I have some video files (movies) that I want to take with me on a trip to see my brother. But I'm having lots of trouble converting some videos that are currently on my computer to a format that my DVD machine (hopefully any DVD machine) will play. My brother doesn't have a USB port on his TV, but he does have a DVD player.
I am working with an external DVD/CD player/writer for my iMac: Samsung SE-218, plus I have a Toshiba VHS/DVD player DVR630KC. I'm trying to burn my video files to a DVD using the Samsung, but not having much success with conversion programs, the converted files don't play on my DVD player, I get an error message/screen. I've scrapped 6 raw DVDs so far.
My computer is a late 2015 iMac with MacOS Mojave version 10.14.5. I am trying to convert video files with formats avi, mp4, and mkv to a format that any DVD player will play.
I used the app UniCoverter (free version, as a test) to try to do the conversions before burning, but nothing is working. Is there a program/app that does this easily without me needing to have foreknowledge of all the different formats? With UniConverter I have to do all my own selections and I really don't know what I'm doing. Is there a simple easy-to-use program for dummies like me that will convert video files to a DVD-playable format?
So I can't offer any software suggestions for a Mac. But I add that you don't actually need a "conversion" program. It sounds like what you are doing is converting the files into some other format and burning them to DVD as data (ie: if you open the disc on the computer you see the files listed: movie1.xxx, movie2.xxx, etc.). That will only work if the DVD player can playback video files.
What you actually need to be doing is creating a video DVD. Open the program, add the video files, the program converts the files into an mpg format, and then authors the DVD into a Video DVD spec disc. After which, if you open the disc on the computer, you will see an Audio_TS, and Video_TS folder (if you are curious, open a movie DVD and view the files).
So look for a program which can create Video DVD's.
Is his Player a Blu Ray ... and/or ... Does it have a USB port ??
Can you get his player make/model number ???
Can he view YouTube Videos from the internet ???.
Before I got a smart TV ... I got a BluRay Player for connecting the TV to the internet.
My BluRay Player will read/play mp4s on a disc or USB stick ... It doesn't require a Video DVD.
If he ever gets a new TV, maybe a player, It will most likely have USB.
I'm thinking Video DVDs are headed the way of 8 tracks
I use a PC and Adobe to make Video DVDs ....
So I'm not familiar with Freeware Authoring software for a mac.
Thanks Oddba11 and Noyb! All of this is terrific and useful info! I've asked my bro what DVD player he has, and will check for some way to make video DVDs, in case.
Noyb, I note you mention Adobe is used by you to make Video DVDs? Can you supply more details such as which version of Adobe?
If you plan on doing more video work ....
The current version of Adobe Premiere Elements 19 should do it.
It should work on a mac ... Many of the Photoshop users prefer a mac.
I'd suggest get a trail version first ... free for 30 days.
There's a long learning curve ... Ask me or YouTube tutorials.
Then if you like it, all you need is a serial.
Here's your output choices in APRE 18
Around late September, Adobe usually releases a new version ...
and it looks like the sale prices have started
I'm Running Windows 7 using Adobe Premiere Elements v13.
About 3 years ago, I got tired of Microsoft Killing videos.
I decided to pay for, and learn a good video editor ... Glad I did.
The newer versions of Adobe only run on W10.
I don't know if this will exude a Mac ????
Can you get the videos to me ??? .. how many hours ???
I'll wait to see what Bro has.
Looks like I can burn DVDs direct using the UniConverter program, as opposed to using the burn function on my external DVD drive, but it's very unclear if the subsequent DVDs will be playable on a DVD machine. And I have to buy the full version of the UniConverter to find out, as the free version does not allow the burn function. Last I tried was converting to a VOB file which I've seen are playable on DVD machines, but somehow they can't be played when I convert a file from MP4 to VOB using UniConverter.
You're right, I have seen that professional DVDs use TS folders.
There are so many formats and possibilities in that UniConverter app, I don't know which one to pick! I tried VOB_NTSC_DVD to covert from MP4 to, but no go on the DVD machine after completed. Now I'm up to 7 raw DVDs that I've "spoiled."
I have an iMac computer, a Samsung DVD player/writer external to the Mac connected by USB, and a Toshiba DVD recorder/player machine. (This Toshiba does not have a USB port, which I was thinking might have allowed me to record a DVD straight off of a USB key.)
What are the steps you use to authorize a burned DVD? What format(s) do you select? I'm lost. I don't want to buy the full version of UniConverter unless I am sure I know it will do what I want it to do.
My 9 video files total approximately 5.15 GB for 9 hours 25 minutes run time. The original file formats are mkv (2), avi (3), and mp4 (4).
in Adobe Premier Elements ... I edit the Video(s) (any format) ... save the working file *.prel .... then I can save as a mp4 video (or many others) .... and/or tell it to make a Video DVD.
Video DVDs are their own format .... File types and folders.
Not sure what resolution you have and want ... I figure 2 hours per Video DVD to get the max DVD quality that is really poor (for now a days technology)
This is where a USB stick is great ... Higher Res and much longer run time (available GB on a stick)
Sounds like you might want to make 9 DVDs.
Sorry, I need more time and knowledge to study the Toshiba Manual ...
But first guess ... It would help if Brother would get a new BluRay Player with a USB port.
Then all you'd have to do is copy to a USB Stick.
I'd suggest converting all videos to MP4 First.
Anyway you can send me all 5 gigs ???
9 hours in 5 gigs sounds like really low res.
A Video DVD is about 4GB and 2 hours.
That's very kind of you! But would I be able to send 5 GB of files through this site? And wouldn't that be sort of illegal sending full movie and TV show files through this public website? Anyone looking at this thread would be able to pick them up....
I successfully transferred one movie to a DVD and it plays on my Toshiba machine, except there's no sound! There's sound when I play the same burned DVD on my computer, though. The app I used created Audio_TS and Video_TS files on the disc. When I tried this again with another video, my whole computer seized up and I had to reboot my computer -- I made three attempts, and everything froze each time!
... would I be able to send 5 GB of files through this site? .... wouldn't that be sort of illegal sending full movie and TV show files through this public website? ....
The app I used created Audio_TS and Video_TS files on the disc.
I don't know file upload limits
Not videos you took but because you said TV ... Yes
Audio_TS and Video_TS files are a video DVD ... Sounds like a codec or authoring problem.
I occasionally Dropbox for sending large files, I don't know about the free/trial version.
I don't know about any other free hosting sites
Thanks to Oddba11 and Noyb, I have solved my problem. All these discussions led me to finally burning my files to a DVD that could be played on my DVD machine. What I did was create iso files of my videos and then burn the iso's to blank DVD-Rs. Here's a YouTube video I found that gives one all the steps.
Thanks to everyone for your great help! You guys are the best!
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Tech Support Guy
9.9M posts
859.7K members
Since 1998
A forum community dedicated to tech experts and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about articles, computer security, Mac, Microsoft, Linux, hardware, networking, gaming, reviews, accessories, and more!