM was to burn the DVD. I opened the file in WMM and got the file in the window. It analyzed it and all the parts of the 3 minutes were shown along the bottom. I looked into "Publish" and saw "to re-usable CD" and tried that, but it said my media was the wrong type.

So, I opened my WMP and loaded the file and burned it to a blank DVD+r.

The file on my computer is still 6.64mb.

I tried the burned DVD in my table top DVD player. I got a different result than when this same video was burned using ConvertXtoDVD. With that burn process, the DVD did show as loaded in the table top player, and the display would go from 00:00 to 00:15 and then go back to 00:00 and did the same thing over and over. With the newly burned DVD using WMP, the table top player, took a good while to "load disc" and finally came back as "no disc."

I then inserted the disc into my computer DVD rom. I tried Nero Essentials first and it would not play. I then tried VLC and it played and I tried WMP and it played. I right clicked on the file and "open with" Nero Essentials. It played this time, but said my trial would be ending May 11th. This Nero was on the pc when bought by a relative. It appears the Nero 7 is just a trial and it was never started by the relative. When I got the latest version of Nero 7 and entered my serial number, "that" started the 30 day "decoding trial," I assume.

So, the results are, that the Fox Tab will convert mp4 to whatever it converted this file to. I think it is AVI. Is that the same as mpeg2?

So, the questions at this point are:
1. Why is the converted file so large, 6.64mb and at that size only 21 minutes can fit on a 4.7gb disc?
2. Since this burned DVD played on VLC, Nero, and WMP, then I need to know why it will not play on my table top player. Is it  because it is a DVD+r and not DVD-r or is it because the format is AVI and not mpeg2..?
3. The new in the box and never opened, table top DVd recorder which is DVD+r/rw, is that an unopened box of junk, since I would like for the VHS tapes to play on my computer as well as a table top DVD player?
     a. Is it correct that if I open and use the DVD recorder, and record my VHS tapes to DVD, then they will only play on my computer, because the recorder itself is DVD+r/rw?
       1. So, if I want my VHS tapes to play on any DVD player (pc, car, home) then I need a new DVD recorder that is DVD-r/rw
        "or"
put my VHS tapes on my computer using some device and then burn them to media DVD-r using WMP?

Thanks.

Good Morning nickg5, why have you not tried the DVD recorder?
 your ultimate goal here is to convert your vhs to DVD right?
Goal two:
And also burn some clips you have to DVD?
-----------------------
With the vhs
I think it's time to cut the chase and open your new DVD recorder
Is it one of those DVD/VCR combo?
Like this different brand ?
http://www.lg.com/au/tv-audio-video/video/LG-dvd-vcr-combo-RC689D.jsp
Put your VCR in put one of the blank DVD+R in and let it do it's job.
Then test the DVD it makes, that dvd should play on other DVD set top players and on your computer
as it is authored by a DVD recorder.

This mp4 you have is so small 6.64mb. How many DVD+r do you have there as a throw away coaster :)

------------------------------------------
ok recapping everything you said and have done I'll endevour to answer them.

It is a table top DVD recorder not related to a computer. It is DVD+r/rw.
So, the new device that is still new in the box is no good, because DVD+r will not play on standard DVD players, and will only play on my computer? <<  should be fine when burnt this way, it's worth doing for one dvd+r and then you can get on with converting your vhs to dvd. It is not like a pc, the dvd recorder should have all the settings inbuilt automatically.
-----------------------------------------------
...............I opened my WPM and I do not see "about" so I do not know which version I have. The computer has a version of Vista with a date of 2007-2008<< open WMP go to help at the top then about. It's probably WMP 11 or 12.

---------------------------------------------------------
Please remember my overall goal is a DVD that will play on ANY DVD player, car, home, pc, etc., <<yep I understand, but in the CAR?? do you have a DVD player in the car?
So long as all the DVD players are a moden version and good brand your DVD+r should be fine anywhere.
----------------------------------------------------------------

so in the end, mp4 will not do this, according to some research. I can use the rest of my 8 blank DVD+r for experimenting with this mp4 file. But, I want the type media that will play on any DVD player and the proper format. << remember with the right tools and new versions the mp4 should be no problem, no need to manually convert it, as you see in my snaps I have newer versions and the mp4 plays fine in all my tools, WLMM will author it fine to DVD as well.
When you author your clips to DVD the authoring tool will automatically convert it to the mpeg2 for DVD.
So the problem you have is the WMM does not recognise the mp4.
Download a divx codec or a divx player

Download / install and run WLMM it should run on your Vista fine and yes it's free.
Then test it see if it accepts your mp4 if it does add lots more since this mp4 is so small remember a DVD+r holds 4 gig, if WLMM accepts go ahead and make a DVD using your DVD+r
Or you post back once you test the WLMM accepts a drag and drop and I'll walk you through it.
http://explore.live.com/windows-live-movie-maker?os=other
--------------------------------------------------

I am disappointed that, it seems, the DVD recorder I have, still in the un-opened box, is DVD+r/rw and what I really need is DVD-r so my VHS tapes, once recorded to DVD, will play anywhere. Right? <<< No it should be fine..

My DVD+r recorder is limited to DVD's that will only play on my pc,?<<< I dont understand this one.
Do you mean your DVD/VCR combo?
If I understand you the answer is no.
The DVD Recorder combo will burn any DVD+r or DVD-R and these should play on any decent DVD player including your PC. And your Car?
To play DVD on your PC you need a DVD decoder such as the new WMP 12, or Power DVD or VLC  or media center.
-----------------------------------------------
 and if I want me VHS tapes to play on ANY DVD player, than I need a new DVD recorder which is DVD-r/rw<<<no as it should support both... What brand is it?
I'll take a look at it technical specs.
The good thing with DVD recorders when they can do rewritables plus they can also do all the others.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>I downloaded Gspot and the entire window is full of information which is all greek to me. <<
Use your snippet tool to capture a screenshot, or use the print screen key on your keyboard, if you dont have paintshop pro to cut off the edges just paste it into word and save it as a .doc, do you know how to upload a snaphere at EE?
below the comments box look to the FILE, click on that and upload.
-------------
top right, under video, I see:
codec: avc1
name: H.264/MPEG-4AVC
status: codec status undetermined << same as mine

lower left under audio I see:
codec: mp4a: MPEG-4 AAC LC
info: 44100Hz 93kb/s tot, stereo (2/0)<< same as mine
 Your mp4 is the same as mine...based on that you just need a divx codec to play this in WMP. Since your wmp doesnt play it or
Update your windows media player to 12.
download a divx player or the codec pack or both
http://www.divx.com/en/software/divx-plus/codec-pack
http://www.divx.com/en/software/divx-plus/player
I would then download ffdshow codec as well and your covered to play almost any type of media
on your PC.
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/ffdshow
----------------------------------------------------------
I forgot to mention, I'll need a converter since my files are not mpeg2.<< no you won't need one, if we can get WLMM to accept the mp4 it will do the job beautifully.
Lets wait till you try WLMM first

I'll take a look at DVDflick and see if they convert. <<<And if you use DVDflick same thing it will automatically author the clips to DVD for you but hold on that.
-----------------------------------------------------------.
I went to DVDflick and downloaded Fpx Tab AVI converter << lol why?
DVD Flick fyi.
Supported video codecs
All of the following video codecs are supported by DVD Flick. The ones highlighted in green are common video codecs.
It shows mpeg4 ie mp4
http://www.dvdflick.net/features.php
download from here but wait till we test WLMM
http://www.dvdflick.net/download.php
confirmed and tested, snapshot included.
Remember our mp4 are the same.
--------------------------------------------
The previous comments may now be obsolete.
I downloaded the Fox Tab AVI converter.
I converted the mp4 file to....?....I am not sure what format.....AVI...?<< cannot assist on this as I have no intention of downloading this tool to test it. lol, you deviated..
DVD flick will be fine therefor you wont need any of these if you install the codecs. And WLMM, windows live moviemaker.
-------------------------------------------------------
During the converting it said the input was 10.4mb and the output ended up being 6.64mb.
Since my media is 4.7GB, then only 7 of these 3 minute clips can be burned per disc. This seems low. That is 21 minutes when the media says 120 minutes.
So, I guess there is some "compression needed." (?) <<<hmm well there is over 4,000 Mega bits on a 4.7 gig DVD ie 4 gig leave some space  so you could burn 100 x 6.64 megs to one gig.
Burning 400 or more maybe a tall ask to play, it's better to combine a few to a single clip.
You could use windows live moviemaker once confirmed it accepts your clips
 add 100 one at a time and export as a single clip wmv.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm lost lol..
I thought WMM was to burn the DVD. <<< Windows Moviemaker is outdated to windows live moviemaker.
It wont burn to DVD where as Windows Live Will.
---------------
So, I opened my WMP and loaded the file and burned it to a blank DVD+r.
The file on my computer is still 6.64mb.<<< ehehehe  you just burnt a DATA DVD, this is not a DVD Video
the difference is you have a DATA DVD not Authored to DVD. Understand??
To play a Data DVD just open it and explore it.
Data DVD or Data CD are just that storing your files as is/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, the results are, that the Fox Tab will convert mp4 to whatever it converted this file to. I think it is AVI. Is that the same as mpeg2?

So, the questions at this point are:
1. Why is the converted file so large, 6.64mb and at that size only 21 minutes can fit on a 4.7gb disc?<< it's converted and authored to mpeg2 upscaled with directories. But you shoudl fit a lot more than that on a DVD.

2. Since this burned DVD played on VLC, Nero, and WMP, then I need to know why it will not play on my table top player. Is it  because it is a DVD+r and not DVD-r or is it because the format is AVI and not mpeg2..?<<<Answered, it's a data DVD

3. The new in the box and never opened, table top DVd recorder which is DVD+r/rw, is that an unopened box of junk, since I would like for the VHS tapes to play on my computer as well as a table top DVD player?<< answered... try it.... you'll find it'll  be fine. Read the manual on how to start a recording and burn.
Provide the Brand name so I can look it up.
--------------------------------
a. Is it correct that if I open and use the DVD recorder, and record my VHS tapes to DVD, then they will only play on my computer, because the recorder itself is DVD+r/rw?<<NO.

       1. So, if I want my VHS tapes to play on any DVD player (pc, car, home) then I need a new DVD recorder that is DVD-r/rw <<< no stay with this.. Go ahead and make one.
        "or"
put my VHS tapes on my computer using some device and then burn them to media DVD-r using WMP?<< no not necessary, DVD is the same whether made there on the combo or the PC, DVD is still same.
-------------------------------------------------------
To surmise what I need from you to assist you
(A)
Run your DVD combo and burn off one of your vhs.Then test it in car on player on table top and PC.

(B) install the divx codecs and play mp4 in windows media player. See if that resolves that.
(C)
Download and install Windows live movie Maker. drag and drop mp4 on and see if it accepts it then post back.
Merete

for your information only, remember our mp4 are the same
DVD flick accepts mine just fine no need to convert..
But for now lets get windows live moviemaker it's so simple to use

DVD-Flick-supports-mp4.jpg

I'll need time to read your latest comments and the others from above.
I am getting lost.

I do not have a car DVD player but I could in the future, who knows.
I do not want my 100 VHS tape collection on DVD's that won't play.

I thought WLMM would not work on Vista?
I thought you said my problem is DVD-r will play on any DVD player, and DVD+r will not.

You gave the link to DVDflick above. I saw that recommended somewhere else so went there.

I do not have a DVD-VCR combo.

I have a DVD recorder, Cyberhome CH-DVR 1500 and it is DVD+r/rw
It records "to" DVD+r/rw. It is a very old unit and never used. It is a DVD player and plays DVD, VCD/SVCD, CD-rom, MP3, JPG and other.

From the manual:
disc suitable for recording and playback:
You MUST use DVD+r or DVD+rw to record on this unit.
disc suitable for playback only:
DVD Video, DVD-r/rw, DVD-audio, CD-audio, Video CD - VCD/VCD/SVCD, CR-r/rw

MY error on the 6.64 MB.
Yes, 1000MB per GB = 706 (6.64GB) clips.

I have Vista and it is hard trying to find things. I'm not seeing a quick way to find out which version of WPM I have but I'll try again. The player itself does not have an "about" link like IE and OE and the rest.
I get so many Windows updates, I'm sure I have the latest things Microsoft wants me to have.

I'll report back.

The DVD recorder I have was the simple way to put my VHS tapes on DVD without having to hook the VCR to my computer, and video capture stuff, etc.

Of course this was 5-6 years ago. The DVD recorder I have is old.

Also, I'm not clear why the DVD I burned is a data DVD.

It's possible your DVD set top player doesnt support  this DVD+r
Try using a DVD-r
I have always used DVD-r for authoring DVD Video simply because it seems to be the most suitable for this type of media and so far I have very rarely experienced a Fail. And I have burnt well into 1000 or more DVD over the years.
I also found DVD+r had to be formatted first.
I must say Windows Live Moviemaker was a pleasant surprise and it's free with windows. Please ensure you have windows media player installed, WLMM needs it.

...............My table top DVD player is old, off brand, cheap. But it does play VCD's that I bought in Asia years ago.
So, you always use DVD-r.
Are you saying I avoid DVD+r?
Because, I do not want to use my DVD recorder on my VHS tapes, only to find they won't play. The DVD recorder states it only records to DVD+r/rw.
So, do I need a new DVD recorder that records to DVD-r
"intead" of DVD+r
or one that records to both or either?
Or use my computer to put VHS tapes on DVD?

So, Vista can support WLMM?
I'll go try to download WLMM....I thought it was only compatible with Windows 7.

Good Morning nickg5, why have you not tried the DVD recorder?
 your ultimate goal here is to convert your vhs to DVD right?
Goal two:
And also burn some clips you have to DVD?

.......yes but the DVD recorder only recrords to DVD + R/RW and you said you always use DVD - R/RW.
If DVD + won't play everywhere then my DVD recorder may be junk.

I'm not seeing an easy way to find out what version of WMP I have.
Everything on Vista is hidden unlike XP.

well I have version of WMP 11.0.6002.18311 and the "about" tab was well hidden as you can see from below:
---------------------------------------
from sources: Open windows media player and click on the Help tab at the top left of the screen.
 If there isnt any tabs than right click on the black bar with the media options and go to View and make sure that Classic Menus option is ticked. (Ctrl+M is the shortcut)
 than on the Help list click About Windows Media Player, and that should bring up a window of information including the version of you windows media player.
-----------------------------------------------------------
I'm seeing that version 11 came with Vista.

 

I'm finding forums warning against generic sites for getting WMP 12 for Vista.
It seems it ruins the functionality of WMP.
So it seems I can only use WMP 11 and this may not work with WLMM.

http://explore.live.com/windows-live-2011-system-requirements

I think I have SP2. It is described oddly in my program list.
I have .net framework 3.5 sp1 and MSXML 4.0 sp2.

Use Windows Live moviemaker or you have to convert it.
.........ok, so I can not get WLMM because Vista does not support WMP 12.
So, that leaves me with WMM and WMP 11 or the burn feature on WMP 11, or some other burn program.
So, my mp4 files must be converted. The Fox converter from DVDflick seemed to work fine, except it did not actually say what file type it was converting to.
AVI, I think.
If it is AVI does AVI play on all media players, pc, in home, etc.?

Here: 35409445
you suggested DVDflick so I went there. Also, someone elsewhere also recommended it.

I think it's time to cut the chase and open your new DVD recorder
Is it one of those DVD/VCR combo?
.......no........CyberHome CH-DVR 1500 Progressive-Scan DVD+R/+RW Recorder and Player.

So long as all the DVD players are a moden version and good brand your DVD+r should be fine anywhere.
..........mine are vinahe at this point, so if DVD+r will not be good for my purpose then I may need a newer DVD-r, DVD recorder (?)

Download / install and run WLMM it should run on your Vista fine and yes it's free.
...............we can discuss this, I find that WLMM will not work with WMP 11 and WMP 12 does not work with Vista.

The DVD Recorder combo will burn any DVD+r or DVD-R and these should play on any decent DVD player including your PC. And your Car?
.......no you are misunderstanding. The DVD recorder is not a combo and only records to DVD + r/rw.

do you know how to upload a snaphere at EE?
.........no and that may be a very detailed, other question to ask on EE.

Update your windows media player to 12.
download a divx player or the codec pack or both
http://www.divx.com/en/software/divx-plus/codec-pack
http://www.divx.com/en/software/divx-plus/player
........WMP 12 won't work with Vista.
I'll look into the Codec.........

I downloaded the Fox Tab AVI converter.
I converted the mp4 file to....?....I am not sure what format.....AVI...?<< cannot assist on this as I have no intention of downloading this tool to test it. lol, you deviated..
DVD flick will be fine therefor you wont need any of these if you install the codecs. And WLMM, windows live moviemaker.
.........yes, you mentioned DVDflick and that takes me to the Fox Tab AVI converter which works fine except I am not clear if the files are AVI or not.
DVDflick and Fox Tab AVI converter are the same website it seems.....

(C)
Download and install Windows live movie Maker.
.......does not work with WMP 11 from what I can find. And it does work with WMP 12 but WMP is not compatible with Vista.

I think in this last comment, the one I am typing now, I am covering eveyrthing since your last comment and my comments above, 35415739 and 35418001, 035, 089, 133, and 196 may all be obsolete as I do research.

I guess read this comment before reviewinf the 6 above this one.

Thanks again.

I went back and looked at AVI converter and there was a drop down menu for the output of the conversion. Massive list, so I did burn my mp4 to AVI the other day.
I do see DVDmpeg 2 ps format (dvd vob) on the list.

This converter was the result of going to DVDflick and I thought you recommended DVDflick, as free, easy, etc.

Maybe I mis-understood.

I found a forum from 2009 where a MSFT person said WMP 12 for Vista would become a reality, but it seems not to have happened. I see someone giving a link to a Vista WMP 12 download, but then someone warns DO NOT use that source as it will mess up your WMP.

I'll convert my mp4 file to the above format and try that on my table top player just for experiment. I have 8 DVD+r
and if I am understanding you correctly, DVD -r is the preffered, and that should play on any DVD player.

However, my DVD recorder only records to DVD+r.
New but "vintage" in the world of antiques.

Thanks.

my mp4 file is now a DVDmpeg 2 ps format (dvd vob).

you can go to DVDflick and see that it has the FoxTab AVI converter.
If I used the wrong thing, let me know.

The above conversion for practice, or for fun only, actually decreased the size of the file a little.

Ok, here is what I forgot in my previous comments.
You say the DVD I burned is a data DVD.
That is something I left out of my comment.
What did I do to get a data DVD?
And what is the name of the type DVD I want? (audio-video DVD)
It looked to me, like, WMP was burning a DVD. Maybe I read it wrong.

Not trying to deviate, just looking around, as I had 10 DVD+r
that are 6 years old, so no problem using them to test stuff.

So, the fool proof answer seems to be buy Windows 7
(and get WMP 12 and WLMM)

Otherwise, I have Vista and WMP 11, and WLMM does not work, if I am reading the webpages correctly.

Thanks.

I did convert the file as mentioned above, but if WMP is only burning data DVD's, I'll wait for further help. Thanks.

Through all this that I have done, I find very negligible, if any, loss of audio or video quality from the original.

Sorry, comments can not be edited.
I was playing around with the same file but the new converted format:
DVDmpeg 2 ps format (dvd vob).

It stills plays on VLC and Nero Essentials but won't play on WMP 11.0.

So, in that long list of formats on Fox Tab AVI converter via DVDflick, I guess the format chosen, DVDmpeg 2 ps format (dvd vob) is the wrong one.

All 3 media players played the AVI file.

well, I found that WMP can not burn DVD formats, only data, but it can burn video files it says, just not DVD format.

So, maybe free software is not available.
Some others I tried all have trials of 5 disc or other limits.

I loaned my Uncle my XP disc. He needs to get Windows 7 and loan me HIS disc.
But, I would not be able to install it myself.
If you want me to start another question on my DVD recorder, I can.
It only records to +r media, so it says.

Hi nickg5, that's ok we can just stay here, I try and reduce the amount of details.
Is this your DVR?
http://www.planetomni.com/MSDVDR_CYBH_ch-dvr1500_DTL.shtml
what to say,
I said not all dvd players may support DVD+R
The people who sell this product state>>
Because of the outstanding compatibility of DVD+R/RW discs, the discs you create will be suitable for playback in most DVD players.<< there you go..
See how they wrote it  DVD+R/RW that means DVD+r and or DVD+rw
 Sounds Nice and easy.
 
with DVD+rw I have only used them to transfer video from my Panasonic set top box DVR to my PC then I wipe them. That's the great thing with DVD rewritable. You can wipe them.
 I burnt them as DVD Video finalised them and it plays fine on my PC.
I make these videos off my cable TV for my 92 year old dad to watch at home  I transfer them to USB drive..

WLMM and WMP 12 won't run in your Vista home  pity, apologies I didnt know that, I went from xp sp2 on an older machine then by passed Vista..to building a brand new system just for windows 7 professional.

Ok DVD Flick, its fully free has no limitations and burns a DVD video, supports a large range of video clips
 I downloaded it from here
http://www.dvdflick.net/download.php

When I open it I see a large page... blank,.
drag the clips on you want.
Ok here's a new snap I add a few clips an mp4 a WMV and a few avi all dropped on just fine no need to convert, note the yellow bar output size is at 44% << watch this

Then go to the top> Menue settings  
if you want a menue go to Project Settings first Give it a Title  
then I added a Name into my unnamed project I called it Various Clips
click on the various settings video audio playback burning, I leave that speed as is
 then open menue settings and seledct a background colour or picture
I selected Simple White and then preview
Then go to create a DVD.
Or download the guide and read it.
I used this one
http://www.dvdflick.net/guide.php

So what do you wish to try next nickg5

Regards Merete


dvd-flick-main-page.jpg
New-title-DVD-Flick.jpg

The output from FoxTab AVI converter has a list of close to 40 formats.
Which one will play on all DVD players, pc or otherwise?

Here is the list:
The ones that may be the right answer:
avi, dvd-mpeg-2ps(dvd vob), mp4 (mpeg1), mp4 (real video), mp3, mp2, vob,
 
And the ones I've never heard of:
3g2, 3gp, aac, ac3, aiff, amr, asf, ass, au, avmz, dv, .dv, flm, flrc, flv, gif, gxf, h261-264, ipod, m4v, m4v, mkv, mjpeg, mon, mpg, nut, ogg, sox, svcd-mpeg-2 ps-vob, svcd, swf, truehd.

My DVD recorder (yes the Cyberhome CH-DVR-1500)
only records to DVD + R/RW.
So, you are saying, that if I want my VHS tapes to play on all DVD players, then I need to use DVD - R/RW?  

Or I could hook my VHS player up to my computer, somehow, and capture the video that way, and then burn them to DVD - R/RW.

Or use my DVD recorder to put my tapes on DVD+r, and then play and save them on my computer, and turn around and burn them back on to DVD - R.

So, WMP won't burn any DVD formats.
The easiest way is like you have = Windows 7 = free WMP 12 = free WLMM

So, what was the purpose of WMM.....if it can not make DVD movies?

so what is your advice.

try my new DVD recorder and see if the DVD + r
will play on my DVD table top player.

If not, then I need DVD - r
and that would mean a new DVD recorder, or VHS to computer technology.

Then with me not having WMP 12 or WLMM, then what should I do?
Use DVDflick and convert all my mp4's to what fomat for them to play on any computer or in-home DVD player?

and then I should use what program for burning....?....
and I should start using DVD - r when I buy new media?

I would say, I'll never own a car DVD player.
I do have a car CD player and that is a whole new question, burning all my cassette tapes and reel to reel tapes to music disc.
I guess WMP can do that for me.

Thanks again.

the mp4 file coverted to AVI did play on WMP, Nero Essentials and VLC.

The "experiment" with converting the mp4 to the dvd-mpeg-2ps(dvd vob)
is not as successful.
It plays on Nero and VLC, but no video or audio on WMP.

I thought mpeg2 was the standard.

I'm lost in the woods on DVDflick.
I saved the project and tried to burn and it does nothing but tells me the DVD foldder already exist and then it does the encoding, etc. all over again.

It told me to make sure there was media in the drive, but it does not seem to burn. I got to the screen where the 4x was.

The instruction page is not real clear on what to do.
So, this is my option unless I want to buy Windows 7?

Well, all of a sudden out of nowhere up pops imgburn.
But it is stuck on 99% finalized.

I'm lost, I remove the DVD and then put it back in my DVD rom and it automatically plays on VLC. I do not know if it is the burn disc or the saved file. I saved the project as test 1  and it comes out as a text file.

I'm not getting an option to polay the DVD each media player, it is playing automatically.
 
Not sure what I did or what I have here.

None of the previous burned disc just opened up and played at maximum volume.

I'll maybe delete everything and start over.

does create DVD come before or after burn under project settings.

It is asking me to save the project to some weird format, some text file that naturally windows can not open.

I named the project but it seems to be encoding an un-name project.


It tried to burn again and says the disc os not emtpy. Ok that means it was burned.
I have no control over the burned DVD. It open with VLC with max volume, when before a small window popped up and gave me options.

It does move the timer on my table top DVD player, it goes past 15 seconds but no audio and no video.

I can go to my D drive and open the folder and there are 5 files in there. The largest one is 213 mb. I clicked on that and WMP opened the video and plays video but no audio.

I'm not seeing a way to load the DVD on my computer and control where it plays and the volume.

What is the acronym for the format that should play on
WPM, VLC, Nero and all table top players?
DVDflick did not really say what format it was burning.
I loaded the AVI file.

hands in the air.
I need to figure out why the DVD is playing on it's own at max. volume.

no other DVD or CD has ever done that, a window always popped up for me to choose VLC or NERO or.

Hi nickg5,
refs to>The output from FoxTab AVI converter has a list of close to 40 formats.
Which one will play on all DVD players, pc or otherwise?
No need to convert anything just open DVDFlick and drag and drop on all the clips you want for this dvd project
just check the left yellow bar doesnt go right to the top. that indicates how much space.
 
'refs to>So, you are saying, that if I want my VHS tapes to play on all DVD players, then I need to use DVD - R/RW<< No, please go ahead and try one of your DVD+R. the way they wrote it you can choose between DVD+R or DVD+RW, I suggest DVD+R since that is what you have.
 
Refs to>So, you are saying, that if I want my VHS tapes to play on all DVD players, then I need to use DVD - R/RW?   <<<No, for the time being I would test one of your DVD+R.
 
Refs to>Or I could hook my VHS player up to my computer, somehow, and capture the video that way, and then burn them to DVD - R/RW.<< No I dont recomend it atm
you would need a video capture card to do this / with either composite or s_video cables to attach the VCR to the PC. and is much more work. Then you have to author the captured video to DVD.
 
Refs to>Or use my DVD recorder to put my tapes on DVD+r, and then play and save them on my computer, and turn around and burn them back on to DVD - R << well you could go that route as a last resort, if the DVD+R fail to play. But wait and see...If you do it right it will play..
> it's more involved to transfer a completed DVD Video off the Disc and then re-author back to DVD without Nero burning rom. Also if the DVD+R didnt play on your PC that idea is out.
 
Refs To>So, WMP won't burn any DVD formats. << Only Data DVD or music cd !!! correct.
Windows media player is not an authoring tool only a media player, unlike windows moviemaker 2.
 
The easiest way is like you have = Windows 7 = free WMP 12 = free WLMM<< yes it's a bonus.
But if you buy Nero then WMM2 will work.
But for now we'll use DVD Flick.
 
Refs to>So, what was the purpose of WMM 2.....if it can not make DVD movies?<. Windows Moviemaker 2 needs to use a 3rd party tool to author DVD Video or VCD> your Nero trial ran out.
Your Nero is the 3rd party tool.
So because your Nero trial ran out  Windows Moviemaker 2 cannot use the 3rd party mpeg2 in Nero until you buy it or another similar tool. While in windows xp.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/moviemaker2.mspx
 
To give you some insights>
Microsoft / Bill Gates paid a large amount money to acquire a lisense to use mpeg2 codec in his windows 7, so that you nolonger needed to buy a 3rd party tool.. Nero or use anything else outside of Windows Live Moviemaker.
This  MPEG> (Moving Picture Experts Group) own the rights to DVD Video and VCD as it uses the mpeg2 plugin. So any hardware/software that uses this mpeg2 codec has to also pay every year a lisense fee to this organization.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moving_Picture_Experts_Group
Also windows 7 doesnt have any email client or WLMM you have to download these.
 
So, what was the purpose of WMM....Answered.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refs to>so what is your advice.
try my new DVD recorder and see if the DVD + r
will play on my DVD table top player.<< absolutely yes.
That will at least confirm the VHS to DVD and if the DVD+R will play in your  PC and your DVD table top player.
 
I only enquired about the DVD player in the car cause you mentioned it>http:#a35412488
1. So, if I want my VHS tapes to play on any DVD player (pc, car, home) then I need a new DVD recorder that is DVD-r/rw
-------------------------------------
Now you should understand why WMM 2 does not author DVD,
 so at this point I'd stick with DVD Flick
It will author your clips as is to DVD.
Forget about converting them.
The only time conversion is required in this experiemnet with DVD Flick is if DVD Flick does not support the file.
So far from my experiments it supports most of them.
I'll skip the rest and show you the steps for DVD Flick.
Remember you can only use your DVD+R once to write a DVD Video.
after that if you try to write onto it again it will fail.
You may have to format the DVD+R first

DVD FLICK
step one
Add your files. or ONE file, which is a waste of DVD lol
I added 11 various clips
use these menues
Step three
Step 3
Add a menue
Select a menue background I selected Simple White.
This what you see when the disc starts up and you press the play.
Accept
Step 4
Project settings, write in the name in project settings
 then navigate down to Burning>put a tick in the BURN Project TO DISC
when you tick this the other options appear, put a TICK in the EJECT TRAY WHEN DONE
Accept,
Put your DVD+R in teh DVD rom wait until it loads whatever at auto run, close that and go back to DVD FLICK
Step 5
Then click on Create DVD,
Step 6 encoding all the clips
Step 7
1-Add-your-files.jpg
2--use-1-2-3-menues.jpg
3-select-menue-accept.jpg
4-in-project-settings---select-b.jpg
5-burn-stage-1.jpg

Image burn pops up and it burns to disc finalises it and ejects the dvd
It plays just fine on my Panasonic DVR plays fine in the bedroom Akai DVD player and plays fine in my windows 7
I used Windows media player 12 out of the choices
and this is what I see,
 if I click on the little suqares it takes me to the individual titles.
I forgot to give my project a name


8-authoring-combining.jpg
9-using-img-burn-burning-to-dvd.jpg
WINDOWS-MEDIA-PLAYER.jpg

Can you look at this list of formats supported by WMP and tell me which ones will also play on VLC and "all" pc based media players?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316992

Is there also one or more formats, that would play on WMP, VLC, all other pc based media players "and" table top DVD players.

I'll look at your reply above over the weekend.

Since the first time I went to DVDflick, it led me to the FoxTab AVI converter, and it can convert into over 35 different formats. So, surely 1-2 of those 35+ formats is what I am looking for. FoxTab works fine, easy, fast, and with 35+ different formats it can convert to, it seems very good.

You would have to download the program to see the list of formats. Since it is an AVI converter, the default format was AVI, so the first coversion, I did was from mp4 to AVI. I did not see the drop down menu.

The box of my DVD recorder is open, so I'll move a VHS tape to the DVD+r and then see if that DVD will play on my table top DVD player, WMP, VLC, etc.
If not, then my DVD recorder may need to be replaced with one that can record to DVD -r/rw.

As far as teminology, if you are ok with it, since we have dicsussed 3 types of devices, maybe these terms can be used:
media player means "only" pc based players.
DVD player means "only" table top DVD players.
DVD recorder means my Cyberhome device.

I do like WMP for my main player but I have yet to burn a DVD that plays on WMP. The video plays but no audio. I like the ability to create a library, for music and DVD and WMP looks good to me.

MPEG-2 standard
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG-2

So, I converted the AVI file to:
DVD-MPEG-2-PS Format (DVD VOB)

It will not play on WMP 11.
I'm not sure why.

Here is the message I am getting from WMP on the DVD-MPEG-2-PS Format (DVD VOB) file:

Windows Media Player cannot skip to the requested location on the DVD.

I'm not sure what it means by DVD. It is just the file that was converted.

Thanks.

I did get this:
For MPEG2 on WMP you could use the following codec pack: http://download.cnet.com/Media-Player-Codec-Pack/3000-13632_4-10749065.html?tag=mncol

ok, on my desktop I have the AVI file.
All 3 computer based media players will play it. (Nero, WMP, and VLC)

Then the same file coverted to DVD-MPEG-2-PS Format (DVD VOB)
It will not play on WMP. When the default player was WMP on this file, I got this error:
Windows Media Player cannot skip to the requested location on the DVD.

I changed the default to VLC and tested again. Nero and VLC play it and now I get a different message from WMP:
Windows Media Player cannot play DVD video. You might need to adjust your Windows display settings. Open display settings in Control Panel, and then try lowering your screen resolution and color quality settings.

Which leads me to this:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/webhelp/default.aspx?&mpver=11.0.6002.18311&id=C00D116A&contextid=83&originalid=C00D116A

So, the AVI file can be played anywhere on my computer, but it seems not anywhere else. And for some reason the coverted mpeg2 file will not play on WMP, and mpeg2 is supposed to be the DVD standard.

So, maybe you can help me get the file to a format that can play on my computer and off my computer. I thought that was mpeg2, based on various searches and other info.

Thanks.

What I mean, is no sense using DVDflick right now (today)
until I get WMP to play the file.

I'm sure I can figure out DVDflick from your screen shots above.

Hi nickg5. you seem to miss the point of DVD Video and single clips ,
also why you have posted about this same topic do you feel I am not assisting you??
You'll get the same answers as I have provided.
I have spent considerable time asisting you so is my comments not clear?

https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/26968009/which-one-of-these-formats-is-the-same-as-mpeg-2.html
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/26967348/which-of-these-video-formats-will-play-on-VLC-and-all-other-pc-media-players.html
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/26966533/why-won't-this-play-on-WMP-11.html

so here's the short answer
refs to>
Is there also one or more formats, that would play on WMP, VLC, all other pc based media players  <<< Yes >>> "and" table top DVD players.<<NO. Table top dvd players only play DVD. video discs in the form of DVD Video structured discs. DVD Video uses mpeg2 or Vobs>ON THE DISC not as single clips. Refer to the snaps of a structure of a DVD

They also play audio CD'S and MP3 cd. Mine does.

There is no need to convert anything, especially to vobs. It is NOT a DVD when it's a single vob.
refs to>So, I converted the AVI file to DVD-MPEG-2-PS Format (DVD VOB)
It will not play on WMP 11 I'm not sure why. << WMP 11 needs a 3rd party codec.

Lol now I have explained to you that WMP needs to uses a 3rd party tool to play mpeg2, but your vob is not a true vob. It is a junk file since it's not inside a DVD structure.>>MPEG-2-PS<<
 mpeg2-ps?? is not a genuine format, the PS is wrong.
Try taking out the PS part and leave as .mpeg, but remember WMP needs that 3rd party codec.

Simply put
in order for windows media player to accept your mp4 and avi  and other formats not native to it
 install these codecs I will provide below, then any media player 11 on your PC should play anything you throw at it, no need to convert it.
FFdshow
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/ffdshow
Divx is the 3rd party tool for windows media player to use the codecs from to play the avi.
click on the free download  at the top window.
http://www.divx.com/en/software/divx-plus/codec-pack
AC3 filter for the audio problem
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/AC3_Filter
That is all you need,
The MPEG-2 and DivX video codecs and the ACELP.net and Ogg Vorbis audio codecs are examples of codecs that are not included in the operating system or the Player by default.

Explained here what a codec is and the different video compression
http://www.windows-vista-update.com/Windows_Vista_codecs.html

or you can install the codec pack you listed it looks fine as well.  It has the same codecs I listed,  once you installed them there is no real need to convert your avi or mp4 to get WMP to play them. WMP will use the 3rd party codecs you installed.
 http://download.cnet.com/Media-Player-Codec-Pack/3000-13632_4-10749065.html?tag=mncol

refs to>
As far as teminology, if you are ok with it, since we have dicsussed 3 types of devices, maybe these terms can be used:
media player means "only" pc based players.<<<yes since the others are referred to CD players or mp3 players in th ehome or in the car.
DVD player means "only" table top DVD players.<< yep
DVD recorder means my Cyberhome device.<< yep
 PC DVD ROM is known as a  DVD Writer but can also write CD,
the software that comes with your DVD Writer is the software that is needed to author the DVD the DVD writer only writes it to disc.

Once you install the AC3 filter and divx and ffdshow WMP will now have audio..when playing a True DVD,  In DVD Video the audio is AC3.
These codecs run in the background and when you open WMP they activate and assist the medium you play in WMP 11.
REFS TO>
I do like WMP for my main player but I have yet to burn a DVD that plays on WMP. <<< NO....WMP Needs the 3rd party tool to play DVD.

The video plays but no audio.<< it will after you install those codecs.
>> I like the ability to create a library, for music and DVD and WMP looks good to me. << WMP will not author a DVD Video but it will burn  a library of music to an AUDIO CD- Data CD and DATA DVD, Windows moviemaker 2 or Nero or DVD Flick are the tools to make DVD Video on your Vista.
WMP is only a player.

I downloaded this, and it did not help WMP to play the file.
http://download.cnet.com/Media-Player-Codec-Pack/3000-13632_4-10749065.html?tag=mncol

Can you go to DVDflick and download the FoxTabAVIconverter and then look at the long list of output formats?

Your help is appraciated and worth far more than 500 points, so if you comment on my other questions, you get more points. I can not increas the 500 here.

I'm rather confused.
mpeg2 is the standard DVD format but WMP won't play it.

It is beginning to sound like I have to make two copies of my videos. One is AVI which will play on WMP and then the identical video on a different type format so it can play on my home DVD player.

The FoxTab converter is easy and works great if you are willing to download it and look at the drop down menu where it shows the output to be AVI. Huge list and which one should play on:
1. WMP
2. table top player.

...........Once you install the AC3 filter and divx and ffdshow.........
I'd like to delay downloading 3 more things, when I have no idea what it going on.

If FoxTab has 35-40 different output formats, I find it curious why none will play on WMP or table top play.
I have no way to remove the PS.
Take look:
http://apps.foxtab.com/aviconverter/

ignore the description and what it can do.
It has at least twice as many output formats as shown there.

Other questions are for more points for you, as well as trying to clear up the simplest of questions, still no clear answers.]

My WMP does play AVI perfectly fine.
As does Nero and VLC.

If a codec pack is needed to get a format that will play on my WMP and my table top player, then fine. I tried the above codec and it gave zero results.
I removed it and now trying to get K-Lite codec but there are mutiple download links and I do not know which one to choose.

So, a codec pack AND the proper format (whatever that is, only heaven knows) will play on WMP and table top player?
At this point I do not know what format that is. I was told mpeg2 is the standard video format.

will this work?
I've used it before?
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/K_Lite_Codec_Pack.htm

which download link do I choose, there are 8-10.

Thanks.

trying to get you more points and handle the simplest problems.

I just downloaded this:
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/vista_codec_package.htm

from that link you will read:
With this package installed you will be able to use any media player (limited by the players capabilities) to play DVD's, movies and video clips such as quicktime, realmedia, avi, mpeg, Flv, swf, wmv, etc.

Well, before getting this, WMP >> is << playing the AVI file.
It is when I try to convert the file to the overall accepted standard, when WMP won't play it.

So, above when it says.....
DVD's, movies and video clips such as quicktime, realmedia, avi, mpeg, Flv, swf, wmv, etc.
which one of the above should play on my table top player?
I do have 3 different DVD players and I have only tried the one made by a company you never heard of.
Maybe the burned videos will play on one of the other players, despite the fact that the media is DVD + r.
You said DVR - r is the one that should play anywhere.
And DVR + r is the one that "might" not play on all players.
Thanks.

I have no way to copy a screen shot of the entire list of format outputs from FoxTab, because it is a drop down menu.
The list is very long.
Surely one of them is the right one.

I'm some what bewildered why you want to convert your avi or mp4 clips to mpeg2?.
Other than getting windows media player to play them?
And it does play avi?

Windows media player will be the only problem it's owned by MS and just doesnt support every type of video like all the open source players do. They have no effect  over who owns the propriety formats. WMV mpeg2..So they play anything.
With Windows Media player 11
Bar FLV and quicktime and real formats WMP 11 will play everything else with the right codecs.
These will be mp4 avi WMV and mpg1 mpg 2 no others.
I provided links to the only codecs you'll need to make windows media player support mpeg.

If I may suggest leave the mpeg2 or Program stream (PS or MPEG-PS) format there is never any reason to convert an avi to mpeg2.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG_program_stream

Windows media player plays your avi, it may play your mp4 with the codecs, otherwise convert your mp4 to avi.
Convert all your other formats to avi as well for the purpose of playing them on any PC in windows media player.

Refs to>which one of the above should play on my table top player?
DVD's movies,<<< Only DVD Movies..
Nope- neine -Never >>>  and video clips such as quicktime, realmedia, avi, mpeg, Flv, swf, wmv, etc.

If you could understand this
To play your clips ( quicktime, realmedia, avi, mpeg, Flv, swf, wmv, etc.) on any table top DVD player use DVD Flick to author them to DVD Movie.
They must be authored to DVD Movie in DVD Flick. or Nero/any authoring tool in order to get the correct vobs.

Whether it's DVD+r or DVD-R is up to you and how the test plays out.


To make a screenshot, if you dont have the snippet tool in Vista I just use the print screen tab next to F12  on the keyboard.
Then open a word .doc and paste it into there. I use paint shop pro to cut out th extras and save as a jpeg, then go to file upload here.
I dont really need to see what Fox tab offers to convert to.

Were you willing to download FoxTab and look at the 35-40 different output formats?

I'm some what bewildered why you want to convert your avi or mp4 clips to mpeg2?
............I was hoping to find a format that will play anywhere.
(pc based media players "inlcuding" WMP, and non computer based DVD players)

Otherwise, I'll need to burn two disc with the same file.
One disc would be AVI to take to my sister's house in another state if I want to watch the video on her pc.
And a second identical disc, in the format that will play on her table top DVD player.
I'm still not sure what the latter format is. I think it is mpeg2 and mpeg2 will play everywhere but WMP.

Does the codec package just work in the background?
When I click on the program to open it up, it keeps re-installing iteself.

I'll manually list the 40 out put formats from the converter so as to not have you download the converter and look at the 40 different output formats.

I do not want to start burning until I know the right formats. I'm not clear on the answer to that at all. Mpeg2 was thought to be the DVD standard.

And isn't the WMV format a Microsoft format?

Here are all the formats that the FoxTab converter can output.

Will just one of these 39 formats play "anywhere?"

If it happens to be Matroksi, I'll be forced to give up.
Obviously many of these are not it.
 
3G2 - 3GP2 format,
3GP,
AAC - raw AC-3,
AC3- raw AC-3,
AIFF - raw IFF,
AMR - 3GPP AMR format,
ASF,
ASS - SSA-ASS format,
AU - SUN AU format,
AVI,
AVM2 - Flash 9 (AVM2 format),
DV - DV video format,
DVD - MPEG-2PS format (DVD-VOB),
Filmstrip - Adobe filmstrip,
FLAC - raw FLAC,
FLIC - FLI/FLC/FLK animation format,
FLV - FLV format,
GIF - GIF animation,
GXF - GXF format,
H261 -raw H.261
H263 - raw H.263
H264 - raw H.264 video
IPOD - IPOD H.264 MP4 format,
M4V - raw MPEG4 video,
Matroksi format
MJPEG - raw MJPEG video
MOV format,
MP2 - MPEG audio layer 2
MP3  - MPEG audio layer 3
MP4 - MP4 format
MPEG - MPEG-1 system format
NUT,
OGG,
PSP - PSP MP4 format,
RM - real media format,
SOX - sox native format
SVCD - MPEG2-PS format (vob)
SWF,
TRUEHD - raw TrueHD

...........or you can install the codec pack you listed it looks fine as well.  It has the same codecs I listed, once you installed them there is no real need to convert your avi or mp4 to get WMP to play them. WMP will use the 3rd party codecs you installed.
 http://download.cnet.com/Media-Player-Codec-Pack/3000-13632_4-10749065.html?tag=mncol
..............I downloaded that codec pack before. And still the mpeg2 video would not play. Somewhere above, I give the error messages I got.

You said to take out the PS from DVD-MPEG-2-PS Format (DVD VOB)
It does not look like the FoxTab AVI covnerter can do that.
Are you aware of another converter that has an MPEG2 (DVD VOB) output.

So, is MPEG2 (VOB) the format that should play "anywhere" (with a codec pack, if needed)?

So, as it stands now, all my pc based media players will play AVI. That is fine. I like the features of WMP. VLC is nice too, Nero, not so nice but it is only a trial I think and the decoding expires May 9th.

The remaining questions are:

Which format will play on all "non pc based" dvd players?

Which format will play "anywhere" (pc based and non pc based)?
(If such a format even exist)

New question (unrelated to the above):
I'll start a new question, if you want and you can answer there.....
Which of these formats gives the best quality:
mp4, or 360p flv, or 240p flv?

Thanks.

I'm some what bewildered why you want to convert your avi or mp4 clips to mpeg2?.
...............I thought MPEG2 is the format that will play on non pc based DVD players.

If you could understand this
To play your clips ( quicktime, realmedia, avi, mpeg, Flv, swf, wmv, etc.) on any table top DVD player use DVD Flick to author them to DVD Movie.
They must be authored to DVD Movie in DVD Flick. or Nero/any authoring tool in order to get the correct vobs.
.................so to watch my videos on a relative's computer AND table top DVD player, I need two sets of disc? One would be AVI format for the computer media players, and the other would be created using DVDflick so they play on the table top DVD player?
................I did get one burned using DVDflick and it won't play on one of my DVD players. I have 3: Magnavox made in 2008, Lasonic made in 2001, and Sony made in an unknown year - http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-DVP-NS75H-CD-DVD-Player-HD-Upscaling-/150595341509?pt=DVD_Players_Recorders&hash=item23102e8cc5

thanks.

so to watch my videos on a relative's computer AND table top DVD player,
I need two sets of disc?<<correct

One would be AVI format for the computer media players,<< correct
 and the other would be created using DVDflick so they play on the table top DVD player?<<correct

Regarding your comment here>> I did get one burned using DVDflick and it won't play on one of my DVD players.<<<<Did you see the finalising and encoding when burning?
ensure you have set the correct settings in the project settings Video burn to disc and are using Pal or the appropiate coding for your regeon.
DDV Flick guide
http://www.dvdflick.net/guide/guide_new.pdf

A workaround is also possible ,what I use is a USB 2 external hard drive, plug that into my PC and upload my avi and also my pictures music even a couple of media players like VLC MPC home cinema
The convenience of this is that most PC/laptops have a usb 2 connection, even some dvd players and even TV.
Digital set top boxes have usb support these days as well.
So if you relatives have a supporting TV with USB or a DVD Player with USB 2  you could save yourself a lot of time burning these data DVD
Just take the USB external drive with you plug it in a play it.

ok, thanks.

Can you look over the entire list of outputs above, 35448614, (FoxTab converter)
Which one(s) should play on non computer DVD players?
If none are the ones I want.
And since I can not remove PS from the format that looks like the one people say is the standard (DVD - MPEG-2PS format (DVD-VOB)), can you recommend a good converter with the standard DVD movie format?

So, "even with codecs" there is no format that will play "anywhere?"

Or is the exception > Windows Media Player <
......and there "is" a format that will play on all of these:
VLC,
table top players,
Nero Essentials.

Thanks.

well, I found this:
So, you just have finished burning MP4 (MPEG-4) to DVD, now you can play your MP4 (MPEG-4) files on home DVD player in your living room through TV.

So, which one, or more formats, will play on home DVD players?
I thought it was mpeg2, and now some evidence that mpeg4 is also one.

Thanks.

nickg5 hi,
where are you reading this stuff?
DVD Video or DVD Movie a true DVD like the one you buy in a shop, these DVD Discs  use the format vobs and ifo and bup files,
The vobs is another name for mpeg2. Forget mpeg2 outside of the vobs on a DVD Platter
There is no mpeg4 or mp4 suitable for this.
That is a quicktime format and noway playable on a table top dvd player unless it is authored to DVD .
Please refer to all my previous illistrations guides and comments regarding authoring.
cheers

Here is a snapshot of the structure of a true DVD Video regardless I made it they all have the same structure even bought DVD Movies

DVD-contents-structure.jpg

DVD authoring is the process of adding graphics and interactive content to an audiovisual DVD.
This might include an opening logo, main menu page, index, or scene selection. It can also incorporate audio options such as two-channel stereo or 5-channel surround sound, multiple video formats, and other features. DVD authoring is usually only used on audiovisual DVDs and not on music disks.

DVDAuthor is a set of tools to help you author the file and directory structure of a DVD-Video disc, including programmatic commands for implementing interactive behaviour. It is driven by command lines and XML control files, (see below).
http://dvdauthor.sourceforge.net/

Can you look over the entire list of outputs above, my comment #35448614?
Which one(s) should play on non computer DVD players?
You said that the only mpeg2 one on the list, won't work because of the PS.
Can you recommend a converter to get my file to mpeg2?

I  am trying to find out which formats will play on:
1. VLC "and" WMP.
2. VLC
3. WMP
4. all non pc dvd players.

I know the AVI file I have, will play on WMP and VLC.

Should the K-lite coded pack allow other formats to play on WMP?
Which ones?

I know DVDflick can author, but I am trying to establish the required formats.
I'm not ready to burn a disc.

At this point, authoring is too advanced.
I need to know all the desired formats for my purposes and which converter to use.

Thanks.

I'd like to start over and get down the proper formats.
AVI plays on WMP-VLC.
I do not want the formats desgined only for WMP, like wmv, etc.

I have a codec package, so I'd like to know which formats, using the codecs, can play on:
WMP?                  (AVI is one of the them)
WMP "and" VLC?  (AVI is one of them)
-----------------------------------
with codecs, which formats will play on my DVD players (mpeg2)

with codecs, is there a format thay plays any where? If the answer is "no", then is it because WMP has it's own rules of sorts?
And if WMP was removed from the term "anywhere," is there a format using codecs that would play everywhere else?

Thanks.

ok
I  am trying to find out which formats will play on:
2. VLC  please look here
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/features.php?cat=video

3. WMP<<this is for windows media player version 11
.asf, .wma, .wmv, .wm
Windows Media Metafiles (.asx, .wax, .wvx, .wpl)
Microsoft Digital Video Recording (.dvr-ms)
(.avi)
Audio content or video content that is compressed with a wide variety of codecs can be stored in an .avi file and played in Windows Media Player, if the appropriate codecs are installed on the computer
DivX codec
For more information, visit the following DivX Web site:
http://www.divx.com (http://www.divx.com)
Cinepak codec
For more information, visit the following Cinepak Web site:
http://www.probo.com/cinepak.php (http://www.probo.com/cinepak.php)
Indeo codec
For more information, visit the following Ligos Web site:
http://www.ligos.com (http://www.ligos.com)
DV codec
MJPEG codec
Uncompressed RGB or YUY2 codec
Audio codecs that are frequently used in .avi files include the following audio codecs:
MP3 codec
Microsoft Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation (MS ADPCM)
Uncompressed Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) codec
Mpeg1
Moving Pictures Experts Group (.mpg, .mpeg, .m1v, .mp2, .mp3, .mpa, .mpe, .mpv2, .m3u)
The Moving Picture Experts Group develop the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) standards. .
MPEG-1 (.mpeg, .mpg, .m1v)
Versions of Windows Media Player that support this file type:
Windows Media Player 7
Windows Media Player for Windows XP
Windows Media Player 9 Series
Windows Media Player 10
Windows Media Player 11
However, MPEG-1 system streams do not exclusively use the .mpg and .mpeg extensions. MPEG-2 program streams also frequently use .mpg and .mpeg file extensions, but they contain MPEG-2-encoded video.
 Because Microsoft Windows operating systems provide only an MPEG-1 video decoder,
Windows Media Player 11 cannot play MPEG-2 program streams without an additional MPEG-2 video decoder (also known as a DVD decoder pack) installed.
For more information about purchasing DVD decoder packs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/plugins.aspx 
Source
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316992

4. all non pc dvd players << only table top DVD players>DVD-Video discs or platters
DVD Video is a consumer video format used to store digital video on DVD discs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If your going to use a PC to play your avi and mp4 as is forget windows media player when travelling to family unless they have windows 7 and wmp 12.
-----------------------------------------------------------
If you want to transfer your mp4 /avi etc to show your family your choices are:
 for the PC
Use a USB drive and leave them as is include VLC player in the USB hard drive
plug in the drive and play from VLC on the drive >> ANYWHERE on any PC bar a MAC windows as it may not support VLC.
They come in 500 gig to 4 terrabytes in size so price can vary but very affordable.
western digital the best.
http://www.getprice.com.au/buy-best-usb%20portable%20hard%20drive.htm?gclid=CMTbi9GwuagCFQXybwodKCAVBQ
http://www.pocketec.net/
--------------------------------------------------
To play your mp4 / avi on a table top DVD player if it doesnt support USB then author them to DVD
Make them on your PC  using DVD Flick and use  DVD-R to ensure they are compatible with other DVD table top players.
--------------------------------------------------
With your VCR burn them to your DVD+RW
--------------------------------------------------------
And that's it really.
cheers
Ensure you have selected Pal or ntsc in the video options

To play your avi on a table top DVD player if it doesnt support USB then author them to DVD.

................what is the format?
(or is there more than one that will play on non computer DVD players)

The converter I have, has 39 different outputs.
If none are the right one(s), I need to look into a different converter.
I mentioned another one I tried, in my other question, but it is trying to warn me about certain type files and I have to accept or the program won't open = no good.

Thanks.

Well, shoot, someone else has now said FFmpeg is needed, but the above mentioned converter gives warnings about FFmpeg.
When you say no, you do not want to download FFmpeg files, then it won't let the program open.
You must accept the FFmpeg or go elsewhere. I'll go elsewhere, I guess.

well, I just tried my AVI file on WMP and VLC.
WMP the maximum volume is noticably lower then VLC.
Maybe VLC will be my choice there.

Have you compared volumes to know if your WMP 12 is the same, or lower volume (max) than VLC?

Thanks.

Well I tested one of my avi on WMP 12 here on Windows 7 and on my xp WMP 11 and on VLC and VLC was quieter, go figure.
Are both on 100%  as VLC can run a higher volume.

 but usually the volume of the avi actually is the center control of how much volume you have in the media player. Or VLC likes teh avi better than WMP.
WMP is so finnacky about  audio and video codecs.

WMP 11 looks is so basic to WMP 12, in WMP 12 I can r/clck the volume icon in the player and adjust the enhancements
With WMP 11 when playing your avi r/click on the bottom area left side somewhere and you should see View  then enhancements
Check if you have quiet mode enabled.
I took a snapshoy from my xp machine with WMP 11 and one on my Windows 7 WMP 12 for comparison
wmp-11-enhancements.jpg
enhancements-W7.jpg

Nickq5, I just reading your other comments,>................what is the format? <<<< it's DVD, Digital Video Disc, you know a DVD movie, it's been processed to play on the table top DVD player. That is the only supported medium for table top DVD players that plug into the TV.

Using this AVS converter that was on the page with DVD Flick it has everything already inbuilt  no need to download any other tools like FFmpeg.
References to>
Well, shoot, someone else has now said FFmpeg is needed, but the above mentioned converter gives warnings about FFmpeg.<< understandable.

You have already shown that your avi play fine in the WMP and VLC. Problem solved there,
just go ahead and convert your single mp4 and or other types such as WMV to avi.

Your last area of concern is how to get these avi to the computer/s at your family.
Since they are just for the computer only just burn them to to DVD as a data disc.

Your last area of concern is how to get these avi to the computer/s at your family.

.......no, to get the AVI to table top DVD players.
And you imply that DVDflick will change the AVI to the right format, automatically, and I do not need a converter for that.

So, in review, a converter is only to get a file to AVI, for WMP and others.

And, if I am understanding you, no converter is needed to get AVI to:
DVD + r
or
DVD - r
(for non pc based DVD players)
that process is done by DVDflick, and it just "authors" the AVI file?

So, DVDflick can accept any type file and author it to DVD format?

And you imply that DVDflick will change the AVI to the right format, automatically, and I do not need a converter for that.<< correct, it burns the avi to DVD authored and correct

So, in review, a converter is only to get a file to AVI, for WMP and others.<< correct

And, if I am understanding you, no converter is needed to get AVI to:DVD + r or DVD - r < correct only because you're using DVD Flick in this case as it's your DVD authoring tool.
The same applies when you use Nero Vision or Power DVD ( any authoring tool)

So, DVDflick can accept any type file and author it to DVD format? Pretty much, but video only..
 I tested it with my > WMV, mp4, avi. and posted a screen shot.
They all authored and burnt to DVD Movie playable on my Table top DVD player and as a DVD Video on my PC  just fine

Up next....DVDflick and my seven remaining DVD+r media
(that is about 5 years old)
for some test burns.....and see if they play on any of my 3 DVD players.

If they do, I could stay with DVD+r
or
go to DVD-r

Then, I'll plug in my DVD recorder and try to transfer a VHS tape.
However, if I understand you, DVD+r may not play on all DVD players.
So, since my DVD recorder only records to DVD+r
Then if the VHS won't play on my DVD players, or my computer,
I'll have to get a new DVD recorder than can record to DVD - r.

Thanks.
I've tried to raise the points to 10,000 and it won't let me....

lol 10,000 points woo hoo I feel rich, naw it's ok I dont do this for points that's EE mentality of giving back..

If they do, I could stay with DVD+r << they'll be fine, once finalised they should play fine.
DVDs that have been made using a +R/+RW device can be read by most commercial DVD-ROM players.
 
Then if the VHS won't play on my DVD players, or my computer,<< they will they are now DVD, just use VLC or WMP or Media player classic home cinema, with VLC go to Media and open disc and press ok

But you have nothing to worry about if they do fail ( unlikely) if you have burnt them correctly they should play fine.
Remember the data on a DVD+RW disc can be erased and recorded over numerous times without damaging the disc platter
when you want to use it again format them using the ( Cyberhome CH-DVR-1500)
insert a disc you have written on and the option to do a couple of things should appear on your TV screen / you should see ( format disc yes /no)

thanks.
If I have any problems with DVDflick, I will open a new question. If you frequent those zones, maybe you see any new questions. Thanks.

I have had to ask a new question on DVDflick.
The steps you show with screen shots, I can not see them very well and after step 6, things were unknown as to what happened.
The DVD did not eject, etc.
Search my user name and go to the question if you want.
Well, I can not ask the question, because I will be unable to give the details, no one else will know what is going on.
Can you go here, if you are willing, and give an answer and then I can give the details.
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/26987256/Anyone-use-DVDflick-and-able-to-solve-these-issues.html