Posts Tagged ‘Blu Ray’

The Best DVD Burner Software to Burn AVI to DVD

August 29th, 2010

Hi. I am Marty Holthaus. For over a decade I worked as a coordinator for feature length visual effects movies but now I write about technology that can be used to transfer old movies and videos to digital formats. Buying the right software to burn your home movies to DVD is one of the most important steps you can take. If you have already converted your video to a digital file format such as AVI, for instance, you are now ready to “burn AVI to DVD” which basically means that you are ready to record that video and audio data to a DVD that will play in your home DVD player so that you may comfortably entertain family and friends with the pictures and sounds from the past. To take this on you will need the best software you can get to do the job right – the first time. Here is how to proceed.

Below is my review of the top five DVD burners on the market for burning video files like AVI to DVD. If you want to copy Hollywood movies to DVD discs and not your home movies, then this software may or may not be the best choice for you. This review will focus primarily on software that will help you create simple yet effective menus, titles, and slide shows for your home movies. This is called DVD “authoring.” The software will then help you record the digital files to DVD so that they appear inside the visual menus and titles that you created in the authoring phase.

In writing this review I could have included the burner software that is bundled with the high-end video editing software suites such as Adobe Premier. These software packages are fantastic but they are first and foremost video editing software packages. The price for software like this can be very high and so I decided to focus on the more simple yet powerful standalone software that has the main purpose of burning video files to DVD. Some of this software also has simple editing tools incorporated into its design but editing is not what they do best. In my opinion, these five tools below are the easiest and most efficient for burning home movies to DVD. Most importantly they are the most reputable. Enjoy.

Corel DVD Movie Factory Pro 7 ($79.99)

  • Designed for Windows
  • Imports digital file formats
  • Exports to a variety of single layer DVD formats and dual layer DVD formats as well as Blu-ray
  • Basic editing tools
  • Creates menus, single movies, and even slideshows

Roxio MyDVD 10 Premier ($69.99)

  • Designed for Windows
  • Imports digital file formats and video from digital video cameras as well
  • Exports to a variety of single layer DVD formats and dual layer DVD formats as well as Blu-ray
  • Basic editing tools
  • Creates menus, single movies, and even slideshows
  • Compresses video for use with many mobile devices
  • Easy upload for You Tube users

Roxio Toast 10 Titanium ($79.99 after $20 mail-in rebate)

  • Designed for Macs
  • Imports digital file formats and video from digital video cameras as well
  • Exports to a variety of single layer DVD formats and dual layer DVD formats as well as Blu-ray
  • Basic editing tools
  • Creates menus but not slideshows
  • Compresses video for use with many mobile devices

Roxio Toast 10 Titanium Pro ($129.99 after $20 mail-in rebate)

Also designed for Macs, this software provides all of the features listed above for the standard edition of Toast 10 Titanium plus these additional features:

  • Provides advanced customization of soundtracks
  • Removes noise from analog and digital recordings
  • Create slideshows as well as menus
  • Advanced light and color balancing as well as a tool that can “re-light” your scene

NTI Dragon Burn 4.5 ($39.99)

  • Mac-based software
  • Imports digital file formats and video from digital video cameras as well
  • Exports to a variety of single layer DVD formats and dual layer DVD formats as well as Blu-ray
  • Creates menus but not slideshows

If you need more information regarding conversion from analog to digital formats or burning digital files to DVD, please see my website at DVD VHS Transfer.

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Posted in Computer & Internet, Software Applications

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Here Comes 3D TV

August 10th, 2010

It is now time for 3D to finally come into it’s own with the new selection of 3D TVs. Now watching 3D movies and shows in the comfort of your own home is becoming a reality.

In order to watch 3D at home some equipment is required. First and foremost is a HD3DLEDTV or a 3D compatible TV. Most, but not all will require 3D glasses. Then you will need that true 3D movie.

In order to view images in 3D we will need to wear shutter glasses that open and close in sync with flashing images on the screen. This in combination with two pictures projected onto the same screen will trick our eye into viewing the images in 3D.

Polarized glasses don’t require power because they don’t open and close like the active shutter glasses. What they do is help the eye see two different images as one which creates a 3D effect. Movie theaters use polarized glasses and have two projectors which project two different images on the screen.

In order to watch a 3D movie at home you will need a 3D movie. You can rent or buy a 3D blu-ray or stream 3D from the Internet. There are many new exciting media and 3D streaming options becoming available.

What is the most important aspect of getting 3D media from your cable or satellite provider? It may be the lowly cable. No matter what source you are getting your 3D media from it needs to be connected with the latest HDMI 1.4 cable. If not the 3D signal will not transfer properly. Direct TV and Com cast both offer options in 3D media. As more people get compatible set ups the options will only increase.

Do you like sports? Even if you don’t the ESPN sports in 3D will be something to behold. Do you enjoy looking at glaciers, penguins, and sharks, then Discovery 3D will have something for you. 3D games? Sony PS3 is on it.

Vuzix has created 3D glasses that you can wear and view 3D on the go. Just hook them to a 3D source such as your smart phone.

Is there a way to have a 3D LED HDTV that doesn’t require glasses? Yes there is a liquid crystal technology that directs the eye to different images creating a 3D effect without glasses. In order for this to work you have to be directly in front of the TV. As technology is perfected I’m sure we will hear more about this technology.

3D is here to stay and good thing too. Imagine having all of the kids gathered around watching there favorite movie in 3D. Talk about a Disney babysitter. A great activity for slumber parties and family get togethers. Have some interactive oohs and aah s at your next movie night.

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Posted in Arts & Entertainment, TV

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